Your Interview Career Services Brigham Young University Hawaii

The interview is one of the most important phases of the job search process.

The interview is one of

the most important

phases of the job

search process.

BEFORE THE INTERVIEW: Prepare and Practice

Prepare and Practice

Evaluate and Know Yourself Interviewers ask questions to measure: Experience Skills Preparation Maturity Interests How well you will 'fit' with the employer/organization

Interviewers ask questions to measure:

Experience

Skills

Preparation

Maturity

Interests

How well you will 'fit' with the employer/organization

Evaluate and Know Yourself Prepare to verbally "market" your skills. Practice describing your accomplishments, experience, education, skills, goals etc. Practice answering questions out loud. Determine the fair market value salary range.

Prepare to verbally "market" your skills.

Practice describing your accomplishments, experience, education, skills, goals etc.

Practice answering questions out loud.

Determine the fair market value salary range.

Research the Employer It is important to learn: what an employer does why they exist how financially stable they are what the work culture is like what jobs are available

It is important to learn:

what an employer does

why they exist

how financially stable they are

what the work culture is like

what jobs are available

Be prepared to state WHY you want to work for the employer.

Be prepared to state WHY

you want to work for

the employer.

Research the Employer HOW: Study job descriptions. Read annual reports and study employer web sites. Research an employer’s ownership, size, products/services, customers, training programs, etc. Attend company information meetings on campus. Meet with employers at career fairs.

HOW:

Study job descriptions.

Read annual reports and study employer web sites.

Research an employer’s ownership, size, products/services, customers, training programs, etc.

Attend company information meetings on campus.

Meet with employers at career fairs.

Research will help you to prepare to answer interview questions from employers: What do you know about us? Why do you want to work here? What qualifies you for this job?

Research will help you to prepare to answer interview questions from employers:

What do you know about us?

Why do you want to work here?

What qualifies you for this job?

DRESS PROFESSIONALLY It is always better to be over-dressed than under-dressed in an interview. Dress to impress and look like a professional. If in doubt, wear a suit!

It is always better to be over-dressed than under-dressed in an interview.

Dress to impress

and look like a professional.

If in doubt, wear a suit!

DRESS PROFESSIONALLY Matching suits and shined shoes for men and women. Wear a suit unless an employer specifies business casual attire. “ Business casual” is still “business.” Be conservative. Dark colors: navy blue, dark grey, brown… Choose natural fabrics that don’t wrinkle. Neat hair and minimal jewelry. Prepare in advance!

Matching suits and shined shoes for men and women.

Wear a suit unless an employer specifies business casual attire.

“ Business casual” is still “business.” Be conservative.

Dark colors: navy blue, dark grey, brown…

Choose natural fabrics that don’t wrinkle.

Neat hair and minimal jewelry.

Prepare in advance!

MEN: Shoes and belt should be the same color Conservative silk ties Be clean or close shaven

Shoes and belt should be the same color

Conservative silk ties

Be clean or close shaven

WOMEN: Skirts at or below knee length Women’s skirted suits are more formal Wear long sleeved blouses and closed toe shoes with hose Keep makeup understated and natural “ Stylish, but conservative.” The Smart Women’s Guide

Skirts at or below knee length

Women’s skirted suits are more formal

Wear long sleeved blouses and closed toe shoes with hose

Keep makeup understated and natural

“ Stylish, but conservative.”

The Smart Women’s Guide

What to Bring Documents to bring might include: resume transcripts applications list of references

Documents to bring might include:

resume

transcripts

applications

list of references

DURING THE INTERVIEW: Presentation and Performance

Presentation and Performance

Presentation and Performance Listen attentively and be aware of your body language. Answer the question that is being asked. Ask questions about the job/organization. Thank the interviewer, express interest, shake hands, etc. You must effectively sell yourself.

Listen attentively and be aware of your body language.

Answer the question that is being asked.

Ask questions about the job/organization.

Thank the interviewer, express interest, shake hands, etc.

You must effectively sell yourself.

As soon as possible, write down what was discussed and send a thank you letter .

As soon as possible,

write down what was discussed

and send a thank you letter .

What will they ask? Interview questions assess: educational preparation skills / work experience campus involvement personal characteristics Practice describing your success stories and situations where you demonstrated skills and characteristics required for the job you seek.

Interview questions assess:

educational preparation

skills / work experience

campus involvement

personal characteristics

Practice describing your success stories and

situations where you demonstrated skills and

characteristics required for the job you seek.

Topics and skills interviewers question students about: education career experience internships campus & community involvement communication skills interpersonal skills teamwork & teambuilding computer & technical skills learning quickly/learning from mistakes decision-making knowledge in academic discipline project experience achievement & goal orientation presentation skills leading & managing others time & stress management conflict resolution analytical thinking & problem solving integrity & ethics

education

career experience

internships

campus & community involvement

communication skills

interpersonal skills

teamwork & teambuilding

computer & technical skills

learning quickly/learning from mistakes

decision-making

knowledge in academic discipline

project experience

achievement & goal orientation

presentation skills

leading & managing others

time & stress management

conflict resolution

analytical thinking & problem solving

integrity & ethics

Traditional Interview Questions Tell me about yourself. Why do you want this job? Why should I hire you? How has your college experience prepared you for this job? Why are you interested in working for this company? What do you consider to be your top 4 strengths? Name 3 of your weaknesses. Tell me how you meet the qualifications for this job. List and describe three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction.

