Interviewing Skills Workshop

Purpose Identify the Do’s, Don’ts, and Professional Dress for Interview Interview Styles, Questions, and Techniques Preparing for the Interview Best Practices at a Career Fair

Interviewing Aspects Do’s, Don’ts and Attire

Did you know…

Interviewing Tips Do: Don’t: Turn off your cell phone Have a firm handshake Be familiar with the organization and position Ask questions Dress professionally Send a thank you note Ask about next steps Be Late Fail to practice beforehand Dress inappropriately Overlook body language Speak negatively about yourself or others Lie Fail to ask questions

Questions and Techniques Interview Styles Questions and Techniques

Interview Types Styles: Questions: Individual /Group interviews Panel Phone, Skype, Second/on-site interviews Case Advanced Presented with a set of facts/problem to solve Situational “Think on your feet” Major specific/Technical Related to your field of study Behavioral Specific examples Situational Questions In situational interviews, the interviewer inquires about how you would handle a hypothetical situation, rather than how you have handled a situation in the past. This type of interviewing is designed to see how well you can ―think on your feet. Example Question: “How would you sell our product to a resistant customer?” Major-Specific/Technical Questions Major-specific interview questions can be a part of the interviewing process, but they do not necessarily encompass the entire interview. These questions are designed to test your knowledge of information that you have learned related to your field of study, such as theories and formulas. Example Question: “Can you tell me how you would apply ______ theory to the position you are applying for?” Case Questions Case questions or case interviews are used frequently in more advanced-level interviews, such as in consulting firms. The case interview has evolved as a method for being able to more easily judge a set of characteristics that are necessary for skilled consultants hired by firms. In a business case, a candidate is provided with a set of facts about a business or business problem. Sometimes cases are presented verbally, although most commonly they will be presented on paper. The case will last anywhere from 15—60 minutes. There is no one answer to a business case question. In fact, sometimes you may never even come to a conclusion (in a verbal case) before the interviewer moves on. Example Question: “Our client, XYZ Manufacturing, is losing money. Why?” ITS OK TO ASK Behavioral interviews: Many organizations use behavioral interviewing to determine whether a potential employee has the transferable skills to successfully perform the job for which they are interviewing. The basic premise behind behavioral interviewing is that the most accurate predictor of future performance is past performance in a similar situation.

Comparison of Questions Traditional Style: Behavioral Style: “Tell me about one of your group projects” “Tell me about a challenge you have faced” “Describe a time when you tried to get a group of people to cooperate and work together as a team so that an objective could be accomplished” “What types of problems have you had to identify and solve in your academic career? Describe in detail one of the most significant of these problems and the solution you developed”

Behavioral Interview Technique

Sources of Experience Group projects Campus/Professional Organizations Leadership Positions Previous Work Experience Summer/Part-time Jobs Internships/Co-ops Hobbies and Interests Awards and Recognition Volunteer Work

Think of your “Stories” Times where you saved/made money for an employer A crisis or two and how you responded/recovered A time where you were part of a team and what your contribution was A time when you dealt with stress A time where you provided successful leadership Failures you faced and how you overcame them Events that caused you to change direction and how that worked out

Practice Makes Perfect Preparing for the Interview

Interview Checklist Research the organization and industry Company website, annual reports, competitors Determine names and job titles of interviewers Choose appropriate attire for interview Review directions/location of interview Prepare your questions to ask (4-5) Double check your resume and references for further review -References-make sure they are Positive references

What can I ask the Employer? Do you offer continuing education and professional training? Can you tell me about the team I’ll be working with? What can you tell me about your new products or plans for growth? Who previously held this position? What is the next step in the process? What skills and experiences would make an ideal candidate? What is the single largest problem facing your staff and would I be in a position to help you solve this problem? What have you enjoyed most about working here? What constitutes success at this position and this company? Do you have any hesitations about my qualifications?

Questions NOT to ask the Employer What are the hours of this position? What is the pay for this position? What type of benefits do you offer? What does your company do? When can I take vacation? How long is my lunch? Will I have to take a drug test or complete a background check?

Follow Up After Interview Phone/Email message within 24 hours Formal email message Handwritten note OR letter Additional follow up is standard 2 weeks from your interview Consider your grammar and handwriting Keep in mind the provided next step instructions from employer Depending on the type of interview-phone screen, first round etc.

Best Practices for Career Fair What’s your Game Plan?

What are your Goals? Connect with organizations to collect information, submit resumes, or arrange interviews? Discuss job search strategies, interview, and resume tips, or finding a summer internship with recruiters? Develop a job search network - collect referrals to other departments/divisions within an organization? Meet with new, less familiar organizations and discover unexpected opportunities? Ask yourself what your goals are for attending the fair… Are you wanting to connect organizations… Network, etc.

How to Ace the Fair Review who is coming to campus with Career Center or academic college Attend resume or interview workshop with Career Center Research any open internship or entry level positions on the company website and/or CareerLink Update or create your LinkedIn profile Strategically navigate the employer layout Make eye contact, firm handshake, pick up materials, and leave behind your resume 30 second commercial Prepare a 30 second commercial about yourself so that when you approach the recruiter, you have something to say! Be sure to shake the recruiter’s hand, introduce yourself and have a resume ready. Example: “ Hello, my name is Jane and I am a sophomore majoring in Marketing. I did some research on your website and am interested in the marketing research internship that is posted. I have worked for Marriott the past 2 years collecting customer survey results and tracking that data in an online database. I’d love to hear more about your company and the internship program. Strategically navigate the employer layout…visit your targeted employers first, take time in between employer meetings to recap your conversations in notes

Create your “30 second commercial” Sample “ Hello, my name is Jane and I am a sophomore majoring in Marketing. I did some research on your website and am interested in the marketing research internship that is posted. I have worked for ABC company the past 2 years collecting customer survey results and tracking that data in an online database. I’d love to hear more about your company and the internship program. 30 second commercial Prepare a 30 second commercial about yourself so that when you approach the recruiter, you have something to say! Be sure to shake the recruiter’s hand, introduce yourself and have a resume ready. Example: “ Hello, my name is Jane and I am a sophomore majoring in Marketing. I did some research on your website and am interested in the marketing research internship that is posted. I have worked for Marriott the past 2 years collecting customer survey results and tracking that data in an online database. I’d love to hear more about your company and the internship program.

Develop Questions to Ask Positive questions: Negative questions: What opportunities are available in your organization? What type of training is available? What types of assignments are given? What do you look for in candidates? What skills/experiences are highly desirable? Do you have any tips for success in this field? What are you hiring for? What does your company do? What give-a-ways do you have? Do you run background checks? What do you pay? Do you know “John” that works for your company? Develop Questions to Ask What career opportunities are available in your organization? Go a step further and tell the employer what opportunities you have viewed on their website and inquire about those.. NOT TO ASK-what does your company do etc.

After the Career Fair Get organized, keep track of potential leads Follow up with employers you met Make necessary updates to your resume Continue practicing your interviewing skills Reflect on your experience at the fair How well did I prepare for it? Do I feel like I networked well? Did I give my 30 second commercial? What went well? What would I do differently? Did I learn something about myself or a potential employer? 30 second commercial Prepare a 30 second commercial about yourself so that when you approach the recruiter, you have something to say! Be sure to shake the recruiter’s hand, introduce yourself and have a resume ready. Example: “ Hello, my name is Jane and I am a sophomore majoring in Marketing. I did some research on your website and am interested in the marketing research internship that is posted. I have worked for Marriott the past 2 years collecting customer survey results and tracking that data in an online database. I’d love to hear more about your company and the internship program.