Slide 16-1 YOUR CAREER: How to Make It Happen Practice for Your Successful Interview “Our lives are what our thoughts make them.”--Marcus Arelius

Slide 16-2 What Interview Practice Does for You:  Sharpens interview performance as much as 100%  Increases interviewing confidence  Gives you competitive edge  Can land you a job

Slide 16-3  Applicants who practice interviewing outperform those who don’t.  Effective interviewing is essential for landing a job.  Practicing your pitch makes for good delivery.

Slide 16-4 Review Successful Interview Techniques 1.Dress/groom appropriately. 2.Think and behave positively. 3.Review your 60-Second Commercial. 4.Take your Interview Marketing Kit. 5.Be on time! (continued)

Slide 16-5 Review Successful Interview Techniques (continued) 6.Be professional at all times. 7.Use the interviewer's name. 8.Be likable and relaxed. 9.Use positive body language. 10.Stress qualifications/interest in job. (continued)

Slide 16-6 Review Successful Interview Techniques (continued) 11.Ask appropriate questions. 12.Prepare to negotiate salary. 13.Remain calm if asked a stress question. 14.Close skillfully; use “Clincher.” Ask what abilities are most important; describe yours that match.

Slide 16-7 Arrange Your Own Practice Interview  Set up practice with a network member.  Ask one or two others to observe and critique.  Use sample questions and answers.  Rehearse stress questions.

Slide 16-8 Have Interviewer/Observers Complete Critique Form  Evaluate performance on form.  Give suggestions for improving your performance.  Identify your interview strengths/weaknesses.

Slide 16-9 More Guidelines for Practice Interviews  Dress as if for an actual interview.  Give interviewer your cover letter, resume, application.  Practice showcasing relevant portfolio items.  Send thank-you letters to those who help.

Slide Videotape Your Practice If Possible Benefit: Observe Areas To Improve  Negative body language.  Negative speech habits.  Content of questions and answers.

Slide Schedule a Dress Rehearsal  Ask employer in your field to give you a practice interview.  Evaluate your performance using Interview Critique Form.  Send a thank-you letter to interviewer.

Slide Practice Can Be Your Ticket to a Job  Perform at your best in practice interviews.  You could get a job: From the one who interviews you. From an interviewer’s lead.

Slide How Can You Improve?  Which questions did you answer well?  Which questions did you answer inadequately?  Where was your performance the strongest? (continued)

Slide How Can You Improve? (continued)  Where was your performance the weakest?  What body language needs improvement?

Slide Checklist for Practicing Interview Skills 1.Apply successful interview techniques. 2.Perform as if this were a real interview. 3.Ask “interviewers” to evaluate your performance. 4.Summarize what you learned. 5.Send thank-you letters.