Interviewing: Skills to help you get the job

Interviewing: Skills to help you get the job Penne Ciaraldi, CCV- Veteran Services Elizabeth King, CCV Student Advisor

Overview - Interviewing Learning Objectives for this Workshop: • How to Prepare for an Interview • Identify your Work Skills • Tips for Doing Well in the Interview

Preparing for the Interview: Do Your Research Show You Care About Getting the Job • What do I know about the company/business? • How do I find out more about the company? • What do I know about the specific job I applied for?

Personal Values Employers Seek in Employees • Honesty • Adaptability/Flexibility • Dedication/Hard-Working • Dependability/Reliability • Loyalty • Positive Attitude/Motivation • Professionalism • Self-Confidence • Self-Motivated • Willing to Learn

Preparing for the Interview: Know Yourself How would you describe yourself to a potential employer? ?

Preparing for the Interview • What are the skills and strengths I bring to the job? • Know your resume • Practice interviewing

The Screening Phone Call • Keep info about the job(s) close at hand • Be prepared to give a quick summary of your work experience and why you are interested in this job • Listen to questions • Speak clearly • Be prepared to ask a couple of questions • Thank the interviewer for taking the time to call you • Jot down notes about what you talked about • Send a thank you note

Practice, Practice, Practiceprepared = less nervous • Practice answering questions • Have a good “pitch” – why should you get the job • Why do you want this job? • How do your skills match this job? • Know your strengths and weaknesses*

The Day of the Interview • Dress Appropriately - “one up” from the position • Bring: Paper, pen, questions, references, copy of resume • Leave plenty of time to get there (but not too early) • First impressions begin as soon as you enter the building

Start the Interview Right • Smile • Handshake • Wait to be told where to sit • Maintain appropriate eye contact (with everyone) • Be enthusiastic

Answering the Questions Questions about you (your personality) Questions about the job (your skills) Questions about your behavior in previous jobs or situations (behavioral Interviewing)

Behavior Based Interviewing • Situations you have encountered at work • How you responded • What you learned Tell me about a time when you had too many things to do and you were required to prioritize your tasks. Tell me about a recent situation in which you had to deal with a very upset customer or co-worker. Give me an example of a time when something you tried to accomplish and failed.

The Interview: Answering Questions • Listen to the question • Take time to think about the question • Be aware of how the interviewer(s) are responding to your answers

Asking Follow Up Questions Be prepared with 5 to 7questions • What qualities are you looking for in the person you hire? • What challenges does your business face in the next few years? • What are the interviewer’s next steps?

The Questions NOT to Ask • How much leave time will I get? • How much overtime would I have to work? • Would I really have to work weekends? • Never ask about the pay • Never say something negative about a past employer or co-worker

References • Provide 3 – 5 professional references • Contact references before listing them • Contact references when you apply for a job Reference information should include: • Name, business name and address, relationship to reference (supervisor, manager, co-worker), phone and email contact information

At the End of the Interview • Shake hands and address each person by name • Acknowledge anyone you see as you are leaving the building • Send within two days of the interview

Questions? Good Luck with your job search! Thank You!

Interviewing: Skills to help you get the job