Interviewing & Networking: Finding and Landing Opportunities

2. Interviewing & Networking:Finding and Landing Opportunities Keith Munson Career Specialist Fall 2010 Strommen Career & Internship Center • munsonk@augsburg.edu • (612) 330-1167 • http://cswl.pbworks.com/

3. Agenda Set the agenda Interview Structures-what to expect Why Behavioral Interviewing Story telling and STAR Networking Remaining Questions/topics

4. What to expect…… • First round interviews (screening interview) • Typically 30-45 minutes; sometimes an hour • Typically with one or two people • 1st round structure • Small talk (brief) • Questions for you • Time to ask questions • The Closing • On Site Interviews are a series of interviews throughout longer period of time

5. What to expect…… • Questions about your background • Tell me about yourself • Walk me through your resume • Questions about your education and goals • Why Augsburg? • Why your major? • What do you hope to do? • Behavioral based questions • Situations that demonstrate a trait of skill.

6. Behavioral Interviewing PAST BEHAVIOR OR EVENTS FUTURE BEHAVIOR

7. What does it look like? • Examples: • Describe the last time you had to lead a team to solve a complex problem. • Tell me of a time when you needed to influence a group or individual. • Describe a project you managed from start to finish. • Skilled Interviewers will follow-up with several probing questions as you answer. • Interviewers want stories…..

8. Characteristics of a good story: • Just enough details to give the listener a picture of what you were doing or how you work • Concise enough to demonstrate your point • includes important details • excludes unimportant details • Not too short; not too long • There’s a character that the listener needs to “see” in action • Leave enough for the interviewer to ask follow up questions…don’t start with the whole story

9. How is it done? • S.T.A.R. technique is ONE tool: Situation-What was happening? Task (goal)-What were you trying to accomplish? Action-What did you specifically do? Result-What was the outcome? How did your work affect the organization or situation?

10. Select your stories….. Focus on your strengths Don’t be afraid to address your “gaps” Make your story relevant to that company, industry, function, role Note about Liberal Arts Two approaches

11. Marketing the liberal arts: • Employers want: • Communication Skills (written & verbal) • Honesty/Integrity • Teamwork Skills • Strong Work Ethic • Analytical Skills • Adaptability • Interpersonal Skills • Motivation/Initiative • Computer Skills • Detail-orientation • Organizational Skills • Leadership Skills • Self-Confidence • Liberal Arts teaches: • SEE PREVIOUS LIST

12. Prepare • Certain themes are almost guaranteed: • Leadership, teamwork, influence • Resolving conflict, interpersonal communication • Weakness, failure AND what you learned from it • Managing a project • Creativity; innovative • Interest in field, passion • The unexpected

13. Practice, then practice again Start with writing if it helps Move to bullet points of most important points Rehearse-over, over, over Ad lib story to different speakers Adjust story to answer several questions, but make sure you answer the question! Practice out loud, not just in your head!

14. Secret Weapons Use pauses to think of your response. Take a drink of water/coffee to give yourself a second to think. Use behavioral examples, even if interviewer isn’t asking for them Describe how you would handle a situation if you have not yet faced it. Others?

15. Hone your presentation. Evaluate your presentation (from your point-of-view) Learn from your experience

16. Presenting YOU Arrive early Introduce yourself Be professional Watch your eye contact and body language May bring and use your portfolio Leave your cell phone at home! Answer questions Ask questions Do not bring up salary or benefits Get business cards Close the interview

17. Interview Attire • Men • Well fitting suit • Pressed shirt (white, off-white, gray) • Conservative colors (gray, black, navy) • Professional hairstyle • Little cologne, jewelry • Traditional tie • Dress socks that match your suit! • Portfolio, NO BACK PACK • Women • Well fitting suit • Conservative colors (gray, black, navy) • Professional hairstyle • Little perfume, jewelry, or make up • Knee length, If wearing skirt • Avoid high heel shoes • Sheer hosiery • Portfolio, NO BACKPACK

18. Sum it all up…… Be prepared. Rehearse. Tell good stories. Learn from the experience.

19. Resource Suggestions

20. Tell me about yourself • Start with your undergrad degree • Describe your path • What experiences have you had along the way? • How do they relate to the role for which you applied? • What transferable skills run throughout? • Explain reasons for moves/transitions. • When/how did you decide to pursue this career? • What do you hope to do going forward? • What do you have to offer?

21. The pitch…. I’d like to thank you for your time today. I’ve really enjoyed talking with you and would like to reiterate my interest in this position. The things we have discussed today have made me more interested than ever. And with my background in training employees and managing projects, I know I can contribute right away. I hope I have the opportunity to talk with you again about this job and I hope you give me a chance to demonstrate my abilities in this internship. Thank you again.

22. Let’s Take a Break!

23. Networking......

24. Networking Defined: yes Building relationships Connecting with people in your field of interest Most effective way to find opportunities Helpful tool for learning more about your field Necessary at some point Lasts a lifetime no “Using” people “Smoozing” Not necessary; only necessary when looking for a job/internship Being replaced by the internet Purpose is to ask for a job

25. Do I really have to network? • Continuously learn about a field, company, or career field • Many jobs are not posted • Employers hire people they know or hear about through trusted sources • NOT networking will cause you to miss out on a large portion of the best jobs

26. Networking at a glance

27. Build Your List Tell everyone you know about your goals/plans Industry lists Big Book of Lists (SC&IC) Resources in SC&IC library Reference librarian in library Journals/papers related to field

28. Dig for contacts Alumni Family and friends Professional organizations Faculty/staff Classmates and colleagues Coaches LinkedIn and other social networking sites

29. Social Networking • Linkedin • www.linkedin.com • complete a descriptive profile • search for connections for informational interview • get company information and connections • Facebook • become a fan of company profiles • check the profile for news and information

30. Build Relationships. Don’t ask for a job! • Elevator Speech • 30 second “pitch” about you, your experience, and goals • Focus on them • Ask good questions and listen • Begin thinking about how you can help them RIGHT AWAY • Informational Interviews • Develop a list of questions you want to ask • Do your homework on the industry-know something about it! • STAY CONNECTED! • Follow up and continued relationships

31. Questions