Chapter 7 Interviewing for a Job and Résumé Writing

1. Chapter 7Interviewing for a Job and Résumé Writing “You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.” – American Proverb

2. Preparing for an interview • Know yourself - Build a portfolio or personal inventory • Personal Work History • Education • Self-Assessment

3. What is a portfolio and what is contained in it? • Background on your previous employment • Where you have gone to school and what skills you have acquired • Your strengths and weaknesses - and how they relate to the job you are seeking

4. Personal work history • Every employer • Name • Address • Telephone number • Dates of employment • Each job • Specific Duties • Specific Skills • Promotions, awards, or recognition you received

5. Writing a Résumé • This is a formal version of your personal inventory • Contains • Identification • Your objective or job goal • Education and training • Work history • Personal data • Reference statement

6. Identification Job Objective Education Personal Data - Clubs, Activities and Honors Work History Training Personal Data -Recreational Reference Note

7. Identification on Résumé • Name • Address • Phone number • Email • At top

8. Objective • Focus of Résumé • Part time work? • Unpaid volunteer? • Scholarship? • College acceptance? • How might you write your objective?

9. Education and training • Goes at the top • Later (within career) on at the bottom • Usually when you will graduate • GPA - if for acceptance or impressive • Training - what might relate to the job or be impressive • What might you list?

10. Work history • Information on each job • Name, location of business , and dates of employment • Responsibilities on job • If you have never had a paid position, what could you include?

11. Personal data • Activities • Honors • Outside interests • Volunteer work

12. References • Available upon request • Have information with you • Names of employers • Check with them in advance to use • Phone numbers

13. Tips • Be positive • Be brief • Stick to facts • Keep your language clear • Keep your eye on goal

14. Before Interview • Research employer • Practice, practice, practice

15. Work on Résumé • Create dossier • Work with partner reviewing information • Put in form to type • Finish Résumé (typed) • Write a cover letter

16. Cover Letter • Catch attention • Provide the context • Describe accomplishments • Request an interview • Use proper business letter format, punctuation, spelling, and make it look professional.

17. Answering Interview Questions • Anticipate questions. • What might they ask?

18. Typical Questions • Why do you want to work for us? • What are your strengths and weaknesses? • What would you like to be doing in five years (or upon graduation?) • What is your grade point average? • What have been your favorite and least favorite courses? • Were your extracurricular activities worth your time? • Why should I hire you? • What’s your proudest accomplishment?

19. Make Positive Points • Puff balls–easy questions that give opening to talk like, “Tell me about yourself.” • Pauses–Another chance to show initiative • Bridges–transition from one answer to another or a chance to make a point • Add “sparklers”–illustrates your point

20. Rehearse Tough Questions • Why should I hire you? • Where do you see yourself in five years? • Why do you wantto work here?

21. Take Your Time • Think before you answer. • Be sure to address the issue. • You can ask for time to think if needed. • You can ask for clarification–paraphrase question.

22. Inappropriate Questions • Ask yourself, “Does it have something to do with the job or position for which I am interviewing?” • Examples of inappropriate questions: • What is your political party? • Do you go to church regularly? • Do you drink? • What is your sexual orientation? • What is your IQ? • Do you have a girlfriend/boyfriend? • How much do you weigh?

23. How to handle inappropriate questions • Try to tackle the real concern • Respond briefly and move on • You can choose not to answer the question • How would you handle, “Do you have a boyfriend or girlfriend?” • What other questions could be difficult for you?

24. Questions to Ask the Interviewer • Clarify responsibilities. • Who would be my supervisor? • How many nights would I close? (Don’t imply that you don’t want to work too hard.) • How soon will you make a decision?

25. Interview Check List • Be alert, energetic, and aware of body language. • Pay attention to names, specific information. • Begin and end with shaking the interviewer’s hand. • Dress appropriately. • What do you think are common mistakes in dress?

26. Interview Check List • Get there on time! • A day or two ahead, confirm time and check for how long to plan on the interview. • Ask if you should bring anything like a portfolio. • Arrive at least 15 minutes early. • Go by yourself. • Any waiting time you can use to check appearance and read company literature.

27. Interview Check List • Do I have résumé? • Three references? • Know how long to get there? • Interviewer’s name? • Turned off electronic devices? • Thanked interviewer?

28. What are People Skills? • People like you. • You know protocol. • You respect chain-of-command. • You know how to get people to work together.

29. ABCs of Directions Always Be Clear, Complete & Concise

30. Dress • Adapt to the occasion. • Be as dressed as those around you. • Respect your employer. • Maintain professionalism. • Be neat and well groomed.

31. Respect Difference • Age • Gender • Ethnicity

32. How to Promote Diversity • Be open-minded • Be tolerant • Be empathetic