1. Chris Robinson Deanna K. Mabe
Adult Career Coach Experiential Learning &
WCC-Wytheville Job Placement Coordinator
WCC-Wytheville
Mary Ann Gillock Margaret Johnston
Adult Career Coach Experiential Learning &
WCC-The Crossroads Institute- Galax Job Placement Coordinator
WCC-The Crossroads Institute-Galax

2. Before The Interview:
 Research the potential employer
Google the company website
Glassdoor, Vault
Hoover’s Online Career Center
 Research the job and know the duties of
the position
Print the advertisement for the position and
break the duties down
Make the connection. Be able to apply your
school and work experiences to the position.

3. Prepare a Resume
 Brief summary of education and training
 Work history and experience
 Short phrases focusing on active words
and your strengths
 Customize it to the position
 Go over it prior to the interview
 Be prepared to answer questions and
explain details of resume
 Bring several copies

4. Know Details of the Interview:
Time, Location, Travel, Parking, etc…
 Practice driving to the business so you
know exactly how long it takes to get
there
 Know where to park
 Find the restrooms so you know where
to go to freshen up
 Arrive early
 Treat everyone you encounter with
courtesy and respect

5. Prepare your “Elevator Speech”…
Careerbuildeer.com lists the most common interview question is “If we were
riding in an elevator, you would have 60 seconds to tell me about yourself,
What would you tell me?”
 Use short phrases, not full sentences
 Briefly summarize your education and training
 Focus on your strengths
 Use examples of your work experience,
accomplishments, job-specific skills
 Apply them to the position
 Express your interest in the position
 Wrap up favorably

6. Dress Appropriately…
Tips for Men
 If possible, wear a suit to the interview
 Belt and shoes should be same color
 Avoid ties with elaborate patterns or too
many colors
 A wedding ring and/or watch is generally
the only jewelry that should be worn
 Head to Toe: Hair should be well groomed
and shoes should be polished
 Avoid scents

7. Who Would You Hire?

8. Tips for Women
 A suit or dress is preferable
 Pant suits are acceptable
 Skirts should meet at the top of the knee
or longer
 The amount of jewelry should be
minimized
 Make-up should be light
 Avoid perfumes and scented lotions or
powders

9. Who Would You Hire?

10. Stylish, And Ready To Interview

11. Top Wardrobe Mistakes:
 Backpacks, fanny packs  Poor fitting clothing
 Sunglasses or Headphones  Long fingernails, especially
 Too-short skirts with bright or specialty
 Wrong tie…avoid big or bright polishes
patterns (Image consultants  Unnatural hair colors or styles
recommend red or burgundy)  Short-sleeved shirts
 Bright or overly patterned  Fishnets, patterned hosiery or
clothing bare legs
 Heavy make-up  Socks that do not match, or
 Earrings on men socks that leave a gap of
 More than one set of earrings flesh when seated
on women  Rumpled or stained clothing
 Facial piercings, tongue  Scuffed or inappropriate
jewelry or visible tattoos shoes (sneakers, stilettos,
 Obvious signs of a new suit sandals, flip flops)
(tags, stickers)  Strong scents
 Jeans are not professional  Belts and shoes not matching

12. First Impression: Greeting
Body Language Dress Appropriately
 Firm handshake  Tailor your outfit for
 Eye contact the industry…always
 Smile err toward being over-
dressed and
 Friendly expression
conservative
 When standing, keep
 Clean and neat
weight balanced personal grooming
 Shoulders squared
 Clean and neat
toward the person clothing
 Lean slightly forward
 Turn off your cell
 No barriers, no crossed phone and/or leave it
arms in your car

13. Starting The Interview
 Be sure to arrive 10 to 15
minutes prior to the start of
the interview
 Greet the interviewer with
a firm handshake
 Maintain good eye contact
and posture
 Make sure you are
energetic and enthusiastic
 Speak clearly
 Bring a pad and a pen and
always take notes during
every professional meeting

14. Standard Interview Questions
 Would you tell me about yourself?
 What is your greatest strength?
 What is your greatest weakness?
 Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
 What about this position do you find most
appealing?
 Why do you want to work for our company?
 Why should we hire you?

15. Behavior-Based Questions
 Can you describe the most
valuable criticism you have
received and what you did with it?
 Can you tell me about an event
that really challenged you?
 Can you give me an example of a
project that required attention to
detail and how you handled the
details?
 Can you tell me about a difficult
person with whom you have
worked?
 Can you describe the supervisor
that you have liked the least?

16. Communication: Employers look for people
who can communicate effectively verbally and in
writing.
Whether you took public speaking or gave reports to
your supervisor, you have polished some
presentation skills.

17. Critical Thinking: “If you have been to school or worked
in any job field, you can evaluate, analyze, act quickly, and
ultimately make effective decisions.
.
Think of a project or problem with your previous school or
work experience. Discuss how you solved it or overcame it.
Plan to use this example in an interview.

18. Writing: Good grammar is important in today’s marketplace.
All of us have taken a required English course in school and every
job required us to complete paperwork.
Take time to develop your ability to express yourself in a
professional manner. Show your writing skills in your resume and
cover letter. If asked about your written abilities, discuss the
reports and required paperwork that you completed at work. You
can also discuss your computer skills with regards to reports and
paperwork you were required to complete.
.

19. Leadership and teamwork: Employers want people
who can lead and also can work as part of a larger team. Your
degree in school wasn’t earned without group projects and your
past job was not performed in isolation. Most of our previous
activities are experienced as a part of a learning team.
Consider when you worked together on an assignment or project
at work. You may have shown skills in heading up a group or
demonstrated your part in a successful outcome.

20. Multitasking: Many people go to school, work part-time or
full-time, support and raise a family and still find time for church,
charitable or community activities…and personal hobbies. All of
these are examples of multitasking and juggling workloads.
Consider asking former teachers or supervisors for
recommendation letters highlighting moments of success despite
your heavy workload and responsibilities.
Use these successes as examples in your job interview to
highlight your abilities to coordinate and be successful.

21. ALWAYS Ask The Employer a question….
 What kind of training will I receive?
 Describe a typical day for the person in this
position?
 What type of advancement opportunities are
available with your organization?
 What is your time table for the remainder of
the hiring process?
Use your pre-interview research to ask questions
that demonstrate your knowledge of their
company!

22. Follow-Up
 Be sure to send a
“thank you” after you
have interviewed
 A hand-written card is
preferred
 If you feel you have
poor handwriting, then
a typed letter may be
a better option
 Mail the card or letter
on the same day as
your interview

23. Need Additional Tips or Practice?
 Schedule an appointment with a WCC Career
Counselor
 We can further discuss interviewing and help to
set-up a mock interview to practice your
interviewing skills
Wytheville Community College
1000 East Main Street
Wytheville, VA 24382
276-223-4700
Smyth County Education Center
300 Gordondale Road
Atkins, VA 24311
2767-783-1777