Successful Interviewing

1. Successful Interviewing Project Mentor New Jersey City University Jersey City, New Jersey *partially funded by a Grant from the NJ Commission on Higher Education

2. Workshop Topics • Identify your goals • Learn about the company • Know your strengths & skills • Know your weaknesses & challenges • Be prepared for questions • Prepare questions to ask • Practice • Appearance and Impressions • What to bring with you? • What to do at the end of the interview? • How did you do?

3. IDENTIFY YOUR GOALS

4. Identify Your Goals • Remember you want this job • Why • Visualize yourself working at this job • What do you like to do? • What do you want to learn? • What is your vision of your career? • Remember you want this job

6. LEARN ABOUT THE COMPANY

7. Learn About the Company • Company Website • Google or other search engines • Visit if possible • Talk to people who work there or have worked there • Job description or posting • Consider how your skills match up • Make some notes about the company for discussion during your interview

8. Useful Information About the Company • How long have they been around • What do they do • Do they face competition • How are they doing • What is their reputation • One site or many • Number of employees • Earnings • What are their current activities • Mission Statement

9. KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS & SKILLS

11. Strengths and Skills • They must relate to this job • How have these helped you accomplish things in your life? • What did you do to achieve or develop these? • Who has guided you?

12. References • Make a list of potential professional, academic and personal references • Contact the ones you think are most likely to have positive things to say about you • Tell them you are interviewing for jobs and ask if they are willing to provide a positive reference for you

13. KNOW YOUR WEAKNESSES & CHALLENGES

14. Weaknesses & Challenges • We all have weaknesses and challenges • The interviewer expects you to identify yours but does not have to be told something that would create a negative opinion of you as a candidate • This is not the time to discuss your concerns about yourself • Turn your weakness into a strength

15. Examples of How A Weakness Can Be A Strength • I like to work on a project or assignment until it’s completed, so I generally don’t socialize very much. • I’m something of a perfectionist. I expect a lot of myself. • I like a clean desk, so I try to complete as much as possible every day. • I have trouble saying no because I really like to be helpful and busy.

16. BE PREPARED FOR QUESTIONS

17. The Interviewer’s Goal • They want to fill the position with a good fit • Need to find out • if you have the skills • If you have personal attributes • If you are motivated

18. Tell Me About Yourself your 60 second commercial • Where you grew up • Educational background • Including major area of studies and why you chose it • 2 or 3 strengths or skills that are related to this job • Academic or vocational accomplishments • Your ability and desire to make contributions to the success of your employer • Your career goals • Speak in a conversational tone

19. STAR OUTLINE FOR ANSWERS • S ituation • I worked at……. • T ask • Where I …… • A ction • I did…… • R ESULT • I achieved…….

20. Notes for possible answers and descriptions • Its OK to have notes with you • There are questions that you can expect and can write down points to remember (see handout of frequently asked interview questions) • How would you describe something you have done that relates to this type of work? • You may refer to your notes during the interview

21. Interview Success Tips • Focus and refocus attention on your successes. • Always offer positive information. • Discuss only the facts needed to answer the question. • You may mention hobbies/interests but keep it brief • Listen carefully. • If you are not sure you understand the question, ask for clarification. • Tell the truth but do not offer information not asked for.

22. Interview Success Tips • Make your points. Then ask if the interviewer would like further details • Be organized in your presentation • Be concise in your responses • Pause at times to consider your responses • M. DeLuca & N. DeLuca, 24 Hours to the Perfect Interview (2004), McGraw Hill

23. Illegal Topics • Interviewers May Not Ask About • Nationality/race • Marital status • Religion • Affiliations • Disability or medical history • Pregnancy, birth control, child care • Age

24. TO DISCLOSE OR NOT TO DISCLOSE • Employers CAN NOT ask you if you have a disability • You are not required to disclose a disability during an interview • Why would you? Source: Baker, Jed. Ph.D. (2005): Preparing for Life: the Complete Guide to Transitioning to Adulthood for those with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. Arlington, TX.Future Horizons INC.

