 What is your biggest strength? What is your greatest weakness? Explain. Please answer in sentence form.

Dos and Don’ts

 DO: dress professionally iron your clothes, if necessary  Guys: khakis or dress pants, button-up shirt and tie  Girls: dress pants and shirt, skirt and shirt, conservative dress  DON’T: wear sneakers, flip flops, shorts, anything torn or dirty dress for the job wait until the day of to try on your clothes

 Know the company What do you they do? What are their strengths? Their weaknesses?  Practice interview questions Practice answering questions Avoid sounding rehearsed

 Greeting: Shake hands Refer to the interviewer(s) by name Make eye contact Bring your resume (several copies, if possible)  Seating: Sit after the interviewer(s) are seated Sit still; don’t fidget; sit up straight

 Answering the questions: answer in complete sentences speak clearly and at an appropriate volume  If you don’t know what to say: take a few seconds to think before answering avoid “um” or “well” ask for clarification if necessary

 Do: connect your answers back to the job you’re applying for maintain an appropriate amount of eye contact use specific examples when applicable  Don’t: give one word answers ramble talk negatively about a previous employer

 What is your greatest strength?  What is your greatest weakness?  Describe a difficult work situation and how you overcame it.  How do you handle stress/pressure?  Tell me about yourself.  Where do you see yourself in five years?  Why should we hire you?  How do you measure success?  Tell me why you left your previous job.  Why do you want this job?

 Be honest  Do not: answer with “I’m a perfectionist” or “I work too much” use the term “weakness” in your answer  Consider answering: non-essential skills  answer “group presentations” during a maintenance worker interview skills you’ve improved  “I used to have poor time management skills, but I’ve set up a system that helps me stay on track.”

 Age “Are you old enough to legally do this job?” OKAY “How old are you?” NOT OKAY  Race/ethnicity/country of origin “Are you legally able to work in the U.S.?” OKAY “Are you a U.S. citizen?” NOT OKAY  Criminal background “Have you ever been convicted of a crime?” OKAY “Have you ever been arrested?” NOT OKAY

 Disability “Are you able to safely lift 30 pounds?” OKAY “How much do you weigh?” NOT OKAY  Family Status “How long do you plan to have this job?” OKAY “Do you have a spouse? Children?” NOT OKAY  Religion “Can you work all the hours we’re open?” OKAY “Where do you attend church?” NOT OKAY

 What do you say if asked one of these illegal questions?  “My faith/age/family status/race won’t interfere with my ability to do this job.”  You may choose to end the interview at that time

 If given the opportunity, always ask a question about the company Ask more about the position or the company Avoid questions about raises, bonuses, etc  Shake hands again  Thank the interviewer(s) for their time Use names

 Send a thank you card  Check back  Ask about other available positions  Request feedback