Interview Tips Abilities Job Fair 2015 July 7

INTERVIEW TIPSAbilities Job Fair Workshop

July 7, 2015

Interview formats

Telephone Face-to-face

Panel Group

Two needs of an employer:

•Will you make them money (increase profits / revenue)

•Will you save them money (increase profitability / productivity)

Three questions in the mind of the interviewer / hiring manager:

Can you do the job?

Will you do the job?

Do I like you?

Can you do the job?

• Know your resume, your strengths, your weaknesses

• Think in terms of Benefits (increase profits and/or profitability)

• Prepare your Elevator Speech / 30-second bio

Can you do the job?

• Elevator Speech: Your 30-second bio• Name• What position you seek• Why you are qualified• Ask for the sale “Tell me about

yourself”

“Why should we hire you?”

Can you do the job?• STAR Stories: Situation / Task / Action / Result

• 5 - 7 STAR stories can answer 500+ interview questions Tell me about…

How you deal with difficult customers

A time you went Above and

Beyond

A time you disagreed with

your boss

Will you do the job?• The interview starts before you arrive!

• Dress to impress!

Will you do the job?• Research the company!

• Firm hand shake

• Smile

• Be interested, and interesting

• Ask questions

• Ask for business cards

• Send a “Thank You” note that day by email and by snail mail

Ask questions!

Do I like you?

Interview “Do’s”• Do stay positive

• Do keep answers to 60 – 90 seconds

• Do ask questions

• Do ask for the position (if you want it)

• Do ask for next steps

Interview “Don’ts”

• Do not arrive late

• Do not say negative things about your former / current company, boss, or colleagues

• Do not provide personal information

• Do not chew gum, eat snacks, bring a drink, smoke, or make/take phone calls

• Do not ask about salary or benefits before the offer is made

“Why did you leave your last position?”

“Explain these gaps in your work history”

The salary question• Avoid answering if possible

“I would be happy to answer, but first I would like to know more about the duties and responsibilities of this position”

• Do your research ahead of time•Indeed.com/salary•ONetOnline.org

• If you must answer, give a wide range around the current market rates$9 - $14/hour, or $18,000 - $28,000 annual

“Do you have any questions for me?”

“Yes I do!”

Kevin Dumcum

Business Account Coordinator

[email protected]

602-372-4462