What happens after sending the application?

If the company is interested in your application they will contact you shortly after they receive it.  The company will contact you either by phone or email. 

Make sure you reply to their email and/or return their call no later than the next business day.  Your prompt response shows them that you are interested in the job. 

Response by phone:  Be prepared to talk to the person, make a few notes and have your calendar and schedule available to set a date for a possible face-to-face interview.  Also, be ready to answer a few brief questions over the phone.  Example questions might be:

• Are you still interested in the job?
• What are your available hours to work?
• When would you be available to start?
• When can you schedule an interview?
  (The interview might be by phone or in person)

Response by email:  Mention that you are replying to their previous email.  Tell them you are very interested in the job and are happy to meet with them – you have to adjust your text according to what their email said.  They still might call you to finalize an interview time and date.  Before you respond to an email we suggest reviewing the section “Basic Internet Tips”, excerpt later in this section.

What is an Interview?

A job interview is usually a ‘face-to-face’ meeting, although it could be conducted by phone, between the interviewee (you) and a company representative (the interviewer).  A company representative is a person in a supervisory / management position.  This meeting usually takes place at the company’s location.  However, occasionally interviews may take place over the phone or even during lunch or dinner at a restaurant.  Sometimes, there may be 2-3 company representatives in the interview.  Sometimes, there may be other applicants interviewing with you at the same time.  This is called a group interview.  There are many different types of interviews.  It just depends on the job you are applying for and the company. 

Sometimes, an interview can happen when you go to turn in your job application.  It might seem like a casual and quick meeting, but keep in mind that the interviewer is still making a decision about you based on what you say, how you say it, and what you do in that meeting.   It is still a job interview, even if it does not feel as formal or even if it was not scheduled in advance. 

The most typical job interview is one that takes place at the workplace, is face-to-face, and is scheduled in advanced.  The interview might last between 15 minutes to 1 hour. It just depends on the type of job that you are applying for.    The company representative will ask you a number of questions, and at some point, you will also have the opportunity to ask a few questions about the company and the job position. 

What kinds of questions will I be asked? 

The company representative will ask you questions about your educational and work experiences, your personality, your strengths and weaknesses, and your skills.  In many cases, you will be asked some standard interview questions as well as some behavioral interview questions.  In the following sections, you will get to see written and video examples of standard and behavioral interview questions and responses.

Here’s your homework:

1. Research the company
2. Be prepared to “think like the interviewer”
3. Plan and write down your responses
4. Role play and rehearse responses to interview questions
5. Prepare your materials
6. Plan transportation to and from interview
7. Dress appropriately and groom yourself
8. Decide if and how you might disclose your diagnosis
9. Make sure your social media sites are presentable. 

In the following are a few points from Basic Internet Tips

All of us use the Internet and sometimes it is easy to forget that there are real people on the other end.  These are a few guidelines when using the internet. 

General communication:

• Remember, people can’t see you in person. 
• Always be polite and courteous in your emails and on any social media platform. 
• Treat people the way you want to be treated. 
• Only say things you would say to them in person- face to face.
• Always be truthful.

Read before post:

• Do NOT post anything you might regret later. 
• Do NOT post anything you would not want the world to see or find on youtube.
• Assume everybody can see everything you post. 
• STOP, WAIT and consider before you hit “reply” or “send” on a post.
• RE-READ your comment or post, walk away and come back and read it again – if you like your post hit “send”.

Pay attention to the tone of your post/ text:

• Avoid negative comments, bad jokes, sarcasm or gossip.
• Consider other people’s feelings, AVOID cyber bullying.
• Think how your post, comment would make you feel if someone sent it to you.

Communication

• Write clear and complete sentences.
• Keep your message to the point.
• Use spell-check before sending any message.
• Remember attachments.
• Use upper- and lowercase lettering. ALL capital letter messages give a negative impression and is taken as shouting.
• Limit abbreviations.

Please remember – what you post on the internet is there to stay and for everybody to see.  Always use caution, manners and THINK before you hit “enter”.