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Interview SuccessInterview SuccessInternship & Career Services CenterInternship & Career Services CenterNorth Carolina Wesleyan CollegeNorth Carolina Wesleyan College

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Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline

What is an interview?What is an interview? PreparationPreparation Planning your interviewPlanning your interview Dress for successDress for success At the interviewAt the interview After the interviewAfter the interview

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What is a job What is a job interview?interview? An opportunity to:An opportunity to:

– Learn details about a company and jobLearn details about a company and job– Convince an employer that you have Convince an employer that you have

the skills and qualities needed the skills and qualities needed – Visit the workplace to evaluate your fit Visit the workplace to evaluate your fit

with the office culturewith the office culture– Decide whether or not you want the jobDecide whether or not you want the job

Can be on the phone or in personCan be on the phone or in person One-on-one, panel, presentationOne-on-one, panel, presentation

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PreparationPreparation

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ResearchResearch

This very important step will allow you This very important step will allow you to answer and ask questions to answer and ask questions intelligentlyintelligently– Publicly owned (shares traded on the Publicly owned (shares traded on the

stock exchange)stock exchange) Info. easy to locateInfo. easy to locate

– Corporation, subsidiary or divisionCorporation, subsidiary or division More info. available on corporations than More info. available on corporations than

subsidiaries, divisions, or regional and local subsidiaries, divisions, or regional and local companies.companies.

– Privately or foreign ownedPrivately or foreign owned A bit more difficult to find info. but its out thereA bit more difficult to find info. but its out there

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Research (continued)Research (continued)

Where can I find company Where can I find company information?information?– Corporate websites Corporate websites

Look for “HR” or “About”, maybe “Strategic Look for “HR” or “About”, maybe “Strategic Plan”Plan”

Also browse the consumer side of their site Also browse the consumer side of their site to be up on what they offer and how they to be up on what they offer and how they present themselvespresent themselves

– NewspapersNewspapers– Libraries and Career CentersLibraries and Career Centers

May have limited and dated informationMay have limited and dated information

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Better Business BureauBetter Business Bureau Chambers of CommerceChambers of Commerce Human Resources departmentHuman Resources department Individuals who work thereIndividuals who work there Business DirectoriesBusiness Directories

Research (continued)Research (continued)

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Research (continued)Research (continued)

Look for these answers:Look for these answers:– Is it for-profit or non-profit?Is it for-profit or non-profit?– If it’s an educational institution, public If it’s an educational institution, public

or private?or private?– How old is the company? How old is the company? – What types of services/products does it What types of services/products does it

provide?provide?– What are its competitors?What are its competitors?– What kind of growth has it What kind of growth has it

experienced?experienced?– What is its reputation?What is its reputation?

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Research (continued)Research (continued)

– How many employees?How many employees?– Are there any branch offices or is Are there any branch offices or is

this part of a larger corporation? this part of a larger corporation? – What are its sales records, assets, What are its sales records, assets,

and earnings? and earnings? – What are its current goals?What are its current goals?– Are they working toward any new Are they working toward any new

products or projects?products or projects?

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Review Job Review Job AnnouncementAnnouncement Look back over the original Look back over the original

announcement, highlighting all announcement, highlighting all mentions of duties and specific skillsmentions of duties and specific skills

Try to form a picture of the Try to form a picture of the individual they are seekingindividual they are seeking

What is missing? Often times the What is missing? Often times the announcement is vague, you will announcement is vague, you will want to decide in advance what want to decide in advance what questions you have so you can ask questions you have so you can ask them.them.

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Review Your SkillsReview Your Skills

Match your skills with those Match your skills with those mentioned in the announcementmentioned in the announcement– Plan specific examples you can share Plan specific examples you can share

that will exhibit your possession of that will exhibit your possession of these sills.these sills.

– Try to recall a time you have done Try to recall a time you have done something similar to what they are something similar to what they are looking for.looking for.

– What transferable skills do you have What transferable skills do you have that will be helpful in this position? that will be helpful in this position? Give examples.Give examples.

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PracticePractice

Review a list of typical interview Review a list of typical interview questions and anticipate how you questions and anticipate how you might respond.might respond.– Pretend you are the interviewer. Pretend you are the interviewer.

