An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this document may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711. 100-014 Training Agreement Revised 1/2014 careersourcesuncoast.com Preparing for the Interview Career Services Workshop
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An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this document may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711.
100-014 Training Agreement Revised 1/2014
careersourcesuncoast.com
Preparing for the Interview Career Services Workshop
Preparing for the Interview Workshop 1
careersourcesuncoast.com
Welcome!
Interviewing is more than a ritual that must be endured in order to get a job. Like other
aspects of job searching, interviewing has changed and you must be prepared in
order to master your next interview. This workshop will provide you with information
about the different types of interviews, how to be prepared for any interview question,
and how to present your best self. There will also be an opportunity to practice with
the confidence that you’ll WOW! ‘em at your next interview.
Workshop Objectives:
Upon completion of this workshop you should be able to:
Identify the purpose of an interview
Know to research the company, industry and occupation and prepare
questions you will ask the interviewer(s) related to their needs
Identify your skills and abilities that relate directly to the job description
Articulate your accomplishments during the interview, demonstrating the value
you bring to the table using the STAR format – Situation/Task, Action and Results
Define the different styles of interviews
Prepare for various types of interview questions
Project confidence and a positive attitude through practicing your eye contact,
handshake and “elevator pitch”
Follow-up after the interview – even if turned down
Preparing for the Interview Workshop 2
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The Purpose of an Interview
The interview is a mutual exchange of information. The interviewer/company wants to
know about you and you want to know about them.
Does the COMPANY want to hire you?
____________ you do the job? YOUR:
Skills and knowledge
Experience and accomplishments
Learning potential
Ability to handle physical aspects of the job
____________ you do the job?
Interest in the position, company
Work ethic and energy level
Outside influences that may affect your
willingness or availability
Do you __________ in? Company values
Communication, likability and chemistry
Style (work and management)
Dress and appearance
Do YOU want to accept the position?
Does it meet your ___________? Financial
Geographical
Career goals
Is it in line with your
_____________?
The things that are most important to you
Genuine interests
Does it feel like a good _______? Work environment
Culture
Preparing for the Interview Workshop 3
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Before the Interview: Know the Company
Conducting thorough company research is vital to an effective interview. Employers
view researching the company as a critical factor in applicant evaluation because it
demonstrates your interest and enthusiasm for their company.
Research the _____________________
Did you visit the company website?
What do you know about the history of the company?
What is the company’s Mission Statement what are its Corporate Values?
What products and services or lines of business does the company deal in?
Identify _________ _____________________ in the Organization
Who are the key leaders of the organization?
What is the organizational structure?
Who will you be interviewing with?
Search for current ____________ and __________________
Are there any recent news articles about the company?
Did they launch a new product line or expand operations?
Were the key leaders featured in any recent news articles?
What is the current stock price? Any trends?
Be familiar with the ________________________
What is the general industry?
Are there any industry trends and/or facts you need to be aware of?
Who is their competition?—How do they stack up against their competition?
Know the _________ _________________________________
What skills and requirements are listed in the job description?
Do you know the job “inside and out” and how you are a match?
Know the _______________ ________________________
Where is corporate headquarters located?
Are there other locations?
What is the exact address of the location for the interview?
Preparing for the Interview Workshop 4
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Before the Interview: Know Yourself
Knowing yourself thoroughly is also vital to a successful interview. You need to know
and be able to communicate with confidence your past accomplishments, strengths,
what you can do for an employer and your preferred work environment. Use the
worksheets on the next few pages to assist you in getting to know yourself.
__________________ your resume
Identify your _________ __________________ and ________________________
Relate your skills with the employer’s job description by listing each side-by-side:
List the job requirements, tasks and duties
found in the job description/posting:
List the qualities, skills and abilities you
posses that fit these requirements:
Example:
Greet customers as they enter the store.
Example:
Worked for 2 years at the GAP greeting
and assisting customers with their
purchases.
Preparing for the Interview Workshop 5
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Before the Interview: Know Yourself
Prepare your _________________________________________ _______________
Over the course of your work experience, you have had some amazing
accomplishments. A key element in job search today is being able to concisely
explain your accomplishments. Your past performance will show the employer the
value you will bring in your future performance.
You can make your accomplishments stand out by using the STAR Format.
Situation
or
Task
Briefly give an overview of what needed to be done.
What you were being asked to do?
What did you take the initiative to do?
What challenges made this task difficult?
Actions Briefly describe (using good action words) the steps YOU
took to complete the assignment.
Results What happened because of what you did? Can you
quantify, or measure, the results?
When developing and selecting stories for an interview, one way to ensure you have
appropriate examples is to go through the job description and identify a story for each
job responsibility.
What is one of the main responsibilities
listed in the job description?
What is your STAR story that demonstrates
your value in performing this
responsibility?
