- The document provides guidance on preparing for and conducting oneself during a job interview, including researching the company and position, presenting one's qualifications, and following up after the interview. - It discusses proper interview attire, common interview question types, using the STAR technique to answer behavioral questions, researching companies and one's own interests/skills, and following up with a thank you note after the interview. - The key advice is to thoroughly prepare for the interview by researching the company and practicing answering questions out loud, in order to make the best possible impression and increase the chances of getting the job.

1. Interviewing Amy O’Donnell Career Development Lecturer [email_address] ST 2012 419-530-2422

2. Inter – “Review” Research Position, Industry, Yourself, Company Identified key qualities , vision, mission, values, philosophy Targeted cover letter promoting written communication which pinpoints your connection with the qualities, values…

3. When does the interview start? At home When you get dressed In the waiting area The seed has already been planted by the time you even shake the interviewer’s hand

4. Professional Wardrobe Men Dark tailored suit White or pale blue cotton shirt Tie-not too busy Black belt/shoes Dark over-the-calf socks Women Dark Tailored Suit Skirts knee length Neutral stockings Conservative shoes Limited jewelry/nail polish Cotton/silk blouse Leave the piercings, heavy perfume/cologne at home .

5. Stages of the interview Establishing Rapport Gathering Information Closing the Interview Following through after the Interview

6. You may perform well, but ultimately… … it all boils down to fi t

7. Types of Questions Credential Experience Opinion Eye-brow raisers Behavioral Situational Stress-if you can prepare for these, you’re in!

8. Types of Interviews Traditional Non-directive Case Stress Behavioral Situational Screening Panel Peer or Group Luncheon Second… Video

9. Are you ready to… Take the interviewer on a tour of your resume Cite examples of your key qualities/assets Discuss strengths/weaknesses Tell behavior-based stories Promote strengths/weaknesses Tell me about yourself

10. Tell me about yourself… Customize your response to the company: How you recognized/developed your interests/skills (these should be consistent with the company’s key qualities) What brought you to UT and how you’ve continued to develop Why and how you decided to pursue this company

11. “ Tell me about yourself” example response Growing up I realized I had a gift for getting along with others. At recess, I was one of the lucky kids who got picked first or second to be on teams. I don’t think it was so much skill, as it was my likeability. Anyway, that quality seemed to carry over into everything I did, like involvement at church, or in groups like Scouts or the Yearbook committee. I was good at recognizing others’ strengths and motivating them to achieve so we could reach our goals.

12. “ Tell me about yourself” example response (cont’d) When declaring a major at UT, I figured Management would be a good place for me to continue to build my knowledge and skills of connecting with people to reach goals. Now, as I prepare to enter the workforce, I’m excited to find a company such as yours who seeks proven interpersonal, leadership and motivational qualities. I believe I can enter your Leadership Development Program and make an immediate connection with staff.

13. Strengths You know these (VIPS) Be prepared to relate them to the company’s desired qualities Qualify your response with an example

14. Weaknesses Listen closely: if they ask for one, stop there. Don’t be so bold as to assume that you don’t have any—we all do! Re-frame—weaknesses are developmental areas. Describe what you are doing or have done to address the area.

15. STAR Technique S ituation or T ask -think of a situation, predicament or task you needed to perform A ction -describe the action or steps you took to achieve results or overcome obstacles R esult -identify the outcome, positive or negative and what you learned

16. Fine-tuning STAR Try not to sound too rehearsed Become a story teller Recognize that you don’t have to use the STAR technique for all questions Vary your responses from different experiences Put a positive spin on everything Bring it home

17. Sample Behavioral Style Questions Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult supervisor Describe what happened when something you’d planned fell through What happens when you are responsible for leading a group Tell me about a time you needed to make a difficult decision

18. Sample Behavioral Style Questions Describe a goal you set for yourself and how you achieved it Tell me about a time you went above and beyond what was expected of you Identify a time when you needed to convince others to your way of thinking Tell me about a time you demonstrated flexibility

19. You’ve performed your research and established and cultivated relationships with the company ????

20. Ask Questions! Show the employer your commitment Employers frown upon candidates who don’t ask questions Don’t go away feeling like you forgot something

