Essential Interview Preparation Guide: Master Common Questions & Techniques

1. Today’s… • DO NOW: • Match up with 1 other student to take turns asking/answering the following questions: • What is your greatest weakness? • Tell me something about yourself. • What motivates you and why? • Where do you want to be 5 years from now? • OBJ: Prepare for interviews; develop responses to common interview questions • HW PREPARE FOR FINAL…

2. HW • HW: Further develop responses to the interview questions on the worksheet (33 questions total) • Review, revise, and practice interview q&a out loud. • Do a practice interview at http://desales.interviewstream.com/selectquestions/ {must have video capability} • Or non video http://myinterviewsimulator.com/ • Or use friends/family to ask/answer questions in worksheet

3. Preparation for interviews

4. Learn about… THE COMPANY THE INTERVIEWERS Operations Markets Challenges Job opening Overall industry & news Names LinkedIn Memberships in professional organizations

5. EMPLOYER’S Q’S Prepare for the q’s Make responses into brief stories instead of boring facts/statements • What is the hardest decision you’ve ever had to make? • Why it was difficult, how you made your choice, what you learned • What is your greatest weakness? • Mention skill / attribute you haven’t developed, but would like to in next position • “Where do you want to be five years from now? • Reflect a desire to contribute to employer’s long term goals – not just your own

6. Weakness? • I have not had to create lesson plans, but through Alternate Route training and a teacher mentor I will develop a greater knowledge of how to create effective lesson plans”

7. EMPLOYER’S Q’S Prepare for the q’s • What didn’t you like about the previous jobs you’ve held? • Ex: Having limited opportunities to apply skills or education • Tell me something about yourself. • Confident and memorable! • Quickly summarize where you’ve been and where you’d like to go • Focus on a skill that is valuable to the company • Share something business relevant you’re passionate about • Short summary of what colleagues / customers think about you

8. I have a fashion & technology background and I'm looking for a career change into education in order to enlighten students about proper business protocol while preparing them for college & career. I wholeheartedly believe in vo-tech schools because they prepare students to possess a skill past high school. And although my past colleagues and employers were sad to see me leave, since they know how hard I work, I'm excited to enter the field of teaching.

9. Prepare for the q’s Q’S OF YOUR OWN… • Interviews are 2-way convos • Just as important as your answers! • Demonstrate your understanding • Steer the discussion to your advantage • You’re expected to ask questions

10. Be confident • Nerves are natural – but must overcome! • Remind yourself you have value to offer • Emphasize positive traits • Focus on strengths • Address your shortcomings – take action to correct • Stop worrying about your interview performance – concentrate on what you can offer the company • PREPARATION = CONFIDENCE

11. Interview style • Competence • Confidence • Poise • Manners • Good judgment • Non verbal behavior • Posture, eye contact, facial expression, hand gestures, movements • Be alert & upbeat • Speaking voice – lively, inflection, emphasis • Filler words – ums, likes • Give complete, CONCISE answers

12. professional image CONSERVATIVE: • Neat hair • Business suit in dark solid or subtle pattern • Solid shirt / coordinated blouse • Conservative tie • No visible piercings [women – 2 earrings ok] • No visible tattoos • Stylish professional shoes – nothing casual • Clean hands & trimmed nails • Little or no perfume / cologne • Subtle makeup • Exemplary personal hygiene **even if a company dress code is business casual or casual, make a good impression by dressing formally**

14. Be ready on arrival • IN A LEATHER-BOUND BOOK: • Notebook [legal pad] • 2 pens- blue or black ink • Outline of company info • Calendar • Calculator – OTHER THAN YOUR PHONE • List of questions to ask • References, performance reviews, letters of recommendation [if not included in resume packet] Multiple, extra copies of resumes

15. Be ready on arrival • Turn phones OFF – not vibrate • Do not text • Do not make or answer calls • Do NOT be late – 15 min early • Do not smoke beforehand---OR EVER  • Do not chew gum, eat, or drink • Do not bring a friend • If you wait – bring something business oriented to read or company lit • **be friendly to receptionist and anybody else walking by** • Do not doubt yourself!

16. Successful interviewing Warm-up Q&A Close

17. Warm-up • Engage in small talk, if interviewer begins • Stand / sit up straight • Regular, natural eye contact • Don’t fidget • Firm handshake • Repeat the interviewers name when introduced • Wait to be seated • Let the interviewer start discussion

18. TAKE NOTES DURING INTERVIEW • Info about each company • Interviewer’s answers to questions • Contact info • Follow up communication • Appointments

19. Q&A DEALING WITH Q’S • Interviewer leads convo • Don’t answer before finished asking • Avoid 1 or 2 word…yes/no answers – expand & explain • Difficult question? Pause! • Listen to the interviewer

20. close • Last opportunity to emphasize value • Say thank you for the opportunity • Express interest in organization & position • Try to pin down next steps - a date for a next convo “I am very impressed with what I’ve seen and heard here today, and I am confident that I could do an excellent job in the position you’ve described to me. When might you be in a position to make a decision?” Stand, smile, thank the interviewer, and shake hands Thank the receptionist or assistant before you go!

21. Close - salary • Let interviewer raise subject • If asked requirements • Open • Negotiable • Competitive compensation package NEGOTIATION • Market demand for skills • Strength of job market • Policies& financial health • Other offers • Look at overall package • Salary • Bonus • Profit sharing • Retirement benefits • Health coverage • Vacation time

22. Following up… • Staying in contact shows determination • Demonstrates communication skills & business etiquette • Brings your name to attention • Respond quickly – 24 hrs max

23. f/u messages THANK YOU • Within 24 hrs • Good etiquette • Reinforce reasons you’re best • Respond to any negatives from interview • Convey interest • Ask for a decision • Brief & positive • INQUIRY • TIME EXTENSION • ACCEPTANCE • DECLINE • RESIGNATION

24. Questions?!

25. Let’s watch • http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/3041440/#45804792

27. DO NO BE LATE ON THURSDAYWE WILL BE IN MMCFINAL GRADE BASED ON:Interaction w/ peersconfidenceprofessionalism [behavior & dress]body languagequestions for the interviewerpersuasionthank you letter f/u (email word doc)5 interview questions