PREPARING FOR THE EMPLOYMENT INTERVIEW

Transcription

1 PREPARING FOR THE EMPLOYMENT INTERVIEW CAREER PLANNING SERIES Civic Engagement and Career Development Center Center for Life Directions Building Hours: 8:00 5:00 1

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS What is an Interview? (p.3) Recruiters four questions Interviewee s goals Interview Formats Screening One-on-One Panel Peer Group Meal Campus Recruitment (On-Campus Interviews) Second Mock Informational Tips for Answering Interview Questions Traditional Behavioral Case Tips for Interviewing Well (p. 6) Do Your Research Know Your Skills! Making a Great Impression Before During After Dress to Impress Men Women Don t Sweat These Questions (p. 13) Sample Questions and Answers Sample Behavioral Interview Questions Additional Questions Asked by Employers Personal Education Experience Career Goals Sample Questions for the Interviewer (p.17) Recruiters Comments (p.18) What They Like What They Do Not Like Sample Interview Evaluation Form Interview Follow Up (p.20) Sample Thank You Note How to Come Out First in the Second Interview Evaluating Job Offers and Negotiating Salary (p. 21) The Seven Most Important Factors in Evaluating a Job Offer Additional Factors to Consider Four Job Offer Options Steps to Successfully Negotiating Your Salary Considering Fringe Benefits Additional Resources (p. 27) Websites 2

3 What is an Interview? The simple answer is: An interview is a meeting between prospective: Employer Employee To determine if there is a fit between: Credentials Personality Goals by BOTH the prospective employer and prospective employee. All interviews fit a general pattern. While each interview will differ, all will share three common characteristics: the beginning, middle and conclusion. The typical interview will last between 30 minutes to an hour though some may be longer. A typical structure is as follows: Five minutes: small talk (developing rapport) Fifteen to forty minutes: discussion of your background and credentials as they relate to the needs of the employer (via question and answer) Five to ten minutes: your opportunity to ask questions of the interviewer to determine if this organization and the manner in which they conduct business matches your career goals Determine next step in the process and conclude the interview. Basically, there are four questions the Recruiter wants answered: 1. What job does the candidate want? 2. Can the person do the job? 3. Will the person do the job? 4. Will the person be compatible with the existing team? What job does the candidate want? The worst possible answer to this question is I m willing to do anything. The recruiter is attempting to fill their current opening, the job or internship you are interviewing for. An excellent response is to list, in order of priority, the types of responsibilities/jobs that interest you. Obviously, the job you are interviewing for should top the list. The key is to tell the recruiter WHY you are interested in these areas, and support your comments with specific examples. You need to be sincere. Describing your employment interests in this way shows that you have put effort into understanding the company and how you and your talents can be used. Can the person do the job? Preparing for the interview requires that you assess your interests and skills, and research the organization and the position for which you are interviewing. In preparing for an interview, it is helpful to assess the job description of the position for which you are interviewing. Make a list of pertinent functions of the job and the skills needed to get the job done. Then make a list of your experiences and how you have developed and strengthened your skills. Doing this exercise will help you articulate your experiences to an interviewer. You will also have a list of examples ready to support your assertions. 3

4 Will the person do the job? Probably 90% of the candidates a recruiter meets could do the job, for which they are applying, but most employers are not looking for employees to just do the job; they want employees who will excel. To that end, a recruiter will try to determine what the candidate s leadership and performance have been in the recent past so that reasonable estimations can be made for your potential performance in the position you are interviewing for. Therefore, you need to give clear examples of what you have recently done that was beyond the normal call of duty. Will the person be compatible with the existing team? In today s workplace, it is critical that people work well together and have respect for their fellow employees. If other factors are equal, ex: your resume looks like other candidates, your personal skills or lack thereof can tip the scales in either direction. You need to demonstrate as many positive attributes as possible, including your ability to work well with people. You can use mentoring younger students, interdepartmental or interdisciplinary interactions, or successful participation in a team projects as examples. The Interviewee should have three goals for the interview: 1. Get to the next step in the process: Your first step is to create a positive impression with your resume or with an informal meeting. Once your resume is reviewed or after an informal discussion of your abilities has occurred, this is where the first interview will take place. After the first interview ex: on-campus interview through Campus Recruitment, typically you will have a second interview ex: on-site visit. If everything goes well, you will hopefully be offered a job! 2. Present yourself as well-prepared and well-educated: You must come across as a person who can represent the organization well. Being prepared for the interview by knowing the organization, the position and your credentials helps offer the organization an understanding of why you are the asset they are looking for. 3. Determine if the job is right for you: You have the opportunity to determine if this job or internship fits with your short and long term career goals. Be sure to ask the right questions! Interview Formats Screening This type of interview is usually conducted by a member of Human Resources. This first interview can be in person, over the phone or via video to determine if you meet the MINIMUM requirements listed for the job or internship. You must emphasize that you have the needed abilities required for the job to get to the next interview. One-on-One This type of interview is usually conducted by the Hiring Manager. This is also the most common type of an interview format as many companies may not have a full Human Resources department to conduct screening of candidates. This first interview will assess your skills and your knowledge as they relate to the job. You must sell your key strengths and ask about issues of concern to the organization. Be prepared to create strategies to deal with these issues as they reflect your skills and knowledge. Panel This type of interview is usually conducted by three or more people from various departments of the organization. The questions they raise will be related to their areas of expertise. You must direct your answers to the person raising the question, but make sure you 4

