Boys Division Lunch Groups October 17, 2011 Interview Skills

Interview Skills An interview is an attempt to get to know a lot about you in a short, face-to-face setting. It is nothing to worry about, but instead a chance for YOU to SHINE!

Interview DO’s Dress appropriately for the industry. When in doubt, go conservative. Personal grooming and cleanliness should be impeccable. Keep cologne or perfume to a minimum. Pay particular attention to hands and fingernails. Arrive 10 minutes early. Know the exact time and location of your interview; know how long it takes to get there, park, and find a restroom to freshen up. Treat other people you encounter with courtesy and respect. Their opinions of you might be solicited during the hiring process. Offer a firm handshake, make eye contact, and have a friendly expression when you are greeted by your interviewer. Listen to be sure you understand your interviewer's name and the correct pronunciation.

Interview DO’s Continued Even when your interviewer gives you a first and last name, address your interviewer by Mr. or Ms. and the last name, until invited to do otherwise. Maintain good eye contact during the interview. Sit still in your seat; avoid fidgeting and slouching. Respond to questions and back up statements about yourself with specific examples whenever possible. Ask for clarification if you do not understand a question; and be thorough in your responses while being concise in your wording. Use good grammar and good diction. Say “yes,” not “yeah.” Do not fill pauses with “um,” “uh,” or “ah.” Do not punctuate sentences with “you know,” “like,” “see,” or “okay.”

Interview DO’s Continued Treat the interview seriously and show interest in the employer and the opportunity presented and respond to questions in a positive manner. Answer the question and use professional experiences or descriptive information to demonstrate how you would react or respond to a situation. Make sure answers have a definite flow. In the beginning state major points you want to make; in the middle expand upon those points or ideas, and in the end reinforce your key points and end on a positive note.

Softly Toot Your Own Horn! Exhibit quiet confidence! Organize your thoughts and apply your knowledge, skills, and abilities. Think globally! Relate “outside” experiences to demonstrate your qualifications.

Be Prepared for Behavior-based Questions! Describe a time when you were faced with problems or stresses at work or school that tested your coping skills. What did you do? Give an example of a time when you had to be relatively quick in coming to a decision. Give an example of an important goal you had to set and tell me about your progress in reaching that goal. Give an example of a problem you faced at work or school and tell me how you solved it.

Keys to RESPONDING Well to Questions Be specific, not general or vague. Do not describe how you would behave. Describe how you DID behave. If you later decided you should have behaved differently, explain this. The interviewer will see that you learned something from experience.

How to Prepare for College Interview Do your research, know what the school offers and be able to talk about why you are interested in their institution and the specific program. Again, dress as you would for an important meeting in your life- (Mass attire) Get rid of your gum!!! If your culture does not allow eye contact, work on this but do not let it stop you from trying. (Admissions people are aware of cultural differences and do not hold it against you.) Engage the interviewer Make them want to find out more about you. Tell them about who you are and what you want to do with your life. Answer their questions with thoughtful answers. It is okay to take a few minutes to think about the response if you need to. A smile will go a long way!

More Questions Related to College Interview Process You might be asked… Academic strengths, weaknesses, goals, ideas, passions. Why have you chosen this school and what attracted you in the program you have chosen. Describe yourself- your likes and dislikes What you hope to major in and why? How do you plan to contribute to campus life and becoming involved? Favorite high school class or teacher Make sure to be able to explain your essay and resume

For Military Academy Interviews In addition to the previous slides, be ready to discuss what you hope to achieve with the leadership and special skills that you will gain as an Academy graduate. You may want to talk about what you see in in other Academy grads that you would like to see in yourself.

“Never wear a backward baseball cap to an interview unless applying for the job of umpire.” -Dan Zevin

Questions, Concerns, Comments?