“All the world’s a stage.” William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

OBJECTIVES Conduct company specific research for interview preparation Prepare a personal commercial to sell skills and tie them to a target job Identify pre-interview preparation activities including creating an interview portfolio and practice interview questions

OBJECTIVES (cont.) Explain key areas of employee rights and how to respond to discriminatory questions Describe specific statements and behaviors to exhibit at the close of an interview and job offer Discuss salary negotiation strategies

THE TARGETED JOB Leads you through the process of identifying open positions Identifies Where you want to work Who you want to work for What position you want Ultimate goal of a job search is to secure an interview and job offer

COMPANY SPECIFIC RESEARCH Conduct research prior to interview Research better prepares you for interview, increases confidence, and provides greater advantage over other candidates Sources include: Company web site, brochures, materials Internet search Industry journals Interviews with current employees and business leaders

COMPANY SPECIFIC RESEARCH Identify as much as you can about The target company Its administrators Department of the target job Identify if the company is the right fit for you and your career goals Share specific research information during the interview

THE PERSONAL COMMERCIAL Personal Commercial: a brief career biography that conveys your career choice, knowledge, skills, strengths, abilities, and experiences that make you uniquely qualified Sells skills and ties these skills to the target job in a brief two minute statement Adapt statement to the requirements for each target job

THE PERSONAL COMMERCIAL Do not include personal information such as marital status, hobbies, or other private information Include career objective information Use personal commercial at beginning of interview Restate at end of interview

THE INVITATION TO INTERVIEW Most invitations occur via phone or e-mail Regularly check and respond to phone and e-mail messages Maintain a professional voice mail message and e-mail address

THE INVITATION TO INTERVIEW Attempt to identify With whom you will interview How much time is scheduled for the interview How many applicants are being called to interview Be friendly, respectful, and professional Try to arrange interview at time that puts you at advantage First and last are most memorable Morning is best

THE INTERVIEW PORTFOLIO Interview Portfolio: small folder containing relevant documents that are taken to an interview Use business portfolio or paper folder with pockets Include: copies of résumé, cover letter, reference list, generic application, and personal commercial Also include a calendar, note paper, a pen, and personal business cards

PRACTICE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS Important pre-interview activity Practice answering common interview questions in front of mirror or video camera Analyze responses Selling skills Projecting professional image Nervous gestures

PRACTICE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS Answer Do Not Tell me about yourself. Use your personal commercial, which was modified to the job description of your target company. Do not divulge personal information or background information such as where you were born, personal hobbies, or marital status. What are your strengths? Make sure your answer includes how your strengths meet the job requirements and how these strengths will be an asset to the company. Do not include strengths that are not related to the job. Do not include personal information (e.g., “I’m a good mother”). Tell me about a time you failed. Be honest. Use an example that is not too damaging. Include the lesson learned from your mistake. Do not place blame on why the failure occurred. Tell me about a time you were successful. Be honest. Use an example that relates to the job for which you are applying. State if it was a team effort. Do not take full credit if the success was a team effort. How do you handle conflict? Be honest. Use an example that is not too damaging. Include the lesson learned from your mistake. Apply what you learned in Chapter 12. Do not exclude the lesson learned. Do not give specifics on how the conflict occurred. Would you rather work individually or in a team? Why? State that you prefer one or the other and state why, but make sure your answer relates to the job requirements. Do not state that you will not work one way or the other. Why do you want this job? Your answer should convey career goals and how the job supports your current skills. Include company information. Do not state money or benefits in your response.

PRACTICE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS Answer Do Not How do you deal with stress? Share positive stress reducers as addressed in Chapter 4. Do not state that stress does not affect you. Do not use negative examples. Tell me about yourself. Use your personal commercial. Do not provide personal information that could be discriminatory. What is your greatest weakness? Use a weakness that will not damage your chance of getting the job. Communicate how you are minimizing your weakness or are turning it into a strength (e.g., “I’m a perfectionist, but I don’t allow it to interfere with getting my job done on time”). Do not state, “I don’t have any.” Where do you want to be in five years? Share the goals you created in Chapter 2. Do not say you want the interviewer’s job. Tell me about a time you displayed leadership Use a specific example, and try to relate the example to the needed job skills. Do not appear arrogant.

TALK IT OUT Identify the most difficult questions to answer and formulate appropriate responses that sell your skills

PRE-INTERVIEW PRACTICE Practice day Arrive at interview location (company) Walk to specific interview office (do not go into office) Note nearest public restroom Interview attire—clean and professional Thank-you notes Interview portfolio: Résumé Note pad and pen Reference list Generic application Copies of pertinent documents

THE DAY OF THE INTERVIEW Look in the mirror Ensure professional appearance If you smoke, refrain from smoking prior to the interview Arrive 15 minutes early Go to the restroom and freshen up Enter meeting location 5 minutes early

THE DAY OF THE INTERVIEW Make every interaction positive Introduce yourself to the receptionist Be sincere Take a seat and relax Use positive self-talk From the minute you enter the building, assume your interview has begun

