How to Land and Prepare for the Interview. Presented by: Northrop Grumman Corporation

Transcription

1 How to Land and Prepare for the Interview Presented by: Northrop Grumman Corporation Updated: 3/4/2014

2 Topics The résumé Where to look What to wear The Interview Tough questions to consider Resources 2

3 Résumé Cover Letter Contact Information Objective/Summary Statement Education - New Grads Focus or Major, GPA Grad Date (Intern, New Grad, Exp) Experience - Coop, Summer Intern or Part Time Work, Volunteer Work Projects, Coursework, Publications Honors, Professional Organization, Technical Skills Citizenship Status Flows to project a professional image 3

4 Good Résumés 4

5 Bad Résumés 5

6 Résumé Cover Letter Good for online resume submittals Reveal any information that is not in your resume How your skills/experience are relevant to the position, How you met with the contact person (when, where, be specific etc). Don t be too lengthy 2, 3 paragraphs max Address the receiving person properly spell the person s name correctly! 6

7 Résumé - Should Contact Information Correct and Complete Clear Large Fonts, Arial or Verdana, Simple Format make it scan able Good, Plain White Bond Strong Headline Use Bullets and Phrases Relevant to Job your applying for Accomplishments over Responsibilities or Duties Evidence and Proof (What makes you the right candidate?) 7

8 Résumé Should Not's Fancy Paper or Fonts More than 2 Pages, if possible Typos, Grammar Errors ask someone else to read your resume Graphics and Photos Keep Professional, not Personal Dateless When did you study abroad? Underlining, Bolding and Italics Parenthetical Phrases, Also, etc. et al Fabrication be truthful 8

9 Résumé Do I need to have a resume if companies are not taking hard copies? Many companies are having you submit to positions on-line Bringing a resume to a career fair gives you something to talk to while interacting with a company rep 9

10 Where to Look Best Place Company Career Websites Create a Profile Apply weekly to positions that fit; follow status Career Fairs Target those companies that you want to talk to-know something about them Priority Candidates Selected Career Services Center Post your resume Participate in mock interviews Resume Databases Professional Associations Attend their month meetings and company presentation events References Faculty, Colleagues, Family Newspapers or Magazine Publications IEEE, Embedded Software Design 10

11 Phone Screen Phone Screening Used to develop applicant pool Necessary to advance to on-site Keep four things in mind 1. Get their attention 2. Generate interest 3. Create a desire to know more about you 4. Your goal is to achieve an in person interview 11

12 Before Your Interview - Research / Do Your Homework What does the Company do? Corporate Culture (Northrop Grumman vs. Google) Locations Newspaper/Net Search Net Worth, Growth Trends Trouble Litigation Company s Web Site Company s Social Media Pages Friends or Associates Impressions Salary, Cost of Living, Regional Issues Don t Waste Time Yours or the Company s 12

13 Stay Connected. Keep Everything Else Undercover. Social media is a great way to connect with a potential employer while sharing what makes you an exceptional candidate. But there are things to keep in mind to make sure the impression you make is always positive: Update your online profiles and blogs. Include your most recent internships, job experience, and volunteer information. Lock down your public information. Keep your personal information and photos set to friends only so that only connections you ve approved can see them. Secure your Facebook profile. Update your privacy settings and check them at least twice a year, as they may change without notification. Think twice before you post. With any kind of publicly viewable content, Google can find it and keep it forever. Could this reflect poorly on you or your employer? Follow up with your social network contacts. Face-to-face, , and messaging will make a good impression with the organization. Research employers. Companies like Northrop Grumman are using social media to build relationships with potential employees. Follow us! Ask questions. Read posts. We think you ll like what you see. 13

14 Prepare for your Interview Practice in front of a mirror or to your friends Sign up for Career Center-Mock Interviews Think of how your education and work experience has prepared you for this position Be prepared to give specific examples Be ready to share your strengths and weaknesses Thought patterns Self improvement 14

