Interviewing

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INTERVIEWINGINTERVIEWINGTips on Successful Interviews

For the complete text from which this presentation was created, visit the ASC Career Services website.

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The Interview The Interview

Most important step in job search process Think of yourself as a Salesperson, and

your “product” is YOU!Know yourselfResearch companyPractice interviewLook the part

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Know YourselfKnow Yourself

Create “diary” of your life’s highlights/ activities – who you are, what you have to offer

Be ready to articulate your:– Strengths/abilities– Interests/values/personality– How they relate to the position

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Research the OrganizationResearch the Organization

Products/servicesGoals/structureProblemsEntry-level positionsJob responsibilitiesPromotion policies/opportunities

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Research ResourcesResearch Resources

Business Library – Schoenbaum Hall Columbus Metro Library Better Business Bureau reports Chamber of Commerce publications Moody’s Manuals Poor’s Register of Directors/Execs Standard & Poor’s publications Wall Street Journal Professors, advisors

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Practice the InterviewPractice the Interview

With friend, tape recorder, video camera, mirror Think carefully, answer questions clearly Be to-the-point, do not ramble, give examples Make eye contact while answering Practice giving answers to questions about:

– Your education

– Work experience

– Extra-curricular activities

– Type of job you’re seeking

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Questions You May Be AskedQuestions You May Be Asked What are your future vocational plans? In what school activities have you participated? In what type of position are you most interested? Why do you think you’d like to work for our company?

What jobs have you held? How were they obtained and why did you leave? What percentage of college expenses did you earn? How? How did you spend your vacations while in school? What do you know about our company? What qualifications do you have that make you feel you will be successful in

your field? What extracurricular offices have you held? If you were starting college again, what courses would you take? How much money do you hope to earn at age 30? Age 35? What do you think determines a person’s progress within a company? Do you prefer working by yourself or with others? What kind of boss do you prefer?

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More QuestionsMore Questions Are you primarily interested in money or is service your prime concern? Can you take instructions without feeling upset? How did previous employers treat you? What did you learn from previous jobs? Can you get recommendations from former employers? What interests you about our product/service? Did you change your major in college? Why? When did you select your major? Do you feel you did the best scholastic work of which you were capable? What do you know about opportunities in this field? Do you like routine work? Regular hours? What is your major weakness?(For a complete list of questions, go to Interview Questions.)

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Behavioral QuestionsBehavioral QuestionsYour response to this type of question should refer to aspecific incident. Use this format when answering thesetypes of questions:

SSituation: Describe situation, include who was involved

TTask: Explain task or problem

AAction: Describe specific action you took

RResult: Give specific consequences of your action

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Difficult QuestionsDifficult Questions

Illegal questions – discriminate against applicant based on sex, race, etc.

How to handle:– Confront interviewer – may cost you any career with

that organization

– Answer question but feel bad you were forced to answer for sake of your career

– Read intention behind question and respond to the intention of the question

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Difficult Questions/ Difficult Questions/ Possible ResponsesPossible Responses

Do you know how to type (when applying for managerial position)?– I wasn’t aware typing was required for this position. I assumed support services

would be provided to assist me in a managerial role. I am able to type well enough to successfully use a computer.

What will be your marital status in the future?– I do not anticipate any change in my marital status in the near future. I do not

believe it is related to my job performance.

Are you married? – If yes, do you plan to go where your spouse located employment after graduation?

I am looking for a career opportunity which I feel your organization can provide. We have already discussed this thoroughly. If I am hired, my spouse will locate a position near my job.

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Difficult Questions/Difficult Questions/Possible ResponsesPossible ResponsesAre you planning to have a family?

– I have no present plans for having children. If I do, I would expect to take a short maternity leave and return to my position with the company. I am very committed to having a career.

As a member of a minority group, do you think you would haveproblems living in a conservative community?

– I have been a member of a minority group all my life and feel able to cope with any difficulties or problems I might encounter.

Do you think people have difficulty working for a woman/minority?– If employees perform their jobs and relate to others on a professional basis, I

feel there should be no more problems than those associated with any group of peers. Today, companies are striving for a more diversified work force to create better work environments.

For a complete list of Difficult Questions, visit Difficult Questions.)