21. What Kind of Questions? Training Office/corporate culture Hierarchy Performance Evaluations or expectations Location/re-location Travel Timing (when start after graduation?) Current events-industry, company New products or processes Progression through the company What else do they need to know? Want examples? http://www.jobweb.com/resources/library/Interviews/How_to_Come_Out_43_02.htm , How to Come Out First in a Second Interview

22. Handling Illegal Questions Employers questions should help to determine whether the interviewee can perform the functions of the job You have three choices: Answer the question Refuse to answer the question Examine the question and respond based on how it applies to the job

23. Watch out for illegal questions Marital/Family Status Personal Age Affiliations/Religion/Creed National Origin/Citizenship Disability Arrest Record Refer to Handling Illegal Questions www.jobweb.com/resources/library/Interviews/Handling_Illegal_46_01.htm

24. Beyond paper and words… Professional dress-the “classic” look has never gone out of style Appropriate physical presence-ask yourself just how many earrings you need to wear or how much gel you need apply Personal hygiene goes a long way—we are very scent-sensitive

25. Non-Verbals Speak Loudly Eye contact Posture Jewelry Gestures Nervous gestures Leg crossing Cracking voice Mumbling Piercings Hair Handshake Evidence of attentiveness Attitude Energy Scent

26. Helpful Websites www.jobweb.com www.collegejournal.com www.rileyguide.com www.collegegrad.com www.quintcareers.com http://www.quintcareers.com/sample_behavioral.html -This is an especially rich and easy to navigate page

27. Before you start Know yourself Interests Skills/aptitudes Work values Accomplishments Aspirations Know the position/field Responsibilities Career paths Variety of opportunities Current events or the “market” Know the company/organization Know the Employer Research, research, research-head to Carlson Web sites Periodicals, journals Annual reports Recruiting literature Marketing pieces Networking/informational interviewing

28. Know Yourself Interests Skills/aptitudes Work values Accomplishments Aspirations Can you speak concisely and convincingly about yourself?

29. Know the Position/field Responsibilities Career paths Variety of opportunities Current events or the “market” Can you convince an employer that you have done the research and are prepared to begin a career in their ranks?

30. Know the employer Research, research, research-head to Carlson Web sites Periodicals, journals Annual reports Recruiting literature Marketing pieces Networking/informational interviewing Are you able to convince the employer that you “fit”?

31. Bottom Line All the experience in the world will do no good if you can’t perform well in the interview. Correspondence can look great—don’t blow it in person. Balance your responses—are you really all that? Ultimately, it comes down to fit.

32. At a Minimum the Employer Needs to Determine Communicative abilities Career goals Personality congruence Leadership characteristics Motivational achievements

33. So, how do you do it? PRACTICE!

34. Why do you get an interview? You meet the basic requirements It looks like you’ve got balance You know someone You’ve got experience there

35. The most important final question… What is the next step in the process? When can I expect to hear from you How should I direct future correspondence/communication? What else do you need to know about me to ensure I’m on your “short list?”

36. Follow-up Follow-through with your commitments (for example, reference sheet, online application…) Send a thank-you to all pertinent people within 24 hours Submit legitimate expenses Maintain positive communication

37. Best Advice Research careers, companies, questions Practice, Practice, PRACTICE! Determine what’s going to set you apart from the competition Customize your approach Own the interview

38. Carlson has some fairly new videos If you enjoy watching videos , Carlson has a selection (Two by Mike Farr, a career planning specialist) ( http://utmost.cl.utoledo.edu/search/dCareer+development/dcareer+development/-2%2C-1%2C0%2CB/exact&FF=dcareer+development&1%2C113%2C/limit?M=v&NAME=S&VALUE=employment+interviewing&W=cmmm+&Ya=&Yb =) There are others…Search by “Video Recording” or “Audiovisual” in Carlson Microform/Multimedia

39. www.jobweb.com The student site developed by the National Association of College and Employers At jobweb.com, click Career Library Researching Your Future How to Research Companies Tutorial for Researching Companies You could spend days there!

40. www.rileyguide.com Really a fantastic place to begin identifying opportunities without even leaving your computer At the home page, click on Target & Research How to Research Employers || What's It Like to Work At.... Business Directories / Corporate Profiles || Business Research Collections Know the Industry Codes