Interviewing Preparation

“Before anything else, preparation is the key to

success.” Alexander Graham Bell

What is the purpose of an interview?

To find out fit

To market yourself

To express to the employer how you can benefit his/her company

To make a lasting, positive impression

To receive a job offer

Make a Great First Impression

The handshake

Eye contact

Be polite and courteous

Arrive early

Don’t sit down until the interviewer offers you a seat

Your attire

What to WearWomen:

•Conservative suit (dark colored)

•Conservative blouse

•Skirt (at least knee length) or pants

•Hosiery

•Conservative matching shoes

•Conservative minimal jewelry Men:

Conservative Suit (dark colored)

Matching Conservative collared shirt

Matching Tie

Dark Shoes

Socks that match your suit

Jewelry: watch only

Clean cut

Watch Business Attire Video

Body Language

Exude Confidence

Smile

Be energetic and enthusiastic

Sit comfortably

Stand tall

Don’t fidget

Make eye contact

Use hand gestures naturally

Try to relax a little

Questions: General

Tell me about yourself.

What are your strengths/weaknesses?

Why are you interested in this position?

How do you fit the qualifications of this position?

What are your short term and long term goals?

Why should we hire you?

What questions do you have for us?

Basic Tips for Answering QuestionsBe honestBe DETAILED & SPECIFICGive specific examples whenever possibleBe conciseGive 30 seconds-2 minutes per answer (approx.)Show your enthusiasmHighlight your strengths/minimize weaknessesShow your personalityStay positiveTalk about skills, strengths, experiences that are related to the job description

Prove you are the best candidate for the positionUse the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) (Listen to audio clip)

Time to Practice!

Tell me about yourself. college background and involvement, relevant work

history/experience, interest in the position, relevant skills

What is your greatest strength? state your strength and prove it

What is your biggest weakness? nothing too awful, tell a story, what you learned/what you

are doing to work on it

The Behavioral Interview

Theory: Past experiences predict future performance

Tell me about a time when things were not going as planned; how did you handle it; what did you learn?

Tell me about a time when you encountered an ethical dilemma. How did you handle this situation?

Give me an example of a time when you had to persuade an individual or group to use your idea

Tell me about a time when you had a conflict with a supervisor or co-worker

Ask QuestionsTip: know the job description

How would you describe the work environment?What do you enjoy most about working for this company?

What do you see as the biggest challenge in this position?

Describe a typical day on the job.What is the training procedure?What qualities are you looking for in the person who fills this position?

What stuck out to you on my resume and cover letter that lead to you offering me an interview?

PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE!

Research the companyKnow yourself and experiencesPractice interviewingWrite down storiesWrite down your questions you want to askMake sure your outfit is ready (shoes are wearable)

What to take with you…

What to take with you

Copies of resume in a portfolioCopies of your reference pageTissue in your pocketPen and notepadList of questions you want to askDirectionsPhone number of companySmall purse or briefcase (?)