Interview Preparation: Radiation Sciences

1. Interview Preparation: Radiation Sciences February 8, 2011 Sara Kohout Assistant Director University Career Center Division of Student Affairs & Enrollment Services Virginia Commonwealth University

2. Interview Stream

3. Interview Preparation Research: • Yourself – skills, qualifications, qualities, strengths, and weaknesses • Career field, specific employer, and position • Interviewing formats, questions, and trends Prepare: • Develop and practice effective communication skills • Practice, practice, practice Perform: • Make a positive, professional impression

4. “Tell me about yourself.”

5. Research……Yourself • How/Why did you choose Radiation Sciences as your major/career field? • What are your long and short term career goals? • What skills have you developed? • What relevant experience do you have? • How would you describe your personality? • What motivates you? • What are your strengths? • What are your weaknesses, and how do you compensate for them? • What are your failures and how did you learn from them?

6. Research: Career Field, Employer & Position • Read employer’s printed materials and web site • Become familiar with the mission of the organization • Know the position description • Know current trends in your chosen field/specialty • Take advantage of professional organizations – • American Society of Radiologic Technologists http://www.asrt.org/ • Virginia Society of Radiologic Technologists http://www.vsrt.org/ • Industry and employer Research web sites: • Wetfeet.com • Rileyguide.com • Vault.com

7. Interviewing Resources • Interviewing Guide: www.students.vcu.edu/careers Click on “Find a Job” Scroll down to “Resources” • InterviewStream: To schedule an appointment in the UCC, call 828-1645 If you have a web cam: www.students.vcu.edu/careers • Click on “InterviewStream” • Use your vcu.edu email address

8. Interview Formats • Informal: • Lunch • Tour • Information Session Formal: • One-on-one • Panel • Expect the unexpected • Be prepared to interact with other candidates • Every interaction with anyone from organization is part of interview!

9. Scenario Terrence has an interview with Company Y on Monday. He is e-mailing his contact in Human Resources to request directions on Friday afternoon. Terrence’s e-mail looks like this: To: carol.mccullough@companyY.com From: crazyterry@hotmail.com Date: Friday, February 6, 2009, 4:53 p.m. Subject: carol, have interview on monday need directions. my resume is attatched TTYL THNX!!!:) Terrence

10. Communication • Verbal communication - only 7% of communication • How you say it/tone of voice – 38% • Non-verbal communication – 55%! • Handshake • Body language/Posture • Facial Expressions • Eye contact

11. Interview Questions • Introductory Questions • Resume/Application Questions • Case/Technical Questions • Behavioral Questions • Atypical Questions • Illegal Questions

12. Introductory Questions Questions about your goals and interests Questions about your qualities Questions about your strengths and weaknesses • “Tell me about yourself” • “Why are you interested in this position?” • “What can you contribute to our organization?” • “What salary range are you seeking?” • “How did you first become interested in radiation sciences?” • “Tell me what you know about our organization.” Think about your audience Focus on relevant information

13. Resume/Application Questions Questions about your experience, education, skills, and campus & community involvement • “What relevant experience do you have?” • “Elaborate on …(a particular part of your resume)” • “Explain…(a poor grade or another failure)” • “In the Radiation Sciences curriculum which classes have you enjoyed the most and least?” Know your resume Anticipate difficult questions – don’t make excuses and be prepared!

14. Case/Technical Questions Questions about a technical/clinical problem to solve You are given scenario and asked to explain how you would respond • “What would you do if…?” • “Explain how would you handle ____________ situation?” • McKinsey&Company

15. Behavioral Questions Questions used to determine how you respond in certain situations Questions that elicit specific supporting examples rather then general responses • “Tell me about a time when…”

16. Behavioral Questions • “Describe a situation where you went above and beyond what would normally be expected to accommodate the needs of others or exceed their expectations.” • “Describe a situation in which you faced a sharp learning curve. What steps did you take to develop your knowledge? How did you apply what you learned?” • “Tell me about a time when you were able to work effectively on a team where people held conflicting opinions. What was the situation? Describe your role.” • “Have you ever been a role model for someone? If so, please explain who the person was and what you did.”

17. STAR Technique Use the STAR Technique to answer behavioral interviewing questions • Situation • Task • Action • Result

18. Scenario Interviewer: Tell me about a time when you experienced conflict while working on a team. Jack: I worked with a team on a group project for this one class. One of my teammates was not coming to meetings so we divided up her work. Jack: In my Radiographic Imaging Class last semester, we worked in teams to learn radiographic techniques. One teammate wasn’t doing their part of the workand so I pulled this person aside and asked her if she could participate more as a team member and asked if there were particular skills she had or areas she would like to contribute more too. We resolved this problem by reassigning each team members tasks to better work with each person’s strengths.

