Successful interviewing

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Successful Interviewing

description

"Presentation on Successful Interviewing. Learn how to prepare for Interviews. Get an idea of questions you can expect. These PDF's are available for all VEDA students for free on www.veda-edu.com"

Transcript of Successful interviewing

Page 1: Successful interviewing

Successful Interviewing

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Workshop Topics

1. Identify your goals

2. Learn about the company 3. Know your strengths & skills 4. Know your weaknesses & challenges

5. Be prepared for questions 6. Prepare questions to ask 7. Practice 8. Appearance and Impressions

9. What to bring with you? 10. What to do at the end of the interview? 11. How did you do?

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IDENTIFY YOUR GOALS

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Identify Your Goals

Remember you want this job

Why

Visualize yourself working at this job

What do you like to do?

What do you want to learn?

What is your vision of your career?

Remember you want this job

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LEARN ABOUT THE COMPANY

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Learn About the Company

Company Website

Google or other search engines

Visit if possible

Talk to people who work there or have worked there

Job description or posting

Consider how your skills match up

Make some notes about the company for discussion during your interview

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Useful Information About the Company

How long have they been around

What do they do

Do they face competition

How are they doing

What is their reputation

One site or many

Number of employees

Earnings

What are their current activities

Mission Statement

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KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS &

SKILLS

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Strengths and Skills

They must relate to this job

How have these helped you accomplish

things in your life?

What did you do to achieve or develop

these?

Who has guided you?

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References

Make a list of potential professional,

academic and personal references

Contact the ones you think are most likely to

have positive things to say about you

Tell them you are interviewing for jobs and

ask if they are willing to provide a positive

reference for you

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KNOW YOUR WEAKNESSES &

CHALLENGES

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Weaknesses & Challenges

We all have weaknesses and challenges

The interviewer expects you to identify yours but

does not have to be told something that would

create a negative opinion of you as a candidate

This is not the time to discuss your concerns

about yourself

Turn your weakness into a strength

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Examples of How A Weakness Can Be A

Strength

I like to work on a project or assignment until

it’s completed, so I generally don’t socialize very much.

I’m something of a perfectionist. I expect a lot of myself.

I like a clean desk, so I try to complete as

much as possible every day.

I have trouble saying no because I really like

to be helpful and busy.

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BE PREPARED FOR QUESTIONS

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The Interviewer’s Goal They want to fill the position with a

good fit

Need to find out

if you have the skills

If you have personal attributes

If you are motivated

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Tell Me About Yourself your 60 second commercial

Where you grew up

Educational background

Including major area of studies and why you

chose it

2 or 3 strengths or skills that are related to this

job

Academic or vocational accomplishments

Your ability and desire to make contributions to

the success of your employer

Your career goals

Speak in a conversational tone

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STAR OUTLINE FOR ANSWERS

S ituation

I worked at…….

T ask Where I ……

A ction I did……

R ESULT I achieved…….

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Notes for possible answers and

descriptions

Its OK to have notes with you

There are questions that you can expect and can write down points to remember (see handout of frequently asked interview questions)

How would you describe something you have done that relates to this type of work?

You may refer to your notes during the interview

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Interview Success Tips

Focus and refocus attention on your successes.

Always offer positive information.

Discuss only the facts needed to answer the question.

You may mention hobbies/interests but keep it brief

Listen carefully.

If you are not sure you understand the question, ask

for clarification.

Tell the truth but do not offer information not asked for.

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Interview Success Tips

Make your points. Then ask if the interviewer

would like further details

Be organized in your presentation

Be concise in your responses

Pause at times to consider your responses

M. DeLuca & N. DeLuca, 24 Hours to the Perfect Interview (2004),

McGraw Hill

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Illegal Topics

Interviewers May Not Ask About

Nationality/race

Marital status

Religion

Affiliations

Disability or medical history

Pregnancy, birth control, child care

Age

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TO DISCLOSE OR NOT TO

DISCLOSE

Employers CAN NOT ask you if you have a disability

You are not required to disclose a disability during an interview

Why would you?

Source: Baker, Jed. Ph.D. (2005): Preparing for Life: the Complete Guide to

Transitioning to Adulthood for those with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. Arlington, TX. Future Horizons INC.

