KACE SWAP SHOP Exchanging Best Practices for Student Mock Interviews Anne DeLuca, Assistant Director Dana Nordyke, Assistant Director Kansas State University Career Center

Anne DeLuca Dana Nordyke INTRODUCTIONS Anne DeLuca Dana Nordyke

AGENDA Positive learning environments Authentic responses Tips, tricks, and tools Open discussion

POSITIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS Physical Space Minimal distractions - clean your desk Make sure your space is accessible or you have immediate access to an accessible, private space Noise Level Disclosure Can be very awkward for students to ask about. Have handouts within arms reach. Include information about criminal records, H1B sponsorship, or accomodations.

POSITIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS Assessment Have you had an interview before? What are your goals for this session? Has anyone ever given you any verbal feedback before? Adjustment Can you go through the interview at a normal pace- or should you slow down? Let them drive. Can you provide criticisms after each question? How much criticism is too much? How do we react?

POSITIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT Timeouts (1st mock interview) Allow the student the opportunity to take a timeout if they get flustered or just want to talk something through You can also take a timeout Interrupting Sometimes a student just needs to work through a few questions - get the nerves out Try to minimize interruptions

AUTHENTIC RESPONSES Strengths- “I don’t have any!” -Help Identify! “You seem organized, is that true?” “You work with kids a lot, does that mean you’re patient?” Ask someone close to you what your strength is. What do people come to you for? StrengthsQuest Weaknesses What would you go to a conference to improve?

QUESTION: Why should I hire you? AUTHENTIC RESPONSES QUESTION: Why should I hire you? You’re the owner!!! How would a student convince you to hire them? Think of 3 reasons. Remind them- Typically when you read a job description you think “yeah I can do that job!” but it doesn’t matter. It matters if you can ARTICULATE AND PROVE to someone that you can do the job! What are your unique skills and experiences?

AUTHENTIC RESPONSES Conflict Questions Be careful about WHO you pick as the conflict person. Be mature and show that you are ABOVE the conflict. Heading down the slippery slope.

TOOLS Repetition and Transitions “There are three reasons you should hire me” The first reason is: The second reason is: Finally the third reason is: “That’s why you should hire me” This helps students start strong and end strong!

TOOLS Behavioral Questions PAR = Problem, Action, Result STAR = Situation/Task, Action, Result Start strong, end strong Linear not circular Evidence Every claim should have evidence to support it

TOOLS Articulation Tools Verbal pauses Newscaster Interviewstream How to properly use your notes Managing Nerves Positive self talk Think you can you will Negatives circle in your subconscious Breathing/Oxygen flow Fight or flight response

QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION Imagine you were back in your FIRST year of advising/coaching candidates. What is a tip or trick you wish someone would have told you? Do you have additional questions, comments about today’s presentation, or would you like a copy of the slides? Please contact us at: nordyke@k-state.edu or ajdeluca@k-state.edu