Interview Workshop

Tips On Interviewing

Behavior-Based Interview Questions

1st Interview What do you think a typical

day would be like at ABC Company?

How do you manage your time? (Time management)

How do you handle “difficult customers”? (Problem solving)

What strategies do you call on to handle multiple deadlines?(Time management)

What has been the most difficult situation you have had to handle in your job? (Problem solving)

2nd Interview (Do your research) Tell me something our

competitors are doing that we are not.

How do you make important decisions?

Can you sell me on our current products?

What unique qualities do you possess that make you different from other candidates?

What skills are you working to improve in the next year professionally and personally?

What type of salary are you looking for?

So What Are They Really Looking For? Tell me about yourself.

Your answer to this statement sets the tone for the interview.

State 1 or 2 strengths you have that are pertinent to this job.

Share past experiences that have affected your decision to go into your chosen major.

Mention strengths and abilities that are important in this career field.

DO NOT share your family history or anything personal that does not relate to your job in this field.

Candidate Interview Questions

Human Resources: Tell me about an employee

in your organization who is considered to be an outstanding employee. What makes that person special?

What would you consider to be exceptional performance from someone performing in this position in the first 90 days?

I feel my background and

experience are a good fit for this position and I am very interested. What is the next step?

Peer Interview: Why did you decide to join

this company? How have your expectations

changed over time? What do you consider your

company's strengths and weaknesses?

Hiring Manager Interview: What are the measurements

for success within your organization?

What can I do to make you successful?

What will be the measurements of my success in this position?

Closing The Interview Ask if there is anything

else you can provide such as references.

Ask about the next step in the process.

It is appropriate to ask about an approximate decision date.

According to NACE 2011 Recruiting Benchmark Survey, average amount of time from interview to offer is 22 days.

Send A Thank You Note

In a Career Builder survey, 22% of employers reported they would not hire someone who didn’t send a thank you note after the interview

How Did You Do On The Pretest?

20-19 = A Strong Interview Skills

17-18 = B Average Interview Skills

15-16 = C Weak Interview Skills

14-0 = D Listen Up & Take Notes

Online Profiles Matter

45% of companies always search 29% occasionally search13% don’t search at all

13% review if candidate provides

2011 Social Recruiting Survey Conducted by Jobvite, July 2011.

So What Are They Really Looking For? Why should we hire you?

Think of yourself as a product and develop a sales statement.

Summarize your accomplishments and relate them to the job.

Look at the job description and link 2 or 3 qualities you have to this position.

So What Are They Really Looking For? What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

When assessing your strengths, focus on knowledge-based skills, transferable skills and personal traits

When assessing your weaknesses, select a professional trait that you would like to improve upon.

Illegal Interview Questions

Be assertive if you are asked an illegal

interview question.

Telephone Interview Preparation May be the first round of

screening out candidates.

Use a land line if possible.

Tape your resume to a wall.

Have a notepad handy to take notes.

Place a "Do Not Disturb" note on your door.

Turn off your stereo, TV, and any other potential distractions.

Skype/Webcam Interviews Set up your webcam so you are looking straight into

the camera. Set your laptop on top of a pile of books if you need to.

Check your lighting and your background. Dress professionally. No low-cut shirts! Be aware of nervous habits (hair tossing, hands on

the face) Have a Plan B in case you have technical

difficulties. Skype with a family member or friend before your

interview.

Group Interviews

Teamwork is important Greet all interviewers

individually When answering questions, be

sure you are engaging the entire group

Should I Bring My Portfolio?

A professional portfolio is recommended for

marketing/advertising, graphic design, communication, education and visual arts. Optional for other

industries.

If You Are Taken Out To Lunch

Turn your cell phone off.

Stay away from sensitive conversation subjects such as religion and politics.

Safe conversation topics are family, travel or weather.

Place your napkin in your lap once everyone is seated.

If You Are Taken Out To Lunch

Don’t order messy food such as spaghetti, chicken, pizza, ribs or big sandwiches.

Water, juice or ice tea are appropriate drink orders.

Once silverware is used, it does not touch the table.

Salt and pepper should be passed as a set.

If You Are Taken Out To Lunch

Cut food into bite-size pieces so you may quickly chew and swallow your food before speaking.

The main point is you are still being interviewed so eating is secondary.

If you need to excuse yourself, place your napkin on your chair, not on the table.

If You Are Taken Out To Lunch

Place your utensils on your plate in the ten and four o’clock position to indicate you are finished. Handles at four o’clock, tops at ten o’clock.

Place your napkin to the left side of your plate, never on your plate.

The host will pick up the tab. It is inappropriate to offer payment.

Do’s and Don’ts For Job Fair SuccessDO have a list of those

companies you must visit and the order you wish to meet with them.

offer your resume, but be prepared to go to a company website to fill out an online application and upload your resume.

be prepared to fill out an application.

send a thank you note to the employers you met.

Do’s and Don’ts For Job Fair SuccessDon’t ask the following

questions: Do you have any

openings? How much do you pay? Do you want to see my

portfolio? show up unprepared. stand in line at an

employer’s booth for more than 10 minutes.

be bashful. chew gum.

Life After College Workshop

Monday, April 23

12:00 in West Private Dining Room

4:00 in Hershey Hall, Room 201

Career Services Contact Information

Heidi Seegers, Director

Office InformationOffice Hours: Monday-Friday8 am-12 pm and 1 pm-5pm

Or by appointmentHershey Hall, Room 231

319-385-6375

[email protected]

Online Networking

Linkedin.com/in/hseegers

Twitter.com/IWCCareer