THE INTERVIEW Communicate confidence Communicate how your knowledge, skills, and abilities will be an asset to the company Stand, extend a smile and handshake Clearly and slowly state your name Listen carefully to the individual’s name The interview may be conducted several ways: One person Several individuals (panel interview) Testing

THE INTERVIEW Do not be seated until invited to do so Decline a drink After being seated, write down names Inject names into conversation Look for conversation cues

THE INTERVIEW Body language Watch yours Watch individuals conducting interview Sit up straight, sit back in chair, and relax Be calm but alert Keep hands folded on lap or ready to take notes Do not lean on furniture Make eye contact, but don’t stare at the interviewer

THE INTERVIEW When Asked a Question Listen carefully Take a few seconds to think and digest question Formulate an answer Answers should relate back to the job qualifications and/or job duties The goal is to convey to interviewer how your skills will assist the company Keep answers brief, but complete Your job is to sell yourself When possible, inject company information

THE INTERVIEW When Asked a Question (cont.) “Talk about yourself” = personal commercial When possible, share job samples When possible, share company research findings Do not provide personal information Relate answers back to the target job

PHONE INTERVIEWS First interview may take place over the phone Some prearranged, others are scheduled Consistently answer phone professionally, keeping interview portfolio within easy reach Try to be as accommodating as possible During a phone interview: Be professional and prepared Be concise with communication Be polite

INTERVIEW METHODS One-on-one interviews: involve meeting between applicant and a company rep Group Interviews: involve several applicants interviewing with each other while being observed by company reps Panel Interviews: involve applicant meeting with several company employees at the same time

TYPES OF INTERVIEW QUESTIONS Structured interview questions: address job-related issues where each applicant is asked the same question(s) Unstructured interview questions: a probing, open-ended question designed to identify if candidate can appropriately sell his/her skills Behavioral interview questions: designed for candidates to share a past work experience to demonstrate qualifications

DISCRIMINATION AND EMPLOYEE RIGHTS Title VII of the Civil Rights Act Created to protect the rights of employees Prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin Other laws that prohibit pay equity and discrimination Individuals over 40 years of age Individuals with disabilities Individuals who are pregnant Other areas

DISCRIMINATION AND EMPLOYEE RIGHTS Employers have a legal obligation to provide every qualified candidate an equal opportunity to interview Discriminatory questions are illegal If asked illegal or discriminatory questions: Do not directly answer question Address the issue Protect your rights It is inappropriate to disclose personal information Avoid making comments referring to: Marital status Children Religion Age Any other area of protected rights

TALK IT OUT Role-play an interview; during the interview, ask one legal question and one illegal question with confidence but in a non-offensive manner

TOUGH QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Negative work-related experiences Potentially devastating if not handled properly Fired Poor performance evaluation Poor/no job reference Behaved in a negative manner prior to leaving old job If not asked, don’t disclose Only exception is if current/former boss has potential to provide a negative reference Tell interviewer Request another manager or coworker be contacted

TOUGH QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Be honest State the facts Tell interviewer that you have matured and realized that you did not handle the situation appropriately Do not speak poorly of current/previous employer, boss, or coworker Do not place blame on who was right or wrong Every experience is a learning experience

CLOSING THE INTERVIEW At close of interview, you may be asked if you have any questions Have question(s) prepared Current event Portfolio information Do not ask selfish questions regarding salary, benefits, vacations, or general company questions Restate personal commercial Ask for the job The purpose of the job interview is to sell yourself An interview isn’t successful if you don’t close the sale

CLOSING THE INTERVIEW Interviewer will signal that interview is over Hand interviewer your personal business card Secure a business card Shake hands Thank him or her for his or her time Communicate confidence, friendliness, and professionalism Immediately after leaving the interview, write the thank-you note Make a positive last impression

AFTER THE INTERVIEW Deliver thank-you note Congratulate yourself Prior to leaving company property, make notes Evaluate impression of company

NEGOTIATION Should hear back from company Second interview or job offer Reference checks Call individuals on reference list Interviewer may ask about salary requirements Sell skills Conduct and compare research to job posting Start a few thousand dollars higher than your desired starting salary Consider experience and/or lack of experience If offered unacceptable salary, use silence

PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENINGS Common screenings: Criminal checks Education verification Driver’s license history Security checks Employment checks Credit checks Reference checks Number and type depend upon relevance to the job

MEDICAL EXAMS Legally, employers can require medical exams only after a job offer is made Exam must be required for all applicants for same job Exam must be job-related Common exams include: vision, strength testing, pre-employment drug tests Cannot be conducted without your permission

WHEN YOU’RE NOT OFFERED A JOB Job search is a full-time job Do not be discouraged Evaluate résumé and cover letter Typographically or grammatical errors Listed important skills that reflect needs of job Have someone review cover letter and résumé Make every experience a learning experience

WHEN YOU’RE NOT OFFERED A JOB Review each step in interview process Grade yourself Pre-interview preparation Interview day appearance Interview answers Ability to interject company research into answers Maintain a good attitude