1. INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES Sandy Brown Career Services Center Old Main 280 (360) 650-3240 www.careers.wwu.edu

3. SENIORS, Register to access our services Receive Job Announcements via email Access our Employer Database Have Resume critiqued Schedule a Mock Interview Meet On-Campus Recruiters Attend Career Fairs

4. RELAX You are the world’s authority on the subject

5. BEFORE THE INTERVIEW RESEARCH COMPANY! DO A DRIVE BY WHAT IS THE STAFF WEARING? UNLESS YOUR APPLYING AT HOT TOPIC, NO PIERCINGS OR TATOO SHOWING!

6. PREPARING FOR THE INTERVIEW KNOW THYSELF... Analyze your strengths and weaknesses Have clearly defined career goals and plans. where you could fit into the organization and how you could contribute my experience/skills are…..‘AS IT APPLIES TO THIS POSITION’

8. EMPLOYERS LOOK FOR: WHEN AN EMPLOYER INTERVIEWS A CANDIDATE FOR A JOB, SHE/HE LOOKS FOR: APPEARANCE…………..45% ATTITUDE……………….35% ABILITY………………….10% MISCELLANEOUS……...10% AFTER YOU GET THE JOB, THE EMPLOYER’S EXPECTATIONS CHANGE TO: ABILITY/PERFORMANCE…45% ATTITUDE…………………….35% APPEARANCE………………...10% MISCELLANEOUS…………....10%

9. Dress for Success Women Suit with knee-length skirt and tailored blouse Pantsuits are more acceptable now, but save them for after you obtain the job Keep accessories and makeup simple Men Two-piece suit (solid colors vs. prints or patterns) Wear polished shoes with knee-length socks that avoid exposing skin Tie pattern should be simple

10. The Interviewer’s Agenda To determine if you have the skills Identify your personal attributes Assess your motivation how you fit their company

11. First impressions! “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Employers form a first impression of the candidate in less than a minute The first impression affects the rest of the interview

12. BODY LANGUAGE 80% of communication is body language 13% tone of voice 7% from what you say HOW YOU COME ACROSS IS AS IMPORTANT AS WHAT YOU SAY

13. Non verbal factors Punctuality Clothing Grooming Handshake Eye contact Posture Expression

14. Verbal Factors Can carry on an informal conversation Grammar and word usage are professional in nature Voice sounds confident and self- assured

15. DURING THE INTERVIEW Greet the interviewer with a confident, natural smile and a firm Handshake 7 second rule-first impression SILENCE IS OK-it gives you time to think and organize your thoughts If you are stumped, its ok to ask to come back to that question

16. Answering Interviewer Questions Be prepared to talk about yourself Experiences Accomplishments Skills Goals Values Identify your strengths and prepare to back them up

17. Tell Me About Yourself Create a 60-second sound byte Geographic origins Reason for choosing major Educational background 2 or 3 strengths related to position Specific expertise and accomplishments How you can contribute to company Identify your career goals Speak clearly and honestly

18. HR Professionals Say… Qualifications get you the interview Initial impressions get you the job

19. Types & Formats Types: Informational Screening Selection Formats: Telephone/Video Individual Group/Committee Serial Behavioral/Performance

20. Behavioral Interviewing A style of interviewing that focuses on experiences, behaviors, knowledge, skills and abilities that are job related. Statistics show that the best indicator for future behavior is past behavior. Have several ‘stories’ that reflect above

21. Examples of Behavioral Interview Questions “Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things your way.” “Give me an example of a time when you set a goal and were able to meet or achieve it.” “What is your typical way of dealing with conflict? Give me an example.”

22. STAR Interviewing Technique Situation or Task Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish. You must describe a specific event or situation, giving enough detail for the interviewer to understand. Action you took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you. Results you achieved What happened? How did the event end? What did you accomplish? What did you learn?

23. Never leave without asking questions! What’s a typical day like? What are the department/company’s goals? Describe the work environment, colleagues, management styles. What major projects will I work on during the first six months? What are the biggest challenges? Rewards? What kind of person are you looking for?

24. BEFORE YOU LEAVE Ask for a business card Make sure you understand what happens next TELL THEM YOU WANT THE JOB OR INTERNSHIP!

25. Top reasons interviews fail! Poor communication skills Lack of preparation Poor appearance Failure to keep eye contact Lack of enthusiasm Lack of poise or self confidence Aggressive or overbearing Late to interview Not researching company

26. FOLLOW UP Send a thank you letter! Include any requested material (references, writing samples, transcripts, etc.) Call