Tell me about yourself. Why do you want this job? Why should I hire you?

How has your college experience prepared you for this job?

Why are you interested in working for this company?

What do you consider to be your top 4 strengths? Name 3 of your weaknesses.

Tell me how you meet the qualifications for this job.

List and describe three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction.

Behavioral-Based Interview Questions Ask for specific examples of past situations that the employer wants to find in the “ideal” candidate. Demonstrate: Skills Competencies Work Behaviors

Ask for specific examples

of past situations that the employer

wants to find in the “ideal” candidate.

Demonstrate:

Skills

Competencies

Work Behaviors

Behavioral-Based Interview Questions To prepare: Analyze the skills/qualifications that are required Identify situations where you demonstrated those behaviors Give detailed examples, describing the situation you were in, tasks and challenges you faced, your actions and behaviors , and the results/outcomes.

To prepare:

Analyze the skills/qualifications that are required

Identify situations where you demonstrated those behaviors

Give detailed examples, describing the

situation you were in, tasks and challenges

you faced, your actions and behaviors ,

and the results/outcomes.

Behavioral-Based Interview Questions EXAMPLES: Tell me about a situation when you demonstrated your leadership ability. Describe a problem you’ve had on a job. What actions did you take to resolve it? Tell me about a time when you performed well in a stressful situation or crisis.

EXAMPLES:

Tell me about a situation when you demonstrated your leadership ability.

Describe a problem you’ve had on a job. What actions did you take to resolve it?

Tell me about a time when you performed well in a stressful situation or crisis.

What do you need to know to decide if you want to work for this employer? Develop insightful questions designed to show your knowledge of the employer and interest in the job you are seeking .

Develop insightful questions designed to show your knowledge of the employer and interest in the job you are seeking .

Example Questions to Ask: What type of projects and assignments could I expect as a new employee? What are the goals and objectives of the company’s training program? What do you like most about your job and working for this organization?

What type of projects and assignments could I expect as a new employee?

What are the goals and objectives of the company’s training program?

What do you like most about your job and working for this organization?

Reflection and Evaluation After each interview: Evaluate what you did well Determine how you might improve Identify your strengths and weaknesses. Make each interview a learning opportunity and strive to continuously improve.

After each interview:

Evaluate what you did well

Determine how you might improve

Identify your strengths and weaknesses.

Make each interview a learning opportunity and strive to continuously improve.

AFTER THE INTERVIEW: Reflection and Evaluation

Reflection and Evaluation

Reflection and Evaluation Did you arrive on time, dress professionally, and act appropriately? Did you indicate you had researched the employer/job? Did you state your career goals? Did you answer questions with details to support your skills and accomplishments? Were you positive and enthusiastic? What questions did you do well on? What questions could you have answered better? Afterwards, did you mail a thank you letter within 24 hours to the interviewer?

Did you arrive on time, dress professionally, and act appropriately?

Did you indicate you had researched the employer/job?

Did you state your career goals?

Did you answer questions with details to support your skills and accomplishments?

Were you positive and enthusiastic?

What questions did you do well on? What questions could you have answered better?

Afterwards, did you mail a thank you letter within 24 hours to the interviewer?

TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS Many employers conduct preliminary interviews with candidates by telephone. Be prepared with your resume, paper, pen, etc. Speak as if the interviewer could see you. Avoid “ yes ” and “ no ” answers --- provide details. Be polite and do NOT interrupt the interviewer. Write down ANY important details. T hank the interviewer.

Many employers conduct preliminary interviews with candidates by telephone.

Be prepared with your resume, paper, pen, etc.

Speak as if the interviewer could see you.

Avoid “ yes ” and “ no ” answers --- provide details.

Be polite and do NOT interrupt the interviewer.

Write down ANY important details.

T hank the interviewer.

Your GOAL for a telephone interview is to get an in-person interview.

Your GOAL for a

telephone interview is

to get an

in-person interview.

SECOND INTERVIEWS Allow employers to assess your qualifications and personal characteristics . Also, continue marketing yourself and gathering more information to help you decide whether you would like to work there.

Allow employers to

assess your qualifications

and personal characteristics .

Also, continue marketing yourself

and gathering more information to help you

decide whether you would like to work there.

SECOND INTERVIEWS If it includes lunch or dinner: Use good etiquette Participate in the discussion Ask pertinent questions Stick with safe conversational topics Show your ability to mix business with pleasure!

If it includes lunch or dinner:

Use good etiquette

Participate in the discussion

Ask pertinent questions

Stick with safe conversational topics

Show your ability to

mix business with pleasure!

