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Keys to a Successful Keys to a Successful Interview Interview

Keys to a Successful Interview. Types of Interviews Telephone Interview One-on-One Interview Group Interview Lunch Interview

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Page 1: Keys to a Successful Interview. Types of Interviews Telephone Interview One-on-One Interview Group Interview Lunch Interview

Keys to a Successful Keys to a Successful InterviewInterview

Page 2: Keys to a Successful Interview. Types of Interviews Telephone Interview One-on-One Interview Group Interview Lunch Interview

Types of InterviewsTypes of Interviews

Telephone InterviewTelephone Interview

One-on-One InterviewOne-on-One Interview

Group InterviewGroup Interview

Lunch InterviewLunch Interview

Page 3: Keys to a Successful Interview. Types of Interviews Telephone Interview One-on-One Interview Group Interview Lunch Interview

Before the InterviewBefore the Interview

Research the position and the companyResearch the position and the company– Review job posting/description – what skills Review job posting/description – what skills

do you possess that would make you a do you possess that would make you a qualified candidate qualified candidate

– Visit company website, attend employer Visit company website, attend employer information sessions on campus, read information sessions on campus, read company press releases, check out company company press releases, check out company in ITT Tech Career Bank. in ITT Tech Career Bank.

– Familiarize self with company or industry Familiarize self with company or industry vocabulary, hot trends vocabulary, hot trends

Page 4: Keys to a Successful Interview. Types of Interviews Telephone Interview One-on-One Interview Group Interview Lunch Interview

Before the Interview (cont.)Before the Interview (cont.)

Know yourselfKnow yourself– Be prepared to talk about your strengths, weaknesses Be prepared to talk about your strengths, weaknesses

(areas for improvement/development), education, (areas for improvement/development), education, skills (i.e. technical, creative, soft), and extracurricular skills (i.e. technical, creative, soft), and extracurricular activitiesactivities

– Be prepared to discuss your resume – anything on Be prepared to discuss your resume – anything on your resume is fair game! your resume is fair game!

– Be able to discuss at least one or two significant Be able to discuss at least one or two significant accomplishments – professional or educationalaccomplishments – professional or educational

– Know your career goals Know your career goals

Page 5: Keys to a Successful Interview. Types of Interviews Telephone Interview One-on-One Interview Group Interview Lunch Interview

Have your Portfolio PreparedHave your Portfolio PreparedA portfolio is a collection of your technical work A portfolio is a collection of your technical work and achievements that showcase your abilities.and achievements that showcase your abilities.Contents of a Portfolio should include, but are Contents of a Portfolio should include, but are not limited to:not limited to:– A copy of your resume on business paperA copy of your resume on business paper– Colored copies of any projects, drawings, course work Colored copies of any projects, drawings, course work

or professional work that shows your technical ability.or professional work that shows your technical ability.– Copies of certifications, awards, diplomas, etc. Copies of certifications, awards, diplomas, etc. – Reference LettersReference Letters– Writing SamplesWriting Samples

Page 6: Keys to a Successful Interview. Types of Interviews Telephone Interview One-on-One Interview Group Interview Lunch Interview

Have your Portfolio Prepared (cont.)Have your Portfolio Prepared (cont.)

If you have an electronic portfolio make sure to If you have an electronic portfolio make sure to include the link on your resume underneath your include the link on your resume underneath your email addressemail address– If you have a laptop you can bring it with you to the If you have a laptop you can bring it with you to the

interview to bring up your portfolio interview to bring up your portfolio

By bringing your portfolio to the interview you By bringing your portfolio to the interview you can set the tone and spend more time can set the tone and spend more time discussing your work and less time answering discussing your work and less time answering unfamiliar questions from a recruiter.unfamiliar questions from a recruiter.

If possible, provide the recruiter with a nice copy If possible, provide the recruiter with a nice copy that they can keep to remember you by.that they can keep to remember you by.

Page 7: Keys to a Successful Interview. Types of Interviews Telephone Interview One-on-One Interview Group Interview Lunch Interview

Before the Interview (cont.)Before the Interview (cont.)

