A good way to land any job is to have a good GPA and work experience. An even more essential key to getting accepted by a company is to excel at your interview. On Wednesday, January 30, Price Waterhouse Coopers representatives came to lecture in Belfer Hall about the importance of job interviews and what one should do before and during an interview. Yeshiva alumnus Allan Cohen, a senior manager at Price Waterhouse, along with Jeff Agrinoff and Meg Grab came to speak about various tactics and preparation methods that are crucial in preparation for the big day.

The trio explained that there are two crucial aspects to every interview, the "pre-interview preparation", and the interview itself. In order to be equipped for an interview, potential employees must research the company, and find out what that company is looking for in an employee. A common mistake among interviewees, Cohen cautioned, is a tendency to forget the nature of the position that they are applying for.

During the personal assessment portion of the interview, one should candidly stress his strengths and weaknesses, clearly expressing why he is the best candidate, without being overly boastful. One important issue that will definitely come up is work experience. Fortune 500 firms want people who are experienced with leadership roles. Interviewers will ask about a past experience one might have had, or real life examples that were dealt with by the interviewee, to show that he can deal with pressure and thorny situations.

Interviews are generally based on behavioral responses; a smart interviewee should know how to present himself, making sure to blend the different aspects of his professional and behavioral capabilities in his discussion. Just as one must be careful in his speech during the interview, he should also consider using appropriate body language and direct eye contact, to show confidence, poise, and composure.

Agrinoff commented that during the interview, it is more than all right to ask for a minute when one is not sure about a particular question. It is better to take a moment and answer the question appropriately, rather than get flustered and confused. One of the worst things to do during the interview is to panic. The questions that are generally asked may be difficult; therefore it is not unreasonable to reply by saying that one does not know the answer. Agrinoff explained that mock interviews might be very valuable because they may help prepare for the most challenging questions. Practicing speech will help minimize mistakes.

Allan Cohen commented that having a sharp résumé might look impressive at first, yet if one has a poor understanding of his résumé, it may appear very suspicious to the interviewer. The group then went on to tackle a very important issue: attire. The crew offered their perspective, claiming that although wearing a suit is always required, one should dress conservatively. Upon the closing of the interview it is accepted to ask for a business card and remember to firmly shake the hand of the interviewer.

Expressing interest in the company will convince the interviewer that candidate cares about getting the job. Appearing overly aggressive may be a terrible way to express concern. One should ask intelligent questions that will make the interviewer aware that the interviewee is genuinely interested in pursuing the job. Upon shaking the interviewer's hand, it is highly recommended to thank him for the opportunity and tell him why the interviewee will best fit the specific job.

Ultimately, the Price Waterhouse representatives stressed that getting a good night's sleep and remaining confident are the two most important steps an interviewe can take.