INTERVIEWING SKILLS Presenter: Dawn Castillo, CGCA

INTRODUCTION Attitude Employers are looking for positive people Smile Show Enthusiasm Imagine the interviewer(s) asking themselves, “Do I see myself working with this person?”

PERSONAL INVENTORY Employers will ask, “Tell me about yourself.” Before any interview take inventory of your work and educational background. List you values, skills, and interests. How do they relate to the position you are applying for?

RESUME Review your Resume. You should be able to answer questions related to anything on your resume. Your Resume should be honest. No Resume padding!

PREPARATION Do your homework. Research the company you are applying to work at. Research the position you are applying for. Show that you are a good fit for the job and the company. The internet is a great tool for researching jobs and companies.

Research the Employer Look at what’s on the homepage. Look for a description of the company. What are the company values, guiding principles, and philosophy? Who are their competitors? Who are the key players? Any special projects? What employment opportunities are available?

NETWORK Talk to people who work at the company. Talk to people who work in similar positions in the same field. Talk to former classmates who may already be working.

PRACTICE Develop a list of “sample questions” that you may be asked and practice answering them. Have a mock interview with a friend and practice answering interview questions outloud.

SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS Tell me about yourself. Why do you want to work here? Where do you see yourself in 3-5 years? How are you qualified for this job? What is the greatest challenge you have faced? What would your references say is your biggest weakness that you need to work on? Describe your ideal boss. Do you have any questions?

PROPER INTERVIEW ATTIRE FOR WOMEN

PROPER INTERVIEW ATTIRE FOR MEN

REMEMBER Dress neatly and appropriately. When it comes to cologne, makeup and jewelry LESS IS MORE! Practice good grooming. First impressions count!

SETTING UP YOUR INTERVIEW Be flexible when it comes to scheduling. Get good directions beforehand. Have reliable transportation. Be sure to have money for parking. Allow time for traffic. Find out how long it will take to get there and where you can park.

THE INTERVIEW Shut off you cell phone! Do not smoke before the interview. Memorize the interviewer’s name. Make eye contact. Follow the interviewer’s lead. Do not try to control the interview. Do not chew gum! Shake hands.

DURING THE INTERVIEW Smile Be positive Show excitement

ASWERING QUESTIONS Your answers should relate to your fit with the job Your answers should relate to your education and experience Listen carefully to the question asked. If you do not understand the question ask the interviewer to repeat it.

What Are Your Strengths? When asked about your strengths use examples that relate to the job.

What Is Your Weakness? When asked what is your weakness be honest. Try using an example of your ability to turn it into a positive.

Now It’s Your Turn to Ask Questions Prepare 3 – 6 questions pertaining to the job. For example: 1.What qualifications are expected of a good candidate? 2.What is the biggest challenge in this job? What do you like about working here? 3.What would my duties include if hired? 4.What is the next step in the hiring process?

COMMON MISTAKES Acting bored. Appearing arrogant. Coming to the interview without knowledge of the company. Failing to turn off cell phones or electronic devices. Not asking good questions during the interview. Asking about the pay before being considered for the job. Spamming employers with the same resume and/or cover letter. Failing to remove unprofessional photos/content from social networking page, web pages, blogs, etc. (Source: Careerbuilder.com survey by U.S. by Harris Interactive)

AFTER THE INTERVIEW Business Etiquette No later than 3 days after the interview send a letter or thanking the potential employer for the interview and reiterating your interest in the position.

EVALUATION Review what happened during the interview. What did you learn? Ask for help with questions that you found difficult. How can you improve next time?

BACKGROUND CHECK Be Aware: An employer may ask permission to check any of the following: References College Degree DMV Record Drug Test Credit History Criminal Record