Second Interview Etiquette Tips: Elbows off the table Order food that is easy to eat Taste food before seasoning Use the proper silverware Cut food one bite at a time Never talk while chewing Keep napkin in your lap until you leave the table

Elbows off the table

Order food that is easy to eat

Taste food before seasoning

Use the proper silverware

Cut food one bite at a time

Never talk while chewing

Keep napkin in your lap until you leave the table

Some things to remember: If everyone asks you the same question, answer it enthusiastically every time. Act so that each interviewer recognizes your ability! Provide details about your skills and qualifications. Ask questions and get a feel for the employer’s operating environment. Dress professionally. Be confident, enthusiastic, and polite. Ask when you can expect to hear regarding the hiring decision. Send a thank you letter .

If everyone asks you the same question, answer it enthusiastically every time.

Act so that each interviewer recognizes your ability!

Provide details about your skills and qualifications.

Ask questions and get a feel for the employer’s operating environment.

Dress professionally.

Be confident, enthusiastic, and polite.

Ask when you can expect to hear regarding the hiring decision.

Send a thank you letter .

ILLEGAL QUESTIONS Employers should ONLY ask questions related to your ability to perform the job duties . If you are asked inappropriate questions, you will need to choose how to respond without being angry or defensive.

Employers should ONLY ask questions related to your ability to perform the job duties .

If you are asked inappropriate questions, you will need to choose how to respond without being angry or defensive.

Possible responses: Answer the question. Don't answer. Guess what is behind their question formulate a response. "I'm not sure how this relates to my ability to perform the job. Would you please clarify your question for me so that I can better understand your concerns?"

Answer the question.

Don't answer.

Guess what is behind their question formulate a response.

"I'm not sure how this relates to my ability

to perform the job. Would you please clarify

your question for me so that I can better

understand your concerns?"

SALARY Negotiate salary AFTER a job offer is extended, but BEFORE you accept. Before interviews, determine your “worth” based on your skills and experience . Please come into the Career Services Center for assistance in evaluating job offers and preparing for salary negotiations.

Negotiate salary AFTER a job offer is extended, but BEFORE you accept.

Before interviews, determine your “worth” based on your skills and experience .

Please come into the Career Services Center

for assistance in evaluating job offers and

preparing for salary negotiations.

EVALUATING JOB OFFERS When you receive a job offer, evaluate everything about it, NOT just the salary and benefits.

When you receive a job offer,

evaluate everything about it,

NOT just the salary and benefits.

Things to Consider: Would you like this job? Happy working here? Living in this city? Matches your skills, interests, and career goals? Challenging? Co-workers and supervisors you like and respect? People seem happy/enthusiastic about working here? Skill development through training and career advancement? Best work environment for personality/career needs? Salary and benefits to meet your financial needs?

Would you like this job? Happy working here? Living in this city?

Matches your skills, interests, and career goals? Challenging?

Co-workers and supervisors you like and respect?

People seem happy/enthusiastic about working here?

Skill development through training and career advancement?

Best work environment for personality/career needs?

Salary and benefits to meet your financial needs?

Accepting Job Offers If you want the position, you may accept immediately . You may accept an offer in person or by telephone, but also write and mail a formal acceptance letter. If you want to think about the offer, you may ask for a little more time to consider the offer. Ask when they need your decision to show you are treating the offer seriously.

If you want the position, you may accept immediately .

You may accept an offer in person or by telephone, but also write and mail a formal acceptance letter.

If you want to think about the offer, you may ask for a little more time to consider the offer.

Ask when they need your decision to show you are treating the offer seriously.

Accepting a job offer should be done in good faith . Once you have accepted an offer, professional ethics suggest that you withdraw from further interviews with other employers.

Accepting a job offer

should be done in good faith .

Once you have accepted an offer,

professional ethics suggest that you

withdraw from further interviews

with other employers.

Declining Job Offers Do NOT stall in replying to an offer in hopes of receiving a different offer from another employer. In this case, contact the other company. Let them know you have an offer and want to know when they will make a hiring decision. If you have an offer from another organization that requires a reply, you should contact the company representative to make the most informed decision.

Do NOT stall in replying to an offer in hopes of receiving a different offer from another employer.

In this case, contact the other company. Let them know you have an offer and want to know when they will make a hiring decision.

If you have an offer from another organization that requires a reply, you should contact the company representative to make the most informed decision.

When you accept a job offer, please inform Career Services .

When you accept a job offer, please inform Career Services .

Check out the resources at the Career Center. Learn about how to interview. Research employers. Determine what you need to know to decide if you would accept a job. Develop questions to ask during interviews. Study job descriptions. Evaluate how you can market yourself.

Check out the resources at the Career Center.

Learn about how to interview.

Research employers.

Determine what you need to know to decide if you would accept a job.

Develop questions to ask during interviews.

Study job descriptions.

Evaluate how you can market yourself.

BYU Hawaii Career Services (808) 293-3533 / FAX: (808) 293-3975 EMAIL: [email_address] http://www.byuh.edu/career

BYU Hawaii Career Services

(808) 293-3533 / FAX: (808) 293-3975

EMAIL: [email_address]

http://www.byuh.edu/career