KEITH MUNSON CAREER SPECIALIST FALL 2010 Interviewing & Networking: Finding and Landing Opportunities Strommen Career & Internship Center (612)

Strommen Career & Internship Center Set the agenda Interview Structures-what to expect Why Behavioral Interviewing Story telling and STAR Networking Remaining Questions/topics 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 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 Secret Weapons 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?

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  Dress socks that match your suit!  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…… Be prepared. Rehearse. Tell good stories. Learn from the experience.

Strommen Career & Internship Center Resource Suggestions

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 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.

Strommen Career & Internship Center Let’s Take a Break!

Strommen Career & Internship Center Networking......

Strommen Career & Internship Center Networking Defined: yes Building relationships Connecting with people in your field of interest Most effective way to find opportunities Helpful tool for learning more about your field Necessary at some point Lasts a lifetime no “Using” people “Smoozing” Not necessary; only necessary when looking for a job/internship Being replaced by the internet Purpose is to ask for a job

Strommen Career & Internship Center Do I really have to network? Continuously learn about a field, company, or career field Many jobs are not posted Employers hire people they know or hear about through trusted sources NOT networking will cause you to miss out on a large portion of the best jobs

Strommen Career & Internship Center Networking at a glance Build a list of organizations that interest you. Develop a list of contacts within those organizations. Make your connections.

Strommen Career & Internship Center Build Your List Tell everyone you know about your goals/plans Industry lists Big Book of Lists (SC&IC) Resources in SC&IC library Reference librarian in library Journals/papers related to field

Strommen Career & Internship Center Dig for contacts Alumni Family and friends Professional organizations Faculty/staff Classmates and colleagues Coaches LinkedIn and other social networking sites

Strommen Career & Internship Center Social Networking Linkedin   complete a descriptive profile  search for connections for informational interview  get company information and connections Facebook  become a fan of company profiles  check the profile for news and information

Strommen Career & Internship Center Build Relationships. Don’t ask for a job! Elevator Speech  30 second “pitch” about you, your experience, and goals Focus on them  Ask good questions and listen  Begin thinking about how you can help them RIGHT AWAY Informational Interviews  Develop a list of questions you want to ask  Do your homework on the industry-know something about it! STAY CONNECTED!  Follow up and continued relationships

Strommen Career & Internship Center Questions