Preparing students for a Job Interview

1. Preparing students for a Job Interview Levi Reese Agriculture Education Instructor Lakota High School

2. Keys to Success Understanding what to expect Preparing and researching Anticipating questions Follow up

3. 10 biggest mistakes Not dressing appropriately. Not turning off your phone. Not knowing the interviewer's name. Not bringing extra copies of your resume. Not bringing a list of references Not making eye contact with the interviewer. Criticizing your prior bosses and companies. Not remembering your work history. Asking about salary. Not sending a thank you note after the interview.

4. Answering Questions • Identify the skill sought by the question so that you can best focus your answer • Give a STAR answer: • Situation—what was the context? • Task—what was the specific problem or need? • Action—what did you do? (produce, write, create, etc.) • Results/resolution—what did you learn? what skills did you develop?

5. “Tell me about yourself” • “Tell me about yourself” • Hint: They’re not asking for your life story, and it’s not a trick question…

6. “Tell Me About Yourself” • This oldest of questions is not an invitation to talk about your difficult childhood, your favorite grandmother or how you won the state swim competition in high school. Instead, it's a request for you to describe what you can offer the company. • How to answer • Your key accomplishments at previous jobs. • The strengths demonstrated by those accomplishments. • How these relate to the job for which you're applying.

7. Preparing for the Questions • What would you like us to know about you and what are some of the reasons you are interested in this job? • What part of your current (most recent) job do you enjoy the most? What part of you current (most recent) job do you enjoy the least? • Briefly summarize your greatest personal and professional strengths you would bring to this position. • Tell us about a project that you have been responsible for from start to finish.

8. Preparing for the Questions • What are your professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five years? In ten years? • If we were to interview a person who works with you now, how would they describe you? • Is there anything we haven’t covered that you would like to know? • Why do you believe you are the best match for this position? (Why should we hire you?)? • Do you have any questions for us?

9. Preparing for the Questions Why did you apply for our company? Do you know what we do here? Do you have any work experience? What are your favorite classes? What are your favorite subjects? What are your career goals

10. Preparing for the Questions Do you like your high school? Are you involved in any extracurricular activities? Why are you looking for a job? Are you okay working nights and weekends? If your teachers were here, what would they say about you? Are you planning on going to college after you graduate? Do you know what you want to study? How comfortable are you doing X task?

11. “Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?" • IF YOU WERE FIRED: • Be honest, but quick about explaining it. Don't get into the political details; rather, explain what you learned from the experience and how it makes you an even stronger employee today. It's not a good idea to lie about your termination. When the interviewer calls your references, he or she will most likely find out you were fired anyway. So be honest, and explain what you learned.

12. “Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?" • IF YOU WERE LAID OFF • This is not nearly as taboo as it was even five years ago, so don't apologize or act defeated. If a company goes bankrupt or had massive layoffs, simply explain, "Because of the economy, the company decided to eliminate six departments, including mine."

13. “Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?" IF YOU QUIT • Again, be honest and stay positive. State that the work being offered wasn't challenging enough, that you are seeking higher levels of responsibility or simply that you are ready to make the next step on your career ladder -- and that the job for which you are interviewing is the ideal next step.

14. "What's Your Biggest Weakness?" • Pick a weakness that is real but understandable or relatively harmless. Whatever weakness you pick, be sure that it is work-related ("I have a tendency to overfeed my dog" is NOT an appropriate weakness) and that you present the strategies for how you overcame it.

15. "What's Your Biggest Weakness?" "I used to have a tendency to procrastinate. So now I am always sure to set a strict schedule for all of my projects well in advance and I set personal deadlines. This organization has really helped."

16. "What's Your Biggest Weakness?" "Once in a while, I focus too much on the details of a project. So now, when I'm working on a project, I always make sure at the end of the day to sit back and take a few minutes to think about the general scope of my work. It forces me to keep priorities straight and helps me keep the right mindset."

17. "What's Your Biggest Weakness?" "I used to have some problems with organization. So now I carry a schedule book around throughout the day and I also use this Palm Pilot to keep me on track. It's worked out great!"

18. "Do You Have Any Questions for Me?" • Yes you do. • Don’t focus on salary or benefit questions.

19. Questions to ask. • What would you expect me to accomplish in this job? • What are the responsibilities for this position? • How much travel is involved? • What is you management style?