What questions would you ask? What questions would you ask? – Do not try to script your responses.Do not try to script your responses.

Participate in Mock Interviews Participate in Mock Interviews with the ICSC Director.with the ICSC Director.

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Planning Your Planning Your InterviewInterview

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SchedulingScheduling

Agree to a time you Agree to a time you knowknow you can you can make. Canceling or rescheduling is a make. Canceling or rescheduling is a bad idea.bad idea.

If the interview is out of town will they If the interview is out of town will they pay or reimburse you for travel? pay or reimburse you for travel?

If scheduling a phone interview be If scheduling a phone interview be certain that you will have access to a certain that you will have access to a quiet environment where you can quiet environment where you can spread your materials out in front of spread your materials out in front of you.you.

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Scheduling (continued)Scheduling (continued)

Plan to use a land-line, if possible, for Plan to use a land-line, if possible, for phone interviews.phone interviews.

Inquire as to who will be on the call.Inquire as to who will be on the call. Ask if they expect you to bring anything Ask if they expect you to bring anything

or prepare a presentation.or prepare a presentation.– Even if they say no it’s great to have Even if they say no it’s great to have

samples of your work on handsamples of your work on hand Request an agenda of the dayRequest an agenda of the day

– They may have plans for you to meet with They may have plans for you to meet with other folks in the company other folks in the company

Determine what you will wear. Do you Determine what you will wear. Do you need to have something dry cleaned?need to have something dry cleaned?

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The Night BeforeThe Night Before

Be certain your clothes, shoes, Be certain your clothes, shoes, briefcase (or bag), and other briefcase (or bag), and other accessories are readyaccessories are ready

Plan your travel – get directions, check Plan your travel – get directions, check for road closings, and allow plenty of for road closings, and allow plenty of time for potential delaystime for potential delays

Prepare your interview materialsPrepare your interview materials Conservative pen and portfolioConservative pen and portfolio Copies of your resumeCopies of your resume Questions for the employerQuestions for the employer

Get a good night’s sleep!Get a good night’s sleep!

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Dress for SuccessDress for Success

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General GuidelinesGeneral Guidelines

Dress conservativelyDress conservatively Sensible, practical clothes that Sensible, practical clothes that

make you look like you know how to make you look like you know how to focus on your workfocus on your work

Make sure clothes look clean and Make sure clothes look clean and neatneat

Do not chew gum during the Do not chew gum during the interview or smoke before (the interview or smoke before (the smoke smell will attach to your suit)smoke smell will attach to your suit)

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Women’s AppearanceWomen’s Appearance

Conservative suit color (black, grey, navy)Conservative suit color (black, grey, navy) Conservative blouse color (white, ivory)Conservative blouse color (white, ivory) Appropriate necklineAppropriate neckline A tailored dress or coat dress is also A tailored dress or coat dress is also

appropriateappropriate Skirt/dress length should be between an Skirt/dress length should be between an

inch above or below the kneeinch above or below the knee Check slip lengthCheck slip length Wear hosieryWear hosiery

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Women’s Appearance Women’s Appearance (continued)(continued) Accessories add color and variety but Accessories add color and variety but

less is more in the interview situationless is more in the interview situation Heels should be around 2” heightHeels should be around 2” height Conservative shoe style and color Conservative shoe style and color

(close toe, black, navy, taupe, brown)(close toe, black, navy, taupe, brown) Be aware of manicureBe aware of manicure Do not carry a purse, only a Do not carry a purse, only a

professional tote or leather-bound padprofessional tote or leather-bound pad Wear make-up, but not too muchWear make-up, but not too much

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Men’s AppearanceMen’s Appearance

Fit is critical to a suit jacket and Fit is critical to a suit jacket and pantspants

Dark blue, grey, or blackDark blue, grey, or black Button your jacket when standing Button your jacket when standing

and walking, unbutton when sittingand walking, unbutton when sitting A pressed, white, long-sleeved, A pressed, white, long-sleeved,

cotton shirtcotton shirt– You should be able to fit 2 fingers You should be able to fit 2 fingers

between the collar and your neckbetween the collar and your neck Silk tie in a conservative color/printSilk tie in a conservative color/print

