The Job Interview Content based on UNM Career Services’ “Interviewing Guide” http://www.career.unm.edu/forms/Interviewing_Skills_Handout_2011.pdf

Before stepping into an interview, be sure to practice Before stepping into an interview, be sure to practice. A candidate going to an interview without preparing is like an actor performing on opening night without rehearsing.

Today we will look at some tips for you to consider Before the Interview The Day of the Interview and After the Interview

Before the interview

Before the Interview Review the job posting and description and think about how you meet all the requirements Review your resume and application Neatly write down five things you want to make sure the interviewer(s) know about you by the end of the interview This will help you practice answering interview questions and if you are allowed to take it in to the interview, you can refer to it and make sure you shared all the information you think is important to your interview

Before the Interview Research the company to learn about it’s mission, vision and values as well as current events and news Call the employer before the interview and find out who will be performing your interview You may be interviewed by one person or by a group of people Knowing this ahead of time will help you know what to expect when you walk into the room

Before the Interview Pull up a list of common interview questions and write out your answers. Practice answering these questions by doing a mock Interview and getting feedback for improvement See this site for a list of common questions: http://career-advice.monster.com/job-interview/interview-questions/100-potential-interview-questions/article.aspx There are three main types of interview questions: Resume Based Questions Company Based Questions Behavioral Based Questions The following three slides will give examples of each

Resume Based Questions Tell me a little bit about yourself. How has your education prepared you for this position? Tell me how your work/internship/co-op experience prepared you for this position? What was your motivation for applying for this position? What are your top three strengths? What is one of your weaknesses? Please explain.

Company and Position Questions What do you know about our company? Why do you want to work for our company? What qualifications do you have that will make you successful with this company?

Behavioral Based Questions Behavioral Based Interviewing focuses on experiences, behaviors, knowledge, skills and abilities that are job related. It is based on the belief that past behavior and performance predicts future behavior and performance.

Behavioral Based Questions Here are some examples: Tell me about a time when you had a disagreement with a co-worker or supervisor and how you handled it? Can you tell me about a time when you had to overcome a disappointment? Tell me about a time when you made a mistake and how you turned it into a learning experience. Tell me about a time when you were on a team and one of the members was not carrying his/her weight. Give me an example of how you were particularly effective on prioritizing tasks and completing a project on schedule. For more examples on common interviewing questions and answers refer to Tips For Answering Common Interviewing Questions at: http://www.career.unm.edu/forms/qahandout

Behavioral Based Questions Make sure you use your answers to express your strengths, how you handled problems and overcame any obstacles.

Before the Interview Also, before the interview you should develop a list of questions you want to ask the employer What is the greatest challenge currently facing your organization? How does this department fit into the overall organization and its goals? What is the busiest period for this position? How does the position change to meet these busy periods? What is the most challenging aspect of this position? Most rewarding? What opportunities do you offer for professional development? See this site for a list of common questions: http://career-advice.monster.com/job-interview/interview-questions/nine-questions-to-ask-interview/article.aspx

the day of the Interview

What to Wear According to recent surveys of recruiters seeking to hire UNM students, the following are some great tips for all candidates: Always dress one level above the typical work attire for the position Conservative neckline/necktie in terms of color and pattern Avoid ill-fitting clothes (short, tight, clingy, or high slits in skirts) No visible undergarments (camisole/bra straps or boxers) Business-style shoes. NO sandals, flip-flops or sneakers. High-fitting dark socks with slacks Match shoe and belt color

What to Wear According to recent surveys of recruiters seeking to hire UNM students, the following are some great tips for all candidates (Continued): Well-groomed hair style Understated makeup. Simple classic accessories. Minimal or no cologne or perfume No visible body art Breath mints. Use one before greeting recruiter. Briefcase or portfolio instead of a purse or backpack

Interview Day Make sure you have good directions to the interview site and information on where to park. Do not forget to bring parking money if necessary. Take a folder/binder with you that includes: At least one copy of your resume and cover letter You can reference this during your interview and provide a copy if they do not have one in front of them The sheet of paper with the five things you want to make sure to tell the interview committee (you may be able to reference this if you get nervous) Your list of questions to ask the interviewer Paper to take notes

Interview Day Leave early to avoid traffic or have sufficient time in case you get lost Plan to arrive at least 15-30 minutes early to the interview Be polite to everyone you meet and be friendly First impressions are extremely important and you never know who may have a say in the hiring Real Life Example: An employer was driving into work one day when she was confronted by a driver who was experiencing road rage. The car pulled up beside her and began yelling. Later that day she was holding interviews and the other driver walked in as one of the interviewees. The employer knew right then she would never hire her.

During the Interview When the interviewer calls for you to enter the interview room make sure you smile, make eye contact and shake hands Write down the names of the interviewer(s) if you don’t already know them Answer questions clearly and confidently Answer questions by using examples from your previous experiences. Tell little stories to give the interviewer an understanding of your experiences and how you can relate your past experiences to the new job. Remember to address the five things you wanted to make sure to tell the interview committee Accentuate the positive. Avoid saying “No” or “I don’t know.”

During the Interview (continued) Do not ramble Give enough detail to sufficiently answer the question and then stop talking. You want your answers to be short, focused and to the point. If you’re not sure you’ve given enough information, simply ask, “Did I answer that sufficiently for you, or would you like more details?” Keep nervous habits in check Project confidence during the interview

At the end of the interview This is your time to ask the questions you have previously prepared. Ask about responsibilities that may not have been available from the job posting, the culture, and specifics you want to know about the job. Do not bring up salary and be careful about bringing up benefits until the offer has been made

Departing the interview Make sure you know each interviewer’s name Ask when you will be hearing from the company on a hiring decision When leaving, shake hands with people you have met and again, convey interest in the position

After the interview Send a thank you note! Thank you notes consist of an introduction to thank them for your interview opportunity It should also include one or two unique and positive highlights that occurred during the interview The thank you note ends with a conclusion expressing your interest in hearing from the interviewer soon Be sure to send the thank you note within 24 hours of the interview You can send it via email, regular mail or leave it with the front desk

EXAMPLE

Take some time Take out a piece of paper Let’s take a moment to think about how you might answer these questions Write down how you would answer these questions Tell me a little bit about yourself What is one of your weaknesses? Please explain. (remember that when listing a weakness, you should always explain how you are working to improve it) Teachers: Give students about 10 minutes to answer these and then ask for volunteers to share their answers

Good vs Bad Interviews To finish, let’s take a look at a video that highlights good vs bad interviews Teacher, make sure you turn the sound up it may take a second for the video to appear. When it does click on the play symbol to play the video.