Preparing for the Interview Workshop 6
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Before the Interview: Know Yourself
Know your __________________
Values are the things that matter most to you, the things that make a career
appealing to you or not. Remember, a job interview also allows you to determine if the
job is a good fit and in line with your values.
Knowing what is most important to you will help you determine how well you will fit with
the company. Below are some of the most common factors to consider when making
this kind of decision.
Review the list and write your “Ideal” description for each of the factors. Then, rate
each factor according to your personal importance scale by placing an X in the
corresponding column.
Factors – COMPANY My Ideal Most Important Important Least Important
Size of Company
Number of Employees
Public/Private
Profit/Non-Profit
Financial Condition
Stability
Reputation
Company Growth/History
Products/Services
Future Growth
Factors - JOB
Duties/Responsibilities
Level of Authority
Challenge
Independence
Job Visibility
Travel
Status (Title)
Base Salary
Incentives/Bonuses
Benefits
Factors - PERSONAL
Corporate Culture
Management Style
Promotion Potential
Work Hours
Commute
Preparing for the Interview Workshop 7
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Before the Interview: Memorize Your “Elevator Pitch”
“Elevator Pitch” Template - A
Your Name ______________________________________________________________________
Your most recent position ________________________________________________________
What were your major responsibilities? ____________________________________________
State an accomplishment that you are proud of from your last job.
attentiveness, punctuality and nervousness all need to be in check!
Follow these guidelines to exhibit confidence and leave a positive lasting impression:
_______________ at everyone you meet
Make _________ _____________________
It is important in our culture to maintain eye contact with the person to whom
you are talking. It is generally interpreted as a gesture of trust and confidence.
Extend a confident __________________________
Always initiate the handshake, as it will make you appear more in control.
Handshakes are often an indicator of a person’s frame of mind, so practice your
own handshake and be conscious of the return handshake you receive.
Check your body language
Proper body language is critical in business situations. Before your interview,
practice your body language with someone you know and determine if there is
anything you might need to keep in check.
________________________ is everything!
Remember that your positive attitude is the key! Positive non-verbal behavior
naturally results from a positive attitude. Your verbal and non-verbal
communication will be in line and your enthusiasm will shine.
Preparing for the Interview Workshop 17
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During the Interview: Responding to Questions
You’ve researched the company, analyzed how your skills match the job description,
prepared your STAR stories, memorized your elevator pitch, practiced your responses
to the most common interview questions and delivered a confident first impression.
Now, it’s show time!
Responding to questions and demonstrating the value you bring to the employer is the
next step in the game. Here are some Do’s and Don’ts for responding to questions:
Do’s
__________________ carefully
Ask for _______________________
Speak with ___________________
Be thorough and _____________
Use your ____________ stories
Remain ______________________
Show interest – Ask ___________
Don’ts
Don’t speak too quickly
Don’t argue or defend
Don’t appear desperate
Don’t talk too much
Don’t exaggerate
Don’t be negative
Don’t show up unprepared
During the Interview: Closing with Confidence
When they have asked all their questions and you have asked all of yours, you want to
restate your interest in the job as the interview wraps up, closing with confidence.
Ask the next step in the process
Repeat your “Elevator Pitch”
Ask for the interviewer’s business card
Smile
Offer a confident handshake
Say “Thank You” and use their name
Preparing for the Interview Workshop 18
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After the Interview: Follow-up
Immediately ________________ the interview
As soon as possible following the interview, maybe even in your car before you
drive off, write down what you think and feel about how you feel the interview
went. Review key points such as:
o What did you learn about the person(s) with whom you interviewed?
o Did you learn anything that confirmed your interest in the
company/position?
o Which key skills, abilities and accomplishments were you able discuss?
o What are the next steps?
Send a _______________-___________ letter within 24 hours
In your Thank You, remind the interviewer of your qualities and key points
discussed during the interview.
Call to _______________ the status of the process
Know the interviewer’s timeline regarding the selection and decision process. If
you haven’t heard from him or her by the date that was indicated, you may call
to check on the status of the process.
_____________________ your job search campaign
Don’t stop looking just because you had a great feeling about your interview.
You will want to continue searching and landing that next interview. Besides, if
you don’t receive a job offer from this one, it was great practice for the next!
_____________________ when not offered the job
Always send a gracious response to your turndown if you are not offered the
job. You never know if the person offered the job will leave after a few weeks,
or if another position will open up. Keep the door open.
Preparing for the Interview Workshop 19
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My Action Plan
One thing I will do immediately to be prepared for my next interview is…
Additional next steps I am going to take for my career search campaign are…
An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this document may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711.
100-014 Training Agreement Revised 1/2014
careersourcesuncoast.com
I Got a Job!
Tell Us Your Success Story!
Tell us about your new job so we can ensure that your success is recorded accurately in
Employ Florida Marketplace.
Two ways to share your success:
1. Online at careersourcesuncoast.com and Click “Tell Us Your Success Story”.
2. Complete this form and return it to one of the career centers by mail, fax or in person.