Preparing for the 21 st Century

1. Preparing for the 21st Century Job Interviews Presenter Malee Lennon, MS, CAS, NCC, LMHC, DCC Employment Counselor New York State Department of Labor

2. Preparing for the 21st Century Job Interviews - OVER VIEW • What is an Interview? • Types of Interviews • Preparing for the Interviews Process • Traditional vs Behavioral Interviews • Know Your Rights • Handling Difficult / improper Interview Questions • After Interview Checklist • Follow up Letters • Salary Negotiations • Career Fair & Internship Interviews

3. What is an Interview ? • The Purpose of an Interview • Employee’s Perspective • Employer’s Perspective

4. Types of Interviews • Telephone Screening Interview • In-person Screening Interview • Peer Group Interview • Luncheon Interview • Video Conference Interview

5. Telephone Screening Interview • Saves the employer’s time by eliminating candidates based on essential company’s criteria • These type of interviews often occur unexpectedly • Important to keep your job search records organized & at dedicated place

6. In-Person Screening Interviews • Used to verify the candidate’s qualifications • Established impression of candidate’s attitude, interest & professional style • Goal is to select candidates to meet with • the decision maker(s) • other managers, CEO or • other members of the work group

7. Traditional Interview & Questions Employer wants to know: • About Your Qualifications • About Your Ability to Work for the job • About your career & personal choices • Hard questions • Stress questions • For career change • Tell me about yourself

8. Behavioral Interviews What is Behavioral Interview ? Behavioral interview or behavioral event interview, BEI, is a standardized method of interview design to measure how you will perform on the job based on the premise that a candidates past behavior / performance is the predictor of future behavior / performance

9. Preparing Tips for Behavioral Interview • Compile a list of your skills, values & interests as well as your strengths & weakness • Think of samples of how you have successfully used the knowledge, past experience & skills • Prepare anecdote(s) to show how your experience applies to the position / helps the company

10. Samples of Behavioral Interview Questions • Tell me something you’ve done in your job that was creative. • You’ve told me a lot of your strengths for this job. But I need to get a balance & get some knowledge of where you might need some improvement. Describe for me a time when you made mistake that illustrates that you need to for improvement.

11. Luncheon or Dinner Interview • To assess how well you can handle yourself in a social situation • Choose your meal selection carefully, select healthy & easy things to eat • Know silverware placement & eating etiquette • Pay attention to conversation

12. Preparing for the Interview Process On Interview Day: What to bring, what to do ? • Arrive 15 minutes early • Bring a notebook, black pen & tissues • Review questions you can ask in the interview • Bring your resume & personal business card • Bring your letters of recommendation • Bring your Working Papers, Awards Certificates or state picture ID

13. Preparation for the InterviewRESEARCH the COMPANY Do research on the company • Library, newspaper, Business Review and… • www.google.com - type the company’s name, visit the company’s site • http://www.labor.state.ny.us/careerservices/CareerServicesIndex.shtm • www.jobhuntersbible.com 8 pages of resources for company search • www.monster.com - go to the bottom for “research companies”

14. Preparation for the InterviewRESEARCH the COMPANY • Call the company & ask for their annual report, catalogue or brochures • Visit the company’s & their competitors’ internet sites • Talked to people who work/know the company • Learn about the customers, company’s goals, their competitors & their achievements

15. Self Search – Know Yourself Utilize Tools, Websites & Checklist for: • Self- Assessment • Career Explorations • Identifying your interests • Work Values • Transferable skills

16. KNOW YOURSELF Self – Assessment Tools • Choices • www.careerkey.org • www.jobhuntersbible.com • www.quintcareers.com • www.nyjobzone.org • www.careerzone.org • www.o’net.org • www.acinet.org • www.careerinfonet.org

17. Know Yourself… • What work values are most important to you? • Identify your strengths • Identify your skills

18. Before the Interview Practice makes perfect • Practice your phone skills • Prepare list of answers to commonly asked questions • Video record mock interview if possible • Practice interview with at least 2 people

19. Dress for Success • Carefully plan what you wear • Match your clothes to the job, dress one step up • When in doubt, think conservative • Don’t wear fancy or gaudy jewelry • Limit cologne or make up • Be neat, clean & well groom

20. From Your Door to the Employer’s Door • Arrive at the interview early & alone • Check location & parking before hand • Bring pen, note pad & copies of your resume • Be prepare to fill up applications with previous employers’ address & phone # • Bring certificates of achievements you have • Bring working papers, photo ID

21. The Structure of a Job Interview • Greeting • The Warm - Up • The Information Exchange • The Wrap - Up

22. During the Interview • Body Language • Eye contact • Interview manners • Speak clearly & enthusiastically • Listen carefully • Be positive

23. During the Interview • Maintain good eye contact • Communicate Effectively • Be positive • Be honest • Show your enthusiasm / interest • Save discussion of salary for later

24. Second Interview Tips • Get the Agenda • More Research, Research, Research • Review Interview Questions & Answers • Prepared more relevant questions to ask • Practice, practice again !

25. Difficult Questions to Answer Why are you fired ? Answers samples in handout. __________________________________ • Practice • Do not lie • Do not contradict yourself • Do not insult your former boss / employer

26. Handling Improper Interview Questions Samples of Improper Questions vs Proper Questions - race - national origin - age - religion - sex - disability - arrest records or - labor organization

27. Questions You Might Want to Ask the Interviewer • Samples questions in handout • Do not ask about: • Time off • Salary or benefits In the first job interview

28. Closing the Interview • When finish asking questions, wrap things up by stating that you are very interested in the position • Reiterate why you are a good match for the job • Smile, firm hand shake & thank them for their time before leaving • Ask when to call back for result of selection

29. After the Interview • Collect name cards, know their job titles • Make notes on significant discussion during the interview • What do you wish you had said or done better • What follow up arrangements or corrections can you do ?

30. Follow - up Letters • Should be send asap or within 48 hours • It’s your chance to demonstrate to the employer one more time how your skills & qualifications are good match for the position • Good business etiquette & impression • Keep the letter, e-mail or note brief • Proofread & be sure to spell all names correctly

31. Salary Negotiation • When to negotiate Salary ? • After the job offer • Salary negotiation can start before the interview _________________________________________ See Handout for Salary Negotiation Tutorial

32. CAREER FAIRS • Find out what companies participate in the fair • Research the companies & types of positions they are recruiting for • Learn how to perform a One-Minute Miracle • Bring plenty of resumes to leave for employers • Prepare questions & answers for the recruiters • Dress professionally

33. Career / Job Fair During the Job Fair • Make good impression • Net work with employers • Collect business cards • Ask relevant / intelligent questions • Do not ask what the company does or has any jobs

34. Career / Job Fair What Not to Do during the Job Fair • Don’t take anyone with you who is not looking for a job • Don’t take up too much of the employer’s time • Don’t vent about former employers to potential new ones • Don’t interrupt an employer if he/she is surrounded by job seekers. You want one-on-one conversation with him/her

35. Career / Job Fair What should I do After the Job Fair? • Log the companies name & notes about the visit • Analyze & prioritize your list of leads • Call the people you spoke with • Write thank you – follow-up letters or • E-mail or both

36. How to Lose Out on an Interview !!! See Handouts on: From : Top 34 reasons from National Association of Trade & Technical School. Washington, DC From Employers & careerbuilder.com survey: “Biggest mistakes recent college graduates make during the application & interview process”