Strategies for Effective Interviewing and Networking

1. Strategies for Effective Interviewing and Networking Presented by your Career Services Office

2. Recruiting Trends and Your Approach to the Job Search • Overall Campus Recruiting is up 9.5 % this year: according to NACE 2011 Job Outlook • Recruiting will still be more competitive • Firms may have less positions, and more applicants • You need to work with Cooperative Education and Career Services diligently and closely • Networking with Alumni/ae and professional contacts!

3. About On-Line Networking • Social Media is an excellent resource to connect! • Explore the Linked-In Network to research major and local employers- many have profiles on this network • Create your own Linked-In Profile • Learn How to Maximize Linked-In as a Career Networking Tool

4. Emphasize Your Competencies and Best Qualities • Start With Your Experience from Internships/past jobs: Give examples • Analytical Skills: Emphasis on quantitative • Team-Work Skills • Flexibility and Adaptability • Leadership • Ask Questions and learn from mentors • Infuse Creativity and innovation • Information Literacy: Research

5. Employers Rate the Importance of Candidate Qualities/Skills • Communication skills (verbal/written) 4.7 • Honesty/Integrity 4.7 • Teamwork skills 4.6 • Interpersonal skills 4.5 • Motivation/Initiative 4.5 • Strong work ethic 4.5 • Analytical skills 4.4 • Flexibility/adaptability 4.3 • Computer skills 4.1 • Organizational skills 4.1 (5-point scale; 5=Extremely important; 1=Not important)

6. Interview Preparation • Understand and be aware of your strengths and weaknesses. • Be aware of the qualities and skills gleaned from your education and co-curricular activities. • Write a professional resume that highlights your accomplishments, skills, and education. • Be aware of career trends and job opportunities in your fields of interest. Know what employers are looking for in your chosen profession! • Read trade journals and professional association websites in your fields of interest.

7. Presentation • “Dress for Success” the importance of developing a solid professional looking ward robe. • Arrive early for your interview (at least 15 minutes on-campus; 20-30 minutes at company location). • The importance of body language; verbal and non-verbal messages, know what to be aware of in the communication process. • Importance of first impressions; the first minute of the interview is critical to your success! • You are a resource person verses “Job Begger”, emphasize accomplishments and what you offer!

8. Tips on Researching a Company • Learn about the company beforehand; research it’s mission, products, services, customer philosophy, and practices. • Read the company’s annual report for the past year’s highlights and challenges. • Know how the company fares with its competitors, and its reputation. • Research the company in the news media, such as: the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, Business Week, and The Economist. • Consult with other research aids such as: Standard & Poors, and Dunn & Bradstreet Business Directory. • Know about the position that you are interviewing for. • What are the company’s needs?

9. The Interview Structure • The “Ice-Breaking” period: the first five minutes of the interview • The body of the interview is the actual information exchange, where the important questions are asked and your answers are critical. • The Closing: Ask Informed Questions! Also summarize why you are the best candidate for the company and the position. Reemphasize your strengths and accomplishments! • Ask for a Business Card, and how should you best follow-up. • Follow-up: a thank-you letter goes a long way!

10. Sample Interview Questions • Tell me about yourself? • Why are you here? What do you know about our company? • What are your major strengths? Greatest weaknesses? • What were your greatest challenges? • What are your greatest accomplishments? • Why did you choose Saint Peter’s College? • How has your education prepared you for the position your are seeking? • What do you see yourself doing in one year, two years, five years? • Why are you the best candidate for this position/our company?

11. Behavior-Based Interviews • Purpose: The interviewer assesses how effectively you respond in specific situations, based on past experience. • Strategy and Preparation: How you articulate your past experience, gives the interviewer an indication of your future performance. • These questions require serious forethought and preparation.

12. STAR Approach to Behavioral Interviews • STAR= • Situation • Task • Approach • Result Also emphasize what you have learned as a result of persisting and succeeding in a challenging situation

13. Sample Behaviorial -Based Interview Questions • Describe an innovative/creative idea that you proposed that led to the success of an activity/project. • What was the most complex assignment that you had? What was your role? • Tell me a time when you faced conflicting priorities. How did you manage your time and efforts? • Give me an example of when you had to motivate others. What worked? What did not work?

14. Ask Informed Questions! • Informed Questions are a result of your solid research. • Examples: What are your department’s goals/objectives? • What do you consider the five most important day – to –day responsibilities? • What candidate qualities are you seeking? • Will I be working in a team, or on my own? What are your expectations as a team member? • Do you have a training program? What is its success rate? Do you promote internally? • What expansion is planned for this department? • What markets does the company anticipate developing? • Are there plans for mergers/acquisitions in the future? • How will I be evaluated? • How is your organization applying the Sarbanes/Oxley Law?

15. Post-Interview Follow-Up(What you need to do!) • Obtain your interviewer’s business card. • Write notes of what you felt was good in your interview, and what you needed to improve and reemphasize. • Write a “Thank You” letter- no more than one page. • Follow up a week later to ascertain your status: always reiterate your interest!

16. Accepting/Rejecting An OfferSome Practical & Ethical Considerations: • Negotiate/Accept the offer that gives you the best professional opportunity; it may not be the highest salary. • If you are undecided, do not leave another company hanging- ask for an extension. • Once you make a decision and accept an offer, don’t look back, stay with it! Do not keep interviewing or keep a standing offer open. • Use common sense, and good business ethics!

17. “Perfect Interview” On-line Tutorial • Contains Interactive Features Interview Questions on many levels • Practice interview questions and answers from your own computer/laptop via web cam • Review two different Interview Answers • Coach Feature- gives helpful advice/ and strategies for the questions • http://www.perfectinterview.com/stpeters