5 maintain comfortable eye contact with the group. Give pointed answers and relate the functioning organization areas when appropriate. Peer Group This type of interview is an introduction to your potential co-workers. These individuals will evaluate you on your fit with the existing team. Although their opinions may not be the deciding factor, you must focus on being agreeable and approachable. Meal This type of interview may be the first time you meet with your potential boss, coworkers, Human Resource professionals and other possible candidates, or it may be after all of this has concluded. This interview is designed to assess how you handle yourself in a social situation. You will need to select your meal carefully. No items that are difficult to chew or that have heavy or staining sauces. Light and healthy varieties are always available and they can help to keep you awake for the rest of your interview day! Always stay away from alcohol even if others are partaking! For success in this interview, you must focus your conversation on topics that relevant to the day and style of interaction of your tablemates. This is not the time to relax, so remember your table manners! See the Business Etiquette Handout in the Career Services Center for more information. On-Campus Recruiting Each semester, employers contact the career services office to request on-campus interviews with students for full-time and internship positions. Attaining an On- Campus Recruiting interview is easy! Contact the Career Services Center Employer Relations Coordinator, Shelly Garcia and share your interest in interviewing for the employer of your choice. Provide a tailored copy of your resume to Shelly Garcia to determine if your qualifications match the requirements of the position. Once your qualifications have been determined, she will schedule the interview time based on your availability. This interview generally serves as a 1 st interview, leading to an onsite interview once you thoroughly impress the recruiters. Second This type of interview is similar to the 1 st interview, whatever the style, but usually longer. It can be one to two full days. You might meet your immediate supervisor, Human Resources professionals and co-workers this time or have a more extensive interview. You might meet with higher level members of the organization to help determine which direction the department is heading in with your hire. You must sell yourself as a well-balanced package of proven and potential abilities with enough people skills to fit into an established team. Mock Interview This type of interview allows you, the preparing interviewee, to have time to PRACTICE your interview skills with an industry or career services professional to gain feedback regarding your interview performance. This individual will give you feedback on your strengths and weaknesses associated with your interviewing abilities. You must request your mock interview as early as you know you will be interviewing for jobs/internships. This gives you enough time to prepare and time for the interviewer to put you into their schedules. You can request that the interview be videotaped to review your performance visually. Come dressed to impress as this will also be a part of your mock interview. Be sure you are prepared to answer traditional, behavioral and case questions. Bring your resume and an actual or related job description for your interviewer to prepare their questions. FYI: mock interviews generally take an hour to an hour and a half. Be prepared for about minutes of questions and minutes of critique. You may request a Mock Interview with a Career Services Center Career 5

6 Advisor through the Career Services Center front desk at: or through at: or by contacting your Career Advisor and requesting an appointment. Informational Interviewing Informational interviewing, and building your network of contacts, is one of the best ways of getting the inside view of a career field. It gives you the chance to ask questions of someone currently in your field of interest, and it may also help you uncover job openings. In fact, Mark S. Granovetter, a Harvard sociologist, reported to Forbes magazine that "informal contacts" account for almost 75 percent of all successful job searches! Informational interviewing can help you fulfill four objectives: Obtain basic information regarding the nature of a profession Gather key job-hunting strategies Learn more about a specific organization Matching/Selling Your Background to a Specific Organization Check with the Complete Guide to Informational Interviewing and Networking Handout for great techniques on how to arrange informational interviews with professionals in your field by going to the Career Services Center website at or by stopping by the Career Services Center office in the Student Development building. The Building Bridges to Success Mentoring Program is a program to connect St. Mary s students with St. Mary s alumni in various career fields for the purpose of attaining career advice and mentoring. You can research mentor characteristics and get in contact with them to set up informational interviews on the subjects of interest to you. Check out more information on the program and obtain instructions for contacting a mentor by visiting the site at: Tips for Answering Interview Questions (sample questions pgs ) Traditional Be prepared to expand on any item on your resume involving your work experience, GPA, extracurricular involvement, etc. These questions are designed to find out who you are. The question format will be general information gathering. The employer is looking for information on your skills, abilities and willingness to learn. Questions will focus on your past, present and future self. Employers find it important to know who you were, are and what you want to be and why. You must focus on answering the: why? how? what? Some questions may be general, but you need to give answers with examples to illustrate your points. Behavioral Behavior-based interviews are becoming extremely popular, if not the norm. They consist of very specific questions, which are typically followed up with more probing questions about how you performed in past jobs and projects. The best way for you to prepare for a behavioral interview is to dig up old research papers, to think hard about any difficulties encountered in summer and part-time jobs, and to recount the steps it took to successfully complete school projects and projects that were part of internships or co-ops. You should be able to talk about these experiences in detail and be very specific. 6

