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Hanson Career Workshop. Session 1: Finding Your Career Fit Session 2: Writing Resumes Session 3: Writing Cover Letters/Work Search Strategies Session 4: All About Interviews. My career. All About Interviews!. How long does it take for an interview to make a first impression of you?
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Hanson Career Workshop Session 1: Finding Your Career Fit Session 2: Writing Resumes Session 3: Writing Cover Letters/Work Search Strategies Session 4: All About Interviews
All About Interviews! • How long does it take for an interview to make a first impression of you? • Typically, an interviewer will decide within 3-5 minutes from the start of the interview. • PREPARE WELL!! 30 seconds!
Prior to the Interview • Be prepared! • Recall your resume/cover letter: • What KEY QUALIFICATIONS will my interviewer look for in an ideal candidate for this position? • Analyze the job description!
Example required skills: • Excellent inter-cultural communication • Ability to coordinate with different people for various tasks
Prior to the Interview • Research the company • Be sure that you are aware of the company’s products, services, competitors, recent news • Doing your research will show the interviewer that you are interested in working for their company! • Prepare a few questions for the interviewer!
Prior to the Interview • What to bring to the interview • Copy of your most recent transcripts • Letters of recommendation • Extra copies of your resume/cover letter (and if requested, list of references) • Pen, notepad • List of questions for the employer
Prior to the Interview • Professional business attire • Match the company culture; if unknown, dress a notch more professional • Try to prepare your outfit the day before the interview to avoid last minute problems and worries!!
Practice, Practice, Practice!!Practice interviewing with a friendPractice in front of the mirror!
During the Interview • Handshake: FIRM, ASSERTIVE, CONFIDENT • First impressions count! • Professional, Confident, Approachable • Verbal and Non-verbal Behaviour!
Verbal Behaviour • Be expressive. Alive, animated speech. • Articulate. Pronounce words clearly. Don’t mumble. • Be concise. Avoid rambling. Stay focused on the point. • Be direct and forthright. Don’t stray! • Focus on the positive!
Non-verbal Behaviour • Body movements. Don’t move too much. Relax! Keep your feet on the floor, your hands to yourself. • Exhibit good posture. Sit erect, leaning forward slightly. Don’t look too stiff and uncomfortable • Practice appropriate eye contact. Direct eye gaze. Maintain eye contact with all interviewers. • SMILE!!! • Listen attentively. Sound enthusiastic and sincere. • DON’T CHEW GUM!! • Avoid “empty” words such as “uhm, like, basically”
Responding to Questions! • Methods: • CARE : • Context – provide the background to the story • Action – what steps you took? Be specific. • Result – what happened as a result? Again, be specific. • Evaluation – what did you learn from this experience? • Practice answering with the CARE method! • Question: Tell me about a time when you had a conflict with your co-workers? What happened, and how did you resolve it? • If you didn’t understand the question, • Could you please repeat the question? • Could you please clarify?
Types of Interview Questions • Situational • Behavioural • Conversational • Brain teasers
Situational Questions • These types of questions ask what you would do in a given situation. “What would you do if your manager was out of town and left you a project that you have no idea how to do?” • Answer with CARE!
Behavioural Questions • These types of questions are often based on candidates’ previous experiences. • Past behaviour = indicator of future behavior “Tell me about a situation when you had to go above the call of duty.” “Give an example of a difficult decision you had to make.” • Answer with CARE!
Conversational Questions • The interviewer wants to gauge how well you can fit into their organization. “How far do you have to commute to work?”
Brain Teasers • There are no right or wrong answers; interviewers want to know how creative you can think. “How many toilet paper rolls are sold in Metrotown Superstore every day?”
After the Interview • Within 24 hours: Send a thank-you card Thank you cards – they tend to be more personal, more unique. It will definitely leave a lasting impression~ Bring a blank card with you (or multiple, in case of a panel interview) • Thank them for the time taken for interviewing you, and highlight some moments of the interview that stood out, or something new you’ve learned.
Funny interview video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVucOxw9fFM
Mock Interviews! • Use the sheets to interview your partner! • Remember: firm handshake! Eye contact!
Feel free to email me: karlo.avenido@canadahanson.com For any questions, advice, or concerns about your career exploration!