Interviewing 101

Do’s & Don'ts for a successful interview

Before the interview….

Remember first impressions count– Appearance– Resume– Cover letter

Research the company & the position Prepare some questions to ASK

Dress for success…

One level above job requirement– Ask about preferred dress code before the

interview

Clean appearance– Pressed clothes– Nice shoes

1st impressions are made in the first 30 seconds!

Decisions, decisions…

NO…– Bed head– Hats– Denim– Shorts– T-shirts– Undergarments showing– Flip flops/tennis shoes

YES…– Clean hair – Jacket– Khakis– Dress pants– Skirt– Dress shirt or polo– Closed-toe shoes

Practice, practice, practice…

Handshake Eye contact Professional posture

Get a grip…

Handshake protocol– Extend right hand

fingers together thumb up

– Grasp firmly– Pump 3 times

Practice with others– Give honest feedback

Make a good impression

What NOT to do at an interview…

Be late Chew gum Use slang: ‘like...you

know…’ Use profanity Put feet on desk Answer call or text Fall asleep

Bad-mouth former employer

Apply makeup Bring parent/child Be chatty about

personal topics Smoke before the

interview

What TO do at an interview…

Dress appropriately Be 5 minutes early Leave cell phone in car Be prepared Bring extra resumes Bring list of references Bring pen and pad of

paper– Write down names of

everyone involved in the interview (business card)

Put your nametag on your right side

Be courteous to everyone

Be professional Maintain good eye

contact Smile Listen

Preparing for the interview…

Review job ad– Explain how your experience meets each qualification – Provide specific examples

Research the company online– Company website– Current events

Practice interviewing– With friends or family – Write yourself notes

Types of interview questions…

Background questions– Education– Experience

Behavioral questions– How you have done something or would do

something CAR: Challenge-Action-Resolution

Technical questions– Experience with software, tools, equipment

Common interview questions…

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?

Why are you leaving your current position?

What can you contribute to our company?

What are your weaknesses?

– Turn into a positive!

Describe a time when you did not meet your manager’s expectations…

Describe a situation with an upset customer or client and how you handled it...

– Remember the C-A-R Challenge Action Resolution

Thinking outside the box…

Some employers want to see how you think on your feet

Expect the unexpected– How many ping pong

balls would fill a 747 jet?– If you could have any

super power, what would it be and why?

What NOT to ask…

Can I borrow a pen? What does this

company do? What’s the boss like? Why did the other

person leave? Will I have to work

overtime?

When will I qualify for vacation days?

What’s your policy on people coming in late?

Pay and raises* Days off* Benefits*

*these will be addressed at later interviews, when a job is being offered

What TO ask…

What challenges will the company face in the next year?

What is a typical day in this position? How does this position fit into the mission or

vision of the company/department? Why do you like working for this company? What’s the next step in this process?

What employers want to know…

Can you do the job? Will you do the job? Will you get along with the team?

After the interview…

DO: shake hands & thank the interviewer

– “I really enjoyed meeting with you!”

– “I appreciate the opportunity to meet with you.”

DO: ask for the job DO: send a thank-you

note or email one DO: follow up once for

‘status of position’

DON’T: call repeatedly DON’T: email daily DON’T: show up

without a scheduled appointment

DON’T: be rude to the administrative assistant or secretary

Believe in yourself…

Be positive & enjoy the process Maintain a professional attitude Network…remember sometimes

it’s who you know as much as what you know!

Good luck!

Relax Breathe Smile REPEAT