Agenda

1. Agenda • Bell Ringer/Announcements – (4 minutes) • Job Interview Presentation Instructions – (5 minutes) • Job Interview Presentations

2. Presentations • In your groups, you will research and gather information on 1 aspect of job interviews. • You will create a PowerPoint presentation and poster to present your poster to the rest of the class. • You will need to provide an in-depth discussion and knowledge on your topic to the rest of the class. • Remember, you are the expert.

3. Job Interview Topics Interviewer Questions • Use the Internet to research job interview questions. • Make a list of 10-20 questions that you might be asked in an interview. Look for questions that are asked on more than one web site. • Demonstrate how to answer the questions appropriately. Interviewee Questions • Use the Internet to research questions you should ask at an interview. • Make a list of 10-20 questions that you can ask in an interview. • Look for common questions that are listed on more than one web site. • Showcase a few of the most common interview questions on your PowerPoint Common Mistakes Made by Interviewees • Use the Internet to research common mistakes made by both interviewers and interviewees. • Make a list of common mistakes made by interviewees and include this in your PowerPoint. • Tell how to correct the mistakes or not make the mistakes in the first place in your PowerPoint. Nonverbal Communication and Qualities that Employers Expect in Employees • Use the Internet to research how nonverbal factors influence your interview for good or for bad. • What will positively influence your interviewer? What will negatively influence your interviewer? • Also find out what qualities employers expect in employees. Appropriate Dress • Use the Internet to research what is appropriate to wear to an interview. Find out what appropriate business dress is. • Explain the difference between professional business and business-casual attire. • Give examples of appropriate dress for females and males. Research the Internet to find a list of illegal job questions • Explain why each question is illegal. • Explain how to answer the questions.

4. Interview Basics – Before the Interview • Gather as much information about the employer as possible. • Look on their company website • Call the Chamber of Commerce • Internet Research • Practice, Practice, Practice. • Research a list of ‘Most Common Interview Questions’ and practice how you would answer the question. • Remember you are selling your qualities, education, and experience. Be sure to highlight those abilities in the interview.

5. Interview Basics – Before the Interview • What to bring to the Interview: • Several copies of your resume. (At least five) • Driver’s License • Social Security Card • A career portfolio

6. Interview Basics – Before the Interview • Dress for Success • All dress in professional attire to an interview. Never wear jeans. • McDonald’s Interview = Khakis and a nice polo or dress shirt. • Professional Interview = Dress slacks and dress top or business suit

7. Interview Basics – Day of Interview • Go alone to the Interview. • Be Early (Remember the Early Bird gets the worm.) • Address the Interviewer as Mr. or Mrs. and shake hands firmly. • Wait until you are told to be seated. Never go in and sit down on your own. • Maintain good eye contact. • Do not answer any questions until you have put some thought into them.

8. Interview Basics – The Don’ts • Smoke or chew anything. • Ask about salary or days off. • Discuss personal problems, etc. • Handle anything on the interviewers desk. • Provide information, which is not factual. • Beg for the job, or hang around after the interview.

9. Interview Basics – Questions to be Prepared to Answer • Tell me a little bit about yourself. • Possible Answers: • A summary of how much training you have for the job that you are interviewing for. • Do not go into personal things about yourself, whether you have kids, married, etc. They have no right to know about these things. • The main thing is to be yourself!

10. Interview Basics – Questions to be Prepared to Answer • What kind of work are you looking for? • Possible Answers: • Be as specific as you can. The best answer to this question can be found in the job description. • You can repeat the duties listed for the position for which you are interviewing. • Other answers suggest you want to grow and learn or want to demonstrate your good work ethic. • “I want a job in which I will be able to produce for the company and grow along with it.”

11. Interview Basics – Questions to be Prepared to Answer • What is your biggest weakness? • Possible Answers: • No employer will believe that you are without weaknesses. • An interview is not a place to confess self-doubt. • You are selling a product – your professional self – and no employer will buy the product if you put it down. • Refer to a strength as a weakness, or turn your weakness into a strength. • “I have the attitude that I come to work to do a job. I do not like to waste work time. That can make me less than popular with coworkers who want to use the employer’s time to chat or goof off.” • “I’m something of a perfectionist. I want my work to reflect the highest standards of quality”

12. Interview Basics – After the Interview • Send a thank-you letter expressing appreciation for the interview and reemphasizing your qualifications for the job. • Wait the allotted time period mentioned during the interview for the company to contact you. This could be a few days or weeks

13. Interview Project • Work in groups (no more than 3 people) or individually to create: • Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation • 12 Slides • 1-2 page handout on the six discussed topics • Poster highlighting one topic