7 The interviewer will ask for specific examples of past behavior. The basic principle of asking behavioral questions is: Past behavior is the best predictor of how you will respond in similar situations in the future. The interviewer is looking for characteristics in your answers: initiative, analysis, teamwork, leadership, communication, flexibility, decision making, creativity, assertiveness and commitment. Questions will begin with phrases like: Tell me about a time when, Give me a specific example, Describe a situation To prepare for behavioral questions: Review the position qualifications. Identify examples from your past experience that relate to the requirements REMEMBER: Content of the story is not as important as the behaviors illustrated. Think of how YOU, not your teammates performed in past jobs/projects: difficulties encountered, accomplishments, handling of various situations, your behavior in the group Answer behavioral questions with the S.T.A.R. method Situation describe this in detail while being concise and straightforward Task detail what your task or obstacle was even in a group setting Action Detail what your actions were to complete the task or overcome the obstacle Result Detail what the result of your action was and the outcome of the situation Case The interviewer gives a situation for the interviewee to study and give the best solution to the problem. The situation will be presented as a problem for you to solve or an issue for you to research based on information given to you by the interviewer. The situation will be focused generally on a shift in how the organization is functioning and your job is to determine the reasons while the relevant facts become available through your questioning and brainstorming with the interviewer. You will be evaluated on how you gather relevant information, explain possibilities for the result presented by the interviewer amongst the relevant facts and prompts given and finally, make recommendations for action without becoming flustered. Be sure to check out Vault.com resources on success in case interviews. Ways to answer Case Interviews: Gather Relevant Information stage ask about the best practices of the industry and company, ask about changes in ways organization does work (raw material collection, manufacturing, marketing, distribution of product, market focus, etc.) Explain Possibilities stage Do not say the first thing that comes to mind, be deliberate in your ideas and questions phase to provide thoughtful responses to a full range of possibilities associated with situation. Recommendations stage Give recommendations based on possibilities associated with situation and feedback given by interviewer. After, point out possible flaws and assumptions in thinking in your recommendations. Tips for Interviewing Well Do Your Research! You need to do your research as a way of reassuring the interviewer that you cared enough to learn something about them, before coming in for the interview. But you are also researching a company in 7

8 order to protect yourself from making a horrible mistake ignorantly taking a job that you ll soon have to quit because of something important about them that you didn t know or bother to find out, before you started there. So, what do you need to know? Items that suggest themselves are such things as: The real goals of the organization. This is beyond what they put in their annual report. What the corporate culture is like there: cold and clammy, or warm and appreciative. What kinds of timelines they conduct their work under, and whether they are flexible or inflexible. What the job is really like. Whether the skills you care the most about, in yourself, would really get used. Or is all that talk about your skills just window dressing to lure you there and you, with rich people skills, ended up spending your time pushing paper? More about the boss, and what she or he is like to work for. Ditto for your immediate supervisor(s). What your co-workers are like: easy to get along with or difficult? And who is which? How close the company or organization is to having to lay off people, or on how tight a budget they are going to ask your department to operate. This means you MUST find out about this organization! Read about the company; attend information sessions and receptions, and ask as many questions as possible of any company employees or interns you know or whom your friends or family know. Browse the Career Services Center for information. Information on some of the shelves is there for you to take. Other information can be photocopied for your take home convenience. There are many business databases to assist you in conducting your pre-interview research. You will be able to find out a range of information depending on how much business this organization does and how long they have been in existence. Sometimes all you will find out online or in databases is limited to basic stuff: names, addresses, phone & fax numbers, bottom line, credit rating, and such the kind of stuff that you d want to know before an interview, just to reassure the employer that you care. But more than that may be difficult to find online or in any other location than the company website. If you are going to go deeper, and find out the information you really want to know, you re going to need to supplement this online research with come offline research meaning, you re going to have to go talk to people, using your contacts, to thoroughly research the companies that interest you. In general, you will need to spend hours preparing for your interview. If you do not prepare, it will show. If you do not research the organization and industry prior to the interview, do not provide excuses for your lack of preparation. Use the job interview (when you get it) to explore these questions, as much as you can after the interviewer has asked their own questions of you. Better late than never! Know Your Skills! Knowing what you are good at and what you need to work on is essential to being successful in an interview setting. You also must know what skills you enjoy using and which you would rather not use. 8

