Interviewing Workshop

1. Interviewing Workshop McCormick Office of Career Development

2. Objectives • To better understand the interview process: the before, during, and after • To be aware of the appropriate interviewing behaviors • To learn about behavioral interviewing • To practice interviewing skills

3. Goals of the Interview Goals of the Candidate (you): • To obtain information about the job/organization. • To communicate important information about yourself. • To make a positive impression upon the employer. Goals of the Interviewer: • To promote the organization and attract the best candidate. • To assess if qualifications match the job requirements. • To determine candidate fit with the organization and staff.

4. Ability to learn Technical Skills Communication skills Critical thinking Personal management Teamwork Leadership Adaptability Skills/Qualities Sought by Employers • Organization Skills • Motivation • Problem Solving • Maturity • Professional Judgment NOTE: Know the specific technical skills for your areas of interest!

5. Before the Interview

6. Before the Interview • Research the industry/company • Identify reasons for wanting to work or having interest in that industry/company • Recall situations that show favorable behaviors/actions • Analyze the skills the employer is seeking • Practice answering common interview questions • Prepare questions to ask the employer

7. Company/Industry Research • Learn more about the industry • Wetfeet.com • Vault.com • Factiva.com • Informational Interviews & Networking • Learn about the company • Crain’s Business • Glassdoor.com • Student Evaluations • Company Website

8. Dress for the Interview • Business professional dress, unless notified otherwise • Carry a binder/portfolio to contain resumes, personal calendar, pen • Don’t chew gum or bring beverages or food

9. Dress to Impress- Women • Navy, gray, and black suits • Skirts length should be below the knee • Keep accessories to a minimum • Make-up should look natural • Choose one; handbag or briefcase

10. Dress to Impress- Men • Invest in a conservative color • Check for proper fit • Wear socks that match your trousers • Clean your shoes • The tie knot should be small

11. During the Interview

12. Interview Structure • Pre-Interview • Greeting, Introduction, “Small Talk” • Information Exchange • Interview questions/responses • Information sharing about employer • Interviewee’s questions • Closing • Next steps • Business card?

13. Pre-Interview & Greeting Pre-Interview • You're being judged as soon as you arrive • Arrive 10-15 minutes early to compose yourself Greeting • Know the interviewer’s name and pronunciation • Extend a warm greeting and firm handshake • Wait to be asked to have a seat

14. Information Exchange • DIRECT: confirms information • Are you able to... • OPEN-ENDED: generates performance data • Tell me about a time when you… • How did you… • Describe a situation where you… • Give me an example of… • WHY QUESTIONS: reveal preferences, motives

15. Tell me about yourself… A dreaded, but very common question. Importance: • First Impression still malleable • Tone of interview • Provide depth to resume • Insight into who you are Share information the employer may not already know and present it in a way that connects to the position you are seeking.

16. Direct Questions Direct questions often require only a short answer with minimal elaboration Examples: • Are you able to … • Are you willing to relocate? • Are you willing to travel?

17. Behavioral interviewing “The best predictor of future performance is past performance in similar situations.” Provide specific examples/situations based on actual past behaviors, instead of based on responses to hypothetical questions.

18. Your Response Strategy:The STAR Technique • Situation • Task • Action • Result Be a STAR

19. Tell me about a time when you took initiative? Situation Task Action Result • During my internship last summer, I was responsible for managing various events. • I noticed that attendance at these events had dropped by 30% over the past 3 years and wanted to do something to improve these numbers. • I designed a new promotional packet to go out to the local community businesses. I also included a rating sheet to collect feedback on our events and organized internal round table discussions to raise awareness of the issue with our employees • I was able to incorporate many of the ideas from the community, as well as make the internal systems more efficient and visible. I am proud to report that attendance increased by 18%.

20. About Your Body Language • Be sure to smile • Don’t hurry gestures/movements • Use good posture • Lean forward while listening and answering questions • Make eye contact • Use mirroring

21. Do and Don’t • DON’T • Be negative • Use ums/likes • Exaggerate or lie • Have your cell phone turned on • Interrupt the interviewer • Engage in a debate • Use acronyms DO • Convey enthusiasm, confidence, friendliness • Convey maturity and professionalism • Know your nervous body language tendencies and avoid them • Be articulate • Take time to reflect, if necessary, before answering • Be aware of your eye contact

22. Asking Good Questions • Prepare questions before the interview • They should be thoughtful and relevant • Address the position, skills, qualifications, etc… • Avoid salary benefits and/or personal topics

23. After the Interview • Write a thank you note to the interviewer within 48 hours • Recall pieces of your interview conversation • Remind them of your applicable skills and experience • Reiterate your interest in the position • Reflect/Process your experience • What did you do well? • What didn’t go so well? • How can you change that in a future interview? • Process your interaction to assess your fit

24. Good Luck!Questions?

25. Pitfalls  • Inability to express information clearly • Untidy personal appearance • Lack of genuine interest or enthusiasm • Unwillingness to start at the bottom • Negative attitude • Lack of eye contact • Being late for the interview