Interview Basics and Skills1. What to do2. Answering unexpected questions3. Asking questions

1. Interview for Your Dream Job

•Start with a good resume▫No spelling or grammatical errors▫Excellent organization

•Understand the job position▫Know what the job entails

•Demonstrate company knowledge▫Look interested▫Be able to answer company-related

questions

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•Attire▫Notice how employees dress▫Dress appropriately

Jeans are never acceptable•Listen carefully to interview questions•Show you are interested

▫Ask when you can expect to hear back▫Call as a follow up

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•Be on time!▫In fact, show up early

•Come ready to ask questions▫“Is there anything else you need to know

about me?”•Say “thank you”

▫Nice extra: write a thank you note

Extra Tips for Success

•1. Extend a hand▫Offer a handshake

•2. Learn and use names▫Use at least twice during the interview

•3. Listen and think ▫Give yourself a second before answering

2. Answering Unexpected Questions•Expect “hypothetical” questions

▫Decision making skills•Expect “behavioral” questions

▫How you’ve handled certain situations•S.T.A.R. strategy:

▫Strategy for answering the behavioral questions

S.T.A.R.•S: Situation•Describe a past situation where you were

tested (but ended in a positive way)•T: Task•Describe the task you created to handle

this situation•A: Action•Describe how you acted on the task at hand•R: Result•Discuss the outcome of your situation

3. What YOU Should Ask

•“What are you looking for in the person taking this position?”

•“How quickly do you want to fill this position?”

•“Is there anything you see in my background or skills that concerns you?”