Tips for Interviews

Before Your Phone Interview

• Be ready to answer the phone yourself. 
  First, be sure to let family members and/or roommates know you're expecting a call. When you answer the phone, respond with your name (e.g., "This is first name, last name"), so the interviewer knows they've reached the right person.
• Be prepared to take notes. 
  Have a pen and paper handy for note-taking. If you’re taking notes on your computer, be sure to share that with your interviewer(s), so they don’t presume you’re multi-tasking during your discussion.
• Don't get interrupted. 
  Turn off call-waiting so your call isn't interrupted. It may also help to silence your texts, so you don’t inadvertently read them during the interview.
• Use a landline. 
  If you have a landline, use that instead of your cell phone. That way, you'll eliminate the possibility of poor reception or dropped calls. If you’re using your cell phone, be sure to stay in an area where the signal is strong and consistent, and make sure your phone is fully charged.
• Use Bluetooth® or headphones. 
  Take advantage of technology to help you hear the conversation better and be clearly understood. Consider practicing using Bluetooth® or headphones before your interview to ensure everything goes smoothly. Lastly, avoid using the speaker phone to make sure you have the highest sound quality possible.
• Practice. 
  You may need to speak more than you normally do to make sure all your key points are clear. Perhaps find a friend or family member to rehearse your responses to common interview questions. Ask them to give you honest, direct feedback about your content, tone, manner of delivery, speed of speech, choice of words and overall effective communication style. The interviewer is assessing that, so be prepared and assess yourself first.

During Your Phone Interview

• Smile. 
  Smiling will project a positive image to the listener and change the tone of your voice. Authenticity is key.
• Try standing up. 
  It can be helpful to stand during the interview, since this typically gives your voice more energy and enthusiasm. If you’re on a video call, however, you may need to limit movement, so the interviewer can see you at all times.
• Focus, listen and enunciate. 
  It's important to focus on the interview, and that can be harder on the phone than in person. Be sure to listen to the question, ask for clarification if you're not sure what the interviewer is asking and speak slowly, carefully and clearly when you respond.
• Take your time. 
  It's perfectly acceptable to take a moment or two to collect your thoughts prior to answering. In fact, it may help you consider additional points to raise.
• End on a high note. 
  End the call on a positive note. First, ask if there’s anything else you can share that would help the interviewer, such as clarification of a point raised or additional information about your background/qualifications. If you enjoyed the discussion, end by thanking the interviewer and expressing your interest in the job. For example, "Thank you for the call. I like what I heard, and I’m confident I could fill the role. I’m very interested in the position. What’s the next step?"

Before Your Video Interview

• Test your technology. 
  Ensure you’re set up for success. Check your internet connectivity and confirm your camera and microphone are working.
• Set the scene. 
  Find a room with optimal lighting, preferably near a window or a blank wall to guarantee you’re the focal point of the conversation. Make sure the room is neat and tidy. Consider the backdrop, such as wall art or furnishings. Having degrees or similar indicators lends unspoken credence to your qualifications.
• Minimize distractions. 
  Turn off the TV, silence your cell phone and close any nearby windows to muffle outside noises. Similar to telephone calls, video interviews will amplify unintended noise, even in the background. Also, don’t use your computer unless you’re adept at taking notes and maintaining eye contact with the camera. This behavior is exaggerated during a video session.

During Your Video Interview

• Dress the part. 
  Dress as you would for an in-person interview. A video interview is a formal interview, and you should plan to dress accordingly.
• Monitor your body language. 
  The main way to communicate confidence is to sit up straight, smile and keep the camera at eye level. Keep your focus on the camera when talking, not on the image of the interviewer. And, if you tend to use your hands to express yourself, be aware of how it may be viewed. It may help to practice the video interview with a friend to get feedback on your appearance, demeanor and composure.
• End on a high note. 
  Follow the same tips for ending a phone interview when concluding a video interview. Be sure to wait for the video connection to end before standing up, walking away or turning off your camera.

Before Your Interview

• Do your research. 
  Get familiar with our history, mission statement and core values. Explore our website, products and services to get a feel for what we do. This is a good time to make sure we’re a good fit for you. You’ll also want to make sure you understand the position, duties and how your role will impact day-to-day business. 

Top Tip: Identify some key ways that Navy Federal differs from its competitors in the financial industry. 

• Practice your elevator pitch. 
  During the interview process, we’ll ask a range of questions. Come prepared to share about yourself, your career goals and how you’ll contribute to Navy Federal. Consider exactly what you want to convey and be ready to discuss what value you add that others may not. We may also ask a mix of opinion-based, hypothetical and behavioral-style questions to get to know you more.

Top Tip: Research the STAR method and practice delivering your answers concisely.

During Your Interview

• Dress for the job. 
  When in doubt, dress to impress. Avoid anything too casual—think suit jacket, collared shirt, tie, dress pants, modest blouse or dress skirt. You want to look presentable, so have on a clean and wrinkle-free outfit.
• Come prepared. 
  Arrive 10 to 15 minutes before your scheduled interview time to give yourself time to park, check in and gather your thoughts. Bring copies of your resume to hand to your interviewers for reference. Feel free to also bring a cover letter and letter of recommendation, but they’re not required.
• Show your personality. 
  Remember—we’re all human. Don’t forget to relax, smile and show your personality! This is your chance to shine and make an impression.
• End on a high note. 
  Have questions prepared to ask your interviewers at the end. For example, “How do you see Navy Federal evolving over the next 5 years?” Before you leave, restate your goals and interest in the position. Don’t forget to ask about next steps so you can be prepared for any additional interviews or follow up. The day after the interview, send an email thanking them for their time.