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Preparing for the Interview

Preparing for the Interview. Before the Interview…. Research the company. Types of products/ services. Philosophy History Size Number of employees Competitors Ask for a job description of the position you are interviewing for. Practice for the interview.

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Preparing for the Interview

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  1. Preparing for the Interview

  2. Before the Interview… • Research the company. • Types of products/ services. • Philosophy • History • Size • Number of employees • Competitors • Ask for a job description of the position you are interviewing for. • Practice for the interview. • Bring appropriate information (resume, driver’s license). • Dress for success!

  3. Describe, head-to-toe, proper attire for a Job Interview…

  4. Dressing For Success • Women: • Solid color, conservative suit • Coordinated blouse • Moderate shoes • Limited jewelry • Neat, professional hairstyle • Tan or light hosiery • Sparse make-up & perfume • Manicured nails • Portfolio or briefcase • Men: • Solid color, conservative suit • White long sleeve shirt • Conservative tie • Dark socks, professional shoes • Very limited jewelry • Neat, professional hairstyle • Go easy on the aftershave • Neatly trimmed nails • Portfolio or briefcase

  5. During the Interview…

  6. Common Tips • Go alone. • Be early. • Address the interviewer as Mr. or Ms. and shake hands firmly. • Wait until you are told to be seated. Never go in and sit down on your own. • Maintain good eye contact. • Do not answer any questions until you have put some thought into them. • Think positive!

  7. Interview Don’ts • Smoke or chew anything. • Ask about salary or days off. • Discuss personal problems, etc. • Handle anything on the interviewers desk. • Provide information, which is not factual. • Beg for the job, or hang around after the interview.

  8. Be Prepared for the Following Questions…

  9. Tell Me About Yourself! • Often used as an icebreaker, and is the most common question. • The interviewer is asking how your talents will help their company. • State your training, education, and experience.

  10. What Are Your Strengths? • Assess your skills, and you will identify your strengths. • These skills include knowledge-based skills (computer skills, languages, degrees, training, and technical ability), transferable skills (communication and people skills, analytical problem solving and planning skills), and personal traits (dependable, flexible, friendly, hard working, expressive, formal, punctual, and being a team player).

  11. What Are Your Weaknesses? • The best way to handle this question is to minimize the trait and emphasize the positive. • Select a trait and come up with a solution to overcome your weakness. • “I’m something of a perfectionist. I want my work to reflect the highest standards of quality” • “I have the attitude that I come to work to do a job. I do not like to waste work time. That can make me less than popular with coworkers who want to use the employer’s time to chat or goof off.”

  12. What Do You Know About Our Company? • The interviewer is looking to see if you are familiar with the company’s products, services, etc. • In order to be prepared for this question, candidates should look at the company’s website, read the company’s brochure, and talk to people who work there.

  13. Why Should We Hire You? • This question is purely about selling yourself. • Think of yourself as the product... “Why should the customer buy?” • This is not a time to talk about what you want. Rather, it is a time to summarize your accomplishments and relate what makes you unique.

  14. Why Do You Want To Work Here? • The interviewer is looking for an answer that indicates you've thought about where you want to work -- that you're not just sending your resume to any company with a job opening. • Researching the company and industry before your interview will make you stand out as a more informed and competent applicant.

  15. Why Did You Leave (or why are you leaving) Your Current Job? • One of the purposes of this question is to find out if you're going to be satisfied in the job for which you're interviewing. • If you were dissatisfied before, you may be dissatisfied again if the circumstances are similar.

  16. What Can You Do For Us That Other Candidates Can’t? • What makes you unique? • This will take an assessment of your experiences, skills, and traits. Summarize concisely.

  17. Where Do You See Yourself In 5 Years? • Do not be afraid to dream and say things like, “I would like to be in a management position with your firm” or “I am married, with a family, and own a home”. • This will show the interviewer you are mature and honest enough to have and express your goals.

  18. Do You Have Any Questions? • Generally, this question is asked during the wrap up time of the interview. • Be prepared for it by doing your homework and asking intelligent questions, such as “Does this job usually lead to other positions within the company?” or “What does the future look like for my job position?” • REMEMBER…you are also trying to determine if you want to work for this company.

  19. Illegal Interview Questions • Employers should not ask about any of the following, because to not hire a candidate because of any one of them is discriminatory: • Race • Color • Sex • Religion • National Origin • Birthplace • Age • Disability • Marital/Family Status

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