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Men’s Appearance Men’s Appearance (continued)(continued) Tip of tie should reach center of belt Tip of tie should reach center of belt

bucklebuckle Shoes should be black or brownShoes should be black or brown Socks should complement pant colorSocks should complement pant color Belts – plain leather in black, 1”Belts – plain leather in black, 1” Neatly trimmed facial hairNeatly trimmed facial hair Clean nailsClean nails Polished shoes, no worn heelsPolished shoes, no worn heels Carry a brief case or leather-bound padCarry a brief case or leather-bound pad

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General Grooming TipsGeneral Grooming Tips

DeodorantDeodorant Light on cologne/perfumeLight on cologne/perfume Brush your teeth, use mouthwashBrush your teeth, use mouthwash Neat haircutNeat haircut Polished shoesPolished shoes Impeccably cleanImpeccably clean

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At the InterviewAt the Interview

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BehaviorBehavior

Arrive early (but not too early). 5-10 Arrive early (but not too early). 5-10 minutes is about right.minutes is about right.

Be polite to Be polite to everyoneeveryone you meet. you meet. Speak clearly and with good Speak clearly and with good

grammar.grammar. Avoid verbal fillers (“uh”, “you know”, Avoid verbal fillers (“uh”, “you know”,

“like”).“like”). Answer questions with examples and Answer questions with examples and

stories. Use humor if it seems stories. Use humor if it seems appropriate.appropriate.

Feel free to take down a few notes.Feel free to take down a few notes.

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Food and drink - Feel free to accept if Food and drink - Feel free to accept if offered but drink sparingly to avoid offered but drink sparingly to avoid needing the restroom. Eating may cause needing the restroom. Eating may cause you to have your mouth full when you to have your mouth full when needing to answer a question.needing to answer a question.

Visiting the restroom – avoid by doing this Visiting the restroom – avoid by doing this before arrival but if you must ask to be before arrival but if you must ask to be excused and apologize upon your return. excused and apologize upon your return.

If something embarrassing happens – If something embarrassing happens – stay calm and laugh it off. You’ll win stay calm and laugh it off. You’ll win points for keeping composure.points for keeping composure.

Behavior (continued)Behavior (continued)

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Body LanguageBody Language

Firm handshakeFirm handshake Good eye contactGood eye contact Erect posture (slightly leaning Erect posture (slightly leaning

forward)forward) Relaxed and confidentRelaxed and confident Small facial/hand gesturesSmall facial/hand gestures Avoid fidgeting Avoid fidgeting SmileSmile Be enthusiasticBe enthusiastic Swallow yawnsSwallow yawns

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What Not To DOWhat Not To DO

Don’t…Don’t…– Be lateBe late– Ask about moneyAsk about money– Criticize prior job or bossCriticize prior job or boss– Lie (better to say you don’t know an Lie (better to say you don’t know an

answer)answer)– SlouchSlouch– Cross your legs Cross your legs – Interrupt Interrupt – Feel obligated to answer illegal Feel obligated to answer illegal

questionsquestions

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After the InterviewAfter the Interview

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Evaluation & ActionEvaluation & Action

Immediately make notesImmediately make notes– What do you still have questions about?What do you still have questions about?– What are the pros of the company/position?What are the pros of the company/position?– What are the cons of the company/position?What are the cons of the company/position?– How do you feel about your performance in How do you feel about your performance in

the interview?the interview?– What could you improve on next time?What could you improve on next time?

Complete any follow-up instructions Complete any follow-up instructions given to you by the employergiven to you by the employer

Send a thank you letter to the employer Send a thank you letter to the employer within 24 hours (example)within 24 hours (example)

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Thank You LettersThank You Letters

Express appreciation for the interview Express appreciation for the interview and meeting the individual.and meeting the individual.

Comment on things that were mentioned Comment on things that were mentioned in the interview.in the interview.– If the employer had mentioned a current If the employer had mentioned a current

problem, remind them of ways you can help.problem, remind them of ways you can help. If there was something relevant you If there was something relevant you

forgot to say in the interview, mention it forgot to say in the interview, mention it here.here.

Express your interest in working at the Express your interest in working at the company and that you look forward to company and that you look forward to hearing from them.hearing from them.

ExampleExample