ACE YOUR INTERVIEW

1. ACE YOUR INTERVIEW

2. Step One - Know Your Target • Research the company that you are applying to. • Use the internet or call the company for a brochure. • Find out the organizations purpose, products and any recent news or company developments.

3. Step Two - Know Yourself • Your job is to sell yourself. • Your SKILLS: list your accomplishments and then think of which skills it took to do them. • You THE PERSON: they are looking for honest, smart, friendly, motivated, and responsible employees.

4. Step Three – Practice • Ask people to interview you – asking the hard questions. • If you get a question you don’t understand, ask for clarification. • If you don’t know the answer, simply say that you don’t know the answer.

5. Step Four – Dress The Part • Can anyone judge what I am wearing? • NO personality statements • That is for OUTSIDE the workplace • Don’t get yourself eliminated!!! • Err on the side of conservative • Remember…what generation is your interviewer from?

6. General Suggestions • Clean fingernails • Pleasant breath • Go easy on the aftershave/perfume • Consider getting haircut/trim

7. Gender Specific Suggestions • Boys: • Wear shirt with a collar • Hide tattoos, take out piercings • Wear a belt (no “pants on the ground”!) • Dark socks! • No tennis shoes • No jeans or sweats

8. Gender Specific Suggestions • Girls: • Heels 2” and under • Close-toed shoes (no flip flops!) • Only one earring per ear (and only 13 accessories total) • If wearing skirt/dress – it should be an ADULT appropriate length • No cleavage or midriff • No jeans or sweats • Keep your purse small & professional

9. Step Five – Arrive Early • 10-15 minutes (at least!) • Take some time to collect yourself. • Organize your notes • Refresh your memory on your selling points • Use the restroom and have a chance to do any last minute grooming. • It gives you a psychological edge to be early!

10. Step Six – Make A Good First Impression 6 keys to a successful handshake • Stand up, make eye contact & smile • Say your name • Extend your right hand at a slight angle with your thumb up. Touch thumb joint to thumb joint (meat to meat and squeeze!) • Provide a firm handshake (not vice grip) • Pump two, possibly three times • Then drop your hands

11. The Unspoken Word Communication is: 7 % Words(what you say) 38% Tone(how you say it) 55% Non-Verbal(physical impression, facial expressions, posture, gestures) 93% of a person’s communication effectiveness is determined by nonverbal communication!!!

12. Body Language Messages • Things to remember: • Pay attention to the person you are speaking with. They should have your full attention. Don’t let your eyes wander. • Watch your facial expressions & hand gestures • Don’t fidget • Show energy & enthusiasm in your posture

13. Step Seven – Answer Well • Don’t ramble – it’s better to give short answers with strong points. • Look the interviewer in the eye when answering. • Gather your thoughts. Feel free to say I need a minute to think about before I answer.

14. Step Eight – Ask Questions • Be prepared come with questions. • Ask about job responsibilities. • What are the next steps in the hiring process. • Emphasize that you are interested in the job. • When leaving shake the persons hand, look them in the eye and thank them for their time.

15. Step Nine – Be Yourself • Let who you are really shine through. • Be proud of your talents, motivations and skills, that make you who you are. • Show the real you.

16. Step Ten – Follow Up • As soon as you get home, write a thank you note to your interviewer. • Keep your note short. • Thank them for the interview opportunity • Re-affirm why you would be the best candidate

17. Now it is your turn… • Choose 15 of the Frequently Asked Interview Questions • Choose the hard ones!!! • On a separate sheet of notebook paper, answer those 15 questions as if you were being interviewed.