Keith Munson Career Specialist Fall 2010

Strommen Career & Internship Center  Set the agenda  Interview Structures-what to expect  Why Behavioral Interviewing  Story telling and STAR  Behavioral Interviewing as a presentation  Small group practice  Questions and remaining ideas Agenda

Strommen Career & Internship Center What to expect……  First round interviews (screening interview) Typically minutes; sometimes an hour Typically with one or two people  1 st round structure Small talk (brief) Questions for you Time to ask questions The Closing  On Site Interviews are a series of interviews throughout longer period of time

Strommen Career & Internship Center What to expect……  Questions about your background Tell me about yourself Walk me through your resume  Questions about your education and goals Why Augsburg? Why your major? What do you hope to do?  Behavioral based questions Situations that demonstrate a trait of skill.

Strommen Career & Internship Center Behavioral Interviewing PAST BEHAVIOR OR EVENTS FUTURE BEHAVIOR

Strommen Career & Internship Center  Examples: Describe the last time you had to lead a team to solve a complex problem. Tell me of a time when you needed to influence a group or individual. Describe a project you managed from start to finish.  Skilled Interviewers will follow-up with several probing questions as you answer.  Interviewers want stories….. What does it look like?

Strommen Career & Internship Center  Just enough details to give the listener a picture of what you were doing or how you work  Concise enough to demonstrate your point includes important details excludes unimportant details  Not too short; not too long  There’s a character that the listener needs to “see” in action  Leave enough for the interviewer to ask follow up questions…don’t start with the whole story Characteristics of a good story:

Strommen Career & Internship Center How is it done?  S.T.A.R. technique is ONE tool: S ituation-What was happening? T ask (goal)-What were you trying to accomplish? A ction-What did you specifically do? R esult-What was the outcome? How did your work affect the organization or situation?

Strommen Career & Internship Center How is it done….well? Interviewing….. presentation of you.

Strommen Career & Internship Center Know your audience  Know their industry Wefteet; Vault; Other online sources Company research website (  Know their company Alumni; 2 nd year students; faculty & staff News articles  Know the role Job descriptions  Adjust to your audience

Strommen Career & Internship Center Select your stories…..  Focus on your strengths  Don’t be afraid to address your “gaps”  Make your story relevant to that company, industry, function, role  Note about Liberal Arts  Two approaches

Strommen Career & Internship Center Marketing the liberal arts:  Employers want: Communication Skills (written & verbal) Honesty/Integrity Teamwork Skills Strong Work Ethic Analytical Skills Adaptability Interpersonal Skills Motivation/Initiative Computer Skills Detail-orientation Organizational Skills Leadership Skills Self-Confidence  Liberal Arts teaches: SEE PREVIOUS LIST

Strommen Career & Internship Center Prepare  Certain themes are almost guaranteed: Leadership, teamwork, influence Resolving conflict, interpersonal communication Weakness, failure AND what you learned from it Managing a project Creativity; innovative Interest in field, passion  The unexpected

Strommen Career & Internship Center  Start with writing if it helps  Move to bullet points of most important points  Rehearse-over, over, over  Ad lib story to different speakers  Adjust story to answer several questions, but make sure you answer the question!  Practice out loud, not just in your head! Practice, then practice again

Strommen Career & Internship Center  Use pauses to think of your response.  Take a drink of water/coffee to give yourself a second to think.  Use behavioral examples, even if interviewer isn’t asking for them  Describe how you would handle a situation if you have not yet faced it.  Others? Secret Weapons

Strommen Career & Internship Center Hone your presentation.  Evaluate your presentation (from your point-of- view)  Learn from your experience

Strommen Career & Internship Center Presenting YOU  Arrive early  Introduce yourself  Be professional  Watch your eye contact and body language  May bring and use your portfolio  Leave your cell phone at home!  Answer questions  Ask questions  Do not bring up salary or benefits  Get business cards  Close the interview

Strommen Career & Internship Center Interview Attire  Men Well fitting suit Pressed shirt (white, off- white, gray) Conservative colors (gray, black, navy) Professional hairstyle Little cologne, jewelry Traditional tie BLACK dress socks Portfolio, NO BACK PACK  Women Well fitting suit Conservative colors (gray, black, navy) Professional hairstyle Little perfume, jewelry, or make up Knee length, If wearing skirt Avoid high heel shoes Sheer hosiery Portfolio, NO BACKPACK

Strommen Career & Internship Center Sum it all up……  Know your audience.  Be prepared.  Rehearse.  Tell good stories.  Learn from the experience.

Strommen Career & Internship Center Questions

Strommen Career & Internship Center Resource Suggestions

Strommen Career & Internship Center Let’s practice……  Tell me about a time you had to deal with conflict  Break into dyads and find a space in the room  Each person chooses a role to start: Interviewer Interviewee  Interviewee delivers story to interviewer  Interviewer will give feedback  Rotate roles

Strommen Career & Internship Center Tell me about yourself  Start with your undergrad degree  Describe your path What experiences have you had along the way? How do they relate to the role for which you applied? What transferable skills run throughout? Explain reasons for moves/transitions. When/how did you decide to pursue this career? What do you hope to do going forward? What do you have to offer?

Strommen Career & Internship Center Giving good feedback:  Give specific feedback for improvement  Respect  Positive ways to improve  Patience  Direct; professional but useful  Ask for assistance from facilitators

Strommen Career & Internship Center What to look for?  Is the story too long; too short?  What are the themes you heard in their story Any skills keep appearing? Any characteristics stand out?  Did their decisions make sense to you?  Do you have a sense of what they’ve done?  What are their strengths?  Confidence, focus on strengths (not gaps)

Strommen Career & Internship Center The pitch…. I’d like to thank you for your time today. I’ve really enjoyed talking with you and would like to reiterate my interest in this position. The things we have discussed today have made me more interested than ever. And with my background in training employees and managing projects, I know I can contribute right away. I hope I have the opportunity to talk with you again about this job and I hope you give me a chance to demonstrate my abilities in this internship. Thank you again.