InterviewsGet the job!

Preparing for the Interview

• Research the company

• Practice

• Prepare 3 questions to ask about the job/company

• Know where you are going

• Bring copies of your resume, pen, and paper.

• Turn off your cellphone.

Dressing for success

Do’s for Males

• Dress conservatively — a pair of slacks, button down shirt, tie and sports coat or a suit (when necessary) are preferred. Most times, a shirt and tie are adequate.

• Dress shoes, not sneakers, are best.

• Wear clean clothes without wrinkles.

• Your appearance should be clean and neat.

Do’s for Females

• Dress conservatively and modestly. A nice dress skirt and blouse or a pair of slacks and a blouse with a

• blazer are preferred. Closed-toe shoes are best.

• Hemlines should be appropriate – no more than three inches above the knees.

• If you wear pantyhose, neutral colors are preferable.

• Limit the amount of jewelry worn.

• Your appearance should be clean and neat.

Dressing for success – Do not!

• 1. Wearing wild nail polish or nails with designs.

• 2. Wearing jewelry that jangles or is distracting.

• 3. Open toed or run-down shoes or sneakers.

• 4. Short or tight skirts.

• 5. Strong cologne or perfume.

Getting to the Interview

• If unable to make it - call to reschedule as soon as possible

• Rehearse your route

• Arrive 15 minutes early

• Check yourself in the restroom

• Review your materials

• Be respectful and courteous to the “gate keeper”

Other First Impressions

• Maintain eye contact

• Give a firm

• Appear upbeat and confident

• Don’t sit until your asked

• Sit up and forward

• Smile

The Interview Opening

• Be prepared to engage in limited small talk

• Be prepared to give a 60 ad about yourself

• Be prepared to mention some facts about the company

• how you can help the company?

• If you wish to take notes, ask if that’s okay first.

Responding to Questions

• Take a moment to formulate your answers

• Be brief, but complete

• Provide concrete examples that demonstrate your skills

• Answer should be relevant

• When asked about a challenge or weakness – be honest

Interview Don’ts

• Don’t have your cell phone visible

• Don’t eat, chew gum or bring your own beverage to the

interview

• Don’t be rude

• Don’t ask about salary

Asking Questions

• 3 questions!

• Bring your research into your questions

• Show you are thinking about your future

• Ask for clarification about something already discussed

Illegal Questions• Illegal questions are discriminatory

• Age, gender, church affiliation, marriage, children, etc.

• You don’t have to answer

• Ask how it pertains to the job

• Answer the question directly

After the Interview

• Thank interview directly for their time

• Write and send a thank you note within 48 hours of the

interview

• You can type, hand write or email your thanks

• Directly reference items you discussed

Homework

• 2 job applications - paper!

• Due on Monday!

• Must be completed.

Common interview questions• Tell me about yourself.• What does teamwork mean?• What qualifications do you possess to work in this position?• Do you enjoy working in a group or independently?• What are your goals for the next five years?• In what school activities have you participated? Which do you enjoy

most?• Do you participate in after-school activities? If so, describe them.• What motivates you?• What are your greatest strengths? What are your biggest challenges?• What do you think it takes to be successful in your work?• What kind of projects, events, or assignments interest and excite you?• Give me an example of a time when you had to apply good judgment in

a challenging situation.• Tell me about your current (or last) job. What are the reasons you are

leaving (or left)?

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc!

“If I’m an employer, and it’s legal, and I’m about to make a major investment in someone that I’ll have to work all day with, I’ll use it,” said “gugie.” Puneet Thiara agreed with her:

“Any candidate worth considering should be smart enough to set their privacy settings in order to hide all content from any potential employer. Anything a competent HR staff can find via google search is fair game.”

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc!

What not to share• “There was info about candidate drinking or using drugs – 48

percent”• Drinking ( even after you 21), drugs of any kind!

What not to share• “There was info about candidate drinking or using drugs – 48

percent”• Drinking ( even after you 21), drugs of any kind!

What not to share:• Candidate bad mouthed previous employer – 33 percent

What not to share:• Provocative/inappropriate Photos

What not to share:• Candidate had poor communication skills – 30 percent

What not to share:• Candidate made discriminatory comments related to race,

gender, religion, etc. – 28 percent

Lying about qualifications

Even if you have the job, be careful!

Hirable?

What to do: • Google yourself! • View all of you profiles/accounts publicly • Pipl.com