1 Research in IT Solutions Conquering Your IT Job Interview Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.

Job Interview Taboos Using your favorite search engine, look for “job interview taboo videos”. Write down the name and URL for the video. Be prepared to share that video with the class and discuss the things that went right and wrong during the interview. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.2

Why Interview? An interview is the questioning of a person to determine if he or she is suitable for the job available. The interview process is the best tool for matching applicants with the right job. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.3

Goals of the Interview Interviewer Determine job fit Interviewee Determine job fit Personal marketing Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.4

4 Ways to Research a Company Look to those “in the know” Read unofficial blogs and company reviews Talk with other employees Source information Look at the company’s website What are people saying on social media pages? Read the news Do an Internet search on the company Are there any company alerts? Use the interview to your advantage Arrive early Observe the employees Be prepared to ask questions Company Research Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.5

Information to Locate Pick a company that you are interested in and go to that website. Make note of the company’s mission and values company’s culture work-life balance benefits By studying the website, you will get a feel for the “heartbeat” of the company. This will help you determine if it will be a good fit for you. 6Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.

Researching Company Sites Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.7 On the company website you have chosen, there will be a link for careers or employment. Click on that link and look at the job opportunities that are available.

First Impressions “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Author Unknown Discuss what this means to you. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.8

Dressing for the Interview Present a professional image Your clothes “speak” before you do! Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.9

Dress for Success Checklist  Clothing is appropriate for the occasion  Outfit is not too tight or dated  Clothes are not too causal or too flashy  Shoes and accessories do not overpower the outfit  Do not dress in a sexy or suggestive manner  No 5:00 shadow for men Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.10

Professional vs. Unprofessional DON’T wear shorts, even if its 105 degrees outside DON’T forget that pants are a part of the ensemble DO research the culture of your company DO dress in business professional attire Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.11

Personal Hygiene Groom fingernails Do not wear too much perfume or cologne. Wash and comb your hair. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.12

Should I Wear This? Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.13

Should I Wear This? Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.14

Should I Wear This? Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.15

Should I Wear This? Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.16

Should I Wear This? Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.17

Interview Questions Behavioral Designed to show how the interviewee might act in specific employment- related situations. Use a specific example. Be sure to share what you did and the outcome of the situation. Traditional Tends to focus on the interviewee’s beliefs and how they would handle hypothetical situations. Answer directly. Do not ramble. Limit it to less than 60 seconds. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.18

Behavioral Example Tell me about a time when you had conflict with someone. “I had a difference of opinion with a teacher about my grade. I discussed this with my teacher and shared the reasons I thought my grade should be changed. My teacher allowed me to do a make-up assignment. Once I completed the assignment, my grade was changed.” Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.19

Traditional Example Tell me a little bit about yourself. “Right now I’m completing my senior year in high school. I have never had a job, but I have helped babysit my younger brothers and sisters, and I do chores around the house. I am a fast learner and a very dependable person. I also work well with others.” Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.20

Responding to Questions “50-50” Rule Equal times speaking and listening “Twenty Second” – “Two Minute Rule” Studies show that good responses fall between this time limit Show that you are part of the solution. Do not bad mouth previous employers or people from other groups or organizations. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.21

When the interview is over… Make sure you follow up with everyone you meet: Send thank-you notes within 24 hours of the interview Hand-written are best, but s also work These actions help you stand out from the other applicants. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.22