Tips on the Interview Process

Yes that’s right lovely Class…some day, in the distant future you will actually apply the skills

you are learning here… Sooooooooo PAY ATTENTION!!!

O-M-G!!!

Why I Am Giving This Talk• You represent not just you,

but also your teachers.

…and Transition class.

Don’t blow it.

Let’s just make some assumptions here…

1. You sent your resume and cover letter out.

2. You get a phone call inviting you in for an interview.

3. Are you interested in the job?– Don’t waste your time if you’re not.– Don’t waste their time if you’re not.

Pre-Interview: Dos and Don’ts

1. Do your homework

2. Develop a list of questions to ask

(more later…).

Pre-Interview: Dos and Don’ts (continued)

3. Be prepared

– To answer tough questions.—To feel nervous (it is impossible not to).

- Bring a notebook with questions to ask the interviewer in it.

- Also bring something to write with, an extra copy of your cover letter & resume, and in some cases a portfolio.

O-M-G!!!!

4. Dress Appropriately.

-Don’t look like a crazy, freaky, original,

unique, super-styled, crazy-freaky person!!!

-Hide any tattoos -or- piercings you may have.

Just ask who you feel dresses in a sophisticated manner.

If you question yourself…Don’t wear it!!!

(Is this too…[fill in the blank] ??? low, high, tight, baggy, orange

—just don’t ever wear orange to an interview…PLEASE)

GAME TIME!!!

OK, lets play a game now. You tell me if the following pictures are appropriate

examples of interview dress.

Why-or-Why not?

The Puffy Scrunchie…Appropriate-or- Inappropriate?

Should you show off all your “Bling”?

Should you wear a prettyhat and scarf?

Shirt and Tie???

A red tie???

(Red=ambitious, exciting & risky…)

OTHER COLOR MEANINGS(just for the fun of it)

• Navy-Honest, hardworking, professional, organized, conservative, educated, loyal, influential

• Black-Powerful, opinionated, confident, credible, perfectionist, independent, prosperous, decisive

• Beige-Intelligent, shy, vague, liberal, indifferent, consistent, possessive, reserved, educated, orderly, frugal, well-bred, hospitable

• Brown-Stable, persevering, determined, organized, thrifty, content, peaceful, earthy, sensitive, social

• Gray-Supportive, inquisitive, experienced, stable, team-oriented, decisive, skillful, economical, detail-oriented

• White-Pure, honorable, dignified, formal, graceful, tolerant, calm, polished

OTHER COLORS—CONT’D• Red-Competitive, exciting, risky, expressive, impulsive,

eccentric, original, alluring, dramatic, intense• Yellow-Daring, clever, charming, spontaneous,

enlightened• Green-Optimistic, stubborn, analytical, abrupt, languid,

determined• Pink, Peach-Charming, tender, passive, naive, romantic,

sweet• Orange-Whimsical, frivolous, inventive, impulsive,

energetic• Burgundy/Maroon-Classic, refined, elegant, formal• Plum-Regal, diplomatic, sophisticated• Teal-Inventive, soothing, balancing• Indigo-Creative, unusual, artistic, intuitive

OK Back to the game…How about this…(Blue is professional right?)

A Red Dress and Bag???

A black and white business suit?

What about this guy…Why-or-Why

Not???

Him???

Her???

Him???

How about Man Sandals?

How about Lady sandals?

Them?

List the things that are wrong with this outfit.

OK...I think you have the point

-NO shorts-NO open toed shoes-NO crazy-styled clothing-NO jeans

-NO sweats

-NO sunglasses on top of your head or headphones around your neck (this means MP-3 players, Bluetooth devices, or any other

electronic paraphanalia). All devices of this type should be removed before you enter the lobby.

You should look professional

MEN

• DON'T wear earrings or any other type of jewelry (wedding rings, class rings, and watches are acceptable).

• Don’t wear overly-baggy clothes.• Don’t show off your Hanes.

WOMEN…

-DON'T wear heavy make-up. -DON'T wear big accessories.

-DON'T wear see through blouses or low cut shirts.

- DON'T wear mini-skirts or any skirt that rises too much above the knee.

- DON'T wear shirts that show off your belly button.

NO!!!

YES!!!

Some More Interview Dos and Don’ts

• Be yourself.

• Mind your manners.

– Be polite

– Be respectful

– Don’t offend anyone

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SELF-EXPLORATION

Be Aware of the Be Aware of the following:following:

Interest

Abilities

Experiences

Values

Dos and Don’ts—(continued)

-DON'T chew gum.

-DON'T go overboard on cologne or perfume.

DON’T

• Smoke or chew anything.• Ask about salary or days off.• Discuss personal problems, etc.• Handle anything on the

interviewers desk.• Provide information, which is

not factual.• Beg for the job, or hang around

after the interview.

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YOU SHOULD:• Show conviction, passion about something.• Know yourself.• Show an interest in what people are saying, but

– Don’t try too hard to please.– Don’t be too agreeable.

• Listen carefully to what people are asking or saying before answering questions or responding to comments.

