career development servicesyour work. your life. our mission job search interviewing techniques
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Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Job SearchInterviewingTechniques
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Interview Purpose
Exchange information with employer:
• Obtain information about the position and the employer.
• Assess the fit between your goals, values and needs and the position and employer.
• “Sell” your interests, skills and abilities for the job.
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Above all, answer this…
Can you do the job: Skills & Interests Do you fit in: PersonalityCan you be counted on: Reliability/Goals
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
• Explore your interest in the organization - “Do I want to work there?”• Helps you ask and answer interview questions
Why Research?
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
• About YOURSELF• About the POSITION• About the ORGANIZATION
Research Information
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Self-assessment and reflection Organization’s website Internet searches Annual reports/marketing
materials Libraries Newspapers, magazines Networking contacts
Where is the Information?
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Interview Types
IN PERSON: ON CAMPUS or AT THE BUSINESS
TELEPHONE: CALL FOR AN
APPOINTMENT; SCREENING
VIDEO CONFERENCING: STILL RARE BUT…
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Prepare for Interview Questions• Once you have done your research, the
next step in preparation is practice!• Think ahead about what questions the
employer may have for you• Structure your responses to provide
information showing your research and giving examples of your accomplishments
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Interview Answers
Answer questions using the PAR Model…
State the Problem for which you were responsible
State what Action you took to solve the problemor complete the task
State the Results of your actions
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Focus on “results” (accomplishments):
•Be specific•Use numbers, statistics, and percentages•Tell powerful results:
Awarded “Employee of the Month” for improving morale
Streamlined operationsCut costs by 20%Increased sales from $100k to $500kImproved productivity
•Start a BRAG FILE to collect accomplishments
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
“How would others, especially former co-workers and supervisors, describe you?”
Sample Question
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Interview Answers
ACTION TIME - Share with person sitting next to you
State a Problem for which you were responsible
State what Action you took to solve the problem or complete the task
State the Results of your actions
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
• Make lists of FAQs• ID “most dreaded” questions• Develop PAR answers
Mock Interviews
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Creating a Personal Pitch
• Introduces yourself• Includes who you are in terms
of education, roles, and work situation
• Highlights strengths• Explains what you are looking
for (i.e., this job)
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Personal Pitch Points
“Tell me about yourself.”
• Who are you?• Where are you headed?• Why are you going there?• What is unique about you?
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Personal Pitch Practice
• Spend 2 minutes writing an outline of the answer
• Pair off and practice answering this question
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
“Why should we hire you?”• Summarize your experience• Address key points that match
job requirements• The Menu Option: “I have a,
b, and c skills. Which would you like to hear about?”
Common Questions
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
“Did you have problems at
your last job?”
Common Questions
“Tell me about your last job.”• Be honest• No negativity• If no problems, brag
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
“Where do you see yourself in three years?”• Demonstrate ambition and flexibility• Tell about commitment to your occupation or the
industry
“Why do you want to work HERE?”“What do you know about us?”“How will you benefit the company?”
• Demonstrate your interest in the company• Explain what you can contribute• Share what you learned about the company/industry
from research
Common Questions
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
“What are your pay needs?”• Know the going rate• Know what you are worth• Know your personal bottom line• Ask rather than answer, if possible• If you must, keep it in a range
Common Questions
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Interview Hazards
Some questions may be unethical or illegal• Interviewers must address your skills and experience• Questions can’t relate to age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, race or religion.
If questions are unclear , it’s ok to ask for clarification
Some interviewers may not be good at interviewing:• Stay focused on sharing relevant information• Stay positive; maintain eye contact and smile
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
• An interview is a conversation• Prepare 5-6 questions ahead• OK to ask even if you think you
know answers
Also Ask Questions !
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Questions You Can Ask
• May I see a copy of the job description?• What is a typical day like for this position?• Why has the job become available?• Is there any information you need that will help you make a good hiring decision?• What is the next step?• When will you be making your decision?
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
• Don’t interrogate the interviewer• Don’t ask about salary, stock options,
vacation, coffee breaks, holiday schedule or benefits…you should know that already.
• Don’t ask questions that have already been answered in the interview, just for the sake of asking something
Questions – a few cautions
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Before the Interview
• Map out location on Google• Arrive early and go alone!• Leave CELL PHONE in your car or make sure you turn it OFF• Have copies of relevant documents with you • Be courteous to everyone you meet. Everyone!
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
DON’TBE
LATE!
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Check your attitude and use your best manners:
• Remain poised and relaxed• Minimize distracting body language• SMILE; Convey enthusiasm• Speak clearly - not too fast or slow• Shake hands confidently• Look at all interviewers in the eye• Listen carefully to the question• Sit up and lean forward
Establishing Rapport
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Interview Grooming
•Polished dress shoes – no open toed shoes•Well pressed clothes•Groomed hairstyle – freshly cut or styled•Cleaned and trimmed fingernails •Minimal cologne or perfume: No body odor! Shower!•No visible piercing beyond conservative earrings•Well-brushed teeth and fresh breath •No gum, candy, or other objects in your mouth •Minimal jewelry – no heavy chains•If you smoke…DON’T prior to the interview.
Closing the Deal
Thank You…
I Want the Job!
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
• Ask permission first
• Bring your list
• Stay in contact & coach them
• Make sure they will be available
Your References
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
• Stand out from your competition
• Courteous gesture = good manners
• Another chance to remind who you are and what you can do for the employer
Thank You Letter
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
• Short and to the point
• Separate letters should be addressed to each person met at the interview
• Tailor letters for each interview rather than using a form letter
• Hand-written or business letter?
Tips For “Thank You” Letters
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
• Mention when and why you met. Include a brief statement of what you gained from the meeting.
• Remind about a strength you bring to the job, and add anything else that “sells” you for the job.
• Confirm your interest in the job.
What to write about
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
Career Development ServicesYour Work. Your Life. Our Mission
• Take a moment to reflect• What will you do next? Write
down a few action steps• Communicate your action steps
to an advisor/mentor
Thank you for attending!!
Your Next Steps