Interviewing

1. Interviewing What it takes to be successful! Created by Wanda Tiller January 25, 2007

2. A Job Interview Is… • An opportunity to meet face to face • To discuss your qualifications • To assess your abilities and skills • To demonstrate your skills and personality • To sell yourself • To determine if this company is a good match for you

3. What They Want to Know • What are the key things an organization wants to know about you?

4. What They Want to Know • Can you do the job? • Are you a good communicator? • Can you work well with others? • Do you have good social skills?

5. What You Want to Know • What are the key things that you need to know about this opportunity?

6. What You Want to Know • Will you enjoy this job? - responsibilities - colleagues - atmosphere • Will you be successful? • Does it match your career goals?

7. The Keys to a Successful Interview • Convey a positive attitude • Show enthusiasm • Beware of non-verbal communication • Keep eye contact with interviewer(s) • Pay attention to physical appearance • Be knowledgeable of the company • Don’t talk yourself out of a job • Don’t keep the interviewer waiting

8. The Keys to a Successful Interview • Be Prepared: • Have extra resumes on hand. • Have references on hand if not attached to resume. • Conduct background research on organization. • Remain calm when faced with periods of silence • Silence is not always bad but don’t wait too long. • Know your resume • Reread it before going into an interview.

9. The Keys to a Successful Interview • Arrive early • 10-15 minutes early. • Remain calm and collected (don’t drink coffee) • Listen attentively • Show confidence- how do you do this? • Strong Handshake

10. Pre-Interview Stage • Assess your career path • Research company and position you are seeking • Find out what type of interview it is • Develop list of potential questions and responses • Confirm date, time and location

11. Researching the Company • What do you need to know? -company age, location and size -product lines, services, major clients -parent company, subsidiaries -major competitors -financial status -growth history -any recent news on company -areas of research

12. Interview Stage • Appropriate dress • Create a good first impression • Ensure that you understand the question • Be yourself • Maintain eye contact with the interviewer(s) • Appear confident • Listen carefully to the questions (if you don’t understand the question ask for it to be repeated or rephrased)

13. Interview Stage • If you have a career portfolio, bring it • Ask intelligent questions • What is the organization's plan for the next five years? • What kind of work can I expect to be doing the first year? • How much assistance is made available in developing career goals? • What are the opportunities for advancement? • Thank them and shake hands • Ask for a business card

14. Post-Interview Stage • Recap interview (write out questions) • Request feedback from interviewer • Send thank-you letter or email • Follow-up within 24 hours • Express gratitude for the employer’s time • Highlight qualifications • Restate your interest in the company/career area • Communicate enthusiasm to have met with them

15. 4 Types of Interviews • Case Interview • Behavior Based Interview • Telephone Interview • Videoconference Interview

16. Case Interview • Used to assess logical thinking and problem solving skills • Classic business cases are used to test analytic ability to sort key facts and stay focused • Example: This is the situation, what would you do?

17. Behavior Based Interview • Used to determine if you have skills / attributes needed for the position • Use specific examples from work history, education and extracurricular activities to demonstrate the skill the interviewer is assessing • Example: Tell me about a time when…

18. Telephone Interview • Sound friendly, confident and calm • Thank the interviewer for the call • Collect your thoughts • Smile • Get company information • Tip: Dress up as if you’re meeting face-to-face

19. Videoconference Interview • Dress professionally – they can see you • Speak slowly • Prepare for silence due to a 5 sec audio delay • Be aware of extra movements and noises • Be patient – sounds may be distorted • Speak up and project your voice • Relax and smile

20. Common Interview Mistakes(Based on feedback from recruiters) • Lack of preparation • Inappropriate appearance • Failure to ask questions • Poor attitude (can be demonstrated through body language) • Exaggerating or being deceitful • Poor non-verbal communication • Over or under answering questions

21. Websites • http://www.mun.ca/cdel (>Students>Career Tips) • http://www.quintcareers.com/sample_behavioral.html • http://interview.monster.ca/ • http://www.jobpostings.ca/resource.cfm?id=16

22. Important Service We do mock interviews! Your only cost is time! Setup yours today by calling 737-2033! Don’t let the interview cost you!

23. Thank You! For additional help, please visit us at Career Development & Experiential Learning University Centre, UC-4002 737-2033 cdel@mun.ca Wtiller@engr.mun.ca 737-2472/3151