Strategies for Effective Interviewing and Networking Presented by your Career Services Office

Recruiting Trends and Your Approach to the Job Search Overall Campus Recruiting is up 9.5 % this year: according to NACE 2011 Job Outlook Overall Campus Recruiting is up 9.5 % this year: according to NACE 2011 Job Outlook Recruiting will still be more competitive Recruiting will still be more competitive Firms may have less positions, and more applicants Firms may have less positions, and more applicants You need to work with Cooperative Education and Career Services diligently and closely You need to work with Cooperative Education and Career Services diligently and closely Networking with Alumni/ae and professional contacts! Networking with Alumni/ae and professional contacts!

About On-Line Networking Social Media is an excellent resource to connect! Social Media is an excellent resource to connect! Explore the Linked-In Network to research major and local employers- many have profiles on this network Explore the Linked-In Network to research major and local employers- many have profiles on this network Create your own Linked-In Profile Create your own Linked-In Profile Learn How to Maximize Linked-In as a Career Networking Tool Learn How to Maximize Linked-In as a Career Networking Tool

Emphasize Your Competencies and Best Qualities Start With Your Experience from Internships/past jobs: Give examples Start With Your Experience from Internships/past jobs: Give examples Analytical Skills: Emphasis on quantitative Analytical Skills: Emphasis on quantitative Team-Work Skills Team-Work Skills Flexibility and Adaptability Flexibility and Adaptability Leadership Leadership Ask Questions and learn from mentors Ask Questions and learn from mentors Infuse Creativity and innovation Infuse Creativity and innovation Information Literacy: Research Information Literacy: Research

Employers Rate the Importance of Candidate Qualities/Skills Communication skills (verbal/written) 4.7 Communication skills (verbal/written) 4.7 Honesty/Integrity 4.7 Honesty/Integrity 4.7 Teamwork skills 4.6 Teamwork skills 4.6 Interpersonal skills 4.5 Interpersonal skills 4.5 Motivation/Initiative 4.5 Motivation/Initiative 4.5 Strong work ethic 4.5 Strong work ethic 4.5 Analytical skills 4.4 Analytical skills 4.4 Flexibility/adaptability 4.3 Flexibility/adaptability 4.3 Computer skills 4.1 Computer skills 4.1 Organizational skills 4.1 Organizational skills 4.1 (5-point scale; 5=Extremely important; 1=Not important) (5-point scale; 5=Extremely important; 1=Not important)

Interview Preparation  Understand and be aware of your strengths and weaknesses.  Be aware of the qualities and skills gleaned from your education and co-curricular activities.  Write a professional resume that highlights your accomplishments, skills, and education.  Be aware of career trends and job opportunities in your fields of interest. Know what employers are looking for in your chosen profession!  Read trade journals and professional association websites in your fields of interest.

Presentation  “Dress for Success” the importance of developing a solid professional looking ward robe.  Arrive early for your interview (at least 15 minutes on-campus; minutes at company location).  The importance of body language; verbal and non- verbal messages, know what to be aware of in the communication process.  Importance of first impressions; the first minute of the interview is critical to your success!  You are a resource person verses “Job Begger”, emphasize accomplishments and what you offer!

Tips on Researching a Company  Learn about the company beforehand; research it’s mission, products, services, customer philosophy, and practices.  Read the company’s annual report for the past year’s highlights and challenges.  Know how the company fares with its competitors, and its reputation.  Research the company in the news media, such as: the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, Business Week, and The Economist.  Consult with other research aids such as: Standard & Poors, and Dunn & Bradstreet Business Directory.  Know about the position that you are interviewing for.  What are the company’s needs?

The Interview Structure  The “Ice-Breaking” period: the first five minutes of the interview  The body of the interview is the actual information exchange, where the important questions are asked and your answers are critical.  The Closing: Ask Informed Questions! Also summarize why you are the best candidate for the company and the position. Reemphasize your strengths and accomplishments!  Ask for a Business Card, and how should you best follow-up.  Follow-up: a thank-you letter goes a long way!

Sample Interview Questions  Tell me about yourself?  Why are you here? What do you know about our company?  What are your major strengths? Greatest weaknesses?  What were your greatest challenges?  What are your greatest accomplishments?  Why did you choose Saint Peter’s College?  How has your education prepared you for the position your are seeking?  What do you see yourself doing in one year, two years, five years?  Why are you the best candidate for this position/our company?

Behavior-Based Interviews  Purpose: The interviewer assesses how effectively you respond in specific situations, based on past experience.  Strategy and Preparation: How you articulate your past experience, gives the interviewer an indication of your future performance.  These questions require serious forethought and preparation.

STAR Approach to Behavioral Interviews STAR= STAR= Situation Situation Task Task Approach Approach Result Result Also emphasize what you have learned as a result of persisting and succeeding in a challenging situation

Sample Behaviorial -Based Interview Questions  Describe an innovative/creative idea that you proposed that led to the success of an activity/project.  What was the most complex assignment that you had? What was your role?  Tell me a time when you faced conflicting priorities. How did you manage your time and efforts?  Give me an example of when you had to motivate others. What worked? What did not work?

Ask Informed Questions!  Informed Questions are a result of your solid research.  Examples: What are your department’s goals/objectives?  What do you consider the five most important day – to – day responsibilities?  What candidate qualities are you seeking?  Will I be working in a team, or on my own? What are your expectations as a team member?  Do you have a training program? What is its success rate? Do you promote internally?  What expansion is planned for this department?  What markets does the company anticipate developing?  Are there plans for mergers/acquisitions in the future?  How will I be evaluated?  How is your organization applying the Sarbanes/Oxley Law?

Post-Interview Follow-Up (What you need to do!)  Obtain your interviewer’s business card.  Write notes of what you felt was good in your interview, and what you needed to improve and reemphasize.  Write a “Thank You” letter- no more than one page.  Follow up a week later to ascertain your status: always reiterate your interest!

Accepting/Rejecting An Offer Some Practical & Ethical Considerations :  Negotiate/Accept the offer that gives you the best professional opportunity; it may not be the highest salary.  If you are undecided, do not leave another company hanging- ask for an extension.  Once you make a decision and accept an offer, don’t look back, stay with it! Do not keep interviewing or keep a standing offer open.  Use common sense, and good business ethics!

“Perfect Interview” On-line Tutorial Contains Interactive Features Interview Questions on many levels Contains Interactive Features Interview Questions on many levels Practice interview questions and answers from your own computer/laptop via web cam Practice interview questions and answers from your own computer/laptop via web cam Review two different Interview Answers Review two different Interview Answers Coach Feature- gives helpful advice/ and strategies for the questions Coach Feature- gives helpful advice/ and strategies for the questions