20. What do you bring to the interview? Cover Letter or Letter of Introduction Resume Work Samples (when appropriate) References Letter of Recommendations

21. What makes a good first impression? Proper handshake Proper introduction Good posture Neat appearance: attire grooming personal hygiene

22. Proper Posture Sit up Sit on edge of seat Place feet underneath you Lean slightly forward

23. Tips Hair should be trimmed, neatly arranged, and clean Fingernails should be neat, clean, and trimmed Avoid using colognes, scented powders, and perfumes Keep pockets empty of tinkling coins

24. Tips No gum or candy Women: Don’t wear too much makeup Keep hair pulled back and out of face Be conservative: earrings, piercing, etc.

25. It’s Time • Use good manners and appropriate gestures. • Pay attention to the interviewer. • Ask appropriate questions about the job. • Have necessary personal reference information with you.

26. Body Language • Don’t be a slouch!! • Keep your head up!!! • Mirror! • Make eye contact. (40-60% of the time)

27. Body Language • Smile. (don’t over smile) • Hands • Don’t jingle with change, play with ring or fiddle with tie. • Have hand clasped in front of you. • Voice • Keep pitch low. • Don’t start by apologizing

28. Do’s • Act Natural • Be Prompt • Carry out promises • Ask Questions • Allow Employer to express ideas. • Read Company Literature • Follow Procedures • Be Clear and Precise • Listen Effectively to Interviewer

29. Don’ts • Be Late • Present an Extreme Appearance • Come unprepared • Oversell yourself • Become Impatient • Try to be funny • Put emphasis on salary • Criticize yourself • Talk too much and control intervew

30. Closure of Interview • Stand • Thank them for their time. • Shake hands, look them in the eyes and smile. • Ask for a business card (from them or the secretary). • Ask them when they will make their decision. • Tell them you will call at that time to hear their plans

31. Thank You • Apply the same tone reflected in the conversation during the interview (friendly, formal, etc.). • Reaffirm your interest in the position and thank the interviewer for the time given to you.

32. Recap your key qualifications that apply to the position, your understanding of the employer's immediate needs and what can you do to make his or her job easier. • Any objections to your candidacy. For example, you may know they typically hire someone with a different background from yours. • Reiterate the commitment you made at the end of the interview and state the next steps. For example, "I'd like to get together with you to discuss my ideas on..." or "If I don't hear from George within the next week or so, I'll follow up with a call."

33. Things to think about. • How did it go? • What did they say? What did you say? • How many people did you see and how much time did you spend with each one? • What role does each one play and who is important?

34. Things to think about. • Who is the decision-maker? • Which one is likely to most influence the decision? • How quickly do they plan to decide? • What do you believe you have to offer that your competition doesn't? • What problems does the interviewer have and what solutions do you recommend?

35. Follow up Letter Use the first paragraph to thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you. Mention your interest in the job and how enthusiastic you are about it. The second paragraph of your follow up letter should include the reasons why you are an excellent candidate for the job. List specific skills that relate to the job you interviewed for. The more detailed you are, the more the interviewer will know about your qualifications.

36. Follow up Letter The third paragraph (optional) can be used to mention anything that you didn't bring up at the interview that you'd like the employer to know. This gives you another chance to make a good impression, especially if you remembered something you should have said after the interview. Also used to answer questions that could not be answered during the interview. In your closing paragraph, reiterate your appreciation for being considered for the job and let the interviewer know you are looking forward to hearing from him or her soon.

37. It was very enjoyable to speak with you about the assistant account executive position at the Smith Agency. The job, as you presented it, seems to be a very good match for my skills and interests. The creative approach to account management that you described confirmed my desire to work with you. In addition to my enthusiasm, I will bring to the position strong writing skills, assertiveness and the ability to encourage others to work cooperatively with the department. My artistic background will help me to work with artists on staff and provide me with an understanding of the visual aspects of our work.

38. I understand your need for administrative support. My detail orientation and organizational skills will help to free you to deal with larger issues. I neglected to mention during my interview that I had worked for two summers as a temporary office worker. This experience helped me to develop my secretarial and clerical skills. I appreciate the time you took to interview me. I am very interested in working for you and look forward to hearing from you about this position.