Preparing for a Job Interview

1. Preparing for a Job Interview Presenters • Sonja Burke, Manager, Employment and Training, Goodwill, Ontario Great Lakes • Katie Froussios, Human Resources Counsellor, Western Ontario Region, TD Canada Trust

2. Preparing for a Job Interview Agenda • Preparing for the interview • At the Interview - Presentation • Post Interview • Giving Quality Answers • Sample Answers and Guidelines • Questions to Ask at an Interview • Disclosure • Examples Good and Bad

3. The Call When you get “the call” for an interview, you should ask the following: • Time and location of interview. • Who will I be meeting with? • What is the person’s job title. • What type of interview (1 to 1 or panel) • Can I have a copy of the job description?

4. Get Ready • Research the company • Review job posting, advertisement • Review your resume • Practice interview answers • Prepare questions to ask the interviewer • Contact your references to let know about the interview and job applied for

5. Reduce the Stress • Go to the location of the interview the day before • Note the time it took you to get there • Look for the best parking spot or closest bus stop • If possible, look around the place of business you are applying to, get brochures, information etc • Lay out your clothes the night before the interview – dress one notch better then what you would wear to work

6. The Big Day • Be on time, not too early and NEVER late – 10 minutes early is acceptable • Bring your resume, references, reference letters, certificates, outstanding performance reviews. Put in a file or folder • No gum, cigarettes or fragrances • Its okay to be nervous, the interviewer probably is too

7. The Interview • Use positive statements, “I can, I will, I do” • Be aware of your body language • Use eye contact and try not to fidget • Provide interviewer with your references It is okay to: • Ask for a moment to think about your answer • Ask for the question to be repeated • Ask to come back to the question later

8. Whew, its over….. • Always send a thank you letter ASAP • Call your references and provide them information on the job and review your skills that relate to the position • Follow up with the employer

9. Behavioural Interviews • Are based on the idea that a potential employee's past performance is the best predictor of their future performances and it increases an employer chance of picking the best candidate for the job. • These questions usually begin with • Tell me about a time when…. • Describe a situation that you…. • Give a specific example of…. • Give me an example of a time when you gave a suggestion or recommendation to improve…… • What interests you about this role?

10. Quality Answers • Keep them business focused • Mentions skills that are relevant to the job • Back up what you say with examples • Be positive – never “bad mouth” another employer • Show motivation and enthusiasm

11. Questions You Should Not be Asked • Are you married? Separated? Divorced? • What does your partner do? • Do you have young children at home? • What will happen if your children get sick? • How old are you? • Do you have a disability?

12. Questions to ask the Interviewer • Can you tell me more about…..? • Do you have any training programs? Can you describe them? • What would my schedule be like? • How has this position become available? • When will you be making your hiring decision? • Will you be contacting all candidates once you have made your hiring decision?

13. Disclosure • It is a personal decision, there is no right or wrong answer • There are pros and cons to disclosing

14. Good and Bad Interviews • We’ve all had them…. • Tell us about yours…..