MASTERING THE Interview Workshop

How To Prepare for an Interview Research the company/organization and position Think about your skills and qualifications that are relevant Prepare your responses & stories/examples Practice interviewing/conducting a mock interview Plan what to wear, what to bring, & your driving route

Preparation- Knowing the Employer & Job Conduct research about the position you are interviewing for Review the employer’s website, mission statement, values, philosophy Use key words during the interview Research the technology, programs, strategies the employer uses What are the minimum and desired qualifications? Why are you a competitive applicant if you meet the minimum qualifications? Understand the line of communication for the position

Come to our Dress for Success event! Women Men Knee length or longer skirts/Pant suits No low-cut shirts No mid-drift showing Light/natural makeup Minimal jewelry No short sleeved shirts or tanks No shorts Shaved or groomed facial hair Limited jewelry Dress professionally for the interview - Know what type of dress is expected Groomed finger nails Conservative shoes Neatly groomed hair Light cologne/perfume or none Come to our Dress for Success event!

Preparation - The Night Before Layout your clothes the night before Have directions to where the interview will take place Plan to arrive 10 minutes before the interview begins Prepare copies of your resume and other materials the employer is asking for Bring a blue or black pen Get a good night’s sleep and eat before the interview Preparation

https://youtu.be/sPGccyJg1dI The Interview Your interview starts with the first contact you make with the employer Smile and be courteous to everyone When meeting the interviewer(s): Shake hands Be sure to listen carefully to names and titles Remember - it is okay to ask questions if you are unclear about something Make eye contact The Handshake: https://youtu.be/sPGccyJg1dI

The Interview - Your Nerves The more you prepare, the less nervous you will be Be enthusiastic, smile and look happy Talk at a normal pace Think about your answers Be sure to keep track of time and how long you are spending on each question Do not drum, tap fingers, fidget, spin in chair Minimal hand gestures Watch your posture, helps portray confidence and help you focus

The Top 7 Things Employers Need to Know to Hire You Do you have the skills, including soft skills, to do the job? Do you fit the company/department personally and professionally? Do you understand the company and its purpose? How do you stack up against the competition? Do you have the right mind set for the job and company? Do you want the job? Are you going to produce results/make them money?

Mock Interview Time!

Don’t: Tell Me About Yourself Focus on education and past work experiences Relate it to the position Highlight 3-5 relevant skills and abilities that have prepared you for the position Employers are looking for confidence, enthusiasm, & passion! This will set the tone of the interview “I am a sophomore at Chaffey College who has spent over 2 years gaining experience and improving my skills in customer service. “This past year I have participated in [an internship, volunteer or work experience], and it taught me [skills that are useful for this particular work experience]. This [name of experience] fits well with [the job your interviewing for] because [tell them why].” I’m interested in [the company’s name] because I can demonstrate my skills in [___] and I can contribute [what your background has to offer that is unique and makes you a strong candidate.].” Don’t:

Soft Skills: How do you talk about them? Practice talking about your top soft skills.

Job and Company Fit Questions Why are you the best candidate for this position? What do you know about this company? How has your education prepared you for your career? Why do you want to work here? Show the employer you have completed research about the company and position Talk about your skills that directly relate to the required abilities and knowledge

What Are Your Strengths? Focus on required/desired skill or ability Knowledge-based skills: computer skills, languages, degrees, training and technical ability Transferable skills: communication and people skills, analytical problem solving and planning skills Personal traits: dependable, flexible, friendly, hard working, expressive, formal, punctual and being a team player Prepare 3 strengths & provide an example of how you have produced results

What Are Your Weaknesses? (Areas of Improvement) Make sure it is relevant to the position Talk about how you are improving What steps you are taking to grow and conquer the weakness? Prepare 2 weaknesses Skills lacking in a certain area Don’t highlight negative characteristics Don’t be too critical about yourself & don’t be cliché

Getting to Know You Questions Where do you see yourself in five years? Think about development within the company or how you can grow in the position What would your current or last boss say about you? Focus on something that is a required/desired skill or ability Provide a positive example of how you have produced results Have 3 examples prepared for the day of the interview What has been your most significant achievement? Make sure it is relevant to the position Talk about how you produced results and can do the same thing in the new position What skills did you use to accomplish the goal

Skills Questions Describe effective communication. How do you stay organized? What is your leadership style? How do you motivate yourself and your co-workers? How do you remain flexible and open to change? Provide specific examples of how you have used these skills Provide specific experiences that are related to the position

Behavioral Questions How would you handle a difficult customer? How do you deal with high stress situations? Demonstrated your prioritization skills Provide an example of when you had conflict with a co-worker and how you resolved the issue. Why did you leave your last position? Stay positive & don’t speak poorly of your previous company/supervisor Have you ever had a conflict with a boss? How was it resolved? “Yes, I have had conflicts in the past. Never major ones, but there have been disagreements that needed to be resolved. I've found that when conflict occurs, it helps to fully understand the other person’s perspective, so I take time to listen to their point of view, and then I seek to work out a collaborative solution. For example . . .”

Teamwork Questions Are you a team player? Tell me about a time when you were in charge of a team and how you delegated work? What does it mean to be part of a team?

Why Are You the Best Candidate for this Position? Why do you want to work here? Why do you want this position? Highlight your best skills that relate to the position you are applying for. I believe that I am the best candidate for this position because of my extensive customer service and management experience and my ability to adapt to any situation. With my personable character I can work well and communicate with others to contribute to team efforts. In all that I do I would strive to advance the company, and I feel that my previous work experience proves that.

Interview Do’s Listen to the questions Be concise Use appropriate language Stay humble and honest Provide examples and answer questions using STAR Ask good questions at the end of the interview Get business cards from your interviewers Write a thank you note

Interview Don’ts Be vague with your responses Sound too rehearsed Be too casual, overly confident or friendly. Forget about your body language Arrive late Use your cell phone Chew gum Do not bring a beverage with you, a water bottle is fine Badmouth Ask about pay/salary

Questions to Ask the Interviewer What is the training process for this position? What would a typical day on the job look like? What are some challenges I might face in the position? What do you like best about your job? Is there any further information you need from me to help you make a decision? www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvssNqMlq8w Never ask anything you can research online like: What does your company do? Who is your president?

After the Interview Write a thank you letter to the employer Handwritten card or email within 24 hours Remain professional and keep all lines of communication open for networking regardless of outcome You can follow-up and see if there is anything else you can provide to help them make a decision Do not call the employer before the stated time and date