Working in the “Real World”: Successful Interviewing Skills for the Student Leader National Conference on Student Leadership Lake Buena Vista, FL March 26-28, 2015 Matthew R. Shupp, Ed.D., NCC, DCC Assistant Professor Department of Counseling & College Student Personnel Shippensburg University Shupp, NCSL 2015

Learning Outcomes  Understand the purpose of professional interviews.  Identify the different types of professional interviews.  Obtain important tips on preparing for the professional interview.  Articulate the importance of self-presentation. 2 Shupp, NCSL 2015 NCSL

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6 Step Brothers Shupp, NCSL 2015

7 First Things First… Shupp, NCSL 2015  Your degree/experience adds to your resume.  Your resume gets you the interview.  YOU get you the job. NCSL

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9 Pepsi Shupp, NCSL 2015

10 What’s the Purpose of the Interview, Anyway? Shupp, NCSL 2015 NCSL

11 The interview is a two way process and you should use the opportunity to: u Make sure you want to work for the company/institution. u Check that the philosophy/values of the company/institution match your personal ethics/morals. u Find out more about the job, training, career structure etc… Remember – an interview is not one way traffic! Recruitment costs are high and employers want you as much as you want them. Shupp, NCSL 2015 NCSL

Types of Interviews  Telephone interviews – usually part of the initial selection process.  Panel interviews – usually three-five people on the panel, but there could be more!  Individual interviews – one on one.  Video interviews – uncommon at entry-level, but not unheard of due to travel and budget constraints. 12 Shupp, NCSL 2015 NCSL

Telephone Interviews  Usually used as a screening interview to gain further information before inviting finalists to company/campus for interviews.  Length of time may vary –30 minutes to 1 hour is typical.  Treat the experience with caution – just because you can’t be seen doesn’t mean you are not creating an impression! 13 Shupp, NCSL 2015 NCSL

Panel / Search Committee  Very common for entry-level positions  Often part of the day-long individual interview process  Usually 3-5 people on the panel (could be more, could be less) representing a variety of offices with varying needs/wants  All will ask questions (usually 6-8 questions) 14 Shupp, NCSL 2015 NCSL

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Individual Interviews  For a large organization / institution this may be a ‘sifting’ exercise to see if you will go forward to the next stage.  For a smaller employer, the telephone interview may have been the ‘sifting’ exercise.  The focus here is usually building on information from your resume/cover letter.  Be prepared for a day-long process which often includes a presentation. 16 Shupp, NCSL 2015 NCSL

Video Interviews – Skype, etc …  Check all technical equipment to make sure everything is working.  Talk to the camera - this way you appear to be looking straight at the interviewers. 17 Shupp, NCSL 2015 NCSL

If “walls” could talk, what would they say about you? NCSL Shupp, NCSL

A Word About Social Media Shupp, NCSL 2015 NCSL

20 u Research the company/institution – make sure you have read all the literature they have sent you and that you know about their mission/vision, products, and services. u Use the internet to find out any additional information. u Helpful Tip! When taking part in a phone interview, have the literature (or better yet, the website!) in front of you for quick reference! u Network with people who know about the company/institution and don’t be afraid to use any contacts you may have to get ‘inside information’ on the ‘real’ story of the company/institution. u Have a list of questions ready to ask. u Make an appointment for a mock interview with your Career Center to practice your interviewing skills! Shupp, NCSL 2015 NCSL

Interview Nerves Nerves can help keep you on your toes! But, you can help yourself by:  Getting a good night’s sleep.  Allowing plenty of travel time.  Arriving early so you know exactly where to go – but not too early!  Avoiding stimulants like coffee and cigarettes.  Checking your appearance to make sure everything is as it should be. 21 Shupp, NCSL 2015 NCSL

The Day of the BIG Day!…  Plan your route and give yourself plenty of time in case of traffic (i.e. mapquest, “practice drive”).  Bring info on your point of contact (name, title, etc.)  Plan your outfit, and remember – first impressions count!  Anticipate questions and practice answers  Run through your presentation, paying strict attention to timing (allow time for Q &A).  Bring copies of resume…a pen, and a nice folder to hold essential papers.  Bring breath mints! 22 Shupp, NCSL 2015 NCSL

