Interviewing Strategies

1
Interviewing Strategies Skills
2
Know yourself

• Be able to articulate YOUR
• Skills
• Values
• Interests
• Abilities
• Long term plans
• Be able to give examples of them
• Think on your feet
• outside the box
• Use common sense

3
Types of interviews

• On campus interviews
• Screening interviews
• On site interviews
• Second round interviews
• One on one
• Panel interviews
• Group interviews
• Over a meal

4
Review

• Prepared for questions about resume
• Familiar with contents
• Answer questions pertaining to resume
• Typically asked questions
• Why should we hire you?
• Tell me about one of your weaknesses...

5
Review

• Questions for organization
• How soon do you expect to make your decision
• Interview starter questions
• Tell me what you know about us
• Tell me about yourself?

6
Show the complete picture
tell a story. how do you want companies to
remember you?
Tell me about yourself...
7
Rehearse

• Practice
• tape recorder
• mirror
• video camera
• friends, family
• Notecards
• No memorized answers
• just concepts and key buzz words

8
Preparing for the interview

• Familiarity with business location
• Copy of resume updated in folder
• References included
• Few questions prepared for interviewer at end of
  interview
• Visualize setting, positive interview
• Anticipate stressors
• What to wear

9
First impressions
Men
Women
Suit Jacket Pressed shirt No beepers
Suit Plain jewelry No perfume Hair groomed
10
Rules of Thumb

• No sleeveless shirts
• Have your clothes pressed
• No open toe shoes
• Pantyhose for women, socks for men
• Clothes should be comfortable
• avoid too tight, too short

11
Accessories

• Shoes
• Polished, comfortable
• Socks/Hose
• Do not go without socks/hose
• Belts
• If have belt loops, wear a belt
• Jewelry
• Minimal
• Purse/Attache Case

12
Hints

• Dress for the position you want, not the position
  you have
• Men
• Wear a white t-shirt under dress shirt
• Helps with perspiration
• Have someone help you tie your tie
• Women
• Pull hair back
• Go easy on make up
• One ring per hand

13
Different clothing types

• Professional Dress
• Interview outfit
• Daily clothing for professional office setting
• Business Casual Dress
• Dress down Fridays or casual office environment
• Career Fair
• Casual Dress
• Company picnic
• Traveling for work

14
Womens Professional
15
Womens Business Casual
16
Womens Casual
17
Mens Professional
18
Mens Business Casual
19
Mens Casual
20
Day of the interview

• Fresh shower, well groomed
• Leave plenty of time for mishaps
• Eat prior to the interview
• Avoid too much caffeine and sugar
• Arrive early
• 15 minutes ample time
• too early makes interviewers nervous
• When arriving a business, be courteous to all
  employees

21
The interview process

• Casual conversation
• How was the traffic?, did you find us O.K.?
• Down to business
• Actual interview begins
• Listen, buzzwords, new info.
• Employer will discuss company/position
• Proceed to ask questions about skills, etc.
• Behavioral questions (situation)
• End by asking if you have questions

22
The interview process

• Closing the interview
• Employer initiates
• Standing up, shaking hands
• Thank-you for interviewing
• Let employer know you are interested
• Prepare closing statement
• Thank you for taking the time to interview me,
  Im very interested in this position...

23
Tricky Questions
a.k.a.. behavioral questions
24
Behavioral Interview Techniques

• STAR METHOD
• S - situation
• T - task
• A - action
• R - result

25
Behavioral Interview Questions

• Give me an example of a problem you encountered
  how you handled it?
• Give me an example of a time when you faced a lot
  of obstacles to achieving a goal
• Talk about a stressful situation youve
  experienced
• Tell me about a time when youve been a team
  player..
• Tell me about a project or role that youve taken
  on that is outside your job description.
• Tell me about a situation when you took the ball
  ran with it.
• How have you handled situations in which you had
  to deal with something that you're not totally
  comfortable with?
• How do you build your confidence?
• Give me an example of how youve failed
• Tell me about a time when youve had to challenge
  authority...

26
Follow-up

• Sending a thank-you note
• within 24 hours
• hand written
• computer generated
• Expect to hear within 7-10 work days

27
The verdict

• Job is offered to you
• Thank you for calling, Ill get back to you with
  my decision by the end of the day..
• Job is not offered
• Thank you for taking the time to interview me..
• Professional/polite

28
Comments / Questions

• Remember to be yourself
• Everyone is nervous
• Be prepared

29
Need More Interview Help?

• Check our workshop schedule at
• http//icc.ucdavis.edu/iccdocs/poe.htm
• Come See Us and Get One on One Advising!