Interviewing and Networking

Graduate Career Services Fall Workshop Series

Interviewing and Networking


Agenda

• Interviewing– Preparation and General Overview– Tips and suggestions– Different Kinds of Interviews

• Networking– What it is and how it works– Alumni and Mentoring


Interviewing


Interviewing


In hopes that you don’t answer questions like this…


Interviewing

• An interview…– Offers you and the employer the opportunity

to learn whether or not there is a fit between you and the organization

– Is a two way street– Indicates general qualifications as

demonstrated on your resume– Takes time and preparation


Interviewing

• Regardless of Industry, employers are interested in…– Communication Skills– Interpersonal and Teamwork Skills– Leadership Qualities/Potential– Business Acumen– Organizational Skills– Analytical and Problem-Solving Ability– Maturity– Pose– Other competencies as necessary


Interviewing

• Preparation for the Interview– Careful Systematic Preparation

• Calmer, more organized and articulate

– Four Critical Areas of Preparation1. Know Yourself and Your Career Objectives2. Gather information about the organization and

position you seek3. Anticipating probable questions and formulated

responses to those questions4. Come to the interview ready to ask informed

questionsProcess of Effective

Interviewing


Interviewing – Areas of Preparation

• Know Yourself – Results of Self-Assessment– Goal Setting– Exercises from orientation/summer

(translating outcomes into action)


• Knowing the Company– Handout from orientation– Web tools– Talk to people!– What should you know?




• Process of Effective Interviewing– Reading the Interviewer exercise (page 9)


Interviewing – Preparation Points to Consider

• Practice makes perfect!– Recording yourself answering questions, etc.– Watch for filler words and habits

• Interview Attire• Non-Verbal Body Language• First two steps review from Self-Assessment –

Knowing your goals and what makes you, you• Prepare PSR’s, questions and answers


Interviewing

• Day of the Interview– Environmental and Logistical Factors– Personal Preparation– Upon arrival and before you meet your

interviewer• Receptionist• Waiting Room Behavior


Interviewing

• Stages of an interview– Getting started– The Body of the Interview

• Down to Business– Can you do the job? Will you fit in here?

• Answering Interview Questions

– Closing the Interview– After the Interview


Interviewing

• Getting Started– The importance of “informal openings”– Remember to smile! Be confident!– Pace yourself and listen. Take time to

respond– Focus on establishing a relaxed, social

atmosphere– Remain professional at all times


Interviewing

• Down To Business– The interviewer describes the position and

organization– Interviewer’s questions address concerns in several

critical areas:• Can you do the job?• Will you “fit” in here?• Are you willing to take the extra step?• What is it like to supervise you?• How do you deal with conflict?• Etc…

– Recognize the “real” question behind the many questions that are asked


Interviewing

• Answering Interview Questions– Listen Carefully to the questions being asked!– Focus on what is really being asked– Answer questions briefly and always as an

advantage/credit to yourself– Answer the real question by presenting your

related skills and track record– Practice answering sample interviewing

questions


Interviewing

Tell me about yourself (Bad)| What are your weaknesses (Bad)Tell me about yourself (Good)| What are your weaknesses (Good)


Interviewing

• Closing the Interview– Ask any appropriate job-related questions– Summarize the key points of the interview– If a problem came up, address it again– Thank the interviewer by name– Express interest– Ask about next steps– Say “thank you” and “goodbye”


Interviewing

• Closing the Interview continued…– Do

• Leave the interviewer with a positive image of you being confident, enthusiastic and courteous

• Ask the recruiter when you can expect to be contacted

• Re-emphasize your interest in the position• Ask for a business card• Shake the recruiter’s hand, and thank him/her for

considering you• Send a thank you letter within 24 hours


Interviewing

• Closing the Interview continued…– Don’t

• Apologize if you think you may have interviewed badly

• Ask for feedback on your interviewing style


Interviewing

• After the Interview– Immediately following the interview, make

notes:• Whom did you meet? Include names and titles• What does the job involve?• What went well? Why?• What went poorly? Why?• What are the next steps? For the interviewer? For

you?• Etc..


Interviewing

• After the interview continued…– Schedule follow up times on your calendar– Follow up notes, letters are critical

• Common courtesy• Make a favorable impression• Reiterate certain points that came up in the

interview


Interviewing

• The Different Kinds and Types of Interviews– Screening Interviews– Selection (or one-on-one) Interviews– Group Interviews– Lunch Interviews– Committee Interviews– Stress Interviews– Telephone Interviews– Career Fairs



Interviewing

• Types of Interview Questions– Traditional Interview Questions– Behavioral Interview Questions– Case Interview Questions


Interviewing

• Traditional Interview Questions– Insight into who you are– Your experience (educational, work and

leadership)– How you fit in the job and the organization


Interviewing

• Behavioral Interview Questions– Based on the theory that your past behavior is a key

indicator of future performance– Review your background! Look for examples of:

• Class projects• Work experience• Leadership activities and community service

– Key is to identify your talents, problem solving abilities, communication and leadership skills and professional demeanor.


Interviewing

• Case Interview Questions– Given a complex question and asked to find a

solution– Expected to think aloud guiding the recruiter

through your thought process• Example: How many gas stations are there in the

United States?


Interviewing

• In closing– Review information packet for samples and

additional tips– Remember the four most important things in

preparing for an interview• Know yourself and your career objective• Know the company and the position• Be ready to answer and ask questions

informatively

– PRACTICE!


Networking


Networking

“Networking is a universally recognized means of exchanging information with

other people and establishing professional contacts.”

- Networking, by Meg Heenehan


Networking

“Think of Networking as a method of forming professional relationships and

exchanging information with people with whom you share vocational and

professional interests.”- Quincareers.com


• What is it?– Strategic vs. Serendipity Networking– For job hunters, networking is the best

method for identifying possible sources of employment (article on page 91)

Networking


Networking

• Why Network?– Many desirable positions not advertised– 80% of desirable jobs filled through Hidden

Job Market (HJM)– Connections last longer than initial job search– Mentorship, relationships– One day you might be “the person” to know!


Hidden Job Market

Stage 1: No Opening

Stage 2: Shift of Balance- Additional Personnel

Needed

Stage 3: Knowledge of

opening grows,

inquiries made of potential candidates

Stage 4: Job Opening publicly

announced


Networking

• How to begin– Start with people you know– Ask questions regarding

• People in your field• Their work and the organizations they work for

– Contact as many as you can- build your foundation.

– Think broad when beginning list of contacts. For example….



Networking

• You can contact…– Business Colleagues

and co-workers– Alumni!– Friends– Social Acquaintances– Professional Acquaintances– Former classmates

and teachers– Relatives, etc.!


Networking

• Networking Summary– Prepared “speech” for those you network with– Networking Chain Exercise– Informational Interviewing


Networking

• Introverted people and Networking• Review of Page 105 in your workbook

• Page 79


Online Networking

• Web 2.0 (article in book, page 100)

• Social Networking

• Professional Networking Sites


Networking

• Follow up– Send thank you note – Keep notes on important information when

you network– Share successes and stories with friends and

colleagues


Networking

• In Closing– Networking is not begging for a job– Focus should be not on your need for

employment, but on competencies and what you bring to an organization

– Continuously build your network!– If you consider yourself “networking nervous”,

read through Networking myths and articles provided in handout


Any Questions?

Interviewing and Networking

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