15 What to Wear for Women KNOW THE INDUSTRY ATTIRE Manufacturing Government Entertainment Slacks vs. Skirts Blouses-necklines Shoes -- closed toe, low heeled, hosiery Conservative makeup. hair color, perfume Minimal jewelry What about body piercing and tattoos? 15

16 What to Wear for Men KNOW THE INDUSTRY ATTIRE Manufacturing Government Entertainment Pressed Suits Shined Shoes NO WHITE SOCKS Hair color Cologne Jewelry Piercing and tattoos 16

17 What Do Employers Want? Accomplishments Thinkers, Problem Solvers Leaders vs. Managers Self Assured not Victims Fits Into Culture Communicators, Both Written and Oral 17

18 Format for Conducting Interviews Interviewer Tasks Review candidate s resume Identify areas to explore Make candidate comfortable Set a relaxing tone Extract job-related information Verify unclear items on resume Answer candidate s questions Promote organization Present realistic picture Discuss next steps Bring interview to an end Compare candidates qualifications Record information accurately Interview Steps Preparing for the Interview 3-4 minutes Breaking the ice: 2-3 minutes Asking questions/verifying information: minutes Answering questions Promoting organization to qualified candidates 6-8 minutes Closing the interview 1-2 minutes Evaluating/Recording Information 3-4 minutes 18

19 In Person Interview Call to confirm you have the correct address, date, time and spelling of interviewers name. Bring extra résumés (these can be your fancy version) Fill out application accurately If you sent ahead, bring a completed printed copy Let the interviewer lead the conversation and guide you Look directly at the person that asked the question. Panel interview- start with person that asked question and end with that person 19

20 In Person Interview (Continued) Body Language Learn to control negative body movements Firm Handshake Taking your seat Personal zone Eye contact Acknowledging you are listening Smile Hands -- keep them under control Hold onto something 20

21 In Person Interview (Continued) Do not make negative remarks about past experiences, employers, or team members Do not take your cell phone into the interview Have 3-5 prepared questions About the position/company/training Don t hang around Be sensitive to the interviewer s time Send a THANK YOU 21

22 Tough Questions to Consider Describe a situation where your work/idea was criticized Have you ever had any confrontations with a teammate Have you done the best work you are capable of doing Tell me something you are not very proud of How did you get your summer jobs What type of position are you interested in What do you know about our company Why did you choose the college you decided to attend What are your biggest accomplishments Can you work under pressure What are your outstanding qualities Why should I hire you 22

23 More Questions What was the most challenging part of your internship What exactly do you mean you want a position that challenges you What would your references say In what way, has your education prepared you for this position Why do you want to work for this industry Do you have any questions You should be prepared to ask 3-5 career related questions Training, continuing education Mobility in the company Are there any concerns you have regarding my background that I can clarify -- your chance to resell yourself 23

24 Evaluation Ten Assessment Factors Energy, drive, initiative Trend of performance Comparability of past accomplishments Experience, education, industry background Problem solving and thinking skills Overall talent, technical competency Management and organizational skills Team leader/motivate others Character-values, commitment, goals Personality/culture fit 24

25 Interview Find a friend and role play an interview practice makes perfect! 25

26 Resource Page Hire With Your Head: A rational way to make a gut decision by Lou Adler Knock em Dead 2004 by Martin Yate The Everything Etiquette Book by Nat Segaloff NACE s Guide to Interviewing College Students 26

27 Connect With Us When you connect with Northrop Grumman through social networks, you ll put yourself on fast track to receive the inside scoop on what it's like to work here. Not only will you get company updates, career areas we re hiring for, and employee highlights -- you ll also receive interviewing and job application advice from actual Northrop Grumman recruiters and managers. And don t worry, Northrop Grumman won t access your personal profile when you like or follow our pages. We just want to provide you with pivotal information to help with your career decisions. Join our Talent Community : LIKE NorthropGrummanCareers FOLLOW FOLLOW SUBSCRIBE Northrop Grumman NorthropGrummanMedia 27

28 Good Luck! careers.northropgrumman.com 28