Interviewing Skills: It's SHOWTIME !

1. Interviewing Skills:It's SHOWTIME! Jimmy Renfro, M.Ed. Assistant Director, Career Services Lauren Griffin, M.S. Career Services Coordinator

2. How some employers see it…

3. Narrowing Your Search

4. Reality Check • 1 in 200 resumes result in a job offer.

5. What’s wrong with this picture…

6. First Impressions • There are no absolute right or wrong ways to dress. • It is important to understand appropriate dress and the different types so you don’t embarrass yourself. • A good rule of thumb is to know what type of dress is expected and to dress one level above what others do (some exception in job interviews). • Knowing the rules and dressing accordingly demonstrates that you take pride in your appearance. • More importantly, knowing the rules allows you to have an appropriate sense of style and to express yourself in a manner than will impress others.

7. What is wrong with this?

8. Business Professional Dress • Business professional is generally identified by a two piece matched suit. This is always the best and safest choice. • Non suit-wearing work environment:Even if you could wear jeans on the job, wearing a suit to an interview shows you take the interview seriously as a professional meeting. Some say, “dress for the job you want, rather than the one you have!” Dress to indicate you are ready to go to work today. • Conservative colors / fabric:Navy, dark gray or charcoal (and black for women) — are safe. Avoid extreme colors. Solids or very subtle weave patterns or plaids are safest. Wool, wool blends, or good quality micro fiber for women only, are generally the best fabrics in all seasons. • Cost / quality:One good quality suit is sufficient for a job search if that is all your budget allows. You can vary your shirt/blouse tie/accessories.

9. Personal Hygiene & Grooming • Hair:Should be clean and neat. • Hands:Clean fingernails. • Smell:Perfume or cologne should be used sparingly or not at all. No odors in clothes. Don't smell like smoke. • Facial Hair: • If worn, it should be well groomed.

10. Details • Shoes:Should be polished. Make sure heels are not scuffed or torn and are of appropriate height. • Clothing Condition:No missing buttons, no lint; and don't forget to remove external tags and tacking stitches from new clothes. • Fit:Clothes should be clean, neatly pressed, and fit properly.

11. Details (cont’d) • Other: • No gum, candy or cigarettes; although you might eat a mint right before the interview. • Avoid jangly, keys, coins, or other distractions in your pockets. • Make sure cell phone is turned off and out of sight.

12. Accessories: Men • Men • Ties – Silk ties, conservative patterns. • Shirts – Always long-sleeved; white, light blue are classic. • Socks – Dark (either match your pants or your shoes); long enough to not show your leg when you sit. • Jewelry – Conservative watch and one ring is generally acceptable. Removing earrings is safest. • Tie Tacks/Chains/Cufflinks – These can come and go with trends, but the general rule is “no.” • Lapel Pins – Generally leave these off. Although trendy, flags, religious symbols, organization logos can draw undue judgment.

13. Accessories: Women • Women • Skirt Length – Between below the knee to mid-calf. • Neckline – Be aware of coverage; not too revealing. • Jewelry – Keep to a minimum and 1 color. Earrings (studs or small hoops). No large necklaces or facial jewelry. • Cosmetics – Conservative with neutral colors.  Not too dark or bright. • Hosiery – Nude or sheer black hose when wearing a suit with closed toed shoes. Always wear with skirts. Find out company policy regarding the need for hose on the job. • Purse / Bag – Carry either a small purse or a small bag to an interview.  Do not carry both. It should match the shoes. • For Professional Interview – Zipper case or attaché case preferred over big purse.

14. Types of Interviews • Telephone Interviews • Group Interviews • Panel Interviews • One-on-One Interviews/Serial Interviews • On-Campus Interviews • On-Site Interviews

15. Reality Check • 1 in 12 Informational Interviews result in a job offer.

16. Common Interview Questions • Tell me about yourself. • “2-Minute Commercial” • What are your greatest strengths? • What are your weaknesses? • How do you handle conflict? • Tell me about a time… (usually a complex situation) • What are you the best candidate/Why should I hire you?

18. Illegal Questions • Are you married/have children? • What was your military affiliation? • What are you doing for Easter? • What country are you from? • Do you have an illness/disability that will affect your work performance? • How old are you/When did you graduate from high school?

19. What NOT To Ask (First Round) • What does the job pay? • What are the benefits? • How much vacation do we get? • What are some of the problems of the organization? • Is it a stable company? • What’s the boss like? • What is the competition/who else has applied?

20. What Questions to Ask • How would you describe a typical day on the job? • How would you characterize the work environment (or organization philosophy)? • What do you look for in a team member? • How do you measure success? • What kind of opportunities would I have to ______ ? • Describe (process, product, system, etc.) • Know your audience—the organization, mission, reputation, current events.

21. After The Interview • Send a hand-written thank you letter to the recruiter. • Address it to the recruiter, by name and title. • Demonstrate employer knowledge in 2-3 sentences. • Restate employment objective. • Answer the question – "What can you do for them today?" – based on something specifically discussed during your contact.

22. Summary • S H O W T I M E

23. SHOWTIME • Self – What do you know about yourself? • History – What is your work/educational background; how did you decide upon this career? • Originality – What makes you unique? • World View – What is your outlook/attitude? • Tell – How are you presenting yourself? • Illustrate – Non-verbal communication • Manage – Well-placed questions/well-timed answers • Engage - Discuss what you are enthusiastic about. • From Iserson’s Getting Into A Residency (pp. 408-409)

24. Anything is possible!

25. Contact • For Job Search, Interviewing and Professionalism information, please contact: • Career Services • Lauren Griffin Lauren.Griffin@unthsc.edu x2251 • Jimmy Renfro James.Renfro@unthsc.edu x2501 • http://www.hsc.unt.edu/departments/StudentAffairs/CareerServices/