Prepare and practice answers to commonly Prepare and practice answers to commonly asked interview questionsasked interview questions– ““Tell me about yourself.” – never reveal age, marital Tell me about yourself.” – never reveal age, marital

status, religion, or other items NOT relevant to the status, religion, or other items NOT relevant to the hiring decision.hiring decision.

– ““What makes you a solid candidate for the position?”What makes you a solid candidate for the position?”– ““Why do you want to work for our organization?”Why do you want to work for our organization?”– ““What are your primary strengths?”What are your primary strengths?”– ““What do you see as your biggest area for What do you see as your biggest area for

improvement?” – try to focus on areas where you can improvement?” – try to focus on areas where you can improve your technical skills/professional experience; improve your technical skills/professional experience; do not focus on personal limitations (if you do, try to do not focus on personal limitations (if you do, try to put a positive spin on them).put a positive spin on them).

Page 8: Keys to a Successful Interview. Types of Interviews Telephone Interview One-on-One Interview Group Interview Lunch Interview

Before the Interview (cont.)Before the Interview (cont.)

What to WearWhat to Wear– Pick out your interview outfit the day before your Pick out your interview outfit the day before your

interview – make sure that it fits, is clean/pressed, interview – make sure that it fits, is clean/pressed, and that your shoes are polishedand that your shoes are polished

– Recommended Outfit for Males: dark colored Recommended Outfit for Males: dark colored business suit or sport coat and dress pants (if you do business suit or sport coat and dress pants (if you do not have a suit), dress shirt, tie, matching socks, not have a suit), dress shirt, tie, matching socks, dress shoesdress shoes

– Recommend Outfit for Females: dark colored Recommend Outfit for Females: dark colored business suit (skirt or pant), matching stockings, business suit (skirt or pant), matching stockings, dress or skirt/dress pants with matching blouse (if you dress or skirt/dress pants with matching blouse (if you do not have a suit), close-toed shoesdo not have a suit), close-toed shoes

Page 9: Keys to a Successful Interview. Types of Interviews Telephone Interview One-on-One Interview Group Interview Lunch Interview

Before the Interview Before the Interview

What to Wear What to Wear – Be sure that you are well groomed – get a Be sure that you are well groomed – get a

haircut, shave/trim facial hair, take a shower, haircut, shave/trim facial hair, take a shower, apply deodorantapply deodorant

– Wear minimal cologne, perfume (some people Wear minimal cologne, perfume (some people have allergies)have allergies)

– Females – wear minimal makeupFemales – wear minimal makeup– Males – beware of earrings – may want to Males – beware of earrings – may want to

check website to learn about company culturecheck website to learn about company culture

Page 10: Keys to a Successful Interview. Types of Interviews Telephone Interview One-on-One Interview Group Interview Lunch Interview

WHAT NOT TO WEAR WHAT TO WEAR

Page 11: Keys to a Successful Interview. Types of Interviews Telephone Interview One-on-One Interview Group Interview Lunch Interview

WHAT NOT TO WEAR WHAT TO WEAR

Page 12: Keys to a Successful Interview. Types of Interviews Telephone Interview One-on-One Interview Group Interview Lunch Interview

WHAT TO WEARWHAT TO WEAR

Page 13: Keys to a Successful Interview. Types of Interviews Telephone Interview One-on-One Interview Group Interview Lunch Interview

Before the Interview (cont.)Before the Interview (cont.)

Resources available to help you prepare:Resources available to help you prepare:– Sign up for a mock interview with Career Sign up for a mock interview with Career

ServicesServices– Have a friend/family member ask you Have a friend/family member ask you

questionsquestions– Practice reciting answers to questions while Practice reciting answers to questions while

looking at yourself in a mirror looking at yourself in a mirror

Page 14: Keys to a Successful Interview. Types of Interviews Telephone Interview One-on-One Interview Group Interview Lunch Interview

Before the Interview (cont.)Before the Interview (cont.)