25. FACTORS TO CONSIDER • Is your disability readily apparent? • Poor eye contact, idiosyncratic movements, etc. • Can you explain how it will not interfere with performing the job duties? • Can you point out how aspects of your disability make you a desirable candidate for the position? • i.e. RULES = HONESTY • (see handout on disclosing) • If your disability is not readily apparent • No need to disclose • Accommodations may be simple and can be requested without disclosure • Steven Shore and baseball hat

26. PREPARE YOUR OWN QUESTIONS

27. Write Out Questions for the Interviewer • Your questions show your interest in the position and the company • Examples: • What do you consider the most important qualities for someone to have in this job? • Why is this position available now? • What do you like about working here? • What are the opportunities for advancement? • When do you plan on filling this position?

28. PRACTICE

29. PRACTICE • Ask friends, parents, teachers to spend 30 minutes doing this • Divide the Practice Interview into 3 Parts • First Impression • Questions & Answers • Closing • How did you do? • What do you need to do better? • See Practice Interview Rating Sheet

30. Make a Practice Trip to the Interview Location • Check out the route • Travel at the same time of day as your interview • Allow extra time for traffic or delays • Observe the business environment • How are people dressed

31. APPEARANCE & IMPRESSIONS

32. Appearance Matters. . .A Lot! • If you don’t dress seriously, they can’t take you seriously!! • Make a good first impression • Pride in yourself implies pride in your work • Show your creativity in your work, not your appearance • Dress conservatively • Be well groomed and clean

33. Don’t Forget the Details • Conservatively styled hair • Clean and neatly trimmed beard • Clean fingernails • No large or distracting accessories • Clean & well-pressed clothes • No perfume or cologne • No smoking or gum chewing • Brush your teeth and use mouthwash

34. Tips for Women • Good Outfits • Dark colored skirt or pants suit with a blouse or sweater • Fit should be comfortable….not tight or very loose • No Cleavage! • Nothing transparent • Skirt still at knees when sitting • Wear polished, low heeled shoes • Small, neat accessories • Might be a good time to remove nose and tongue rings • Wear clean, matching panty hose or socks

35. Tips for Men • Good Outfits • Depends on position • Dark colored business suit with solid shirt • Tie with a neat knot • Shirt, tie and slacks • Keep jacket buttoned when standing • Shoes shined and in good condition • Socks same color as shoes or pants • Pants should be long enough to cover legs when sitting

36. Making A Good Impression • Firm handshake • Stand up when the interviewer comes to greet you and any time you are introduced to someone • Repeat the interviewer’s name, with their proper form of address: Mr., Mrs., Dr. • Be on time for the interview (5-10 minutes early) • Be polite and respectful to the receptionist

37. Impressions • Don’t sit until you’re invited to, and sit up straight • Practice good eye contact • Look at one eye, shoulder or forehead • Walk next to or behind interviewer and at same pace • Say something nice about the office, brief small talk • Nod your head in agreement or understanding • Say please and thank you

39. Impressions • You may be invited to lunch or offered coffee • Practice your table manners • Use a napkin • Don’t talk with your mouth full • If you’re not confident in ability to interview and drink coffee at same time say no thank you

40. WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU

41. What to Bring to an Interview • Several copies of your resume • Examples of your work if appropriate • New notebook (with your notes in it) and a nice pen • Briefcase or folder • Names, addresses, and phone numbers of references • Social Security Card • Photo I.D.

42. Other things to bring with you • Comb • Dental Floss • Mouth Freshener • Tissues Take a few minutes to go to the bathroom and check out your appearance when you arrive

43. WHAT TO DO AT THE END OF THE INTERVIEW

44. At the End of the Interview • Ask for the interviewer’s business card • Use the interviewer’s name as you thank him/her for taking the time to meet with you • Mention some topics from the interview that you appreciated learning about • State your interest in the job and belief in your ability to perform well

45. After the Interview • Send a short thank you note within 24 hours • Neatly typed, spell checked • Summarize a few key points from the interview • Clearly state your interest in the position • You may phone to check on the decision making process after 10 days – 2 weeks

46. HOW DID YOU DO?

47. Use Your Rating Sheet • How did you do overall? • What were your strengths? • What needs improvement? • Call and ask the interviewer for feedback

48. New On-Line Resource Hownottotalk.com Job Interview Role Plays for individuals with Asperger Syndrome