Interviewing Success
Terri F. Smith
Employer Relations Coordinator
Career Center
Career Center
Interviewing Seminar
Top Three Interview Mistakes
• Lack of Preparation
• Dressing Inappropriately
• Arriving Late
Career Center
Interviewing Seminar
Before Your Interview
Tips for Interview Preparation
• Research the Industry/Employer
• Research the Position
• Know Yourself
• Know Your Skills
• Practice, Practice, Practice!
• Be Organized: Plan Ahead
Career Center
Interviewing Seminar
Research the Industry/Employer and Position
• Employer / Organization Website
• Career Insider – Online Library
• Review Job Descriptions
• O*Net / Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Alumni Career Network
• Professional Associations / LinkedIn
• Prepare 2 – 3 questions to
ask the interviewer
Career Center
Interviewing Seminar
Know Yourself and Your Skills
• Practice discussing your accomplishments and skills
• Prepare for Behavioral Interview questions
– 4 or 5 examples of past experiences/skills that you can use
* Time management skills * Problems solving skills
* Working on a team * Working with difficult people
* Organizational skills * Customer service
– Structure your “stories” using the STAR Method
• Situation
• Task
• Action
• Results
Career Center
Interviewing Seminar
Practice, Practice, Practice!
Career Center
Interviewing Seminar
Be Organized: Plan Ahead
• Prepare items to bring
– Several copies of your resume
– List of 3-5 references
– Pen and paper
– Name of interviewer
– Reading material, preferably about the company
– Good directions and phone number of company
• Cell phones
– Be sure they are turned off
– Wear a watch
– Employer does not need to see your phone – ever!
Career Center
Interviewing Seminar
Be Organized: Plan Ahead
Women’s Interview Attire Men’s Interview Attire
Professional, neat and conservative attire
Career Center
Interviewing Seminar
Types of Interviews
• Structured
• Unstructured
• Behavioral
– STAR Method (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
– Specific examples
• Group
• Panel
Career Center
Interviewing Seminar
During Your Interview
• Be punctual – arrive 5-10 minutes early
• Styles vary – could begin with direct questions or small talk
• Interviewers assess immediate competency
• Confidence is important – eye contact and open discussion of
accomplishments
• Self disclosure is important
• Researching organization shows initiative and interest
• Acceptable to ask about the interview process
Career Center
Interviewing Seminar
Sell Yourself
• Tell Me About Yourself / 30 Second Commercial
• Why You Applied for the Position
• Your Relevant Experience
• Your Fit for the Position
• Recent Relevant Accomplishment(s)
• Discuss your current position
Career Center
Interviewing Seminar
Verbal Communication
• Provide direct and specific
examples of YOUR
accomplishments
• Project openness and
confidence
• Be positive
• Ask questions to
demonstrate interest
• Avoid “fillers”
• Speak slowly and clearly
Non Verbal Communication
• Shake hands with
interviewers
• Maintain eye contact
• Demonstrate good posture
• Avoid nervous habits
• Be polite – treat everyone
the same
• Take notes
• SMILE
During Your Interview
Career Center
Interviewing Seminar
After Your Interview
• Concluding your interview
– Ask for business cards
– Thank the employer for their time
– Ask about next steps
– Emphasize your interest in the job
– Shake hands and smile
• Thank you notes
– Send within 24 hours of interview
– Email or “snail mail”
– Include
• Thank interviewer for their time
• Remind them of something from your interview
• Reiterate that you are a good fit
Career Center
Interviewing Seminar
Practice Questions
• Introduce yourself (stand up, shake hands)
• What is your greatest strength?
• Tell me about one accomplishment that you’re
proud of.
• Tell me about a time when you demonstrated
the ability to show initiative.
• Why should I hire you?
• How do you manage your priorities between
school and work?
Career Center
Interviewing Seminar
Resources
• Career Center Website
– http://cc.camden.rutgers.edu
– Students Interviewing
• InterviewStream
• Mock interviews
Terri F. Smith Employer Relations Specialist
Career Center
856-225-6046