Tips for a Successful Interview

Clothing Choices Rule #1 – Dress at least one above the standard that you would normally wear on the job Polish your shoes Empty your pockets No loud/bright colors No jeans, leggings, shorts or t-shirts Limited jewelry No more than 1 ring on each hand No dangling earrings or arms full of bracelets If you have lots of piercings, limit it to 1 Cover tattoos

Business Casual Khaki or dark pants - neatly pressed A pressed long-sleeved, buttoned solid shirt is safe for both men and women Polo/golf shirts, unwrinkled, are appropriate IF you know the environment Men –Tie optional Women - can wear sweaters; cleavage is not business- appropriate

Men’s Clothing Business Formal Business Casual

Women’s Clothing Business Formal Business Casual

Interview Preparation Plan what you will wear Research the organization before you go & refer to the information you learned during the interview Practice answering difficult questions. Prepare questions to ask – they want you to ask them

Tips for a Successful Interview Check your clothing and grooming in the mirror before you arrive Arrive early – about 10 minutes Bring extra copies of your resume Be friendly and professional with the receptionist Shake hands & greet the person by name* Smile!

Tips for a Successful Interview Emphasize your best skills and experiences for the job and give examples to support them Sound confident and knowledgeable Don’t be afraid to ask them to repeat or clarify a question for you At the end of the interview, ASK an appropriate question!

Don’t do this Bring a friend or relative with you Display nervousness by tapping a pencil, twirling your hair, or other annoying habits Use poor posture Answer questions with “yeah,” “nope,” or “uh-huh” Misrepresent your strengths or accomplishments Criticize past employers or teachers Chew gum or mints Bring an electronics device Bring your own coffee, soda, water, etc.

Salary Negotiation Tips The #1 Salary Negotiation Rule: Only negotiate salary AFTER you have been offered the job The person who names a specific amount first loses. Research the probable pay range in advance Speak in terms of wide pay ranges, leaning towards the high side. If you think the job will pay around $25,000, say you will accept “Mid to upper twenties”

Common Interview Questions Tell me about yourself If I called one of the people you listed as a reference, what do you think he/she would say about you? What is your greatest strength & weakness? Why should I hire you? Why do you want to leave your current employer? Why do you want to work at this company? Where do you see yourself in [x] years? Tell me about a time when you had to work with a difficult person?

Thank You Notes – Why send them? Reinforces your interest in the job Shows that you are courteous and professional Demonstrates communication skills Helps you stand out from other candidates Gives you an opportunity to reiterate your good points Most expect a Thank You Note, because it’s been a professional standard for years Some might consider it unprofessional if you ignore it SEND A THANK YOU NOTE WITHIN 24 HOURS AFTER THE INTERVIEW

Thank You Notes – Writing Tips Hand write the notes – makes it personal Make it clear & legible Keep them brief & to the point Taylor the note to each person you interviewed with Never send 1 note for a group of people Remind them about the position you interviewed for Reaffirm anything you liked about the organization OR any ways you believe you will meet their needs If possible, restate something from the interview Thank them for their time Close by saying “you look forward to hearing from them” Sign “Sincerely,” – followed by your legible signature.