Interviewing Success. Terri F. Smith Employer Relations Coordinator Career Center

Transcription

1 Interviewing Success Terri F. Smith Employer Relations Coordinator

2 Top Three Interview Mistakes Lack of Preparation Dressing Inappropriately Arriving Late

3 Before Your Interview Tips for Interview Preparation Research the Industry/Employer Research the Position Know Yourself Know Your Skills Practice, Practice, Practice! Be Organized: Plan Ahead

4 Research the Industry/Employer and Position Employer / Organization Website Career Insider Online Library Review Job Descriptions O*Net / Occupational Outlook Handbook Alumni Career Network Professional Associations / LinkedIn Prepare 2 3 questions to ask the interviewer

5 Know Yourself and Your Skills Practice discussing your accomplishments and skills Prepare for Behavioral Interview questions 4 or 5 examples of past experiences/skills that you can use * Time management skills * Problems solving skills * Working on a team * Working with difficult people * Organizational skills * Customer service Structure your stories using the STAR Method Situation Task Action Results

6 Practice, Practice, Practice!

7 Be Organized: Plan Ahead Prepare items to bring Several copies of your resume List of 3-5 references Pen and paper Name of interviewer Reading material, preferably about the company Good directions and phone number of company Cell phones Be sure they are turned off Wear a watch Employer does not need to see your phone ever!

8 Be Organized: Plan Ahead Women s Interview Attire Men s Interview Attire Professional, neat and conservative attire

9 Types of Interviews Structured Unstructured Behavioral STAR Method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) Specific examples Group Panel

10 During Your Interview Be punctual arrive 5-10 minutes early Styles vary could begin with direct questions or small talk Interviewers assess immediate competency Confidence is important eye contact and open discussion of accomplishments Self disclosure is important Researching organization shows initiative and interest Acceptable to ask about the interview process

11 Sell Yourself Tell Me About Yourself / 30 Second Commercial Why You Applied for the Position Your Relevant Experience Your Fit for the Position Recent Relevant Accomplishment(s) Discuss your current position

12 During Your Interview Verbal Communication Provide direct and specific examples of YOUR accomplishments Project openness and confidence Be positive Ask questions to demonstrate interest Avoid fillers Speak slowly and clearly Non Verbal Communication Shake hands with interviewers Maintain eye contact Demonstrate good posture Avoid nervous habits Be polite treat everyone the same Take notes SMILE

13 After Your Interview Concluding your interview Ask for business cards Thank the employer for their time Ask about next steps Emphasize your interest in the job Shake hands and smile Thank you notes Send within 24 hours of interview or snail mail Include Thank interviewer for their time Remind them of something from your interview Reiterate that you are a good fit

14 Practice Questions Introduce yourself (stand up, shake hands) What is your greatest strength? Tell me about one accomplishment that you re proud of. Tell me about a time when you demonstrated the ability to show initiative. Why should I hire you? How do you manage your priorities between school and work?

15 Resources Website Students Interviewing InterviewStream Mock interviews Terri F. Smith Employer Relations Specialist