Interview Success

1. ICSC The Key to Your Future Interview Success Internship & Career Services CenterNorth Carolina Wesleyan College

2. Presentation Outline • What is an interview? • Preparation • Planning your interview • Dress for success • At the interview • After the interview

3. What is a job interview? • An opportunity to: • Learn details about a company and job • Convince an employer that you have the skills and qualities needed • Visit the workplace to evaluate your fit with the office culture • Decide whether or not you want the job • Can be on the phone or in person • One-on-one, panel, presentation

4. Preparation

5. Research • This very important step will allow you to answer and ask questions intelligently • Publicly owned (shares traded on the stock exchange) • Info. easy to locate • Corporation, subsidiary or division • More info. available on corporations than subsidiaries, divisions, or regional and local companies. • Privately or foreign owned • A bit more difficult to find info. but its out there

6. Research (continued) • Where can I find company information? • Corporate websites • Look for “HR” or “About”, maybe “Strategic Plan” • Also browse the consumer side of their site to be up on what they offer and how they present themselves • Newspapers • Libraries and Career Centers • May have limited and dated information

7. Research (continued) • Better Business Bureau • Chambers of Commerce • Human Resources department • Individuals who work there • Business Directories

8. Research (continued) • Look for these answers: • Is it for-profit or non-profit? • If it’s an educational institution, public or private? • How old is the company? • What types of services/products does it provide? • What are its competitors? • What kind of growth has it experienced? • What is its reputation?

9. Research (continued) • How many employees? • Are there any branch offices or is this part of a larger corporation? • What are its sales records, assets, and earnings? • What are its current goals? • Are they working toward any new products or projects?

10. Review Job Announcement • Look back over the original announcement, highlighting all mentions of duties and specific skills • Try to form a picture of the individual they are seeking • What is missing? Often times the announcement is vague, you will want to decide in advance what questions you have so you can ask them.

11. Review Your Skills • Match your skills with those mentioned in the announcement • Plan specific examples you can share that will exhibit your possession of these sills. • Try to recall a time you have done something similar to what they are looking for. • What transferable skills do you have that will be helpful in this position? Give examples.

12. Practice • Review a list of typical interview questions and anticipate how you might respond. • Pretend you are the interviewer. What questions would you ask? • Do not try to script your responses. • Participate in Mock Interviews with the ICSC Director.

13. Planning Your Interview

14. Scheduling • Agree to a time you know you can make. Canceling or rescheduling is a bad idea. • If the interview is out of town will they pay or reimburse you for travel? • If scheduling a phone interview be certain that you will have access to a quiet environment where you can spread your materials out in front of you.

15. Scheduling (continued) • Plan to use a land-line, if possible, for phone interviews. • Inquire as to who will be on the call. • Ask if they expect you to bring anything or prepare a presentation. • Even if they say no it’s great to have samples of your work on hand • Request an agenda of the day • They may have plans for you to meet with other folks in the company • Determine what you will wear. Do you need to have something dry cleaned?

16. The Night Before • Be certain your clothes, shoes, briefcase (or bag), and other accessories are ready • Plan your travel – get directions, check for road closings, and allow plenty of time for potential delays • Prepare your interview materials • Conservative pen and portfolio • Copies of your resume • Questions for the employer • Get a good night’s sleep!

17. Dress for Success

18. General Guidelines • Dress conservatively • Sensible, practical clothes that make you look like you know how to focus on your work • Make sure clothes look clean and neat • Do not chew gum during the interview or smoke before (the smoke smell will attach to your suit)

19. Women’s Appearance • Conservative suit color (black, grey, navy) • Conservative blouse color (white, ivory) • Appropriate neckline • A tailored dress or coat dress is also appropriate • Skirt/dress length should be between an inch above or below the knee • Check slip length • Wear hosiery

20. Women’s Appearance (continued) • Accessories add color and variety but less is more in the interview situation • Heels should be around 2” height • Conservative shoe style and color (close toe, black, navy, taupe, brown) • Be aware of manicure • Do not carry a purse, only a professional tote or leather-bound pad • Wear make-up, but not too much

21. Men’s Appearance • Fit is critical to a suit jacket and pants • Dark blue, grey, or black • Button your jacket when standing and walking, unbutton when sitting • A pressed, white, long-sleeved, cotton shirt • You should be able to fit 2 fingers between the collar and your neck • Silk tie in a conservative color/print

22. Men’s Appearance (continued) • Tip of tie should reach center of belt buckle • Shoes should be black or brown • Socks should complement pant color • Belts – plain leather in black, 1” • Neatly trimmed facial hair • Clean nails • Polished shoes, no worn heels • Carry a brief case or leather-bound pad

23. General Grooming Tips • Deodorant • Light on cologne/perfume • Brush your teeth, use mouthwash • Neat haircut • Polished shoes • Impeccably clean

24. At the Interview

25. Behavior • Arrive early (but not too early). 5-10 minutes is about right. • Be polite to everyone you meet. • Speak clearly and with good grammar. • Avoid verbal fillers (“uh”, “you know”, “like”). • Answer questions with examples and stories. Use humor if it seems appropriate. • Feel free to take down a few notes.

26. Behavior (continued) • Food and drink - Feel free to accept if offered but drink sparingly to avoid needing the restroom. Eating may cause you to have your mouth full when needing to answer a question. • Visiting the restroom – avoid by doing this before arrival but if you must ask to be excused and apologize upon your return. • If something embarrassing happens – stay calm and laugh it off. You’ll win points for keeping composure.

27. Body Language • Firm handshake • Good eye contact • Erect posture (slightly leaning forward) • Relaxed and confident • Small facial/hand gestures • Avoid fidgeting • Smile • Be enthusiastic • Swallow yawns

28. What Not To DO • Don’t… • Be late • Ask about money • Criticize prior job or boss • Lie (better to say you don’t know an answer) • Slouch • Cross your legs • Interrupt • Feel obligated to answer illegal questions

29. After the Interview

30. Evaluation & Action • Immediately make notes • What do you still have questions about? • What are the pros of the company/position? • What are the cons of the company/position? • How do you feel about your performance in the interview? • What could you improve on next time? • Complete any follow-up instructions given to you by the employer • Send a thank you letter to the employer within 24 hours (example)

31. Thank You Letters • Express appreciation for the interview and meeting the individual. • Comment on things that were mentioned in the interview. • If the employer had mentioned a current problem, remind them of ways you can help. • If there was something relevant you forgot to say in the interview, mention it here. • Express your interest in working at the company and that you look forward to hearing from them. • Example