interview power selling yourself

Interview Power Selling YourselfUndergraduate Career Services OfficeKelley School of BusinessRoom P100www.ucso.indiana.edu

Prepare Well for the Interview

Profile the CompanyResearch the company thoroughlyWhere do you fit in?Tailor your skills to companys needsInformation you uncover reflects your interest and enthusiasm in positionEstablishes a common base of knowledge for questions

Research the Company Know the language of the industry Know the job duties Know the company Ask questions of a similar company

What Do You Need To Know?Age of companyServices or productsCompetitors within the industryGrowth patternReputationDivisions and subsidiariesLocations/length of time thereSize Number of employeesSales/assets/earningsNew products or projectsCulture and values

Where Do I Find The Information About Companies?UCSO, Room P100UCSO WebsiteJob Choices books published by NACEStandard & Poors RegisterInternet Chamber of CommerceTrade AssociationsAlumni in the companies

Develop Career GoalsHave a focus--at least act like it, even if you dont have a clueIdentify challenges you are looking forKnow what you want to accomplishHave a plan or agenda

Write Down Answers/ScenariosDraft written answers to potential interview questionsDevelop job appropriate scenarios based on your researchA marketing plan for a new productA solution to one of their problems

Write Down Your StrengthsRelate them to the jobGive examples of where you have demonstrated theseHow were they developedIdentify your mentors and/or role models

Write Down Your Areas for ImprovementRelate these to your workShow the positive side of these Identify the steps you have taken for improvementDetail the results and/or time frames expectedIdentify criticism you have received and its effects

Write Out Questions for the InterviewerConsider multiple areasCorporate valuesAnticipated responsibilitiesEmployment trendsMeasures of work performanceWork environmentQuality of workPersonality factorsDemonstrate your knowledge of the industry and company

Frequently Asked Interview Questions

The Day of the Interview

Acknowledge Your NervousnessTrain your butterflies to fly in formationAdvance preparation reduces nervousnessPractice answering the worst possible question they could askAsk permission to take notes or refer to questions if necessaryRelax--take a few deep breaths

Appearance Matters. . .A Lot!If you dont dress seriously, they cant take you seriously!!Make a good first impressionPride in yourself implies pride in your workShow your creativity in your work, not your appearanceDress conservativelyBe well groomed and clean

Dont Forget the DetailsNicely styled hairNatural, clean looking face/makeupClean your fingernailsSkip the clunky jewelryPress your clothesAvoid strong perfumes or colognesAvoid cigarettes

Professional Image for WomenBest choicesNavy or black suit, solid blouseSuit in solid colors, printed blouseStraight dress with jacket, solid colorsWear polished, low heeled shoesMinimal accessoriesHosiery - appropriate color, no holes, no darker than your hemDont wear anything too tight or revealing

Professional Image for MenBest choicesBusiness suit, dark colors (blues, grays, browns), white shirtSuit with solid shirt2-piece suit, lighter colors, striped shirtButton your jacket when you standShine your shoesSocks-appropriate color, no holes, long length

AttitudeIt separates winners from losersBe enthusiastic and eagerPractice good eye contactSmileWalk with confidenceSit up straight (listen to your mother!)Adapt to your surroundings

Employers Notice Good MannersBe on time for the interviewTreat the receptionist with respectUse Mr. or Ms. unless they ask you to use first namesDont sit until youre invited to

Practice Your Soft SkillsGreet people with a firm handshakeStand up to meet peopleKeep your guard up during lunch or dinnerPractice your dining etiquetteRemember please and thank youBe good at chatting and small talk

What to Bring to an InterviewSeveral copies of your resumeYour portfolio, if applicableNew notebook and a nice penBriefcase or leather folderNames, addresses, and phone numbers of references

Interviewing Techniques

Put Yourself inthe Interviewers ShoesThey have an agendaTo determine if you have the skillsIdentify your personal attributesAssess your motivation

Interviewers AreLooking to Hire YouHelp them byShowing how you fit their companyExhibit your personalityShare your career goals

Be HONESTDO NOT lie on your resumeDO NOT lie in the interviewEither of these can get you eliminated from consideration or FIRED if discovered after hiring

What Do Winners ShowThey are capable of doing the job or learning it quicklyThey are willing and eager to do the jobThey need little motivation or supervisionThey are friendly and would work well with other employees

Use Proper LanguageSpeak clearly and distinctlyAvoid slang expressionsDont swearControl yourumsyou knowslikesthat kinda stuff

Tell Me About Yourself Create a 60-second sound byteIncludeGeographic originsReason for choosing majorEducational background2 or 3 strengths related to positionSpecific expertise and accomplishmentsHow you can contribute to companyIdentify your career goalsSpeak clearly and honestly

Behavior Based InterviewingPrevious behavior predicts future behaviorExamples show the meaning you have made of education and experienceProvides insight on how the candidates mind works

Answer Questions with aSTAR Approach S ituation T ask A ction R esultsSTAR provides an outline for answers

SituationGive the situation for your answerChoose a professional example from your job experience, course work, volunteer work, or student activitiesSet the stage so the interviewer can relate to your answer

TaskTell what the task was at handDwell on the positive, dont blame or point fingers elsewhere

ActionDescribe the action you took to resolve the problem or bring about the successExplain your role in the actionIdentify specific skills you used

ResultsExplain the resultsProvide details, dollar amounts, successApply these results to the position for which youre applying

STAR Provides an OutlineHelps you answer completely so you give enough informationLets you know when to stop so you dont rambleAllows the interviewer to see you as a problem solver and decision maker

Dos and Donts

DosResearch the companyPrepare for tough questionsGreet interviewer enthusiasticallyFocus on what you have to offer, not what you wantKnow your rights as an intervieweeHave a good attitude, be positiveShow confidenceBe professionalFollow up with a note or phone call

DontsDont discuss salary, benefits, or vacations until an offer is madeDont display personal habits, i.e. smoking, chewing gum, tapping a pencil, stretching, jiggling a footDont lieDont get too chatty about non-job topicsDont blame others or disparage employers

Difficult Situations

Listen CarefullyIts important to understand the questions correctlyAsk for clarificationDont be afraid to ask if you can take a few seconds to think about your answer

Illegal QuestionsBe familiar with the legal issuesAddress the underlying concern of the illegal question, if possibleRemain professional and in control

Illegal TopicsTopics to avoid includeNationality/raceMarital statusReligionAffiliationsDisability or medical historyPregnancy, birth control, child careAge

How to Handle Illegal QuestionsAnswer the questionRefuse to answer the questionExamine the intent behind the questionAsk the relationship to the positionWalk out

Telephone InterviewsDress up and use a professional environment to maintain your professionalismHave your notes organized, highlighted, and within easy accessWithout non-verbal communication, be aware that it is difficult to read the interviewerMake sure your voice conveys enthusiasmIf more than one person on the other end, have them identify themselves when asking their questions

Panel InterviewsGet names and positions for all participants in advance if possibleAddress all with good eye contactRelate your answers to others that were similar from other participantsShows your ability to relate to diverse groups

Day Long InterviewsKeep your energy upContinue to give complete answers to all questions even though youve been asked multiple times that dayListen for consistencies and discrepancies to assess company culture

After the Interview

Details Needed for Follow-upWrite down the interviewers name, department, address, and phone in the notebookAsk for their business cardUse interviewers name

Follow-up the InterviewSend a short thank you note within 24 hoursRemind them of key points from the interviewEmphasize your interestState when you expect the next contact to be

Evaluate/RetrainHow did you do overall?What were your strengths?What needs improvement?Develop a follow-up chart for tracking