1 / 24

Interviewing for Success

Interviewing tips. Answering questions. Never speak negatively about former employers ... your resume critiques before an interview or to ask a quick question. ...

Roberta
Download Presentation

Interviewing for Success

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

    1. Interviewing for Success

    Instructions The following is a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation. It is not required that you have this program installed on your computer. To navigate from screen to screen, click your mouse OR use the scroll bar of your browser. If you need to reverse, right-click your mouse and select the “Reverse” option OR use the scroll bar of your browser.

    2. Workshop Outline

    A Few Words About Interviewing What Employers Are Seeking Preparation The Interview Process After the Interview Tips for Successful Interviewing Final Comments

    3. A Few Words About Interviewing…

    Being invited to interview is a significant accomplishment. And.. the competition becomes more fierce. It is not always the most qualified person who gets the job. It is often someone who meets the minimum qualifications interviews the best appears to be the best “fit” with future co-workers

    4. Key Skills and Qualities

    Communication skills (verbal & written) Honesty/Integrity Interpersonal skills Strong work ethic Teamwork skills Organizational skills Analytical Skills Motivation/Initiative Flexibility/Adaptability Computer skills Detail oriented Leadership skills Self-confidence Top Qualities/Skills Employers Seek Highlight these qualities/skills in answers and examples (Source: Job Outlook 2007, National Association of Colleges and Employers)

    5. Preparation

    Research Assess yourself Research the employer and the position Planning Take care of logistics Prepare your professional attire Practice

    6. Assessing Yourself

    Identify your skills and abilities Analyze your strengths and weaknesses. When discussing weaknesses say what you are doing to work on it Stick to work relevant weaknesses rather than personal Be ready to give specific examples

    7. Research employer and position

    Company Mission/Values Products and services Organizational structure including locations and size Major competitors Financials: revenue profit etc. Position Overall responsibilities Specific tasks Required skills and experience Be prepared to say why you want to work there and why you are the best candidate for the job.

    8. Logistics

    Do you know where you are going? Where is the building and the office? Where should you park. Is parking free? Do you know how long it will take? Assume the worst case scenario and plan to be early In the vicinity 45 minutes in advance In the office 10 minutes in advance Do a dry run of the trip.

    9. What to Wear

    Men Dark suit Appropriate sock (e.g. not white athletic socks Polished dress shoes Women Conservative loose fitting suit No low cut blouses or tops Pantyhose Closed toe dress shoes Both No gum chewing Minimal jewelry Minimal cologne/perfume Cover tattoos and remove any piercing other than earlobes

    10. Practice Practice Practice

    Review possible questions and formulate answers. Have examples ready Do not totally memorize answers Develop a list of questions to ask your interviewer/s Practice with a friend or set up a Mock Interview with Career Services Check out the Career Services website for sample question to practice and to ask employers http://www.albany.edu/cdc/jobsearch/interviewing/interviewing.htm

    11. The Interview Process

    Introductions A smile and firm handshake are important. Greet the interviewer/s by name. Exchange of small talk, such as the weather Questioning Wrap-up

    12. The Interview Process

    Introductions Questioning Interviewer lead The main part of the interview Questions about your skills, experience and personality You take the lead You are interviewing the company as well Be prepared with questions Wrap-up

    13. The Interview Process

    Introductions Questioning Wrap-up Ask about the next step and when you will hear from them Ask for the job or the next round of interviews Let them know you are interested and look forward to whatever the next step is.

    14. Sample questions – About yourself

    Tell me about yourself. Tell them more than what is on your resume “I consider myself a hard worker who takes my job seriously, however I realize it’s not always necessary to be serious. When working with others in team situations, I am able to infuse humor while keeping others motivated and on task. I’m a creative problem-solver with excellent technical, organizational, and interpersonal skills. On a personal note, I coach little league baseball in my free time.” What are your major strengths? Based on the employer and position “I feel I have many strengths that could benefit this organization, primarily my analytical, leadership, interpersonal, and technical skills.”

    15. Sample questions – About yourself

    What is a weakness that you have? Be ready to admit to one Show how you are working to improve in this area. “I have been told that I am too much of a perfectionist. I can keep going over and over something since I want it to be perfect. Because of this, I always set deadlines for myself, and I adhere to them. I’m the type of person who will work through lunch or stay late to give a project the extra time my perfectionism demands.” What was an important decision or event in your life? Don’t get TOO personal. Add how the decision or event changed you, made you stronger, taught you an important life lesson, etc. Some students like to share how they picked the University at Albany or their major.

    16. Behavioral questions

    Require that you answer with specific examples from the past Prepare examples in advance Prepare examples that show you in a good light If the example is negative – state what you learned or changed due to the experience Examples: Tell me about a time when…. …you had to work with a difficult employee …you were not as effective as you would have liked …where you showed leadership

    17. Organizational Questions

    Shows that you did your research Examples Why do you want to work for us? Why are you interested in this field? What would be your greatest contribution to our operation? What qualifications do you have that would make you successful with us? Mention you would like to work for a medium-sized firm, that you enjoy travel, that the skills you learned in college and through previous work experiences match with what this position/employer requires. Remain honest and positive-focused in your answers.

    18. Questions you can ask employers

    Focus on job responsibilities and organizational culture and structure Avoid discussing benefits and salary unless the employer mentions them first Examples What kinds of people do you usually look for? Can you tell me about your own experience with the company/organization? What have you liked most/least about working for this company? How will I be trained/evaluated? What do you see ahead for this organization in the next ten years?

    19. Handling Salary issues

    If they ask for your salary requirements Research the position so you know a reasonable salary range State a salary range rather than a number What if they don’t mention it It is best to wait for an offer before you discuss salary It is OK to ask for more Make sure your request is reasonable Be prepared to discuss why you should be offered more They may say no - you can then accept the job at the lower salary.

    20. Handling illegal questions

    What are illegal questions? Age Marital status Citizenship Answer the intent or the question not the actual question. Ask what their concern is.

    21. After the Interview

    Evaluate the interview; what do you want to improve? Write a thank-you letter or e-mail within two days. If interviewed by a committee, send one thank you to the Chair, and ask that he/she extend your thanks to the others. Follow up if you do not hear Ask where they are in their selection process and if they need any more information Accept an offer verbally and in writing. If rejected, ask for constructive feedback and work on weak areas.

    22. Interviewing tips

    Attitude and appearance Be early Be friendly and courteous Show enthusiasm and interest Maintain appropriate eye contact Be aware of your body language Show your sense of humor Show confidence in your abilities Don’t present an aggressive, overbearing, or conceited attitude. Be willing to begin at entry level.

    23. Interviewing tips

    Answering questions Never speak negatively about former employers Listen carefully and take your time to answer Speak clearly and concisely Emphasize your strengths Discuss your weaknesses only when asked, and then do so in a positive light Avoid personal issues in your answers/examples Never use slang or incorrect grammar

    24. More Resources for Interviewing

    Schedule a Mock Interview with Career Services Schedule an appointment to discuss interview skills Stop by for Drop-Ins to get your resume critiques before an interview or to ask a quick question. Mon, Wed, Fri – 10:00 am – 12:00 noon Tues, Thurs – 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm There is more information and resources at the Career Services website www.albany.edu/cdc/jobsearch/interviewing/interviewing.htm

More Related