1. Interviewing to Win!!! Presented by
Career & Professional Development Center
110 Pullen Hall
Frostburg State University

2. Skills Employers Look For…
Interpersonal
Teamwork
Analytical
Oral Communication
Flexibility
Computer
Written Communication
Leadership
Work Experience
Internship Experience
“National Association of
Colleges & Employers”

3. “On a scale of 1-5, how important are these skills in potential employees?”
Ability to work in a team structure (4.55)
Ability to make decisions and solve problems (4.5)
Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work (4.48)
Ability to verbally communicate with persons inside and outside the organization (4.48)
Ability to obtain and process information (4.37)
Ability to analyze quantitative data (4.25)
Technical knowledge related to the job (4.01)
Proficiency with computer software programs (3.94)
Ability to create and/or edit written reports (3.62)
Ability to sell or influence others (3.54)
Taken from

4. How Employers Find New Hires
Referral from current employees
Job/Career Fairs
On-Campus Recruiting
Internships
Newspaper Ads
Web Sites
Electronic or Faxed Resumes

5. Your Job Search Focus Job Interest Ideal Work Environment
Geographical Location
Salary/Financial
Security
Job duties required
Career Goals
Strengths/ Weaknesses
Values
Time
Career Resources:
-Networking
-Career & Professional Development Center
-Online

6. 6 Steps in a Proactive Job Search
Identify Your Job Targets
Identify & Target Potential Employers
Develop Effective Marketing Tools
Cast a Wide Net of Job Search Methods
Interview
Follow-Up

7. Before the interview Know Yourself: goals, skills, and abilities.
Know Your Career Field: job titles, job duties,
and industry trends.
Know The Employer: products, services,
locations, growth areas for the company.

8. Do You Measure Up? Applicants rated on… Appropriate dress Poise
Posture, voice, eye contact
Knowledge of company/ job duties
Clearly stated career goals
Communication-positive/assertive
Closure-timing, handshake, follow-up

9. During the interview Arrive at least15 minutes early.
Bring extra copies of resume.
Greet interviewer by name, shake hands. Smile.
Allow interviewer to lead.
Typical Interview
-small talk
-discussion of your background
-ask your questions to the employer
-conclusion

10. Types of Interviews Behavioral Interviews Situational Interviews
Case Interviews
Technical Interviews
Group/Panel Interviews
Dinner Interviews

11. Behavioral vs. Traditional Interviews
Best way to predict future behavior is past
behavior
How you’d behave vs. how you would behave
Question/probe vs. one structured question
Details vs. generalizing about events
More concentrated vs. ability to tell stories

12. How to prepare for a behavioral interview…
Recall examples that show success in coursework,
work, leadership, or teamwork.
Prepare short descriptions.
Show a positive outcome or result that reflects
positively on you.
Be honest.
Be specific.

13. Questions asked by employers…
Tell me about yourself.
Why did you choose your major?
What are your career goals?
Tell me about a time you worked in a team and how you handled conflict.
Tell me about your greatest strength and weakness.
Why should we hire you?

14. Questions to ask the employer…
What do you consider the most important duties for this job?
What are the major projects that I will work on?
What personality traits do you consider critical to success on the job?
What are the training opportunities with your company?
What is the timetable for hiring a candidate?

15. What to do after the interview…
Take notes after interview
Thank-you letter (ASAP)
Follow-up by phone.
Accepting Offers
Salary range
Benefits
Location