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Questions You Should AskQuestions You Should Ask

Prepare 3 – 5 questions to take with you to your interview

Ask questions about salary, fringe benefits, time off only at later interviews

Opportunity to find out more about organization, position

Communicates your interest, preparedness

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Questions to Ask InterviewerQuestions to Ask Interviewer Why is this position open? What exactly are the responsibilities? What are the general working conditions? What would you like done differently by the next person who fills

this position? What are some longer-term objectives you would like completed? What freedom will I have in determining my own work objectives? Where could a person go who is successful in this position and in

what time frame? How much turnover generally occurs? How is one evaluated? How often?

For a complete list of questions, visit Questions to Ask the Interviewer

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Interview Do’sInterview Do’s Spotlessly clean hands, well-clipped nails Long hair held back from face, clean, trimmed, conservative style No or minimal use of cologne or perfume Visit restroom just before interview Get a good night’s sleep Treat receptionist with respect Look interviewer in the eye Try to “sparkle” – use gestures in conversation Smile Get interviewer’s name right; use it a few times during interview Have some money with you Take notes – not every word, but highlights Write down questions you want to ask interviewer Let interviewer set pace of interview and lead with questions Let interviewer decide when interview is over Ask when you’ll hear from the interviewer or what is next step

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Interview Don’t’sInterview Don’t’s Don’t be late to the interview! Arrive at least 15 minutes early Don’t wear outer clothes into interview Don’t sit down until invited to do so Don’t have anything in your mouth –no gum, , mints, cigarettes Don’t lean or put your elbows on interviewer’s desk Don’t wear tinted glasses; don’t prop on top of your head Don’t carry over-sized handbag Don’t have unusually long fingernails Don’t drum your fingers, swing your leg, crack your knuckles Don’t adjust clothes or fiddle with hair Don’t compare interviewer’s office with others Don’t pick up anything on interviewer’s desk

(See complete list by visiting Interview Don't's.

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Take to the InterviewTake to the Interview

A watch2 copies of your resume 2 copies of your research summary2 pens and notebookList of references ENTHUSIASM!

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Looking the Part - MenLooking the Part - MenBusiness-like, conservativeSuit: navy/cadet blue, medium grayWhite, blue or yellow solid dress shirtSolid or small polka-dot tie (no bow

ties)Over-the-calf gray, black, or navy

socksShoes – black oxford or wingtip

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Looking the Part - WomenLooking the Part - Women

Business-like, conservative suit

Suit skirt: at or below knee; wool or linen in solid, tweed, or small plaid pattern

Blouse: silk or cotton (not polyester); no lace or frills; solid color

Black, navy or brown pump with medium or low heels; no open-toed shoes

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AccessoriesAccessories Jewelry:

– Women: small earrings (no large hoops), one small ring per hand, no noisy bracelets

– Men: no flashy cufflinks, rings or chains

Moderate make-up Solid-color wool coat for winter; trench coat for spring

or fall with matching gloves Gold/silver pen/pencil set Solid-color leather briefcase Black-leather, one-inch wide belt (men)

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Typical Interview Format Typical Interview Format

First 5 minutes – general topics to put you at ease

15–20 minutes – Q&A to evaluate your employment qualifications

5 minutes - give you information on organization, answer your questions

Last 5 minutes - explain what will happen next (application form, site visit, contact)

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Interview StylesInterview Styles

DirectedNon-DirectiveStress

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Directed InterviewDirected Interview

Interviewer has an outline

Asks specific questions and notes your responses on checklist

Impersonal style, but challenging to interviewee

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Non-Directive InterviewNon-Directive Interview

Very unstructured style

Allows you to choose topic

Questions broad and general

You take control of interview

Stress strengths, avoid weaknesses

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Stress InterviewStress InterviewInterviewer may:

– lapse into long silence or have unfriendly, brusque attitude

– stare at you without saying anything– take notes, ignore you

Purpose – to find out: – How far can you be pushed before you assert

yourself?– How do you assert yourself?

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After the InterviewAfter the InterviewAssess the Interview – keep diary including:

– what questions were asked?– what were your answers?– what will be next step?– are you still interested?

Follow-up:– within 1-5 days, write thank you note– OR write “no thank you” note if not interested

Rejection:– happens to everyone– call employer to learn how you could improve your chances