Pathways to Success The Job Interview (lesson # 5) It is suggested that the instructor play the role of a “bad applicant” with chewing gum, messy clothes, sunglasses, talk on your cell phone, poor posture, mispronounce names, talk bad about former employer. Then ask the students what all the applicant did wrong. Just have fun with this if you plan to do this., ask a member of the class to play the part of the interviewer. By Sissy Osteen, Ph.D., CFP PowerPoint by Cindy Clampet Revised 2017

Today you will learn: How to interview for a job What employers are looking for in an employee Today you will learn how to interview for a job, What employers are looking for in an employee

To be ready for a job interview: Learn all you can about the place of work and duties of the job Learn the interviewer’s name (if possible) Arrange your ride to the interview (go alone!!) Get your “job application folder” together Practice answering possible interview questions You should know about the place you are applying to and what kind of duties you will be doing. You might get a job doing something you hate!! So find out about the work place first! If you can, learn the interviewer’s name Go to the interview alone. What if your friend gets the job and not you??? Get your job application folder together to make it easier to fill out those forms Practice answering possible interview questions. You may feel silly, but the more times you practice, the better you will get at answering the questions.

Your Clothes… Be sure to get your interview outfit ready as soon as you decide to apply for a job Wear clothing that is appropriate for the job Dress a little better than the current employees of the position you are applying for Be sure you are clean and well-groomed. Don’t smoke, chew gum, or use too much fragrance. Be serious about getting the job. Be sure you get your interview outfit ready as soon as you decide to apply for a job, because sometimes you are asked to interview very quickly. Immediately, later in the same day, or tomorrow! You won’t have time to get something together at that point, so be ready. Wear clothing that is appropriate for the job, but a little better than the current employees. Be clean and well groomed!! Be serious about getting a job! Use your best behavior and grammar.

You are in the spotlight! During the interview: smile, shake hands, call the interviewer by name Don’t place your personal items on his desk Use proper grammar and speak up. Use Standard English. (no slang) Answer honestly. Do not “badmouth” former employers or co-workers. Be there on time, which means be there early! During the interview, smile, shake hands, call the interviewer by name. Don’t place your personal items on his desk. Use proper grammar and speak up so you can be heard. Don’t use slang words. Answer honestly, don’t “badmouth” former employers or co-workers. Be there on time, which means early. Don’t chew gum or talk on your cell phone (set phone on “silent”) Be serious!

What questions? There are a few questions you don’t have to answer: Age Religion Marital status Race Arrest record Credit rating (unless you are applying to a financial institution) If you don’t want to answer these, KINDLY and POLITELY say “I’d rather not answer that question.” There are a few questions you don’t have to answer. If you don’t want to answer these, just say POLITELY “I would rather not answer that question.” Be sure you are polite. If you don’t mind answering, it is ok to answer them.

Real managers! Here is a video talking about the interview process and some questions from real managers of a fast food outlet, a bank, a hospital, and a retail outlet talking about what they expect to see in an employee. https://ostate.tv/media/Interview+Do%27s+%26+Don%27tsA+Path ways+to+Success/1_8t1iiwsu/87593481 ( you will need to copy into your browser address bar) Watch the video about the interview process. Instructors: copy and past the address into your browser address bar. This video is about 15 minutes long.

After the interview Ask the interviewer if she or he has any more questions. Thank them for their time. Get a business card of the person who interviewed you. After the interview, write the interviewer a thank you e-mail. Thank them for their time Let them know that you want the job Let them know you are looking forward to hearing from them. Do not get upset if you don’t get the job. Think of this interview as practice for the next one, and think about ways you can do better next time. After the interview, ask if the interviewer has any more questions. Be sure to thank them for their time and shake their hand again. Get their business card so you can contact them with a follow-up e-mail. Do not get upset if you don’t get the job. Think of this interview as practice for the next one, and think about ways you can do better next time. The interviewer is looking for that one person who will be BEST for the job. There may have been another applicant that was slightly better at interviewing than you were, but you can get better with practice.

Mock Interviews Practice doing mock interviews There are good questions on page 6 and 7 of your booklet. Take some time to think of a good answer to those questions, then practice with a friend. On page 6 and 7 of your booklet, there are some mock interview questions. Take some time to think of a good answer to those questions. Practice with a partner, then switch roles.