Interviewing Boot Camp“Interviewing to Win: Best Practices Job Searching”

Nancy Stubblefield, Career CoordinatorBragg Mass Comm. Bldg., Room 130

www.mtsu.edu/~career

Interviewing – Before You Go

• Research the employer – Join Linked In• Discretely find out about the job if you have

an inside track• Find out who the key players in the company

are and what they do• Finalize items to bring in portfolio

Portfolio Tips

• Quality not Quantity• Variety of different work• Pages should be neat and in order• Show creativity (especially graphic design)• Create a web site if you have electronic items

to profile

Dress for Success

• WOMEN• Professional blouse• Business suit• Dress slacks• Skirt, approx. knee length, with hose• Dress, approx. knee length, with hose• Close-toed dress shoes• Conservative jewelry• Subtle perfume or none at all• No body piercings (except ear lobes) and no tattoos in open view • Trimmed, tidy fingernails• Conservative hairstyle

Dress for Success

• MEN• Professional business suit• White button down dress shirt (or other muted colors)• Conservative tie• Dark slacks• Black dress shoes/dark shoes• No facial/ear piercings• No tattoos in open view• Trimmed, tidy fingernails• Conservative hairstyle

Basic Training

Traditional QuestionsDesigned to test knowledge, skills, accomplishments

Situational QuestionsYou are given a hypothetical situation and asked how you

would respond

Behavioral QuestionsFocuses on actual instances from your past experiences

How Should I Respond?

Interview Answer StructuringEmployers are looking for these skills in your answersSituation

Task

Action

Result

Maturity

Mental Ability

Motivation

Q&A (10 min.)

• Pick a partner to ask you 5 tough interview questions• Switch and ask your partner 5 tough questions

Answering Illegal Questions

Three Options

1. Answer the question

2. Answer it legally 3. Refuse to answer

Recognizing Illegal Questions

• What is legal and illegal?– How old are you? – Are you over the age of 18?

– Have you ever been convicted of a crime?– Have you ever been arrested?

– Are you willing to travel occasionally or relocate if necessary?– Do you plan to have a family?

– How much do you weigh?– Are you able to lift 50 lbs. and carry 100 yards?

– List any professional organizations or trade groups which you consider relevant in your ability to perform this job.

– What clubs/social organizations do you belong to?

Illegal Questions (5 min.)

• Ask your partner an illegal question and see how they respond

Know your market

• Don’t give out an exact number on the application• Speak in terms of salary ranges• Know the process. What is your value?• Research data before the interview– Our site – TCIDS (Tennessee based)– NACE– Chamber of Commerce– Internet (Google, Ask Jeeves)

Negotiating Job Offers

Salary Scenarios

1. When I completed my application, I noticed there was a blank for previous salary information. I completed with my last three jobs.

2. In my interview I was asked if I was willing to relocate? I said no.

3. The first question I was asked during my interview was what my salary requirements were. I responded at least $10/hr.

Closing the Interview

• You are selling yourself and with any sales call, you must close.

• Let the employer know that you are the perfect candidate for the job

• Tell them that you hope you conveyed to them that you are the person for the job.

• Remember names or ask for business cards for thank you letters later

Perfect Interview

• Practice a mock interview in Perfect Interview program

• Send to your partner/career advisor for review