Do a dry run!Do a dry run!– Make sure you know where you are goingMake sure you know where you are going– Look up the company addressLook up the company address– Ask company representative for directions or Ask company representative for directions or

use an online site to get directions (i.e. use an online site to get directions (i.e. MapQuest, Yahoo! Maps)MapQuest, Yahoo! Maps)

– Take a ride out to the location the day before Take a ride out to the location the day before and time how long it takes you to get there and time how long it takes you to get there (give yourself extra time the day of the (give yourself extra time the day of the interview in case you hit traffic due to rush interview in case you hit traffic due to rush hour, construction, or an accident). hour, construction, or an accident).

Page 15: Keys to a Successful Interview. Types of Interviews Telephone Interview One-on-One Interview Group Interview Lunch Interview

The Day of the Interview The Day of the Interview

Plan to arrive at least 10 minutes early Plan to arrive at least 10 minutes early Check appearance when you arriveCheck appearance when you arriveKnow who to ask for when you arrive (first, last name)Know who to ask for when you arrive (first, last name)Bring a couple of copies of your resume on business Bring a couple of copies of your resume on business paperpaperBe prepared to complete company application (know Be prepared to complete company application (know last 3 places of employment – address, phone, last 3 places of employment – address, phone, employment dates, manager’s name, reason for employment dates, manager’s name, reason for leaving and three references and their contact leaving and three references and their contact information) .information) .Do NOT chew gum! Do NOT chew gum!

Page 16: Keys to a Successful Interview. Types of Interviews Telephone Interview One-on-One Interview Group Interview Lunch Interview

During the InterviewDuring the Interview

Greet interviewer by name with a firm Greet interviewer by name with a firm handshakehandshakeMake and maintain natural eye contact Make and maintain natural eye contact Do not fidget, shift in chair – sit up straight with Do not fidget, shift in chair – sit up straight with both feet on the floor and hands on lapboth feet on the floor and hands on lapTry to avoid conversation fillers such as umm, Try to avoid conversation fillers such as umm, ahhh - take time to think about question and ahhh - take time to think about question and prepare your answer (Silence is not always a prepare your answer (Silence is not always a bad thing!)- if you do not understand the bad thing!)- if you do not understand the question, ask the interviewer to repeat it or question, ask the interviewer to repeat it or clarify itclarify it

Page 17: Keys to a Successful Interview. Types of Interviews Telephone Interview One-on-One Interview Group Interview Lunch Interview

During the Interview (cont.)During the Interview (cont.)

Keep your answers short, concise – make sure Keep your answers short, concise – make sure you are answering the question being askedyou are answering the question being askedStay positive – never speak negatively about Stay positive – never speak negatively about past employers, positionspast employers, positionsLet your enthusiasm and confidence show Let your enthusiasm and confidence show Try to relax! It is ok to be nervous but do not let Try to relax! It is ok to be nervous but do not let it over come you. it over come you. Beware of illegal interview questions Beware of illegal interview questions Have at least 2-3 questions prepared to ask the Have at least 2-3 questions prepared to ask the employer either about the position or the employer either about the position or the company (you can write these down ahead of company (you can write these down ahead of time and bring them with you). time and bring them with you).

Page 18: Keys to a Successful Interview. Types of Interviews Telephone Interview One-on-One Interview Group Interview Lunch Interview

The End of the InterviewThe End of the Interview

Thank the interviewer(s) for their timeThank the interviewer(s) for their time

Reiterate your interest in the positionReiterate your interest in the position

Ask when they expect to make their Ask when they expect to make their decision by (that way you will know when decision by (that way you will know when you can call to follow up)you can call to follow up)

Ask for a business card so that you can Ask for a business card so that you can send a thank you lettersend a thank you letter

Page 19: Keys to a Successful Interview. Types of Interviews Telephone Interview One-on-One Interview Group Interview Lunch Interview

After the Interview After the Interview

Send a thank you letter within 24 hours! Send Send a thank you letter within 24 hours! Send by email or regular mailby email or regular mail

Include any information or documents requested Include any information or documents requested

Clarify any information provided during the Clarify any information provided during the interview if necessaryinterview if necessary

Be sure to send thank you letters to everyone Be sure to send thank you letters to everyone who interviewed you including the person who who interviewed you including the person who set up the interview for youset up the interview for you