1. INTERVIEWING: “MARKETING YOURSELF” Rod C. Reedy NRCC Career Advisor rreedy@nr.edu

2. “Funded by a U.S. Department of Labor ETA grant award. This announcement is the creation of the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the USDOL.”

3. Differentiate Yourself The interview is your opportunity to demonstrate what you can do for the company/business that is different & better than the other candidates The interview is all about what you can do for the company, not about what the company can do for you Why should the company hire you –and not the other candidates

4. Five Steps To A Great Interview #1 – Prepare In Advance #2 – Make A Great First Impression #3 – “Stick” The Interview #4 – Closing Strong #5 – Appropriate Follow Up

5. #1 - Prepare In Advance Do your homework Research the company, learn about their needs, note how your skills, experience, & education can meet those needs (specific examples) Make sure your contact information (email address & phone message convey professionalism Contact the employer prior to the interview to thank and confirm the meeting Time the drive, plan for parking Arrive 10-15 minutes early Take only your essentials (padded portfolio with legal pad, pen, resume, job advertisement) Leave your cell in car or silence, no big bulky bag or purse

6. #2 – Make A Great First Impression Interviewers will “size you up” in the first 15 – 30 seconds Convey professionalism & confidence in the way you’re dressed, way you speak, and in the way you carry yourself Execute a professional handshake (most overlooked aspect of a first impression – may think it is trivial, but it is not! Smile, look them in the eye – friendly & professional Keep it comfortable – appropriate small talk

7. Conveying Your Professional Image General: Male & Female Hair clean, neat, & out of your eyes Very little or no perfume/cologne No gum, candy, food, or cigarettes Conservative accessories (one ring per hand) No piercings & cover any tattoos No bulky briefcases, book bags, or large purses (best to leave in car) No cell phone (best to leave in car – or silence) Should bring padded portfolio, legal pad, pen, resume & job advertisement

8. Interview Dress - Female Traditional Styles & Colors Pantsuit, or a jacket & coordinating knee or calf-length skirt Appropriate Colors: black, grey, navy blue, tan, or brown (small conservative pin stripes are also good) Tailored blouse in a conservative color that compliments suit Clean makeup that looks natural & fresh Clear or neutral nail polish Skin tones for hosiery Conservative closed toe shoes, no stilettos or high heels If you would wear it out to a club or bar –don’t wear it to an interview!

9. Interview Dress - Male Traditional Styles & Colors Wear suit, sport coat & tie, or shirt & tie (if acceptable) Colors: Black, grey, navy blue, tan, brown White, light blue, or pale yellow shirt Conservative coordinating tie Dark shoes & belt (black, cordovan, or dark brown) Standard Rule – No beard (If you do – make sure it is short and trimmed neatly

10. #3 - “Stick” The Interview “Land” balanced, in control, and confident Successfully market yourself Prove your answers with specific examples that “quantify” your responses Sell yourself by explaining how you can add value to the company, cite examples of how you have done so in past positions Keep to the point, answer the question in 1-2 minutes max unless prompted to continue by the interviewer Be prepared for the tough questions and practice your answers in advance Don’t forget to make it about the employer – how can you add value to the company

11. #4 – Closing Strong You should have questions – it demonstrates organization and forethought Be prepared – Write them down Best to have 3-5 questions Do not ask about money or benefits until you get an offer Its acceptable to ask when the decision will be made and when you might expect to hear something Let the interviewer know you want the job before you leave – Ask for the job! Ask for a business card or contact information so you can follow up Thank the interviewer, smile, & shake hands (See Next Slide– Closing Questions)

12. Possible Closing Questions When do you plan on making a decision? What is the next step in the process? Do you offer assistance with professional development, training, or furthering employee’s education? What are the opportunities for advancement? What is a typical day like for this position? How is performance for this position measured? What areas are the highest priorities for this position? Is an advanced degree or additional training required for promotion?

13. #5 – Follow Up Review your interview and note areas of strength and areas where you need to improve Send an email thank you the day of the interview Send a handwritten thank you note in the mail Check the status of the job according to the timeframe given (but don’t badger them)

14. Types Of Interviews Standard or Traditional – Applicant asked a variety of typical questions Behavioral Interview – Based on the premise that your past job behavior is the best predictor of your future job behavior in the new position Panel (3-5 Interviewers) – Panel collectively asks the candidate questions Phone – Becoming more common

15. Answering Standard Interview Questions Understand the reason for the question (or the “question hidden in the question”) – (For example - Often a question about hobbies is an effort to find out if you fit into the company culture) Answer the question (1-2 minutes) & relate your answer to your skills and how you can add value to the company Support your answer with specifics/facts (I enjoy the outdoors isn’t very specific – I enjoy camping, hiking, and kayaking is better)

16. Common Standard Interview Questions Tell me about yourself? Why do you want to work for us? Why should we hire you instead of other candidates? What are your short and long term goals? What would your last boss say about your job performance? What are your professional strengths and weaknesses? How can you add value to our company? What do you know about our company? What accomplishments are you most proud of? Are you willing to relocate? Are you a team player, or do you like to work alone?

17. Behavioral Based Interview Questions Questions that are looking for a specific example that demonstrates competency Based on the theory that prior performance and decision making is the best predictor of future performance and decision making Topics Include - Flexibility, decision making, ethics, integrity, managerial or leadership abilities, budgeting, organizational skills, interpersonal skills, technical skills, analytical and problem solving skills

18. SAR - 3 Step Method – To Answer Behavior Based Questions (Situation, Action, Result) #1 – Describe the Situation #2 – Explain the Action you took (give examples) #3 – Describe the Result of the action you took

19. Common Behavioral Based Interview Question Examples Question: Tell us about a time you had to work with a difficult co-worker Answer Strategy: This is about the ability to build relationships - describe the situation, your efforts, and the outcome Question: Tell us about a time when you had too many assignments and too little time and how you handled the situation Answer Strategy: This question is about time management and your ability to prioritize – describe the situation, your efforts, and the outcome

20. Illegal Questions Illegal Questions – prohibited by law in U.S. usually fall into the following categories: Affiliations Citizenship Gender Arrest RecordDisabilityReligion National OriginHealthRace MilitaryHeightWeight Options include: (A) answer as asked, (B) refuse stating that it makes you uncomfortable, or (C) answer without providing the information requested.

21. References Blackett, K. B. (2011) Career achievement: Growing your own goals. New York, McGraw Hill