Interviewing and Skill Building Workshop Dorothy Valentine, Formerly of Harley-Davidson Felecia Valentine, Mary Kay Consultant

Agenda z Resume/Application Process z Pre-Interview Preparation z Interviewing Information z After the Interview

Pre-Interview Preparation zAppearance yChoice of clothing will depend on the culture yHowever, always avoid.. xShort skirts xShorts xTight clothing xExcessive jewelry zPractice Interview zGet Plenty of Rest zJot down questions for the interviewer zResearch the Company

Resume Writing zWhy is this so important? yFirst impression an employer get of you. ySet yourself apart on paper. yHave someone proofread your resume before you submit it. yWhat are the major parts of a good resume? xName and contact information Phone (have a professional sounding voice mail) (have a professional looking ) xObjective statement – what is your goal

Work Experiences x List your most recent experience first Title Where you worked Dates you worked there Three to four bullet points of what you did x Other experiences Education Special skills and training Memberships and activities Awards and honors

Application Process zWhat is the difference between a resume and an application? yWhat should you expect to see on an application form? yBe sure to print clearly. Bring a pen. yYou might need driver’s license and social security number. yBring notes with this information. yTypical to do online, but be prepared to complete it by hand. yPersonal Information yEducation yEmployment Information yYour signature stating this information is true

Socialization/Networking zYour chance to find out from people you know about a business or career that’s of interest to you. yYou get to ask questions about the business and job in a less formal setting. xIs this the type of work that will interest you? xIs this the environment that will benefit you? yBy investigating a company, it sets you apart from others. yThere’s no better job search or career exploration strategy than networking.

Behavioral Based Interviews zWhy Would an Employer Use This Technique yFocuses on your communication style and your past accomplishments. yAsks you to give a real-life example, detailing how you handled the situation. yThen the interviewer could ask some probing questions to verify that what you are saying actually happened.

Behavioral Based Interviews zRequires specific examples from your past experiences. zHelps you demonstrate what you have done in the past. zOpens the door to share info about team projects. zProvides an opportunity to brag on yourself. zBring examples of individual projects and tasks you’ve completed.

Behavioral Based Interviews zOn a behavioral interview, you can expect questions like "Tell me about a time when..." or "Give me an example of when..." zAlso, you will hear questions like, “when you had a conflict situation, tell me what was the problem and how you handled resolving the issue?

Panel Interviews yA panel interview is primarily to see how well you handle stress when facing a “group of people. yStudy the job description to determine what they're looking for. yMemorize your resume, so you can quickly answer questions about it. yRespond initially to the panel interviewer who asked the question, but keep eye contact with the whole panel.

Typical Interview Questions yWhy did you leave your last job? yHave you ever been fired or forced to resign? yWhy have you had so many jobs in such a short period of time? yCan you explain this gap in your employment history? What have you been doing since you were last employed? yExactly why do you want to work here? yWhy should we hire YOU? What can you do for us that someone else cannot do? yHave you ever had problems with a supervisor or a coworker? Describe the situation for me. How did you resolve the conflict?  Give me an example of a problem you faced on the job, and tell me how you solved it.

After the Interview zFollow up yThank you notes xHand Written or use xImmediately after the interview xReiterate how you have the skills of the perfect candidate yBe prepared for declines xSolicit feedback if possible xDon’t burn your bridges