Interview Guidelines

1
Interview Guidelines

• Before, During, After
• The Job Interview

• (Much of this information is taken from Sherry
  Maysonave, President of Empowerment Enterprises
  and from http//www.job-interview.net/)

2
Before the Interview

• Learn all you can about the company or
  organization
• Prepare sophisticated and knowledgeable questions
  
• Know why you would like to work for that employer
• Be prepared to answer and ask questions

3
Before the Interview

• Prepare papers for your interview
• Extra copies of your resume
• Job reference lists
• Reference letters
• Legal pad for taking notes
• Prepare your clothes for your interview

4
Communication statistics reveal that in only five
to thirty seconds, three things are determined
about you, whether accurate or false

• Your IQ
• Your Socioeconomic Status
• Your Marital Status
• Your Sense of Style
• Your Educational Level
• Your Age
• Your Desirability

5
In only five to thirty seconds, the following
three things are determined about you

• Your Socioeconomic Status
• Your Educational Level
• Your Desirability (are you worth hiring?)

6
How To Dress Men and Women

• Conservative two-piece business suit (solid dark
  blue or grey is best)
• Conservative long-sleeved shirt/blouse (white is
  best, pastel is next best)
• Clean, polished conservative shoes
• Well-groomed hairstyle

7
How To Dress Men and Women

• Clean, trimmed fingernails
• Empty pockets--no bulges or tinkling coins
• Light briefcase or portfolio case
• No visible body piercing (nose rings, eyebrow
  rings, etc.)
• Minimal cologne or perfume

8
How to Dress Men Only

• Necktie should be silk with a conservative
  pattern
• Dark shoes (black lace-ups are best)
• Dark socks (black is best)
• Get a haircut short hair always fares best in
  interviews

9
How to Dress Men Only

• Make sure beard and mustache are neat and trimmed
  
• No rings other than wedding ring or college ring
• No earrings (if you normally wear one, take it
  out)

10
How to Dress Women Only

• Always wear a suit with a jacket - no dresses
• Shoes with closed toes and heels
• Conservative hosiery at or near skin color
• Carry a briefcase OR conservative colored purse

11
How to Dress Women Only

• If you wear nail polish use clear or a
  conservative color
• Minimal use of makeup
• Minimal jewelry this includes rings, bracelets,
  necklaces, earrings

12
You Must Dress Accordingly For Your Interview

• You dont have to wear a suit!
• Nice pants/skirt and shirt (no tie required but
  it would be nice?)
• If you do not have anything to wear, please speak
  with me after class

13
Beginning the Interview

• Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early
• Allow time for traffic
• Allow time to get lost
• Treat all people you encounter with
  professionalism and kindness.
• Receptionist or secretary
• Maintenance man
• Turn cell phone off
• Don't chew gum, eat candy or smell like smoke

14
Beginning the Interview

• Greet the Interviewer
• Shake Interviewers Hand

15
The Handshake

• Truly effective handshake is going to be a
  "mirror" of the handshake being offered
• Use a medium grip handshake, placing your hand so
  that the soft skin between your thumb and
  forefinger comes in contact with the same
  location on the recipient's hand.
• Be prepared to squeeze down on the gorilla or
  lighten up on the softie
• Make Eye Contact

16
Practice Your Handshake
17
During the Interview

• Dont let the employers casual approach cause
  you to drop your manners or professionalism.
• No First Names
• No Slang
• No Curse Words
• Don't interrupt the interviewer, even if you are
  anxious and enthusiastic about answering the
  question.

18
During the Interview

• Be aware of your non-verbal behaviors
• sit straight avoid slouching
• smile as often as you can
• maintain eye contact but don't stare the
  interviewer down
• lean forward but not invading the interviewer's
  space
• Sit still in your seat avoid fidgeting
• Don't be shy or reluctant to talk about yourself

19
During the Interview

• Don't make negative comments about previous
  employers or professors (or others)
• Listen very carefully to each question you are
  asked
• Give thoughtful, to-the-point and honest answers
• Ask for clarification if you don't understand a
  question. It is OK to take a few moments of
  silence to gather your thoughts before answering.
  
• Take notes

20
Of the following five behaviors candidates
exhibit in job interviews, what behavior do you
think recruiters find most unforgivable?

• Poor personal appearance
• Overemphasis on money 
• Failure to look at interviewer while
  interviewing
• Doesnt ask questions 
• Late to interview 

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4 Doesnt Ask QuestionsThoughtful questions
emphasize that you are taking an active role in
the job selection process, not leaving the
interviewer to do all the work. Active is good.
Great questions demonstrate that, far from being
a passive participant, you are action-oriented
and engaged, reinforcing your interest in the
job.
22
Great Questions To Ask

• Can you tell me about the position and the type
  of person you are seeking?
• What does this company value the most and how do
  you think my work for you will further these
  values?
• What can I bring Company XYZ to round out the
  team?

23
More Great Questions To Ask

• Whats the most important thing I can do to help
  within the first 90 days of my employment?
• Do you have any questions or concerns about my
  ability to perform this job? 
• What do you see in me? What are my strongest
  assets and possible weaknesses? Do you have any
  concerns that I need to clear up in order to be
  the top candidate?

24
Questions Not to Ask

• Is it possible for me to get a small loan?
• What is it that your company does? 
• Can I see the break room? 
• What are your psychiatric benefits?
• How many warnings do you get before you are
  fired? 
• Can you guarantee me that I will still have a job
  here a year from now? 

25
More Questions Not to Ask

• Would anyone notice if I came in late and left
  early? 
• What does this company consider a good
  absenteeism record? 
• The job description mentions weekend work. Are
  you serious? 
• What is the zodiac sign of the company president?
  
• How do you define sexual harassment?
• Will my office be near an ice machine?

26
The Close of the Interview

• Make sure you understand the employer's next step
  in the hiring process know when and from whom
  you should expect to hear next.
• Thank the interviewer for his or her time
• Establish a follow-up plan
• Offer a firm handshake and make eye contact

27
After the Interview

• Make notes right away so you don't forget
  critical details
• Don't call the employer back immediately.
• Send a follow up letter to all interviewers
  immediately
• Thank him or her for the opportunity to interview
  
• Let him or her know that should another or
  similar position open in the future, you would
  love to have the opportunity to interview again
• Email thank you notes are acceptable

28
Top Ten Critical Success Factors

• Positive attitude toward work
• Proficiency in field of study
• Communication skills (oral and written)
• Interpersonal skills
• Confidence

• Critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Flexibility
• Self-motivation
• Leadership
• Teamwork

29
Top Ten Strikeouts that Condemn Job Candidates

• Doesnt ask questions 
• Condemnation of past employer 
• Inability to take criticism 
• Poor personal appearance
• Indecisive, cynical, lazy

• Overbearing, over aggressive, know it all 
• Late to interview 
• Failure to look at interviewer while interviewing
  
• Unable to express self clearly
• Overemphasis on money

30
Your Mock Interview

• Will be THIS Friday, Nov 13
• You are interviewing for the job you found on
  snagajob.com
• Dress Professionally
• Follow these guidelines we have discussed
• If you are absent, be dressed appropriately the
  next class you are present