Interviewing

• To determine if you are a

good fit for the position and the company

• To get a job offer--the more offers you receive, the stronger your opportunity to choose the position that best fits your goals

Purpose of an Interview

From a company standpoint, an initial interview

should answer three basic questions:

– Is the candidate ABLE to do the job effectively?

– Is the candidate WILLING to put forth the effort required to be successful in the position?

– Is the candidate MANAGABLE?

Purpose of an Interview

• Phone Interview

• On Campus Interview

• Group/Board Interview

• On-Site Interview

Types of Interviews

The Second Interview

• Employer is trying to get a sense of if you ‘fit’ the organization

• Typically longer: first interviews are normally about 30 min-1hr, a second interview may be a half day long

• Typically meet with several different types of people in the company

– Employees doing similar work to what you would do

– Supervisors

– Administrators

– Human Resources Representatives

Preparing for the Interview

Research yourself:

• How do you want to market your skills and experiences?

• Know your resume inside and out: be able to be specific and expand on what is on your resume

• Reflect on why you are the best candidate for this job and what sets you a part from others (Your Personal Brand)

Preparing for the Interview • Get information about the

interview: names and titles of interviewers, how many people, length, etc.

• Print copies of your resume & and bring Portfolio (if you have one)

• Dress Appropriately:

– It may be time to invest in a suit!

– Dress pants & dress shirt

• Arrive early

– Scope out the location

Preparing for the Interview

Prepare Questions: • Have at least 2-4 questions prepared before the interview

• Base questions on information you still need to know or information you found when researching the organization

• What do you enjoy about working here?

• I saw XYZ on your website, can you tell me more about…..

• What is the typical career path for someone in this position?

• Interviews are not an appropriate time to discuss salary or benefits

http://www.spike.com/video-clips/ff8nit/you-me-and-dupree-duprees-job-interview

Preparing for the Interview

Practice Interviewing:

• The more you prepare the less nervous you will be

• Practice responses to interview questions

• Think about experiences that demonstrate the skills they are seeking--write them down & practice them outloud

• Reflect on Your Personal Brand and why you are a good fit for the position and company

• Practice Interviews & InterviewStream

Preparing for the Interview

Research the Organization:

• Learn the basic information of the company (mission, size, products, services, etc.)

• Know why you are interested in THAT organization

• Know recent business developments of the organization

http://www.careerspots.com/vidplay_links_ext.aspx?aid=564&partid=0&vidnum=-1& Career Bytes, Know your Interviewer

How to Research the Organization

• Company’s Website

• Google News Search, Newspapers (The Wall Street Journal, Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal, Star Tribune, Pioneer Press)

• Linkedin

• Talk to people at the org.-Info. Interviews

• Glassdoor.com

How to Research the Organization

U of M Library Databases: busref.lib.umn.edu Company Information: Marketline. Quick research about companies, profiles. Can find articles written about the company you search for Hoovers. Quick research about companies. Industry codes. Look at People tab, get names of key people and find them on Linkedin PrivCo. Information about private companies Corporate Affiliations. shows hierachy of companies and their products Guidestar. Resource for finding nonprofits American City Business Journals. Includes Book of Lists Industry Information: IbisWorld. Can search interest and get industry profiles, major companies

In class Activity #12

• Get into small groups (4-5) • Write Names on « Know the Company »

worksheet • Pick a company to research • Answer the questions on the worksheet

• Links to library databases are on the moodle site

• Turn in!

Interviewing

The Interview Process

Introduction:

• Ice breaking: making you feel comfortable

• First impressions (apperance/manners) formed here

• Most of this happens when you are walking to the interview room

• Engage the interviewer

• Smile, make eye contact, show your interest

The Interview Process

Body of the Interview:

• The interviewer will request specific information through asking you questions

• Be sure to tell your story, be as specific as you can with your answers

• Be articulate and clear in your responses

• Demonstrate your personal brand, what do you want them to remember about you?

Types of Questions

Tell me about yourself

• Most common first question

• Keep it professional, avoid personal info.

-Focus on your education, experience, and goals

-Assume they have not seen your resume

Interview One: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRbtXb9fWmI&feature=relmfu

Interview Two: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDxmMkgPmaQ&feature=relmfu

Strengths/Weaknesses

• Strengths Q: List two strengths and give details/examples

• Weakness Q: Be honest, say one of your weaknesses and explain to them how you are working on that weakness

The Office Interview (strengths): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b46szWQXRHg

Step Brothers (Weakness): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZeJlUD68Hc&feature=related

Types of Questions

Why did you choose your major?

