Professional Development: SOFT SKILL INTERVIEWS 1

Prepare for the soft skill questions you might be asked. This is by no means a full list but represents a few of the top questions asked.  What is your biggest strength?  What is your biggest weakness?  Why should I hire you?  Where do you see yourself in five years?  What would your mother or father say about you?  Describe a conflict you had with another person, explain how you overcame it.  What accomplishment are you most proud of?  Describe a personal failure and how it affected you and the result. 2

3  Tell me about a challenge you had and how you overcame it.  Please give me an example of when you were coached, why and how it went.  Why do you want to work here?  What’s different about you than anyone else interviewing for this position?  Tell me about yourself…  Where do you see yourself in 5 years?  What three words best describe you?  Why do you want to work in the ______ industry? (investment, commercial banking, insurance, etc?) Soft skill questions continued…….

4  Towards the end of the time, ask what the next steps are.  If they say, someone will be in touch…then ask, if I don’t hear from anyone in the next two weeks, how can I follow up with someone there?  Be Ready for HR or a Hiring Manager – you never know what you’re going to get. Don’t make the mistake of not preparing for technical questions because you’re guessing it’s HR.

 Language and Enunciation  Are you nervous that you won’t understand what the other person is saying? Or that maybe they won’t understand you perfectly?  Do some role playing and have a friend call you and ask you questions.  If this isn’t easy –schedule time with me and I can call you and do a mock interview and you see how your understanding is and how articulate you are.  Remove the fear factor and you’ll have more confidence.  Even if you’re nervous, don’t go as fast as you can; take it easy and articulate your words 5

Apps to help coach you on your own:  Apple Products:  “Interview Prep Questions” Free with ads, $0.99 without.  Android:  “101 HR Questions” $5.99  It will help you with a strategy or approach to create your answers. I would highly recommend this app.  AND….. Practice! Practice Practice! 6 6/3/2016

Professional Development: Make a Fabulous First Impression

8 Why is my first impression important?  People will get to know me and come to understand and appreciate me – FALSE when interviewing  CareerBuilder survey:  49% of employers know within the first five minutes if a candidate is a good or bad fit for the position  87% know within the first 15 minutes.

9 What to not to do? 2000 HR professional and Hiring Managers Share the most common mistakes  Appearing disinterested percent  Dressing inappropriately percent  Appearing arrogant percent  Talking negatively about current or previous employers percent  Answering a cell phone or texting during the interview percent  Appearing uninformed about the company or role percent  Not providing specific examples percent  Not asking good questions percent  Providing too much personal information percent  Asking the hiring manager personal questions percent

10 What not to do? Body Language  Failure to make eye contact percent  Failure to smile percent  Bad posture percent (sit up/stand straight but not like a robot)  Fidgeting too much in one's seat percent  Playing with something on the table percent  Handshake that is too weak percent  Crossing one's arms over one's chest percent  Playing with one's hair or touching one's face percent  Using too many hand gestures percent  Handshake that is too strong -- 5 percent

11 What not to do?  Cellphone on Vibrate – no…airplane mode or off  Chewing gum  The leg that won’t stop  Body Odor – US Hygiene  Too much cologne/perfume  Large earrings  Filler words – avoid “like”, “um” or anything over frequently used.  Colored stockings  Bright colored nail polish  If you have questions about US expectations for personal grooming – please see me…I understand this can be quite personal.

12 What to do?  Smile appropriately (don’t smile and stop suddenly or it will look fake)  Insightful questions  Angle your body towards people/the person you’re talking to  Stay 1.5 feet from people to respect their personal space  Always have an open stance ( not folded arms)  If presenting – look at people when making a point  Always stay present, not checking watch, phone, clock, etc.  What if I’ve made some of the aforementioned mistakes?  Life goes on – learn from it..it’s ok!

13 What if it’s not an interview but an event?  Set your intent/goal before you go  What kind of people do you want to meet  What types if interactions would you like to have?  Focus on the kind of energy you want to have for the event  Bad day? Bad Idea – Find what makes you happy and puts you in a better place…you’ll get what you give so figure out how to get to your ‘happy, positive’ place before attending an event!  Be genuinely interested and interesting  Have a wing man or wing woman – don’t cling to someone for the whole event – be social and have a ‘landing pad’ if you are uncomfortable being alone so you don’t monopolize a person’s time.

14 What to do?  Have a sense of humor. People who try to be funny are NOT funny. Truly funny people are just themselves and the wittiness shows. Don't use lame jokes or lines.  Pace – don’t do all the talking or all of the listening…make sure you’re engaging the other person and be as easy to talk to as possible.  Cover any tattoos  Engage the other person to talk – see if you can get him/her talking about himself/herself  Do not Brag  Be positive

15 What to do?  When someone says their name, use it shortly after you meet them but comfortably. Some examples-proper and improper:  So tell me, Jasper, what do you like best about the program you’re studying?  It’s nice to meet you, Rhoda. So Rhoda, when do you graduate? What do you like about BU, Rhoda?  Closing with their name: It was very nice meeting you, Cindy.  Closing too much with their name: It was nice meeting you, Bill. If you’re in NY again, Bill, stop by. Have a great trip home, Bill!

16 Manners  If you are eating or there is food served – chew with your mouth closed. No one wants to see the train wreck of what you’re eating.  If you’re drinking – do not slurp or chew ice cubes  Napkin – do not wipe your hands on your clothes, use a napkin.  Never chew gum at an event or meeting  Do not chew your straw or any other accessory like a toothpick ( )

17 Watches? Earrings? Purses? Oh my!  What does it say about you?  Be sure your accessories say what you want…ask friends for their assumption based on any piece you wear.  If you wear a Rolex, for example, Does it signify success? That you don’t need a job?  Just be sure that what you’re wearing does represent who you are and how you feel. It’s ok if a Rolex is what you like if the assumptions that can be made from it represent who you are.  This is about ensuring you’re communicating who you are as you want to, not about not being who you are.

18 Attitude  Be grateful to everyone you meet  Be helpful  Be interested  Be open  Be positive  Smile!

19 Go Get ‘EM!!!!!!! Always Remember! You are ALL brilliant, beautiful, and have a TON of value to offer the world!!!!!!!!!!! Never forget that!!!!

20 2/14/14 Questions? Help?  What do you do if you get into a jam or need help? Schedule an appointment with me! or