Interviewing with Confidence

1. Interviewing with Confidence Cynthia Favre Gustavus Adolphus College Career Center

2. Tell Me About Your Self • Find a partner (apple/orange) • One minute to respond • “Tell me about yourself” • Switch – One more minute • How was it?

3. Job and School Interviews • Concepts can be used for both employment and graduate/professional school admission interviews • Specific academic programs will have specific focus – law, medicine, etc. • Research what to expect in your specific field

4. Interview Ideas • Passion • Many people have the skills; not everyone has the passion! • “Its not bragging if its true” • Help the employer make a good decision by providing information

5. More Interview Ideas Leadership – Initiative • see what needs to get done and make it happen Maturity – suspend personal agenda Pattern of Success Professional – Give a demonstration of how you work!

6. Demonstrated or Gained • You are not rewarded for degrees or positions • You are rewarded for what you have demonstrated or gained from the experiences • You cannot over use these words in interviews!

7. Knowledge, Skills, Qualities • Knowledge (Career Related) • Skills (Transferable) • What you can do like tie your shoe • Qualities (Self-Management) • Characteristics of you like do – er

8. 150 Positives • Students are not use to talking about themselves • Need to develop language for this • 150 Positive Skills and Qualities • Write it Down! • Flexible/Adaptable – BOTH! • Mine the words for more color and richness! • It can be done!

9. Research Employers • What they do • Where they are • Why you are interested • How you fit the organization

10. Image • One chance to make a first impression • Professional Dress • Business casual • Professional • Professional Behavior • Stand to shake hands • Learn and use business etiquette

11. It’s a Conversation • Ask for clarification • Ask if you are on track • Give question back • Would they like an example? • What skills have they found most valuable? • Prepare questions to ask • No questions means you are not interested

12. 3 Basic Questions • What do you want to do? • What do you have to offer? • Why do you want this position at this place?

13. Types of Questions • Fact (10%) • Can be confirmed by other sources • Opinion (30%) • In your opinion…. • Behavioral Based (60%) • Best predictor of future success based on past experience and success

14. Behavioral Based Questions • Specific Stories and Examples • Tell me about a time when…. • Give me an example of… • Be prepared for the negative • Tell me about a time you disagreed • Tell me your worst….

15. Prepare for Behavioral Based • Think of peak experiences • When you show your best skills and qualities • List the skills and qualities you demonstrated or gained • Create a S.T.A.R. story • One story can cover several skills and qualities

16. S.T.A.R. • S: Situation • T: Task • A: Action • R: Result (positive)

17. 100% Responsible • Communication in interview is 100% candidate’s responsibility • If interview ends and they don’t know something important – its your fault, not theirs – even if they don’t ask the right questions

18. Career Outline • You cannot tell whole life story • Focus on 3 – 5 key things that make you a good candidate • Interests, skills, experiences, qualities, education • Have a S.T.A.R. for each • Specific examples giving proof/evidence • Most people are visual – make a word picture

19. Summary Statement • 20 second summary of 3 – 5 key strengths • Write it out – to be articulate • Use for networking situations too! • “Tell me about yourself” • “Do you have anything to add?”

20. Questions You Ask • May be more important than your answers • Show your interest in finding a good fit • If selected, what could I do to make an immediate contribution? • What characteristics do your most successful employees share? • Avoid “What’s in it for me?”

21. What to Bring • Portfolio • Extra resumes • Transcript • List of References • 3 – 5 key strengths • List of questions • Interview portfolio – if you have one

22. Ending • Summarize 3 – 5 key strengths • Learn when and how to follow-up • Ask for the Sell • Please offer me the opportunity to work with you. • Please give me this job. • I would appreciate the opportunity to work with you.

23. Thank You • Write thank you note within 2 working days • Send by mail, NOT e-mail • May be handwritten • Send to primary interviewer/contact • A demonstration of how you work

24. Tough Questions • What is your greatest weakness? • Weakness for position • Life long learner • Illegal Questions • I can answer better if I understand how this relates to the position

25. Only Positive • You have only had positive learning experiences and challenges • No negative or disparaging comments about employers, colleagues, teachers, etc. • Do NOT appear immature, unwilling to be responsible, or whinny

26. Summary • Answer questions • Give examples • Be specific • Relate answers to position • Keep it short, ask if they want more information • Especially for phone interviews

27. Preparation • Write out answers to sample questions • Videotapes • Give answers to friend, mirror, tape recorder • Attend professional events • Employer Information Day • Practice Interview • Mock Interview

28. Mock Interview Night Only Once this Year: Thursday, October 7, 2004 • 4:00 – 8:00 in Heritage Room • Resumes due on eRecruiting by Sunday, Sept. 26 – open sign up • Phone Interviewers available • 45 minute appointments • Professional dress

29. Reminders • Professional Dress (SIFE – dress for success) • Business Etiquette (LAN – etiquette dinner) • Be on Time • Smile and use names • Bring Resumes • Show how you fit the position

30. Career Center • Student Union • Open 8:00 – 4:30 on school days • Quick Questions 2:00 – 3:30 on school days • Resource library available when office is open • Webpage and eRecruiting for calendar information

31. Contact • Phone: 507-933-7586 • Fax: 507-933-6277 • E-mail: career-center@gustavus.edu • Webpage: www.gustavus.edu/careercenter • Staff: Jeff Stocco, Director/Cynthia Favre, Career Management/Brian Koeneman, Internships/ Karen Ryan, Health Professions/ Kathy Allen/ Healther Banks/Karen Thomasson (intern)