Here Comes the ‘Tough Love Dad’ Speech… 23 Shupp, NCSL 2015 NCSL

The Key to Any Successful Interview is…Preparation! 24 u “Early is on time; on time is late; and late is unacceptable.” Shupp, NCSL 2015 NCSL

Which Reminds Me…Let’s Chat About “Appropriate” Clothing… 25 Shupp, NCSL 2015 NCSL

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Why ‘Behavior-Based’ Questions?  Why are you applying for this job?  What has been your biggest achievement to date? What are your main strengths?  What areas of your professional skills are you enhancing? Please provide an example of this in action.  Where do you see yourself in 5 years?  How would your friends describe you in 3 words?  Give an example of when you have managed a team.  Give an example of when you made a decision and the outcome was not what you had expected. 29 NCSL Shupp, NCSL 2015

STAR Format  Tell about a Situation,  The Tasks that were involved,  The Actions you took, and  The positive Results. Shupp, NCSL TODAY Method Provides the Framework for the types of stories!  Teamwork experience  Overcoming obstacles  Duties of past positions  Achievements  Your strengths and weaknesses NCSL

Remember: Practice Pays…But Practice Doesn’t Always Make Perfect  Get a friend to ask you interview questions and provide feedback.  Use a tape or video recorder to check for any mannerisms or verbal tics (check for fillers – um, ugh, so, ya’ know, etc…)  Ask your Career Services Center about a resume review, mock interview, etc…  Practice your “elevator speech” 31 Shupp, NCSL 2015 NCSL

A Word About Illegal Questions… 32 NCSL Shupp, NCSL 2015

Watch Your Language  Avoid speaking too quickly.  Take a few seconds before you answer to give yourself time to collect your thoughts.  If you are not clear about the question then ask for clarification.  If you lose your thread ask for a moment to clarify your thoughts.  Ask if the interviewer needs additional information. 33 Shupp, NCSL 2015 NCSL

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Watch Your Body Language  Give a firm handshake.  Make eye contact with all members of the search committee.  Smile to show your interest and enthusiasm.  Avoid extravagant hand gestures.  Sit slightly forward to indicate involvement. 35 Shupp, NCSL 2015 NCSL

Remember:  Do not alienate the interviewer by making he or she work too hard – it should be a conversation rather than the interviewer drilling for more and more information from you.  Avoid giving ‘yes’ and ‘no’ as answers. It is much more effective if you go on to give examples to illustrate your point.  Don’t just give an answer you think they want to hear. Be honest in what you say and be prepared to back up your ideas and views.  Discuss “transferrable” skill sets. 36 Shupp, NCSL 2015 NCSL

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Put Your Answer(s) in a Context for Scenario-Based Questions  Context – brief description of the situation  Action – what steps did you take?  Result – what was the outcome? 38 Shupp, NCSL 2015 NCSL

Do You Have Any Questions? Yes. Yes You Do.  How would you describe your supervision style?  What type of professional development opportunities are available?  What training/support could I expect?  What would the key objectives be in the first 3-6 months of the job?  How will my performance be measured?  How often am I evaluated?  What does this process look like?  Please describe the office environment in which I would be working.  What are the challenges your office/company will be facing in the upcoming year?  What are the next steps in the interview process? 39 Shupp, NCSL 2015 NCSL

Some Final Thoughts….  Do not ask questions just for the sake of it.  Ask questions of clarification from the company/institution website.  i.e. “I noticed on the website that you recently updated your strategic plan. Could you please describe in more detail bullet point #...pertaining to…”  When should you ask about salary and benefits?  What might other benefits include?  And remember….it may be that all your questions have been answered over the course of the interview, but you still need to have one.  “What brought you to X institution/company and what makes you stay?” 40 Shupp, NCSL 2015 NCSL

Thank you! Matthew R. Shupp, Ed.D., NCC, DCC Assistant Professor Department of Counseling & College Student Personnel Shippensburg University Shupp, NCSL 2015 NCSL