Interviewing Skills

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Interviewing Skills
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Goals for Interview

• Introduce Sell Yourself
• Who are you?
• Skills and Strengths
• Unique Marketable Qualities
• Sell the Job
• Interviewers Responsibility
• Never Walk Away Empty-Handed
• Next Steps

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Interviews

• Types of Interviews
• Screening or Selection Interviews
• Behavioral
• Styles of Interviews
• Directed
• Nondirective
• Stress

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Preparation is Vital!

• Analyze Yourself
• Resume
• Do your homework
• Field
• Organizations
• School/program
• What will they evaluate?

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Stages of an InterviewStructured Much Like a
Speech

• Intro
• Candidate Job
• Body of Interview
• Questions
• Closing
• Reiterate Interest Fit
• Follow-up
• Thank You Note Assessment/Revision

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Important Interview Elements
Verbal Message
Appearance
Non-Verbal Message
Questions
Follow-up
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How You Define Yourself
Verbal Message

• Your Skills Experience
• Reiterate Resume with Examples

• Your Interests Goals
• Why This Job? Why This Company? Why Now?

• Your Personality
• Flexible? Communicative? Pleasant? Team Player?

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Verbal Message

• Understand What They Want
• Flexibility, Quick Learner, Motivated,
  Team-player

• Find Skills That Fit The Job
• Travel, Tutoring, Class Projects, Peer Training,
• Volunteering, Working on Campus/in Class

• Prepare As You Would For Speech
• Identify Key Ideas, Support Ideas with Examples,
  Adapt to
• Audience, End Strongly

• Use Speech Skills
• Be Concise, Listen Closely Answer Question
  Asked,
• Pace Yourself, Reflect Enthusiasm, Strong Voice

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Personality Cues
Verbal Message

• Show Courtesy to Interviewer
• Not What can you do for me?
• Dont Rely on Yes/No Answers
• Be Careful of Know it All Complex
• Positive, Not Cynical
• Show Tolerance and Flexibility
• Broad Interests
• Low Pressure Personality Type

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Work Habit Cues
Verbal Message

• Speak Well of Others
• Show Initiative
• Ability to Take Criticism
• Moral Standards (Dont Lie)
• Willing to Pay Your Dues
• Team Player

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First Impressions Lasting Impressions
Appearance
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Appropriate Interview Attire

• Women
• Suits/Blouses
• Skirt length
• Shoes/hosiery
• Jewelry
• Hair
• Nails

• Men
• Suits/Shirts
• Ties
• Shoes/Socks
• Jewelry
• Hair/Facial Hair
• Nails

• Purse/Portfolio/Briefcase

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Body Language Speaks Volumes
Non-Verbal Message
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Non-Verbal Message

• Body Movement
• Dont Cross Armsuse gestures instead
• Sit up Straight---Lean Forward
• Use an Appropriate Sitting Position
• Consider Spatial Use Seating Arrangement
• Vocal Usage
• Sound Energetic Enthusiastic
• Reduce the Use of Filled Pauses

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Interview Questions

• Types
• Credential
• Experience
• Opinion
• Dumb
• Behavioral
• Legal

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Questions

• Why do you want to work here?
• What kind of experience do you have for this job?
  
• Tell me more about your last job.
• What did you dislike/Why are you leaving last
  job?
• What are your strengths?
• What are your weaknesses?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

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Questions

• Why do you want to work here?
• Research Company
• outstanding firm with reputable history
  (proof)
• recent projects are similar to interests
  (give example)
• recommended by a contact
• size of company, corporate culture,
  values
• Not just looking for a paycheck--enjoy your work,
  proud of your profession and looking for a
  company that shares these values.

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Questions

• What kind of experience do you have for this job?
• Use characteristics in vacancy announcement
• Use interviewers intro to company/job
• ASK what projects you would be assigned to
• Pull skills from previous jobs--even if
  unrelated
• (leadership, time management, work
  ethic)
• Pull examples from academic work
• (related project? Technical knowledge
  demonstrated?)

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Questions

• Tell me more about your last job.
• 2-3 Key Points
• What were your responsibilities
• Challenges you overcame
• What did you enjoy about it
• Draw it back to current opportunity
• NEVER talk poorly of past experience/boss/company
• The world is smaller than you think.

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Questions

• What did you dislike about your last job?
• Why are you leaving?
• Short and positive answer.
• Looking to apply different skills.
• Looking to make greater contribution.
• Opportunity was too great to ignore.

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Questions

• What are your strengths?
• Isolate high points from background
• Time Management Planning
• Natural Curiosity Desire to Learn
• Strong Communication Skills
• Work Ethic
• Love Challenge--Finding Solutions
• Working with Diverse Teams

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Questions

• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
• Be honest--to a degree
• Leave the door open for the right
  opportunity
• Show desire to be team player grow
• Dangerous Answer In your seat!

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Questions For Them
Always have a question prepared.

• Why is this vacancy available?
• Who will I report to? What specific projects will
  I work on? Who will I work with from day-to-day?
• What is the management style of my supervisor?
• When did you join the company? What do you like
  best/like least about firm?
• Describe the companys culture? Are there many
  young people? What does the office look like
  at 600 pm?
• Is there potential for growth?

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Questions For Them

• What has the growth pattern of the
  company been like over the past few years?
• How often are evaluations given?
• Is there a written job description for position?
• How many individuals are being considered for the
  position?
• What are the next steps? Is there a timeline for
  the decision?
• Is there anything that concerns you about me?
  (GUTSY)
• DO NOT INQUIRE ABOUT SALARY

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Follow-up

• Confirm when they will be in contact
• Reiterate interest in job
• Look forward to hearing from you.
• Get business card for everyone at interview
• Send thank you note PROMPTLY.
• Shows interest!
• Allows chance to follow-up on issue
• Handwritten--more personal
• Typed--more polished
• Complete a Self-Assessment

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Other Hints

• Arrive Early!
• IntroductionsMore than a Hello
• Name UsageFollow lead
• Listen and Observe Office
• Laughter?
• Many vacant desks?
• A pleasant environment?
• Ask to meet predecessor or former intern.
• Thank Interviewers at close of interview