1. Interviewing Skills Workshop

2. Purpose
Identify the Do’s, Don’ts, and Professional Dress for Interview
Interview Styles, Questions, and Techniques
Preparing for the Interview
Best Practices at a Career Fair

3. Interviewing Aspects
Do’s, Don’ts and Attire

4. Did you know…

5. Interviewing Tips Do: Don’t: Turn off your cell phone
Have a firm handshake
Be familiar with the organization and position
Ask questions
Dress professionally
Send a thank you note
Ask about next steps
Be Late
Fail to practice beforehand
Dress inappropriately
Overlook body language
Speak negatively about yourself or others
Lie
Fail to ask questions

7. Questions and Techniques
Interview Styles
Questions and Techniques

8. Interview Types Styles: Questions: Individual /Group interviews
Panel
Phone, Skype, Second/on-site interviews
Case
Advanced
Presented with a set of facts/problem to solve
Situational
“Think on your feet”
Major specific/Technical
Related to your field of study
Behavioral
Specific examples
Situational Questions
In situational interviews, the interviewer inquires about how you would handle a hypothetical situation, rather than how you have handled a situation in the past. This type of interviewing is designed to see how well you can ―think on your feet.
Example Question: “How would you sell our product to a resistant customer?”
Major-Specific/Technical Questions
Major-specific interview questions can be a part of the interviewing process, but they do not
necessarily encompass the entire interview. These questions are designed to test your knowledge of
information that you have learned related to your field of study, such as theories and formulas.
Example Question: “Can you tell me how you would apply ______ theory to the position you are applying for?”
Case Questions
Case questions or case interviews are used frequently in more advanced-level interviews, such as in
consulting firms. The case interview has evolved as a method for being able to more easily judge a set of characteristics that are necessary for skilled consultants hired by firms.
In a business case, a candidate is provided with a set of facts about a business or business problem. Sometimes cases are presented verbally, although most
commonly they will be presented on paper. The case will last anywhere from 15—60 minutes. There is no one answer to a business case question. In fact, sometimes you may never even come to a
conclusion (in a verbal case) before the interviewer moves on.
Example Question: “Our client, XYZ Manufacturing, is losing money. Why?”
ITS OK TO ASK
Behavioral interviews:
Many organizations use behavioral interviewing to determine whether a potential employee has the
transferable skills to successfully perform the job for which they are interviewing. The basic premise behind behavioral interviewing is that the most accurate predictor of future performance is past performance in a similar situation.

9. Comparison of Questions
Traditional Style:
Behavioral Style:
“Tell me about one of your group projects”
“Tell me about a challenge you have faced”
“Describe a time when you tried to get a group of people to cooperate and work together as a team so that an objective could be accomplished”
“What types of problems have you had to identify and solve in your academic career? Describe in detail one of the most significant of these problems and the solution you developed”

10. Behavioral Interview Technique

11. Sources of Experience Group projects Campus/Professional Organizations
Leadership Positions
Previous Work Experience
Summer/Part-time Jobs
Internships/Co-ops
Hobbies and Interests
Awards and Recognition
Volunteer Work

12. Think of your “Stories”
Times where you saved/made money for an employer
A crisis or two and how you responded/recovered
A time where you were part of a team and what your contribution was
A time when you dealt with stress
A time where you provided successful leadership
Failures you faced and how you overcame them
Events that caused you to change direction and how that worked out

13. Practice Makes Perfect
Preparing for the Interview

14. Interview Checklist Research the organization and industry
Company website, annual reports, competitors
Determine names and job titles of interviewers
Choose appropriate attire for interview
Review directions/location of interview
Prepare your questions to ask (4-5)
Double check your resume and references for further review
-References-make sure they are Positive references

15. What can I ask the Employer?
Do you offer continuing education and professional training?
Can you tell me about the team I’ll be working with?
What can you tell me about your new products or plans for growth?
Who previously held this position?
What is the next step in the process?
What skills and experiences would make an ideal candidate?
What is the single largest problem facing your staff and would I be in a position to help you solve this problem?
What have you enjoyed most about working here?
What constitutes success at this position and this company?
Do you have any hesitations about my qualifications?

