Hanson Career Workshop Session 1: Finding Your Career Fit Session 2: Writing Resumes Session 3: Writing Cover Letters/Work Search Strategies Session 4: All About Interviews

My career

All About Interviews! How long does it take for an interview to make a first impression of you? Typically, an interviewer will decide within 3-5 minutes from the start of the interview. PREPARE WELL!! 30 seconds!

Prior to the Interview Be prepared! Recall your resume/cover letter: What KEY QUALIFICATIONS will my interviewer look for in an ideal candidate for this position? Analyze the job description!

Example required skills: Excellent inter-cultural communication Ability to coordinate with different people for various tasks My skills Intercultural communication Organizational skills My experience English Teacher in Jiaxing, China Student Services Coordinator What the employer wants Experience with other cultures Ability to multi- task

Prior to the Interview Research the company Be sure that you are aware of the company’s products, services, competitors, recent news Doing your research will show the interviewer that you are interested in working for their company! Prepare a few questions for the interviewer!

Prior to the Interview What to bring to the interview Copy of your most recent transcripts Letters of recommendation Extra copies of your resume/cover letter (and if requested, list of references) Pen, notepad List of questions for the employer

Prior to the Interview Professional business attire Match the company culture; if unknown, dress a notch more professional Try to prepare your outfit the day before the interview to avoid last minute problems and worries!!

Dressing for an Interview

Practice, Practice, Practice!! Practice interviewing with a friend Practice in front of the mirror!

During the Interview Handshake: FIRM, ASSERTIVE, CONFIDENT First impressions count! Professional, Confident, Approachable Verbal and Non-verbal Behaviour!

Verbal Behaviour Be expressive. Alive, animated speech. Articulate. Pronounce words clearly. Don’t mumble. Be concise. Avoid rambling. Stay focused on the point. Be direct and forthright. Don’t stray! Focus on the positive!

Non-verbal Behaviour Body movements. Don’t move too much. Relax! Keep your feet on the floor, your hands to yourself. Exhibit good posture. Sit erect, leaning forward slightly. Don’t look too stiff and uncomfortable Practice appropriate eye contact. Direct eye gaze. Maintain eye contact with all interviewers. SMILE!!! Listen attentively. Sound enthusiastic and sincere. DON’T CHEW GUM!! Avoid “empty” words such as “uhm, like, basically”

Responding to Questions! Methods: CARE : Context – provide the background to the story Action – what steps you took? Be specific. Result – what happened as a result? Again, be specific. Evaluation – what did you learn from this experience? Practice answering with the CARE method! Question: Tell me about a time when you had a conflict with your co-workers? What happened, and how did you resolve it? If you didn’t understand the question, Could you please repeat the question? Could you please clarify?

Types of Interview Questions Situational Behavioural Conversational Brain teasers

Situational Questions These types of questions ask what you would do in a given situation. “What would you do if your manager was out of town and left you a project that you have no idea how to do?” Answer with CARE!

Behavioural Questions These types of questions are often based on candidates’ previous experiences. Past behaviour = indicator of future behavior “Tell me about a situation when you had to go above the call of duty.” “Give an example of a difficult decision you had to make.” Answer with CARE!

Conversational Questions The interviewer wants to gauge how well you can fit into their organization. “How far do you have to commute to work?”

Brain Teasers There are no right or wrong answers; interviewers want to know how creative you can think. “How many toilet paper rolls are sold in Metrotown Superstore every day?”

After the Interview Within 24 hours: Send a thank-you card Thank you cards – they tend to be more personal, more unique. It will definitely leave a lasting impression~ Bring a blank card with you (or multiple, in case of a panel interview) Thank them for the time taken for interviewing you, and highlight some moments of the interview that stood out, or something new you’ve learned.

Funny interview video: =KVucOxw9fFM

Mock Interviews! Use the sheets to interview your partner! Remember: firm handshake! Eye contact!

Feel free to me: For any questions, advice, or concerns about your career exploration!