InterviewingInterviewing

ISP 499z

Jennifer Powers

Your First Interview, Ron Fry, 2002

Personal inventoryPersonal inventory

• Employment history

• Volunteer activities

• Educational accomplishments

• Extracurricular activities

• Honors and awards

• Military record

• languages

Personal inventoryPersonal inventory

• Dig a little deeper—for your eyes only• Which achievements did you enjoy the most?

Which are you most proud of?• What mistakes have you made? Why? What did

you learn?• How well do you interact with authority

figures?• What are your favorite games and sports?

Competitive? Give up too easily?

Personal inventoryPersonal inventory

• Dig a little deeper, continued• What kinds of people are your friends? Do you

enjoy differences?• If you were to ask a group of friends to describe

you, what adjectives would they use (good and bad)?

Personal inventoryPersonal inventory

• Divide what you’ve written so far into following headings• My strongest skills

• Areas in which I am most knowledgeable

• Strongest parts of my personality

• Things I do best

• Skills that I should develop to do well in my career

• Parts of my personality I could stand to improve

Personal inventoryPersonal inventory

• Write down on another sheet• What in my personal inventory would convince

this employer that I deserve the position?• What are the strengths, achievements, skills and

areas of knowledge that make me most qualified for this position? What separates me from the pack?

• What weaknesses should I admit to and how will I improve on them?

How to get the info you needHow to get the info you need

• Outside info• Libraries• Chamber of commerce• Business/industry associations• Placement agencies• Business news editors• Trade magazines• School alumni• Stockbrokers/analysts• Online

How to get the info you needHow to get the info you need

• Inside info• Annual reports• Employee handbooks• Sales/marketing brochures

How to get the info you needHow to get the info you need

• Additional sources• College placement office• Job fairs• State employment agencies• Job info centers (library)• Online job sites

Interview processInterview process

• Telephone screener (calls you to set up an interview)• Make it easy (have an answering machine)

• Be cheerful and enthusiastic

• Be prepared

• Stay in control

• Buy yourself some time

• Ask for correct spelling, title, address, etc

• Don’t volunteer anything

Interview processInterview process

• Interview types• Structured/database interview

• Everyone answers same questions

• Targeted interview• Narrower in scope, will get at info employer really

needs/wants

• Keep answers short but thorough

• Only give answers to the questions asked

• Team interview

Interview processInterview process

• Interview types• Situational interview

• “what if…”

• Avoid bull

• Use real-life examples

• Think through your answers

• Stress interview• Never let them see you sweat

• Remember, it’s only hypothetical

• Don’t give up

• Watch your tone of voice

First impressionsFirst impressions

• Men• Red tie, white shirt, blue suit• Black shoes (recently polished)

• Women• Muted colors, non-provocative• Subtle jewelry

• Unisex• Don’t overdo cologne/perfume• Carry slim leather folder• Pay attention to grooming and hygiene

First impressionsFirst impressions

• Body language• Control your hands• Sit when offered a seat• Make small talk

• Relax• Take a deep breath

Hiring managerHiring manager

• Less experienced at doing interviews than human resources-->makes it harder on you

• Show your confidence• Be polite, enthusiastic• Smile, make eye contact• Be honest, positive• Take control

Hiring managerHiring manager

• “So tell me about yourself”• The HM wants to feel good about you--let her• The HM wants you to make him feel good about hiring

you• Refer to your personal inventory• 2 minutes (250-350 words)

• Brief intro• Key accomplishments• Key strengths• Importance of these strengths to the employer• Where and how you see yourself developing in the position

The finer pointsThe finer points

• Demonstrate an interest in the interviewer• Use positive action words• Concentrate, be attentive, listen• Answer the question• No question is a throwaway• Be decisive• Don’t fill silence for the sake of talking• Be positive

The finer pointsThe finer points

• Special tips for recent college grads• Don’t be afraid to let interviewer know that when you

need help, you’ll ask for it

• Admit that you don’t have all the answers

• Don’t be afraid to go through school of hard knocks

• Don’t express any negative reactions to job description, no matter how bad it sounds

• Admit it if it took a while to find your direction

• Don’t talk about who paid for your education

Questions and answersQuestions and answers

• Education and experience (facts)• Interviewer wants to know if you’re a know-it-

all or realize you have more to learn

Questions and answersQuestions and answers

• Who are you?• They are looking for enthusiasm, confidence, energy,

honesty, dependability and pride in work

• Don’t volunteer your negative qualities

• Highlight how you get along with other people

• Exhibit loyalty

• Outside activities should be remotely job related

Questions and answersQuestions and answers

• How will you perform?• They want to know if there is organizational fit

• Wrap it up

• Do you have any questions?• Questions about the company• Questions about the department• Questions about the job

Follow upFollow up

• Write a thank you letter and mail it that day

• Give list of references later that day or next morning (use this time to warn your references)

Any questions?Any questions?