Interviewing Tips and Skills Alpha Gamma Rho – Beta Nu Chapter Dean A Interviewing Tips and Skills Alpha Gamma Rho – Beta Nu Chapter Dean A. McCorkle Extension Program Specialist Department of Agricultural Economics March 5, 2012

Your job during the interview Whether you are interested in a sales job or not, you’ll need to learn how to sell yourself to potential employers View the interview as an audition This is your opportunity to shine

Before the Interview Do your homework Show that you have done your homework Know the nature of the business/organization Know their terminology, industry jargon Mock interview Video yourself

Before and during the interview Your focus should be on 1) solving problems for the company or organization, 2) on proving why you’re the best candidate for the job, 3) and on finding a culture and community that you naturally fit in with.

Interviewing: Important Points Timing Appearance Conservative business suit and tie Body piercings, body art, tattoos, hair Eye contact Firm handshake and voice Exude confidence Be relaxed Sit up straight Engage the interviewer

Interviewing: What not to bring Cell phone Coffee/drinks Food

Know yourself, your personality Interviewing is like a performance For some of you, performing during an interview will seem easy For some, not so easy Know your strengths and weaknesses Practice strengthening your weaknesses Build confidence

First impression: u r on the clock A prospective employer develops an impression of you within 10 seconds!! Fist impression is based on: 7% on what you say 38% on the tone of your voice 55% on your body language Source: A. Mehrabian (UCLA), EmploymentCrossing (Judith Earley), MSN

Negative Body Language Arms folded across your chest is frequently seen as a defensive posture or, at best, as reserved and uninterested in the conversation. Standing with your hands in your pockets suggests a lack of confidence or unease Sitting with legs crossed while shaking one leg or wiggling a foot suggests nervousness or severe discomfort

Body Language (cont’d) Staring blankly at the floor suggests a profound lack of interest in the conversation Rubbing or touching your nose during a response suggests that you're not being completely honest Rubbing the back of your head or neck suggests you're bored by the conversation Pointing your feet toward the door or leaning in that direction suggests that you want to end the conversation quickly.

Body Language (cont’d) Slouching in the chair suggests that you're unprepared for the interview or that you know you're not up to the job Tipping your chair back suggests that you're overconfident and perhaps disdainful of the interviewer.

Most common interviewing mistakes Answering cell phone or texting during interview (71%) Dressing inappropriately (69%) Appearing disinterested (69%) Coming across as arrogant (66%) Speaking negatively about current/past employer (63%) Chewing gum during interview (59%) Not providing specific answers (35%) Not asking good questions (32%) CareerBuilders survey of 2,400 hiring managers, 2011.

In Summary Reframe your resume and job application to fit the job description Being a strong candidate will require excellent preparation (and practice) Don’t blow the first 10 seconds Sell yourself, and focus on what is most important If you are uncomfortable at any point, try not to show it (i.e. negative body language)