• Think before you speak.• Don’t be cocky, especially with people you don’t know.• Take a few notes in that handy-dandy notebook of

yours (people’s names, impressions, etc…)• Always ask for a business card. This way you know

who to send the thank you to and how to spell their name.

Do Your HomeworkGOAL: Know your audience!

Find out what you can about the people and the place

you will be interviewing• strengths and weaknesses of the business• how big the business is • who your boss might be

from• people who work, or may have worked there

-and/or-• the Internet

GATHER DATAGATHER DATA

Be sure you can answer any questions about your education and previous work experiences.

Know the names of former employers, addresses, and current telephone numbers.

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This is all done on your resume ahead of time…be sure to have an extra copy on you at your interview

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•Your job title(s), starting and ending dates of previous employment, and your starting and ending salaries.

•Names of your direct supervisor(s) and other persons able to give information about your work performance.

•Reasons you left your previous employment. Elements of your jobs that you have liked best and that you least liked, and why.

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LEARN ABOUT THE COMPANYLEARN ABOUT THE COMPANY

Contact the Chamber of CommerceContact the Chamber of Commerce

Find out about the company in the Find out about the company in the following ways:following ways:

* Types of products/services

* Competitors

* Philosophy

* History

* Size

* Number of employees

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MOST IMPORTANT THING MOST IMPORTANT THING TO DO BEFORE THE TO DO BEFORE THE

INTERVIEWINTERVIEW

Ask for a job Ask for a job description of the description of the position for which position for which you are you are interviewing before interviewing before the interview.the interview.

Common TipsCommon Tips

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Go alone to the Interview.

Be Early (Remember the Early Bird gets the worm.)

Address the Interviewer as Mr. or Mrs. and shake hands firmly.

Wait until you are told to be seated. Never go in and sit down on your own.

Maintain good eye contact.

Do not answer any questions until you have put some thought into them.

Main thing in an interview is to

Think Positive!Think Positive!

Practice Answering common Interview questions

(Get some friends to play the role of the “boss”.)

– First time: It could potentially be really,

really bad.

– Second time: It will be pretty good.

– Third time: It will be great.

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Be prepared for the following question:

Why don’t you tell me something about yourself.

This is the time to really sell yourself to the employer.

Some things to tell them:

1.1. A summary of how much training you have A summary of how much training you have for the job that you are interviewing for.for the job that you are interviewing for.

2. Do not go into personal things about yourself, whether you have kids, married,

etc. They have no right to know about these things.

The main thing is to be yourself!yourself!

What Kind of Work are You What Kind of Work are You Looking For?Looking For?

Be as specific as Be as specific as you can. The best you can. The best answer to this answer to this question can be question can be found in the job found in the job description.description.

You can repeat the You can repeat the duties listed for the duties listed for the position for which position for which you are you are interviewing.interviewing.

Other answers suggest Other answers suggest you want to grow and you want to grow and learn or want to learn or want to demonstrate your good demonstrate your good work ethic.work ethic.

-For example: “I want a -For example: “I want a job in which I will be job in which I will be able to produce for the able to produce for the company and grow company and grow along with it.”along with it.”

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What Would You Say Is Your What Would You Say Is Your Weakest Point?Weakest Point?

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• No employer will believe that you are without weaknesses.

An interview is not a place to confess self-doubt.

You are selling a product – your professional self – and no employer will buy the product if you put it down.

Refer to a strength as a weakness, or turn your weakness into a strength.

Examples of responses you can say to the employer for your

weakest point:

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““I’m something of a perfectionist. I want my I’m something of a perfectionist. I want my work to reflect the highest standards of quality”work to reflect the highest standards of quality”

““I have the attitude that I come to work to do a job. I have the attitude that I come to work to do a job. I do not like to waste work time. That can make me I do not like to waste work time. That can make me less than popular with coworkers who want to use less than popular with coworkers who want to use the employer’s time to chat or goof off.”the employer’s time to chat or goof off.”

In your notes, respond to the following question:

If you could ask 1 question to your potential employer, what would it be

and why?

Ask the Interviewer Questions

• Remember, you are interviewing them as well.

• You have a lot to offer and be proud to show it off during your interview, humbly.

Questions to Askthe Interviewer

• Do you like it here?• What are you most proud of about this place?• What are your employers happy with about

working here?

-and before you leave-

• When can I expect to hear from you?

*Always ask for a business card.

Questions To Ask Yourself…

– Do I get along with the “boss”?

– Can I imagine myself working here?

– Is it in a good location for me?

Post-Interview• Write a formal “thank you” letter using peoples’

names and reemphasizing your qualifications for the job.

• Don’t pester people about status, but don’t let too much time go by.

• Possibly call the place

(To remind them that

you’re still interested.)

Congratulations! You got an offer…

Get your offer in writing

– Starting salary

– Starting date

– Health Benefits, Bonuses, any Special Offerings that may be appropriate (401K plans ect…)

Negotiate

• Negotiate as high a starting salary as possible.

• Subsequent raises are usually percentage increases.

• Raises usually occur

once a year.

RememberWhether you get an offer or not, you

have made new, important

contacts for the future.

Good Luck

Please take a minute to review your notes and write down 1

question, or 1 aha you have.

As always…thank you for you time and undivided attention

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