• Interviewer is looking for passsion and specific reasons as to why you like your major

Why do you want to work for our company?

• Articulate your knowledge of the organization and why you are a good fit

Questions off of your Resume

• Don’t put anything on there you can’t talk about in detail

Types of Questions

What are your career goals?

• Relate your immediate career goal to the company

• Research the career paths that exist within the company, is there a type of role that interests you?

• Be honest, it’s okay to be somewhat vague but demonstrate that you’ve thought about it and have some ideas

Why should we hire you?

• Sell them on your strengths, passions, skills, interests

• Think about what sets you apart from other candidates-Your Brand

Types of Questions

Behavioral Questions

• The best predictator of future behavior is past behavior

• This is the primary interviewing style used

• Tell me about a time when....

• Give me an example of...

• Describe a situation....

Examples:

• Give me an example of a time when you had to work as part of a team to achieve a result, what was your role?

• Tell me about a time when you had to work with a difficult customer, how did you handle the situation?

STARS Technique

Situation/Task: Describe the situation you were in and/or the

task

Action: What was your role within the described

situation/task? – This should be the longest and most detailed part of your answer

Result: What was the outcome and what action did you take to

reach that outcome – This is the part that often interviewees don’t focus on enough

– Be specific, how did you know you were successful

Strength: What Strength does this story demonstrate?

STAR Example

In Class Activity#13

Scratch piece of paper with your name.

Video 1: What could the student improve on?

Video 2: What did the student do well?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRbtXb9fWmI&list=UUHx1LrQhdLd8ZJ0ndJIOR8w&index=2&feature=plcp 2: 58

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDxmMkgPmaQ&feature=relmfu 3:38

Behavioral Based Questions

• To prepare for Behavioral Based questions, write out 5-10 stories that best illustrate your skills. Use the job description to help you figure out what skills they are seeking (these are likely what they’ll want examples of in your interview!)

• For each story identify what other skills the story could support

Time to Practice

• You applied for a job that strongly emphasizes teamwork skills

• Think of an example of an experience you’ve had that demonstrates this skill

• worked with a team of four people on a research project, worked with a team 10 at Starbucks, etc.

• Write out the story using the STARS method

• Identify which other skills you think the story demonstrates

• Pair up with someone and practice telling your example

What types of interview questions do you predominately ask in a first round interview?

U of M Employer Survey, 2011

-Behavioral-based questions: 45%

-Unstructured/improvised questions (strengths, weaknesses, goals, fit with org., etc.): 29%

-Content specific/technical questions: 18%

-Case or situational interview questions: 9%

The Interview Process

• Closing – You will be given the opportunity to ask questions

– The interviewer will discuss the next stages in the process

– If they don’t give you a timeline, ask!

– End on a courteous note, thank the interviewer for the opportunity

After the Interview

• Send a Thank you note!

– Email is acceptable

– Mention something that will remind them of your interview ‘I enjoyed learning more about the new software your division is creating, specifically… ’

– Say that you look forward to hearing from them soon

• Be sure to follow up with the organization if you are still interested in the position

• If they said they would contact you by a certain date and you haven’t heard from them, be sure to contact them!

Assessing the Interview

• Assess your preformance

– What went well, what could you improve on, what was your overall impression on the employer?

• Assess your interest in the position

– How well do you understand the position, has your interest increased or decreased, do you still consider it a worthy position?

• Assess your interest in the organization

– How well do you understand the company, were you impressed with the people you met, do you still want to work for the company

Employers’ Perspectives

In your opinion, what are the three biggest interviewing mistakes of entry-level candidates? Lack of company research – (46%) No questions asked to employer (43%) Lack of preparation for interview questions –(42%) Answers too concise, not enough detail (30%) Lack of confidence (27%) Failure to arrive on time (25%) Inappropriate interview attire (22%)

U of M Employer Survey, 2011

Company Research & Interview Prep Assignment

• Research a company and Position (3 sources, 5 things)

• Personal Brand Statement • Using Research and Personal Brand

write your responses to 5 interview questions

Questions?