9 Many employers note that most job seekers do not present their skills effectively. Meaning, they may have the necessary skills to do the job, but do not have the words to effectively communicate what you are willing to do in a job in a way that pleases the employer. Now you need to identify what skills you have, those you enjoy using and need to learn as well as the ones you would rather not use in a job setting. The Resume Handout, available in the Career Services Center office holds a list of skills that you must coherently emphasize your ability to use to the employer of your choice. These skills sets are divided into three categories: adaptive, transferable and job-related. A general list covering what most employers are looking for in key adaptive, transferable and job related skill sets are below: Key Adaptive Skills: Good attendance Honesty Arrive on time Follow instructions Meet deadlines Get along with supervisor Get along with co-workers Hardworking, productive Key Transferable Skills: Meet deadlines Plan Speak in public Control budgets Supervise others Increase sales or efficiency Accept responsibility Instruct others Solve problems Manage money or budges Manage people Meet the public Negotiate Organize/manage projects Written communication Key Job Related Skills: These are skills that are specific to the occupation you are seeking. Job-related skills may have been gained in a variety of ways including education, training, work, or extracurricular activities. Your resume will showcase most of the job related skills you possess. If you need assistance in defining your job related skills, check out the Occupational Information Network or O*Net Online website at and explore the tasks associated with the experience you want to place on your resume. (List adapted from The Quick Interview & Salary Negotiation Book. J. Michael Farr) If you need further help in defining your skills sets prior to the interview, ask for assistance from your Career Advisor as each is well versed in marketing key skill sets to employers. 9

10 Making A Great Impression: Remember: First Impressions Count! You are MARKETING a great product YOU!!! Key items employers look for when interviewing candidates: Confidence Do you feel like you could do their job/internship? Appearance Do you match the organization s look? Punctuality Do you show up for your interview on time? Polish Do you provide the overall package they are looking for in a successful candidate? Employers look to find THE COMPANY in YOU. Resume credentials + the Company look = Great First Impression Quick Tips: Before the Interview: Research the company and the job. Fill out the application completely. Analyze yourself: your personality, interests, values, strengths and weaknesses, skills, accomplishments, education, and career goals. Ask yourself: o Why do you want this company/position? o What contributions you can make to the company/position? o Why you are a great candidate for the position? o What skills you have that are similar to the ones described in the job description? Plan your interview attire in advance and make sure your clothes are pressed, your shoes shined, and your hair and nails well groomed. The day before is the time for everyone to seriously consider a manicure! Focus on things you can control. Put your energy into things that can influence the outcome of your interview, researching the company and preparing your questions for the interviewer, for example. Don t worry about things you can t control, such as how many applicants there are for the job. Rehearse for the interview, but don t overdo it. Have a 60 second commercial about yourself for career fairs, telephone conversations, etc. Touch on your background (including education), your current activities, your future goals, and your availability. Arrive Early!!! This means you are in the reception area 10 or 15 minutes prior to the start of your interview. Bring extra copies of your resume and a list of references. Introduce yourself in a courteous manner, and have a firm handshake. Read FIRM, not crushing, nor the limp fish. Be courteous to everyone you come in contact with during the interview process. 10

11 Anticipate frequently asked questions about your education, work experience, career goals, personal qualities, and your knowledge of the organization, as well as behavioral interview questions. During the Interview: Be positive and enthusiastic about the job! BE YOURSELF!!! Respect the other Applicants. From the employer s perspective, how you relate to the other applicants may indicate how you would relate to your co-workers. Respect the Interviewer. Respect his or her preferences about the tone of the interview, and space. There is no need to go into an interview in a combative or overly assertive manner. Speak slowly and clearly and don t be afraid to pause for a moment to collect your thoughts. Be honest. Don t try to cover up mistakes focus on what you learned from them. Listen, and use body language to show interest. Smile, nod, and give nonverbal feedback to the interviewer. Ask intelligent questions that demonstrate the fact that you have done your research. Be assertive. Remember, this is the way for you to learn if the job is right for you. Do not ask about salary. After the Interview: Thank the Interviewer and ask about the next step in the interview process. Ask the Interviewer for a business card and send a thank-you letter or as soon as possible. Put the interview into perspective. What is the worst that can happen? You won t get the job. So what? You ll still be alive and able to interview for another job on another day. Dress for Success If you don t dress seriously, the Interviewer won t take you seriously. Some experts suggest that if you enter the interview dressed poorly, you ve taken away 50% of your chance to be hired. So follow these tips and dress for success! Tips for Men: Suits Pants with cuffs hang better 100% wool suits look and wear better Clothes should not be too tight or too loose Use a heavier material suit if you are traveling When interviewing, leave the bottom suit jacket button unbuttoned For a cocktail/dressy suit, add a silk pocket-handkerchief Avoid pocked suits for the interview, unless it fits with the company Darker suits carry more authority; blue is the easiest color to wear and it goes with just about any shirt and tie! Don t wear your suit coat in the car hang it up or lay it on the car seat/trunk Solid colors and pinstripes are best - pinstripes should be muted / narrow 11

