1. Student Career Development
YOUR INTERVIEW
Student Career Development
Shawnee State University
ADMIN 036
(740)

2. Learning Outcomes Preparing for the interview During the interview
Following up after an interview

3. Preparing for the interview
Your life online
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
Conduct extensive research
Company and competition
Practice, practice, practice
Mock Interview
Beyond basic website research, ANALYZE the job description – you might find CLUES/KEY WORDS
- Might mention the same statement again and again
Look for personality statements – “someone that can bring a positive attitude”
Use LinkedIn to your advantage, might find someone with your same job at that company – contact them!
Also good to see competition
Doing the research will also help you DECIDE IF YOU EVEN WANT TO BE THERE
Are you able to identify their challenges?
If so, you can come up with solutions, and SOLUTIONS TRUMP EXPERIENCE (often times)
Practice your stories in front of a mirror/record on your phone so they're fresh in your mind.
So you are able to ARTICLUATE them in your interview CONCISELY

4. The interview Look good and dress for the culture
Visit our website for more information
on dressing for success
Bring your career portfolio
Arrive early
Don’t bring your cell phone
Offer a firm handshake
Use proper, comfortable posture
Be aware of your body language

5. Sell yourself Be enthusiastic Explain your qualifications
Relate your experience
Maintain a positive attitude
Make good eye contact
Ask questions

6. Bring 3-5 “Cards” to the Table
Should be based on the research you did
Think about your unique blend of talents and experience
Research & Analysis
Senior thesis
Research assistantship
Planning & Organization
Social venture plan competition
Founded and led club
When I was looking at the job description, I really felt these qualities would be a good fit for this position
Of course you have more than three skills, but pick the top three for the job.
Hopefully these are the three things that stand out to the interviewer when you leave
** Don’t actually write them down and bring them with you **
3 CARDS + 2 COMPLEX STORIES you could answer many questions with (~Large project, internship, etc..)
With six smaller stories/examples – you could answer 12 questions right there
And the planning/org. stories tie into other areas
DOING A MOCK INTERVIEW IN CAREER DEV IS A GREAT WAY TO PRACTICE INCORPORATING THESE!
Interpersonal Communication
Customer service rep
Internship performance review/meetings

7. Common interview Questions
Tell me about yourself.
What is your greatest weakness?
What are your long-term goals?
Why do you want to work for us?
Why should I hire you?
Do you have any questions?
Weaknesses –
Shows you understand yourself and are humble and are IMPROVING IT
Every strength has a weakness – associate them to answer the question
Or choose a genuine weakness that won’t shoot you in the foot
*Visit the following links for more examples of interview questions:
Traditional Interview Questions
Behavioral Interview Questions

8. What Employers Look For
Your dependability
Your experience
Good communication skills
Your knowledge of the company and job
How well you get along with others
If you project a positive image
How well you handle challenges

9. Interview tips Keep your answers brief, but thorough
Use examples to illustrate your point
Think before you speak
Relate your answers to the job
Don’t bring up compensation

10. The closing: Ask questions
Have I answered all your questions?
When should I expect to hear from you?/What does your timeline look like?
Stress that you want the job
Ask your interviewer questions!
Thank the interviewer
Let them know you’re excited
An interview is kind of like a professional date – It’s not one sided!
If you went on a date and told someone about it, and they were like “oh what did you talk about?” and you said you didn’t ask the other person any questions, they would want to know how you even know if you want a second date.
If you don’t ask questions, it will look like you didn’t do your research
Asking directed questions also give you something to respond to that YOU SET UP, so you should know the answer = extra brownie points
NO MATTER HOW MUCH RESEARCH YOU DO, YOU CAN’T KNOW EVERYTHING
Want to avoid asking something that proves you didn’t do your research:
Interviewing at a retirement home – “So if I’m understanding correctly you work with an elderly population?” – Extreme example, but you get the point
“Tell me about your experience and what you like about working here”
“Have you worked anywhere else? What made you leave?”
Really this slide should be called “bonus points” because if you hopefully had a good interview, this will just help you score brownie points with your interviewer and make you more memorable
HOWEVER, it could also SAVE YOUR INTERVIEW if you feel it did not go well.
GET THE JOB BEFORE ASKING ABOUT PAY, SCHEDULES, AND BENEFITS
- Because then you know they want you, and they’ll more likely be willing to work with you on things like that.
It shows you actually care and are curious and want to learn more. It will also benefit you because by finding out more, you may decide it’s not for you.
Then if they bring up a challenge, you can bring up another example of how you have a solution (“you know I mentioned this story earlier, but I forgot this part…”)
Let them know you’re excited about the job – if the opportunity came up to work with them, you would be really excited.

11. Evaluate your interview
Did you dress appropriately?
Did you understand critical points?
Were you warm and friendly?
Did you project knowledge of the job?
Were you confident?
Were you able to handle tough questions?
Did you present your qualifications?
Did you project the right ‘fit?’
Were you enthusiastic?
Did you show you can do the work?
Did you show your determination?
Did you speak well, and to the point?

12. Following the interview
Send a formal thank-you note
Re-iterate your qualifications
Stress your enthusiasm
Add ideas you may have forgotten
Evaluate yourself!

13. Student Career Development
Contact
Nikki Karabinis, Director, Student Career Development
See more tips for interviewing on our website
Student Career Development
Shawnee State University
ADMIN 036
(740)