Preparing for the Job Interview

1. Dr. Fred Fitch Assistant Professor of Communication Kean University Preparing for theJob Interview

2. What is an interview? • A Conversation • A Presentation • A Power Negotiation • A RELATIONSHIP

3. What is an interview? • THREE PARTS • The opening • The body • Answering questions • Asking questions • The close

4. BEFORE THE INTERVIEW • DO A SELF ANALYSIS • What are your professional strengths and weaknesses? • What do you want in a position and organization? • What are your most valued needs? • What are your professional interests? • What is your tolerance of risk?

5. Slide 5 Do Your Homework • Research • your field • the organization • the recruiter • the position • current events • the interview process

6. Slide 6 Creating a Favorable First Impression • Dress and Appearance • Dress for a formal business occasion. • Neatness costs nothing and pays dividends.

7. Dress and Appearance • Men • Dirty wrinkled clothes that do not fit properly • Shirts that are too tight around the collar or waist • Dirty hands, nails, hair • Shoes that do not match or are dirty, scuffed • Wrong style for body shape. • Women • To much or inappropriate jewelry • Too much/little makeup. Overpowering perfume • Scuffed or inappropriate shoes. • Inappropriate clothing for the workplace. • Ill-fitting clothing

8. Slide 8 Creating a Favorable First Impression • Nonverbal Communication • Nonverbal communication is critical in first impressions. • Nonverbal communication is • How we communicate emotion • How we detect deception

9. Slide 9 Creating a Favorable First Impression • Be alive and dynamic. • Watch your adapters • Avoid disfluencies • Mirroring

10. Opening the Interview • Two-step process • Establish Rapport • Orientation (usually the recruiter)

11. Slide 11 Creating a Favorable First Impression • Arrival and Opening • Be on time and ready to interact. • Your interaction during this first 2 minutes will make/break your success.

12. Slide 12 Answering Questions • Preparing to Respond • Be ready to handle traditional questions. • Tell me about yourself • Why do you want to work for us • What are your long range/short range goals? • What do you know about… • Be ready to handle specific questions • Hypothetical problems • Real case scenarios • Professional dilemmas (What do you think about this issue?)

13. Slide 13 Answering Questions • Responding: Successful Applicants • Listen, think, and then answer. • Answer questions concisely • Prepare stories • Use professional jargon

14. Slide 14 Answering Questions • Unsuccessful Applicants • Passive and cautious • Qualifiers • Meaningless slang • Disfluencies

15. Slide 15 Asking Questions • MAKE SURE YOUHAVE QUESTIONS TO ASK!

16. Slide 16 The Closing • Be aware of everything you say and do. • Take and active part in the closing. • It’s not over ‘til it’s over. • The employer is likely to note everything you do and say.

17. Slide 17 Evaluation and Follow-Up • SEND A HAND-WRITTEN THANK YOU NOTE • Bring one with you already written and drop in the nearest mail box as you leave.

18. Slide 18 RECOMMENDATION TAKE COMM 3420 INTERVIEWING BEFORE YOU GRADUATE!!