12 Shirts Ties Shoes Socks Accessories Other Business Casual Pinstripes should be thin Solid white is always appropriate Cotton shirts look better and hold up better under perspiration Always iron your shirt, even if it claims to be wash and wear Always wear long sleeved shirts with cuffs extending ¼ below suit sleeve Silk ties are best (linen wrinkles too easily and wool is too casual) Width should be about the same as lapels, generally 2 ¾ to 3 ½ wide Black and burgundy leather are recommended Black lace up shoes, cap toe, and wing tips are the most conservative Slip-on dress shoes (even with tassels) are the most versatile for day or evening Socks should be cotton or nylon Socks should complement the suit They should not bunch around your ankles They should be long enough that skin is not seen when legs are crossed Belt buckles should be simple Watches should be simple and plain Don t wear a belt if you wear suspenders Jewelry should be very simple and conservative Suspenders are best with leather tips and buttons Blue, black, or gray suits, wear black belt and shoes Brown, tan, or beige suits, wear brown belt and shoes Suspenders with braces (as opposed to clips) are recommended Briefcases should be leather (brown and burgundy are recommended) Your belt should be leather and should match or complement your shoes Shave Cologne should be light, if worn at all Keep fingernails clean. Remember manicure is a great idea the day before! Keep hair neat (cut above your collar) Do not wear earrings, tongue-rings, etc. One ring is acceptable (for example a class ring) Wearing your wedding ring is perfectly acceptable Goatees/beards are not recommended, keep mustache trimmed and neat Necklaces are acceptable (not too clunky and without medallions or distasteful or large charms) Dress leather belt (black or brown acceptable) A blazer or sport coat, usually navy or black High-quality crew neck or turtleneck sweater 12

13 Long-sleeved sport shirts (tie is not necessary) Dress slacks, cotton chinos or khakis (pressed navy, olive, khaki, black) Patterned or colored socks in a heavier knit than dress socks Loafers or other shoes that bridge the gap between casual and dress Tips for Women: In General Business/ Interview Attire Avoid low necklines Perfume should be light if worn at all Pantyhose are a must Makeup should be natural looking If wearing a cocktail dress to an evening meal, this should be conservative No nose-rings, tongue-rings, etc. When in doubt, dress on the conservative side Jewelry should be simple (no costume jewelry) Clean and neatly pressed clothes that fit properly there should be NO tugs or stretched seams on your interview day Wearing your wedding ring(s) is perfectly acceptable Earrings should be small, wear only one in each ear Do not wear clunky, heavy, or thick-soled shoes or boots Don t wear flats (shoes) Wear a suit, preferably not a pant-suit 100% wool suits look and wear better Suits made of heavier materials travel better Heels should be of medium height (1 ½ inches) Skirts should touch knee or right below the knee Wear natural colored pantyhose with knee length skirts NO fish-net! You may wear a watch, but don t look at it or play with it Darker suits are better, and blue is the easiest color to expand on White, Ivory, or French Blue long sleeved blouses are recommended Keep nail polish neutral, clear is preferred because it won t show chips. Remember the day before the interview is a perfect for a manicure! If you have long hair, put it up (French knot with ends tucked in is nice) Business Casual Tailored blouse Wool turtlenecks Tailored pantsuits Dresses with sleeves Lightweight wool blazers Mix-and-match knit separates Skirts or slacks in neutral colors Twin sweater sets in neutral colors Casual low-heeled shoes or flats are acceptable Cotton button-down shirts in solid colors and stripes 13