16. Questions NOT to ask the Employer
What are the hours of this position?
What is the pay for this position?
What type of benefits do you offer?
What does your company do?
When can I take vacation?
How long is my lunch?
Will I have to take a drug test or complete a background check?

17. Follow Up After Interview
Phone/ message within 24 hours
Formal message
Handwritten note OR letter
Additional follow up is standard 2 weeks from your interview
Consider your grammar and handwriting
Keep in mind the provided next step instructions from employer
Depending on the type of interview-phone screen, first round etc.

18. Best Practices for Career Fair
What’s your Game Plan?

19. What are your Goals?
Connect with organizations to collect information, submit resumes, or arrange interviews?
Discuss job search strategies, interview, and resume tips, or finding a summer internship with recruiters?
Develop a job search network - collect referrals to other departments/divisions within an organization?
Meet with new, less familiar organizations and discover unexpected opportunities?
Ask yourself what your goals are for attending the fair…
Are you wanting to connect organizations…
Network, etc.

20. How to Ace the Fair
Review who is coming to campus with Career Center or academic college
Attend resume or interview workshop with Career Center
Research any open internship or entry level positions on the company website and/or CareerLink
Update or create your LinkedIn profile
Strategically navigate the employer layout
Make eye contact, firm handshake, pick up materials, and leave behind your resume
30 second commercial
Prepare a 30 second commercial about yourself so that when you approach the recruiter, you have something to say!
Be sure to shake the recruiter’s hand, introduce yourself and have a resume ready.
Example:
“ Hello, my name is Jane and I am a sophomore majoring in Marketing. I did some research on your website and am interested in the marketing research internship that is posted. I have worked for Marriott the past 2 years collecting customer survey results and tracking that data in an online database. I’d love to hear more about your company and the internship program.
Strategically navigate the employer layout…visit your targeted employers first, take time in between employer meetings to recap your conversations in notes

21. Create your “30 second commercial”
Sample
“ Hello, my name is Jane and I am a sophomore majoring in Marketing. I did some research on your website and am interested in the marketing research internship that is posted. I have worked for ABC company the past 2 years collecting customer survey results and tracking that data in an online database. I’d love to hear more about your company and the internship program.
30 second commercial
Prepare a 30 second commercial about yourself so that when you approach the recruiter, you have something to say!
Be sure to shake the recruiter’s hand, introduce yourself and have a resume ready.
Example:
“ Hello, my name is Jane and I am a sophomore majoring in Marketing. I did some research on your website and am interested in the marketing research internship that is posted. I have worked for Marriott the past 2 years collecting customer survey results and tracking that data in an online database. I’d love to hear more about your company and the internship program.

22. Develop Questions to Ask
Positive questions:
Negative questions:
What opportunities are available in your organization?
What type of training is available?
What types of assignments are given?
What do you look for in candidates?
What skills/experiences are highly desirable?
Do you have any tips for success in this field?
What are you hiring for?
What does your company do?
What give-a-ways do you have?
Do you run background checks?
What do you pay?
Do you know “John” that works for your company?
Develop Questions to Ask
What career opportunities are available in your organization? Go a step further and tell the employer what opportunities you have viewed on their website and inquire about those..
NOT TO ASK-what does your company do etc.

23. After the Career Fair Get organized, keep track of potential leads
Follow up with employers you met
Make necessary updates to your resume
Continue practicing your interviewing skills
Reflect on your experience at the fair
How well did I prepare for it?
Do I feel like I networked well?
Did I give my 30 second commercial?
What went well? What would I do differently?
Did I learn something about myself or a potential employer?
30 second commercial
Prepare a 30 second commercial about yourself so that when you approach the recruiter, you have something to say!
Be sure to shake the recruiter’s hand, introduce yourself and have a resume ready.
Example:
“ Hello, my name is Jane and I am a sophomore majoring in Marketing. I did some research on your website and am interested in the marketing research internship that is posted. I have worked for Marriott the past 2 years collecting customer survey results and tracking that data in an online database. I’d love to hear more about your company and the internship program.