What Employers are Looking for in YOU!

Objectives

� Discuss key skills Employers look for in a successful Intern or New-hire.

� Discuss interviewing strategies.

� Individual Activity

� Assess your ability to provide examples of how

you demonstrate skills.

Key Skills Employers Look For

� Leadership

� Works Effectively with Others

� Problem Solving/Decision Making

� Grows Capability

� Effective Communication

� Embraces Change

� Positive Attitude

� Ability to Deliver Results

Leadership Skills

� Envision� Envision the future; recognizes opportunities; forms a clear vision of

what can be achieved.

� Engages� Engages others in developing and owning the vision and strategies.

� Energize � Energize people and resources to realize vision.

� Create environment where people are inspired and motivated to do their very best.

� Enables� Enable self and other to achieve vision by leveraging strengths and

removing barriers.

� Execute� Develop executable plans to deliver the strategy.

� Hold self and others accountable for results.

Works Effectively with Others

� Maintain positive and effective working relationships.

� Values diversity and leverages those differences to deliver results.

� Ability to give and receive feedback.

� Ability to listen.

� Accepting instructions and assignments.

� Assisting others to accomplish work group objectives.

Problem Solving & Decision Making Skills

� Smart, creative people who are problem solvers.

� Set specific, challenging, and achievable goals.

� Integrates knowledge and thinks strategically.

� Sort through data, identify issues, risk, & trends, and determine optimal solutions.

� Exercise sound judgment to make informed and timely decisions.

� Anticipate new problems and consider long-term effects of decision.

Grows Capability

� Learns from success and failures.

� Values learning opportunities.

� Shares knowledge, skills, and experience to raise the competence level of the group.

� Coaches, mentors, and brings the best out in others.

Effective Communication Skills

� Interacts effectively at all levels of the company.

� Express ideas in an effective manner.

� Clear, to the point, and understood.

� Confident and poised.

� Enthusiasm and interest in the company.

� Identifies the right issues to communicate to the appropriate audience.

Embraces Change

� Seek out and readily accepts new ideas, experiences, opportunities, and ways of doing things.

� Initiates and manages meaningful change.

� Flexible and adaptable � Respond/adjust to changing conditions.

� Manages ambiguity.

Positive Attitude

� Can-do Attitude

� Dedication

� Persistence

� Results-oriented

Ability to Deliver Results

� Academic Accomplishments

� Previous Work Experience

� Extracurricular Activities

� Student Organizations

� Volunteer/Community involvement

� Sports

Developing an Interviewing Strategy

WHAT IS AN INTERVIEW?

� An opportunity to “sell” your abilities, interests, and career objectives.

� An opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the position and career offered by a particular company.

PREPARE FOR INTERVIEW

� Know the Company.

� Know the job requirements.

� Prepare your resume.

PLAN YOUR INTERVIEW STRATEGY

� Know yourself and what you have to offer.

� Everyone has something to offer.

� Realistically appraise your strengths and weaknesses.� Inventory your assets: talents, interests, and

experiences – what have you already accomplished?

� Stress your strong points.

INTERVIEW TIPS

� Different interviewers have different styles.

� Different types of interviews (panel, one-on-one).

� Show self-respect and confidence, but don’t be cocky.

� Be positive, enthusiastic and interested.

INTERVIEW TIPS

� Listen to questions and answer directly. Be concise – don’t

go into details that are not important.

� ASK QUESTIONS!

� Focus on YOU – sell your accomplishments and

contributions.

� Give specific examples of what you have already

accomplished.

Interview Tips

� Use CAR concept for examples� Context--Action--Result

� If any of the three are missing, the example is

not complete.

What is the CAR Concept?

� C – Context. The situation in which the action took place. It’s like background information.

� A – Action. What did you personally do? What was your contribution?

� R – Result. What did your action make happen? Be specific.

INTERVIEW MISTAKES

� Doesn’t provide results.

� Did not prepare for the interview.

� Provides too much background/not enough background.

� Rambles.

Exercise

� For each skill, list one example of how you have demonstrated that skill.

� Share a few examples. � Practice CAR Concept: Context--Action--Result

SUMMARY

� Know yourself and the company.

� Success is dependent on your ability to sell yourself - communicate your strong points.

� Interest and enthusiasm are important.

� REMEMBER - you’re not just looking for a job, but a career -- prepare accordingly.

QUESTIONS?