14 Sandals (in good taste) may be worn, but no flip-flops Business casual means you should still look professional Events the night before the interview, wear something dressier Don t Sweat These Questions Sweaty palms and shaky voices are nothing new to Interviewers. They know you re nervous, but you still need to have good answers to their questions and solid communications skills. Below are some Traditional Question Examples tips for answering. With some practice before the interview, you can enter the situation with confidence. Sample Questions and Answers: Tell me about yourself. It is a good idea to go into an interview with at least several themes about you that have been pre-selected and are well-documented (such as I ve always been good at getting things done, even when I was ) and then have lots of examples ready. Choose themes that illustrate what you learned about the organization and its culture, as well as the demands of the job, you re your research. If you don t know what the Interviewer is looking for, you might ask if there is any particular information he or she would like you to discuss. What is the most significant contribution you made to the company during your last internship/job? Tell a story about an accomplishment that added value to the company, demonstrating skills that show initiative or resilience. Tell the interviewer about the options and the outcome of your work. What is the biggest mistake you ve made? Be honest. You ll show credibility and integrity. While mistakes aren t rewarded, those who make mistakes aren t shot either. Sometimes making a mistake can show that you ve pushed yourself to the limit. Be careful, however, to concentrate your answer on describing what you learned from you mistake. Your example should demonstrate your ability to confront and resolve a difficult situation in a responsible manner. Is there anything you were afraid I was going to ask you today? Most importantly, keep your cool. Many people blurt out the question that they didn t want asked and raise new questions in the Interviewer s mind. You should already have thought about the worst question you could possibly face, and you should have an answer ready. Tell me about the positive and negative aspects of your last job. You should say you liked your last job, even if you didn t. That goes for former employers as well. Negatives should be kept as neutral as possible. Make sure that the negative aspect of your past job would not be present in this job. For example, don t say that the company you used to work for was too small if the company you are interviewing with is also small. Are you looking at other employers? Do you have any offers? Of course you are looking at other employers. You want to make the most informed decision you can, so you have to explore all of your options. You do not need to imply that you have other job offers if you do not. What experience would you like to gain here? Stress what you have to offer the company more than what the company can offer you. Describe your ideal work environment/job. 14

15 Try to be sure that the answer you offer closely correlates with the environment/job at the company you re interviewing with. If it does not, the interviewer may wonder if you will be satisfied or happy with the position. How did you do in school? Be honest. Toot your own horn if you excelled. However, if you did not do well, you should offer an explanation for your grades. Have you ever downloaded music, movies or other media without paying for the product? OR, have you ever installed software on your computer that you did not pay for? First, if you are still downloading products without paying for them, stop. Security of intellectual property is a big and costly issue for all employers today. If you have previously downloaded media or software without compensating the sources be honest. Let the company know the type, and when you stopped this behavior. What do you know about our company? You want to show that you ve done your homework. You want to sound smart, professional, and serious enough about the job to have taken the time to do an Internet search and asked around about the company. You should always take the time to do this kind of preparation for an interview, but you d be surprised at how many people fail to take the time. Lack of preparation is a common complaint among Interviewers, and if you are prepared, you will stand out among your competitors. What is your greatest weakness? Choose something that is not critical to the job you are interviewing for. Be honest. Discuss a real weakness and how you overcame it. Why do you want this job? Your answer should reflect research. Talk about something you discovered that will stand out to the Interviewer. Not just their training program, but the company s values. The people doing the interview want to know that you respect their organization. Why did you go to graduate school? You want to show that you know exactly what you want and where you are going. What skills do you want to learn or improve? Choose skills that are required for the job you are interviewing for, but make sure you don t sound as if you have no other skills. You might talk about your skill at market research, using an example, and then discuss how you would like to strengthen that skill. If you are hired, how long will you stay with this company? Definitely do not tell them you plan on leaving after two years. Focus on the positive aspects of the job. For example, As long as the work is challenging and I have the opportunity to learn and advance, I see no reason to leave. Make sure there is opportunity to advance before you use this answer. How do you work under pressure? Walk the middle ground here. You don t want to sound like pressure is the only thing that will get you to do your work, but you don t want to sound like a wimp either. What is your greatest strength? You know what you are good at, so be proud of it. Choose a talent that would benefit the job you are interviewing for. Many strengths, such as efficiency, would be valuable in any job. How do you feel about working in groups? Obviously, if you are going to be alone in a room all day doing some type of individual research, you don t want to convey the idea that you hate working alone. Conversely, if you 15

