TwoMinute Story Guidelines

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Two-Minute Story Guidelines
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Employment Laws and Regulations

• For more on labor laws and regulations, contact
  the Department of Labor
• 866.487.2365 or www.dol.gov
• For a Federal Equal Opportunity Laws (color,
  religion, or sex) violation, contact the Equal
  Employment Opportunity Commission
• 800.669.4000 or www.eeoc.gov
• For a privacy issue violation, contact your own
  states Department of Labor. To find out the
  number for your state, visit the Department of
  Labors Web site
• www.dol.gov/dol/location.htm

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Icebreaker Strengthen Me

• Choose from the following statements or
  questions
• Tell me about one of your weaknesses.
• Tell me about a time when you failed.
• It appears that you dont have any job
  experience, so what sort of skills do you have
  to work a job?
• Have you ever worked with someone you didnt get
  along with? How did you work things out?
• What are some things you are willing to do to
  show that you are prepared to move past your past?

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What Employers Shouldnt Ask

• The following topics are not supposed to be
  questions during an interview
• Race
• Gender
• Religion
• Marital status
• Age
• Physical and/or mental status
• Ethnic background
• Country of origin
• Sexual preference
• Any other discriminatory factors that are illegal
  for making employment decisions

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What Do You Do If Youre Asked an Illegal
Question?

• Dont act defensive in response to illegal
  questions. Many interviewers are just as
  inexperienced or as uncomfortable in interviewing
  as you are, and they are looking for ways to ease
  into the interview.
• Answer truthfully if you feel your response will
  not hurt you.
• Inform the interviewer that the question is
  illegal. You may risk offending them and ending
  your chances for the position, but your integrity
  may often impress them and make you look more
  favorable for the position.
• If you choose to answer the question, base your
  answer on the requirements of the job and your
  ability to perform it.

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And.

• Dont make a big scene if someone asks you
  illegal questions. Be professional and bring it
  to their attention. If the person continues to
  pressure you for answers or you feel as though
  you are being discriminated against, dont
  hesitate to walk out. Most likely you wont get
  the job, but its a job you probably dont want
  anyway. And remember, you can always take legal
  action if the person is way out of line.

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Questions to Ask in an Interview

• Personal information
• Job responsibilities
• Describe a typical day
• Good and bad points about the job
• Challenges in the job
• The skills or personal qualities needed
• The potential for growth within the company
• The potential for personal development on the
  job
• Business related
• Products or services offered
• Length of time in business
• Work atmosphere
• Company mission
• Leading competitorswho are they and how do the
  two companies compare

• General questions about the field
• What are the challenges in the field today?
• What is the future of the field?
• How has the field changed in the last ten years?
• Are any professional organizations associated
  with the field?
• How does an employee stay on top of new
  information for the field?
• What type of educational background do you need?
• Do you need any licenses?

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Interview Attire for Men Traditional

• Yes
• Tie
• Button-down shirt
• Suit jacket
• Khaki or dress pants
• Brown or black dress shoes

• No
• T-shirts
• Tank tops
• Earrings
• Jeans
• Shorts
• Gym shoes

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Interview Attire for Women Traditional

• Yes
• Dress
• Pant suit
• Skirt at least knee length
• Nylons
• Dress shoes, low heels
• Light makeup

• No
• Mini skirts
• See-through shirts
• Tight clothing
• Gym shoes
• Open-toe shoes
• Bright or unusual- colored makeup (such as purple
  lipstick)

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Interview Attire for MenHip Alternatives

• No sports jacket?
• Wear a rugby shirt, button down, or basic
  sweater.
• Stick to light colors, and only a few.
• DONT wear clothes with the designers name
  written on the front or all over the outfit.
• Pants dilemma?
• Khakis and corduroys.
• Stop the sag employers are not impressed by your
  boxers.
• Not into Penny Loafers?
• Dress boots are okay if you are wearing khakis or
  cords, but not if you have on dress slacks.
• You can deal with some dress shoes if you have
  to...you need the job, right?
• Other fashion tips
• Wear a belt It makes you look polished.
• If you have to wear jewelry, keep it to a
  minimum.
• If you have earrings, take them out, or at least
  wear no more than one.
• Keep the cologne to a minimum, if at all.
• No hats.