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FACTORS TO CONSIDER Is your disability readily apparent?

Poor eye contact, idiosyncratic movements, etc.

Can you explain how it will not interfere with performing the job duties?

Can you point out how aspects of your disability make you a desirable candidate for the position?

i.e. RULES = HONESTY

(see handout on disclosing)

If your disability is not readily apparent No need to disclose

Accommodations may be simple and can be requested without disclosure

Steven Shore and baseball hat

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PREPARE YOUR OWN

QUESTIONS

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Write Out Questions for the

Interviewer Your questions show your interest in the

position and the company

Examples:

What do you consider the most important qualities for someone to have in this job?

Why is this position available now?

What do you like about working here?

What are the opportunities for advancement?

When do you plan on filling this position?

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PRACTICE

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PRACTICE

Ask friends, parents, teachers to spend 30 minutes doing this

Divide the Practice Interview into 3 Parts First Impression

Questions & Answers

Closing

How did you do?

What do you need to do better? See Practice Interview Rating Sheet

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Make a Practice Trip to the Interview

Location

Check out the route

Travel at the same time of day as your

interview

Allow extra time for traffic or delays

Observe the business environment

How are people dressed

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APPEARANCE & IMPRESSIONS

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Appearance Matters. . .A Lot!

If you don’t dress seriously, they can’t take you seriously!!

Make a good first impression

Pride in yourself implies pride in your work

Show your creativity in your work, not your

appearance

Dress conservatively

Be well groomed and clean

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Don’t Forget the Details

Conservatively styled hair

Clean and neatly trimmed beard

Clean fingernails

No large or distracting accessories

Clean & well-pressed clothes

No perfume or cologne

No smoking or gum chewing

Brush your teeth and use mouthwash

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Tips for Women Good Outfits

Dark colored skirt or pants suit with a blouse or sweater

Fit should be comfortable….not tight or very loose

No Cleavage!

Nothing transparent

Skirt still at knees when sitting

Wear polished, low heeled shoes

Small, neat accessories Might be a good time to remove nose and

tongue rings

Wear clean, matching panty hose or socks

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Tips for Men

Good Outfits

Depends on position

Dark colored business suit with solid shirt

Tie with a neat knot

Shirt, tie and slacks

Keep jacket buttoned when standing

Shoes shined and in good condition

Socks same color as shoes or pants

Pants should be long enough to cover legs when sitting

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Making A Good Impression

Firm handshake

Stand up when the interviewer comes to greet you and any time you are introduced to someone

Repeat the interviewer’s name, with their proper form of address: Mr., Mrs., Dr.

Be on time for the interview (5-10 minutes early)

Be polite and respectful to the receptionist

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Impressions Don’t sit until you’re invited to, and sit up

straight

Practice good eye contact Look at one eye, shoulder or forehead

Walk next to or behind interviewer and at same pace

Say something nice about the office, brief small talk

Nod your head in agreement or understanding

Say please and thank you

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Impressions

You may be invited to lunch or offered coffee

Practice your table manners

Use a napkin

Don’t talk with your mouth full If you’re not confident in ability to interview

and drink coffee at same time say no thank

you

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WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU

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What to Bring to an Interview

Several copies of your resume

Examples of your work if appropriate

New notebook (with your notes in it) and a nice pen

Briefcase or folder

Names, addresses, and phone numbers of references

Photo I.D.

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Other things to bring with you

Comb

Dental Floss

Mouth Freshener

Tissues

Take a few minutes to go to the bathroom and

check out your appearance when you arrive

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WHAT TO DO AT THE END OF THE

INTERVIEW

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At the End of the Interview

Ask for the interviewer’s business card

Use the interviewer’s name as you thank him/her for taking the time to meet with you

Mention some topics from the interview that

you appreciated learning about

State your interest in the job and belief in

your ability to perform well

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After the Interview

Send a short thank you note within

24 hours

Neatly typed, spell checked

Summarize a few key points from

the interview

Clearly state your interest in the position

You may phone to check on the decision making process after 10 days – 2 weeks

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HOW DID YOU DO?

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Use Your Rating Sheet

How did you do overall?

What were your strengths?

What needs improvement?

Call and ask the interviewer for feedback