16 are planning a career in management consulting where teamwork is everything, you don t want to come off as a hermit. What role do you tend to play in groups? There are four types of roles people tend to play in groups: the leader, the creative idea generator, the completer-finisher, and the analyzer/interpreter. All of these roles are equally important, and the best groups contain at least one member from each category. Sample Behavioral Interview Questions The following sample behavior-based questions are followed by competencies sought by the interviewer. The more you know about a particular job, the easier it will be to identify the critical job skills, and therefore, anticipate questions the interviewer might ask. Can you give me an example of your problem-solving skills? Elaborate. Think of an example that would relate directly to the job for which you are interviewing. Tell me a joke. First, don t stress out. Some questions are aimed to see how your react. In this situation, you would tell a joke that is nice, clean, friendly, and hopefully funny. Make sure it will not be deemed controversial or offensive. Tell me about a time when you received criticism for your work or an idea. Your response should demonstrate a willingness to accept criticism and to follow up and learn from the experience. This is also an opportunity to show that you are good at taking initiative. Describe a situation in which you had to use reference materials to write a research paper. What was the topic? What journals did you use? (research/written communication) Give me a specific example of a time when you sold your supervisor or professor on an idea or concept. How did you proceed? What was the result? (assertiveness) Describe the system you use for keeping track of multiple projects. How do you track your progress so that you can meet deadlines? How do you stay focused? (commitment to task) Tell me about a time when you came up with an innovative solution to a challenge your company or class was facing. What was the challenge? What role did others play? (creativity and imagination) Describe a specific problem you solved for your employer or professor. How did you approach the problem? What role did others play? What was the outcome? (decision making) Describe a time when you got co-workers or classmates who dislike each other to work together. How did you accomplish this? What was the outcome? (teamwork) Give me a specific example of something you did that helped build enthusiasm in others. (team building) Tell me about a time when you failed to meet a deadline. What things did you fail to do? What were the repercussions? What did you learn? (time management) Describe a time when you put your needs aside to help a co-worker or classmate understand a task. How did you assist them? What was the result? (flexibility) Describe two specific goals you set for yourself and how successful you were in meeting them. What factors led to your success in meeting your goals? (goal setting) 16

17 Additional Questions Asked by Employers: Personal 1. What are your hobbies? 2. Why did you choose to interview with our organization? 3. What can you offer us? 4. Can you name some weaknesses? 5. Define success. Failure. 6. Have you ever had any failures? What did you learn from them? 7. Of which three accomplishments are you most proud? 8. Who are your role models? Why? 9. How does your college education or work experience relate to this job? 10. What motivates you most in a job? 11. Have you had difficulty getting along with a former professor/ supervisor/co-worker and how did you handle it? 12. Have you ever spoken before a group of people? How large? 13. Why should we hire you rather than another candidate? 14. What do you know about our organization? 15. Where do you want to be in five years? Ten years? 16. Do you plan to return to school for further education? Education 1. Why did you choose your major? 2. Why did you choose to attend your college or university? 3. Do you think you received a good education? In what ways? 4. In which campus activities did you participate? 5. Which classes in your major did you like best? Least? Why? 6. Which elective classes did you like best? Least? Why? 7. If you were to start over, what would you change about your education? 8. Do your grades accurately reflect your ability? Why or why not? 9. Were you financially responsible for any portion of your college education? Experience 1. What job-related skills have you developed? 2. Did you work while going to school? In what positions? 3. What did you learn from these work experiences? 4. Have you ever quit a job? Why? 5. Give an example of a situation where you provided a solution to an employer. 6. Give an example of a time when you worked under deadline pressure. 7. Have you ever done any volunteer work? What kind? 8. How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work? 17

18 Career Goals 1. Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own? 2. What kind of boss do you prefer? 3. Would you be successful working with a team? 4. Do you prefer large or small organizations? Why? 5. What other types of positions are you considering? 6. How do you feel about working in a structured environment? 7. Are you able to work on several assignments at once? 8. How do you feel about working overtime? 9. How do you feel about travel? 10. How do you feel about the possibility of relocating? 11. Are you willing to work flextime? Sample Questions for the Interviewer You need to have some questions prepared for when the interviewer asks, Do you have any questions? Otherwise you will be perceived as un-inquisitive and uninterested. Your questions don t have to be profound they can be very simple. You don t need to have 20 questions, 3 to 5 will do fine. Here are some questions worth asking: The HR Manager: 1. Are employees encouraged and given the opportunity to express their ideas and concerns? 2. What do employees seem to like best and least about the company? 3. What is the rate of employee turnover? 4. How large is the department where the opening exists? 5. Why is the position open? 6. Does the job require much travel? 7. What are the chances of being relocated after starting the job? 8. What type of orientation or training do new employees receive? 9. How often are performance reviews given? 10. Who determines raises and promotions and how? 11. What are the long-range possibilities for employees in similar positions who consistently perform above expectations? 12. What employee benefits does the company offer? Your Prospective Supervisor: 1. What would be my primary responsibilities? 2. What would I be expected to accomplish in the first six months on the job? In the first year? 3. What are some of the department s ongoing and anticipated special projects? 4. How much contact or exposure does the department and staff have with management? A Prospective Co-Worker: 1. What do you like best/least about working for this department/company? 2. Can you describe a typical workday in the department? 3. Do you feel free to express you ideas and concerns here? 4. What are the possibilities for professional growth and promotion? 18

