Name Tents UP! Laptops DOWN! Sign the attendance sheet

COMM 202Tutorial #8 – T14 + T15

Agenda

Employment Interview AssignmentInterview Questions

ClosingWords of Wisdom

Action Items

Employment Interview (10%)Nov 30th, Dec 1st and Dec 3rd

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO BRING?

RESUMECOVER

LETTERJOB

DESCRIPTIONPADFOLIOPEN

Things to Remember Check in with reception at

Birmingham Be Early! – ideally about 10

minutes If you are not there when the

interviewer comes out, you will receive an automatic “0”

Interview is approx. 20 minutes long

Dress to Impress: Business Formal

Common QuestionsTell me about YOURSELF!#1

What are your STRENGTHS?#2

What are your WEAKNESSES?#3

Tell me about A TIME WHEN…#4

*WILD CARD* Question!#5

Do YOU have any QUESTIONS?#6

#1- Tell me about yourself? The MOST COMMON QUESTION

you will get in an interview Can be asked in different ways!

Keep it 2 minutes or lessBrand yourself – give them something to

remember you bySound natural, not like you’re reading off a

script!Speak to your skills and accomplishmentsShow passion Provide a well-rounded picture

Your StoryThe

Beginning

Growing Interest

The Spark

Your Future

Why you are here

Introduction – quick background

Realization that this was the career for you

Your formula that makes you perfect for the job!

Where you see yourself

How this position ties into it all

Your Story – What is your Formula

? + ? ?+THE GOAL: Tell them a story that no one else can replicate and impress them in the first 2 minutes

ActivityGrab a partner and share

“tell me about yourself” storiesGive some feedback!

#2 - What are your strengths?

Relevant to the position Links experience to job or position There is no perfect

#3 - What are your weaknesses?

DO NOT FLIP WEAKNESSESINTO

STRENGTHS!

✘ “I’m such a perfectionist”

✘ “Too detail-oriented”

✘ “Over-achiever”

✘ “I work too hard sometimes”

Weakness wouldn’t impair you from doing the job

Show you are actively trying to improve these weaknesses

Show the “lesson learned”

Think back to the Skills Matrix FAILURE STORIES!

#4 – Tell me about a time…?

Don’t forget to link it back to the company and position!

Resume

Cover Letter

Skills Matrix

#5 – Wild Card Questions

• A way for the interviewer to gauge your interest and knowledge of the position and industry

• Test your ability to communicate clearly• Shows the interviewer how you think• TESTS BUSINESS ACUMEN: news, trends,

etc.

INDUSTRY/JOB SPECIFIC OR… A SURPRISE!

Walk them through your thought process

Stay calm and provide a clear answer

THE GOAL

FINANCE PITCH ME A STOCKWHAT ARE THE BENEFITS VS DOWNSIDES OF USING DEBT VS EQUITY FINANCING?HOW WOULD VALUE A PERPETUAL ZERO COUPON BOND? DO YOU THINK THE FINANCIAL MARKETS ARE EFFICIENT?

ACCOUNTING WHY DO YOU WANT TO PURSUE A CPA?WHY THIS FIRM?WALK ME THROUGH THE MAJOR LINES OF A CASH FLOW STATEMENT?

MANAGEMENT CONSULTING

HOW MANY WORDS ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE NY TIMES?TELL ME YOUR 5 WEAKNESSES… AND ANOTHER… ANOTHERDESCRIBE A PROJECT YOU HAVE WORKED ON THAT CHALLENGED YOU?CASE-BASED QUESTIONS…

MARKETING HOW WOULD YOU INCREASE SALES OF X PRODUCT BY X%?SELL ME THIS PENHOW DO YOU THINK OUR BLOG IS DOING? WHAT CAN BE DONE BETTER?

TLOG HOW COULD YOU IMPROVE THE COMPANY’S PRODUCTIVITY?HOW WOULD YOU DEAL WITH A DIFFICULT FACTORY WORKER?TELL ME ABOUT A TIME YOU IMPROVED SOMETHING WHERE YOU WORKED?

HR TELL ME ABOUT A TIME WHERE YOU HAD TO MOTIVATE A TEAMASSUMING YOU ARE SELECTED, WHAT WOULD BE THE FIRST CHANGE YOU WOULD MAKE?

RANDOM WHAT IS 3/16 IN DECIMAL?TELL ME ABOUT SOMETHING IN THE NEWS, HOW IT RELATES TO THIS JOB?WHY ARE MANHOLES ROUND?TEACH ME SOMETHING YOU LEARNED IN SCHOOL?WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?

Examples

#6 – Do you have any questions? • Always have at least 2 questions• Avoid asking questions you could find the

answer to on Google.• Never ask a question like, “What do look

for in candidates?” – probably should of asked this before the interview

• Do not ask something that has already been addressed in the interview

• Always safe to get them talking about themselves – maybe ask something directly related to their job/industry or some career advice.

Closing the Interview

ASK QUESTIONS IF IT NEVER CAME UP IN THE INTERVIEW!

• Thank them• Confirm follow up• Solid handshake• Re-iterate interest• Exchange business cards• Remember interviewer's

name

Follow-Up

DO NOT WRITE AN ESSAY!

• Email within 24 hours• Refer to conversation• Tailor to reader• Re-iterate interest• Thank them• Check for typos. Oh God

please.

Hi Michael,

I just wanted to say a quick thank you for taking the time to interview me. I really enjoyed our conversation, even though you did not like my top two classic rock bands, at least we could agree on Zeppelin. Good luck with your future at Goldman, hopefully the transition continues to be a smooth one for you.

Best Regards,

Curtis Kuznecov

Example

General Tips Guide the conversation to

where you’re comfortable

Smile and nod Answer the darn question!

Differentiate yourself! Bring the energy into the

room

Words of Wisdom

Action Items Interview Stream due

November 27th at 11:59 pm

Employment Interviews November 30th, December 1st and 3rd

Informational Interview due December 13th at 1:59 pm