1. Tips for a positive interviewing experience!

2. Read the duties, skills, and abilities required for the job. Assess what you have to offer to each position/organization Become familiar with the organization so you can demonstrate how and why you will be an effective employee. Ask the agency or company to send you material (brochure, job description, newsletter, etc.) INTERNET Be realistic! Know your qualifications and limitations. Wanting a job does not necessarily mean youre qualified for it.

3. Meet the employer See the organization Sell yourself Learn about position

4. Enter the room Shake hands Dont sit until told to do so Give copies of your resume General opening question: Tell me a little about yourself

5. Dress appropriately for the industry. When in doubt – ASK Personal grooming and cleanliness should be impeccable. Keep cologne or perfume to a minimum. Pay particular attention to hands and fingernails. Do they interfere with job tasks Arrive 10-15 minutes early. Know the exact time and location of your interview; know how long it takes to get there, park, and find a restroom to freshen up.

6. Treat other people you encounter with courtesy and respect. Their opinions of you might be solicited during the hiring process. Secretaries are VERY important Offer a firm handshake, make eye contact, and have a friendly expression when you are greeted by the interviewer. Listen to be sure you understand your interviewers name and the correct pronunciation. Even when your interviewer gives you a first and last name, address your interviewer by Mr. Or Ms. and the last name Unless they insist otherwise

7. Maintain good eye contact throughout the interview. Sit still in your seat; avoid fidgeting and slouching. Respond to questions and back up your statements about yourself with specific examples whenever possible. Ask for clarification if you dont understand a question; and be thorough in your responses while being concise in your wording. Use good grammar and good diction. Say yes, not yeah. Dont fill pauses with um, uh or ah. Dont punctuate sentences with you know, like, see or okay.

8. Treat the interview seriously and show interest in the employer and the opportunity presented Watch the tone of your voice. Answer the question and use professional experiences or descriptive information to demonstrate how you would react or respond to a situation. Make sure answers have a definite flow. Evaluate the interviewer and the organization. ASK questions about the job/organization Make sure you understand the employers next step in the hiring process; know when and from whom you should expect to hear next.

9. Women Suit (skirt or pants) – dark colors Makeup: minimum… look like you usually do Jewelry: Nothing too large or noisy Shoes: no sneakers or sandals Men Suit (jacket, tie, slacks) - dark colors Jewelry: nothing large or noisy Shoes: dress

10. Exhibit quiet confidence. Organize your thoughts and apply your knowledge, skills and abilities. Think globally! Relate outside experiences to demonstrate your qualifications.

11. Dont give the impression you are only interested in salary. Dont act as though you would take any job or are desperate for employment. Dont chew gum or smell like smoke. Dont take cell phone calls during an interview. If you carry a cell phone, turn it off during the interview.

12. Dont give the impression you are only interested in money. Dont act as though you would take any job or are desperate for employment. Dont chew gum or smell like smoke. Dont take cell phone calls during an interview. If you carry a cell phone, turn it off during the interview.

13. Your points must be CLEAR, RELEVANT AND ADEQUATE: to enable the interviewer to understand what you are trying to say; to determine your strengths for that particular job; to have sufficient information to make a good decision. The interviewer needs to determine if you can do the job, if you will do the job, if you fit in.

14. Describe a time when you were faced with problems or stresses at work that tested your coping skills. (What did you do?) Give an example of a time when you had to be relatively quick in coming to a decision. Give me an example of an important goal you had to set and tell me about your progress in reaching that goal.

15. Give me an example of a problem you faced on the job, and tell me how you solved it. Tell me about a situation in the past year in which you had to deal with a very upset customer or co-worker. What are some of your strengths & weaknesses

16. Tell me a little about yourself? (opening) In what way do you believe you can attribute to the organization? How would your teachers describe you? (definitely at your current age) How do you feel you respond to authority? Why should I hire you? (ending)

17. Be specific, not general or vague! Dont describe how you would behave. Describe how you DID behave. (if possible) If you later decided you should have behaved differently, explain this. The interviewer will see that you learned something from experience.

18. Accommodations - Time to request - Interpreter, large print, accessible location for interview Illegal Interview Questions: What is your race? Are you married? How old are you (underage = exception) What is your religion? Financial questions (other than desired pay) Questions about disability How to answer: I dont feel comfortable answering that

19. Courteously thank the interviewer(s) for the opportunity. Extend a handshake and exhibit enthusiasm about the career opportunity. Consider following up with a thank you note or e-mail of appreciation