19 5. How much interaction do you have with superiors, colleagues, and customers? 6. Do you have much of an opportunity to work independently? 7. How long have you been with the company? Does your future here seem secure? Recruiter s Comments Employers that recruit at St. Mary s University cite following reasons for candidates not getting a second interview or job offer: Students possessed a poor ability to clearly express themselves in both a written and oral manner. Applicant failed to talk about their past experiences and to related them to the position they were interviewing for. Student did not try to close, that is sell the interviewer on the idea they wanted the job. Candidate had no knowledge of the position for which they were interviewing. Several interviewees were taken aback by some of the simplest questions such as favorite course outside of major, what aspect of character you seek to improve, etc. Level of preparation needs improvement. Many students could not package their qualities in connection with examples of their experiences both in work and school. Students did not do background research on the company before interview even though we had sent job descriptions and company brochures. Some shared little data, were low-key (subdued), were not sure what they wanted, did not convey a sense of having a unique ability to offer what would interest an employer to hire them. A few students didn t take seriously the geographical options indicated on their resumes versus discussion in person when faced with a possible move. Students had too timid a disposition during the interview. Sample Evaluation Form The following is a sample of typical interview criteria that an employer might use to critique a candidate s interview: (1-2 Unacceptable; 3-4 Limited, 5-6 Satisfactory, 7-8 Above Average, 9-10 Outstanding) Preparation for the Interview Knowledge of Organization Pertinent Questions Qualifications Work Experience Academic Preparation Verbal Communication Presentation of Ideas Grammar and Vocabulary Direction Confidence in Abilities Well-defined Goals Maturity Decisiveness 19

20 Judgment Leadership/Supervision Self-reliance Personality Enthusiasm Responsiveness Motivation Commitment Sincerity Genuine Honest Attitude Other Professional Interests Stress Management Time Management Overall Score Additional Comments: Points to Remember It is critical to allow the recruiter to lead the interview. But, some initiative is good. At the end of most interviews it is common for the interviewer to ask if you have any additional or final comments. In fact, if you are not asked, it is quite appropriate to make the comment, If you don t mind, I would like to leave you with a final thought regarding me as a candidate for your company. Then describe yourself in two to three brief points. Do not restate the obvious, such as your degree and other qualifications listed on your resume. Communicate information about yourself as a person. Highlight areas that were not discussed completely in the interview or strengths you feel are especially important. The employer should tell you how the process will continue from this point. If that does not occur, feel free to ask, What is the next step in the interview process? Or, When can I expect to hear from you? An employer may also request references, so you should have them ready. Ask for a business card, and conclude the interview with a firm handshake and a statement reaffirming your interest in the position, and thanking the employer for his or her time. Interview Follow Up Within 24 hours, you should send a thank you note to the interviewer. In the note, reinforce your interest in the position. Take the opportunity to highlight something that was positive from the interview, or restate something that you learned from the discussion. ed thank you notes are perfectly acceptable. If you prefer to mail yours, make sure you use the same bond paper as your resume and cover letter. Keep it to one page. Mailed thank you notes can be handwritten or typed. If a company is very conservative, stick with typed. You can write to all the people with whom you interviewed, or you can identify the decision-maker and write to him or her. Within the letter, you can thank everyone with whom you interviewed (this is more pertinent to a second interview). 20

21 Sample Thank You Note 123 Rattler Avenue San Antonio, TX Ms. Helen A. Colcord Henderson & Associates, Inc San Antonio St. Ste 1201 San Antonio, TX December 1 st, 2006 (day of your interview!!!) Dear Ms. Colcord: Thank you for meeting with me today. I am impressed by the high standards your department maintains. The more I heard and saw cemented my interest in working with your firm and your team. I look forward to hearing from you soon regarding the schedule for second interviews. In the meantime, I would be pleased to answer any additional questions you may have. Sincerely, Rattler Rattler How to Come Out First in the Second Interview Clearly, you had to do something right the first time around to be invited back. So, if you gave concise answers to the interviewers questions; explained how you could apply your skills to the position; and were well mannered, well dressed, and well prepared, then by all means, give a repeat performance. The biggest difference between the first and second interviews is the interviewer. An example is the typical on-campus interviewer has received formal training and conducts the interview in a more formal manner. A typical second interview might consist of an on-site visit with an individual who most likely has little, if any, formal training in interviewing and recruiting. During an on-site visit, it is common to talk with at least two types of interviewers: fairly new employees and those who have been with the company for more than 10 years. Make sure you bring extra copies of your resume. Keep in mind that you will be meeting with more people, probably at corporate headquarters, perhaps over the course of an entire day. A series of individual interviews is the most common format for the second job interview. The people conducting the interviews may consist of your prospective peers or superiors. They are primarily interested in whether you can do the job and work well with them. The second interview may also include a meal and a tour of the facility. The second interview may be more skills-based than the first. Be sure you can explain how your abilities and experiences would qualify and enable you to do the job. A group of candidates may be invited for individual interviews during the same time period. Your challenge is to distinguish yourself from your competition. One way to do this is to acquire more than a cursory knowledge about the company. Companies are impressed by students who have networked with 21