19. Atypical Questions Unusual questions that catch you off guard Demonstrate your creativity, flexibility, and how well you think on your feet • “If you were a tree, what kind would you be and why?” • “If you had to pick a color, what color would your brain be and why?” • “If you were a piece of playground equipment, what would you be and why?” • “How many basketballs can you fit in this room?”

20. Illegal Questions Questions about age, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion or creed, family and relationship issues • Options: • Refuse to answer • Answer the question • Tactfully ask for relevance of question • Answer the real question behind the question Ask yourself what the question tells you about the workplace

21. Tips for answering questions • Pause before answering • Listen to the question • As a general rule, keep your answers under one minute • Stay focused – avoid tangents • Give a definite ending to your response • Be very specific – provide examples • Avoid vague or general responses • Be honest • Don’t be defensive • Don’t make excuses • Don’t be surprised • Don’t say “I don’t know” • Be aware of interviewer’s strategy • Don’t ruminate on less than perfect answers

22. Scenario Interviewer: Do you have any questions for me? Sarah: No, I think you pretty much answered all of my questions. Always ask 2-5 questions!

23. Asking Questions Asking Questions serves several purposes: • Gives you more information about the company/organization • Demonstrates your interest and your research • Demonstrates your critical thinking skills

24. Asking Questions • Be prepared with lots of informed questions • Let the interviewer run the interview – don’t ask questions until the appropriate time • Don’t ask anything that is answered on the website • Ask questions that demonstrate your research of the employer and interest in the position

25. Questions to ask…Ask questions about the culture and philosophy of the organization • Training and learning environment • Training process • Ongoing and frequent evaluations • Mentoring program/buddies • Technology • Paperless • Technology training • Professional development • Leadership development • Opportunities for advancement • Seminar or conference attendance • Communication • Flow of information • Intranet • Suggestion box • Dress code • Social, work/life balance • Flexible schedules • Is there some fun in the organization? Sports teams, parties, etc…

26. Questions to Ask • Tell me about initial and future training programs. • How would you describe the work environment in your organization? • How often are performance reviews given? • How are reviews conducted? • What are the organization's plans for future growth? • What are the possible career paths from this position? • What makes your organization different from others in your field?

27. Make a Positive, Professional Impression • Professional appearance • Preparedness • First impression • Don’t let anxiety get the best of you • Send a Thank You note

28. Scenario Tonya has an interview scheduled with Company Z. She knows that the attire at Company Z is typically business casual, and that people even wear jeans to work on occasion. She plans to wear a nice, collared, button-down shirt with some black pants to her interview. Always dress business professional for an interview!

29. Professional Appearance MEN • Conservative, dark suit • Shirt ironed • Belt matches shoes • Comfortable shoes • Hair cut/ shaven/ well-groomed • Remove jewelry • Avoid aftershave or cologne WOMEN • Conservative, dark suit • Appropriate length skirt with hose • Bring extra hose • Comfortable shoes with low heel • Avoid camisoles or low riding pants • Wear conservative makeup and jewelry • Avoid perfume or scented lotion

30. Preparedness • Before the interview, review your resume, cover letter, and any correspondence with employer • Know directions and parking • Arrive early, get enough sleep, eat breakfast, be well groomed • Bring professional portfolio and pen, copies of your resume and references • Turn off cell phone • No bags (except purse)

31. Thank You Notes • Send a thank you note the same day of your interview • Send individual notes to everyone who interviews you • Handwritten, typed, or e-mail • Refer to interview discussion • Include the reasons you are a good fit for the position and employer • Emphasize your interest in the position and explain how the interview confirmed or heightened your interest

32. Common Mistakes • Not developing rapport • Talking poorly about past employers • Forgetting/not using names • Not listening • Appearing arrogant/know-it-all • Providing general, rather than specific answers • Behaving too casually during lunch/tour/less formal parts of interview or with someone you know • Sounding rehearsed/memorized • Ruminating on poor answers • Not treating every interaction with employer as part of interview • Not communicating your excitement and motivation • Not sending a thank you note

33. Reflect on your experience after the interview…and learn from it

34. University Career Center To schedule an appointment with Sara: E-mail your name, major, availability, and reason for the appointment Sara Kohout 804-827-0414 smkohout@vcu.edu Monroe Park Campus: Student Commons, first floor Hours: Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. MCV Campus: Hunton Student Center Office of the Assoc. Dean Hours: Friday 12 p.m.-4 p.m.