Interviewing 101

Vocabulary

• Interview – formal conversation controlled by one person asking the questions

• Interviewer – the person who asks the questions in the interview

• Interviewee – the person who answers the questions in the interview

• Resumé – formal, business version of your personal inventory on paper

Before you go . . .

• Research the company– Talk to people in the

field• Networking – developing

a variety of personal contacts

– Check the internet– Read articles– Check with Chamber of

Commerce

MOST IMPORTANT THING MOST IMPORTANT THING TO DO TO DO BEFOREBEFORE THE THE

INTERVIEWINTERVIEW

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

Before You Go Cont.

• Anticipate questions

• Practice with a MOCK INTERVIEW

And the Question Is . . . .Types of Interview Questions

General

Educational

Job-Related

Personal

Follow-up

Open-ended

BRING THE FOLLOWING TO THE INTERVIEW

• Social Security Card

• Drivers License

• Birth Certificate

•RESUME!• References

At the Interview

• Make positive points– Puff balls – easy questions “tell me

about yourself”

– Pauses

– Bridges – transition from one answer to a positive point you WANT to discuss

Be Positive

• Use a SPARKLER – something that makes the point come alive

• KEEP IT SHORT• Sound bite length –

30 sec – Short cuttings from

interviews on TV

The Hard Ones

• Anticipate and practice answers to tough questions

• Take your time – say the interviewer’s name, repeat the question, ask for a minute to think

No No’s Questions that are Illegal

• Political affiliation

• Religion

• Marriage status

• Sexual Orientation

• IQ

• Ancestry or nationality

You’ve got Questions

• Ask about duties• Ask about immediate supervisor• Ask about opportunities for advancement

• NEVER ask about salary, days off, vacation, holidays, sick leave, personal days

At the Interview

• Arrive 10-15 minutes early

• Employers are “sizing” you up

• Be alert and energetic

• Pay attention – use the interviewer’s name

Shake hands – if they don’t extend a

hand DO IT YOURSELF

• Carry a portfolio

Types of Interviews

• One on one

• Team or panel interview

–MAKE SURE TO TREAT EVERYONE THERE RESPECTFULLY

Dress for Success

• Dress AT LEAST as well as the employees if not somewhat better

• Make sure everything fits,

matches, is clean, polished

Parts of a Resume

• Identification

• Objective or goal

• Education

• Work History

• Personal Data

• References

–Always include a cover letter

Tips on writing a resume

• Be positive

• Be brief

• Stick to the facts

• Keep language clear