Interviewing Strategies

1. Interviewing Strategies Anchorage School District Presentation 2012-2013 School Year Funding for the Youth First Career Guides program is provided by the Division of Business Partnerships, Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. We are an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

2. Interviewing Strategies Youth Job Center – Career Guides Tammy Williamson; James Harris; Michelle Moncovich

3. Objective To provide the job seeker with basic knowledge of the interviewing process. • Before the Interview • During the Interview • After the Interview

4. INTRODUCTION TO INTERVIEWING • Before the Interview

5. BePrepared • Have 3-5 copies of your resume and references available • Have questions ready for the Interviewer • Show up to the interview early • Have a sample of your work to show the Interviewer

6. RESEARCH THE COMPANY • Start by researching the general company background information • Find out what the company makes or the services offered • Research the occupation you are targeting

7. PRACTICAL EXERCISE 1 Minute Introduction

8. Job Description Job Title: Office Manager City: KENAI Months of Experience: 60 Job Description: Office manager position available within a Seafood processing and distribution company. Applicants must have a minimum of 5 years office managerial experience, an understanding of accounts payable and receivable methods, excellent customer service skills, and H/R experience. Must be able to type 50 words per minute, have exceptional computer skills and demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel. Knowledge of the seafood industry is desirable. Responsibilities include: Employee scheduling, payroll, management of all accounts payable and receivable, management of office staff and daily operations, answering phones, receiving and sending mail, ordering office supplies, preparing bank deposits, and customer sales.

9. Dress to Impress To do or not to do? That is the question! Do Do not 1. Create a good 1st impression 1. Wear a hat 2. Style hairneatly 2. Wear earrings anywhere but the ear 3. Wear clean clothes & shoes 4. Wear conservative colors 3. Show Tattoos 4. Perfume or cologne 5. Clean Nails, Ladies polish should be subtle 5. Wear only a T-shirt

10. The Gatekeeper The person at the front desk. i.e., secretary, office clerk, receptionist, or the person who greets you at the time of your interview is known as the gatekeeper, who should be treated with the utmost respect.

11. While Waiting to be Called • Turn off your cell Phone • Remove: hat, gloves, coat • Avoid being overly chatty • Try to read any type of company literature

12. Types of Interviews Behavioral and/or Traditional and/or Serial Interview/Panel or Group and/or Stress

13. DidYouKnow……? Over 80% of all job seekers are unable to describe their skills in an interview?

14. SKILLS PYRAMID • Specific Content Skills (Hard) • Includes: Examples: • Specific knowledge Using a microcomputer • Special vocabulary Cobol, psychology terms • Technical ability Repairing cars • Learned formally or AA or BA • On-the-job certificates • Transferable Skills (Soft) • Includes working with: Examples: • People Serving, tact, advising • Things operating, adjusting • Data reading, counting • Self Management Skills (Soft) • Includes: Examples: • Traits that help you manage time Dependability • Traits that enable you to adapt Flexibility • Personality traits developed throughout life Drive, Efficiency

15. Interviews • Non-verbal behavior can be more powerful than anything you say or put on your resume. Interviews have been determined to be judged as follows: 7 % Words 38% Tone of Voice 55% Body Language

16. PRACTICE YOUR INTERVIEW WHAT WOULD YOUR ANSWERS BE TO THE TOP 50 QUESTIONS? REMEMBER, INTERVIEWING IS A SKILL LEARN HOW TO SELL YOUR SKILLS PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT PRACTICE WITH A ????????

17. INTRODUCTION TO INTERVIEWING • During the Interview

18. Create a Good Impression There are 2 basic things that mold an impression • Attitude • Manners

19. Attitude • It separates - winners from the losers • Look - bright, alert and alive • Wear - confident smile • Be motivated - enthusiastic about working • Someone who will look them in the eye • Ask questions - say you want the job

20. Manners • Be punctual • Extend a friendly greeting • Have a firm handshake • Call the person by Mr. Or Ms. Unless they • state you can call them by their 1st name

21. The Interview - Sales Presentation NEEDS • Identify the needs of the employer SKILLS • Name the skills you have that will speak to those needs EXPERIENCES • Cite the experiences in which you have used these skills

22. According to Department of Labor Nationwide Employer Surveys Qualities Employers Love!! (top 10) Why People get Fired (top 10) 1. A good attitude1. Unable to get along with others 2. Team spirit2. Dishonesty (lying/stealing) 3. Initiative3. Poor dress or grooming 4. Going the extra mile4. Unreliable (late, absent, etc.) 5. Imagination 5. Used work time for personal business 6. Honesty6. Could not do the work 7. Looking the part7. Worked too slowly/made mistakes 8. Punctuality 8. Would not follow orders 9. Loyalty 9. Abused alcohol or drugs 10. A sense of humor 10. Misrepresented skills/experience Do you see any correlation or similarities?

23. Types of Interview Questions • Relax and tell me a little about yourself? • Tell me what you know about our company? • What are your biggest weaknesses? • Why should I hire you instead of the other applicants?

24. SELL YOURSELF Your resume or application are designed to get you the interview. The interview gets you the job. • Talk about your accomplishments, skills and abilities • Use examples or stories that explain what you mean • Explain to the manager what you can do for their company • Show that you’re a team player • Turn trick questions into a positive • Put together a closing statement - Summarize your • strengths

25. Follow up After the Interview Send a Thank You Note and make a follow-up phone call

26. Some Final Advice • Research the company • Wait to be seated, only when asked • Shake each of the interviewers hands when greeting • Have questions ready for the interviewer • Take 3-5 copies of your resume • Have 3-5 references available • Thank the interviewers for their time • Make follow up calls • Mock interviews at Job Center

27. Thank You!!!

28. Funding for the Youth First Career Guides program is provided by the Division of Business Partnerships, Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. We are an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.