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Interview Attire for Women Hip Alternatives

• To top things off
• Avoid tops that have words on the front, come off
  the shoulder, or have splits in the fabric.
• Instead of a suit jacket, wear a solid-color,
  button-down sweater. You dont have to button it.
• Dont wear tight-fitting clothes, period.
• Lets get to the bottom of this
• Avoid jean dresses or skirts.
• Capri pants and shorts are not acceptable. If you
  wear pants, stick to dress slacks that are not
  tight fitting.
• Other fashion tips
• No hats.
• Try to avoid fragrances, but, if you choose to
  wear some, keep it light.
• Keep the jewelry to a bare minimum.
• Most importantly, be as conservative as possible.

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Timely Tips for Interviewing

• Arrive at least 10 minutes before the interview.
• At all costs, avoid being late.
• Test-drive the route to the interview around the
  same time of day a day or two before the
  interview to make sure you leave on time.
• If you are not driving yourself, choose a
  reliable driver who will be on time.
• If an emergency arises and you are going to be
  late, call as soon as you can to let the employer
  know and make other arrangements if necessary.
• If you miss your interview and are unable to call
  before the interview, call as soon as you can. If
  you are still interested in the position, explain
  the situation and ask if you can reschedule.
• Never just dont show up for an interview. If you
  decide that you do not want the job, call the
  employer, thank him/her for the opportunity to
  interview but explain you are no longer
  interested in the position and you are canceling
  your interview.

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Benefits of Being Early

• You have time to collect yourself and relax
  before the interview
• Provides time to investigate and find out more
  about the company, as you will often find
  literature and other information about the
  company in the waiting area
• Allows you to fix your hair, clothes, makeup, or
  anything else that may be out of place from the
  commute
• Lets you check out the work environment to see
  whether its a place you would feel comfortable
  working in

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Tips for a Successful Interview

• Shake em up
• Start and end the interview with a firm
  handshake.
• Avoid the light, delicate handshake and the
  powerful, over-the-top, controlling handshake.
• Top it off with a smile and some eye contact.
• Be real throughout the interview
• Compliment something about the office or the
  person you are interviewing, but be real.
• Thank the interviewer for the opportunity to meet
  with him or her.
• Be real throughout the interview
• Smile, but dont fake it.
• When giving compliments, make sure they are
  genuine.
• Dont be afraid to express a passion for the work
  you do or want to do.

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Tips for a Successful Interview continued

• Be aware of your postureno slouching in your
  chair. Sit up straight, feet on the ground, hands
  either to your sides or folded on the table or
  desk in front of you.
• Avoid distracting mannerisms such as foot tapping
  or running your hands through your hair.
• Listen carefully. Pay attention to and thoroughly
  absorb what the other person is saying they will
  often tell you exactly what theyre looking for
  in an employee.
• If you are nervous, take subtle deep breaths
  while the interviewer is talking. If you calmly
  breath in deeply (but quietly) through your nose
  and out slowly through your mouth, your
  deep-breathing exercises will hardly be noticed
  and youll be able to relax quickly.

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How to Respond in an Interview

• Pace your answers (dont talk too fast).
• Even if you are nervous, respond to all questions
  in a calm, clear, and even tone. Speak loudly
  enough to be heard, but dont yell at the
  employer.
• If you dont know an answer, it is okay to
  respond, I dont know, but add a response that
  tells what you might do or how you would work to
  find an answer to the question.
• Example If the employer asks what you would do
  in a particular situation, you may say, I have
  never been in that situation so I dont know
  exactly what I would do, but I know that I would
  do everything I could to make sure the customer
  is satisfied provided that I didnt overstep
  company policy.
• Dont try to give answers you think the employer
  wants to hear. Answer according to what you
  believe is right and appropriate for you.
• Example If employer asks you if you can work on
  Sundays and you cant forfamily reasons, dont
  say you can work on Sunday just to get the job.
• Interviewing is part of a game, a game that has
  certain rules. While you dont have to be
  somebody youre not, you do have to play your
  part to get the job. Using slang such as
  uh-huh, huh, um, and bogus is against the
  rules.
• Dont bring up the issue of pay until after you
  have been offered a position.