Interviewing Desiree Galenti & Beilee Tracey Northrop Grumman SDSU March 2010

Who is Northrop Grumman?  Leading government defense contractor  Provider of cutting edge technologies and capabilities that ensure the safety of our nation and its allies  120,000+ employees  Presence in 50 states and 27 countries  Over $30 billion in sales

Topics The résumé Interview Preparation What to wear (and not!) Types of Interviews The Interview Practice Questions Where to look for guidance Additional Resources

Important Points to consider about your resume: Bring hard copies of your resume to the interview Be CLEAR, CONCISE and CONSISTENT Tailor your resume to the specific job you are interviewing for –Make sure you highlight the accomplishments that are most relevant to the position you are applying for Make sure your resume accurately represents your abilities and accomplishments The Résumé You should look at your resume as a test!

The Résumé Should contain –Contact information ( , alternative phone- current!!) –Your Graduation Date –Your GPA –Pertinent Classes –Projects related to career path Remember to list your role in the team: i.e.: Team Lead –Internships (paid and unpaid) –Technical skills –Student Organizations- can list under extra- curricular section Showcase your accomplishments NOT your tasks! Tailor your résumé –Have several versions Make it scannable- –Do not get fancy i.e.: type setting –Bullets –Underlining Have your resume reviewed for errors

Interview Preparation Research industry Research the company Research the position Know who you will be meeting with & their role in the company Come up with sample questions and formulate potential answers Practice in front of a mirror Have a friend/family member practice interview you

Interview Preparation cont. Career Center-Mock Interviews Formulate a set of questions that you can ask of the interviewers MapQuest and drive the route Bring all needed documents to fill out an application (former work history, addresses, names etc)

What to Wear for Women KNOW THE INDUSTRY ATTIRE –Manufacturing –Government –Entertainment Slacks vs. Skirts? Blouses-necklines Shoes- closed toe, low heeled Conservative makeup Hair color Minimal jewelry –What about body piercing and tattoos? Perfume Your appearance makes your first impression

What to Wear for Men KNOW THE INDUSTRY ATTIRE –Manufacturing –Government –Entertainment Pressed Suits Shined Shoes NO WHITE SOCKS Hair color Cologne Jewelry –Piercing and tattoos

Types of Interviews 1.Phone Screening –Preliminary interview stage –Usually conducted by recruiter –Used to develop applicant pool –Surface level –Necessary to advance to on-site 2.On-Site Interviewing −Secondary interview stage −Conducted by one or more hiring managers and/or HR −More in depth −Can include site tour and/or lunch –Be prepared to “sell” your skills & back up your resume

Systemic Format for Conducting Interviews Interview Steps Preparing for the Interview –3-4 minutes Breaking the ice: –2-3 minutes Asking questions/verifying information: –14-17 minutes Answering questions/Promoting organization to qualified candidates –6-8 minutes Closing the interview –1-2 minutes Evaluating/Recording Information –3-4 minutes Interviewer Tasks Review candidate’s resume –Identify areas to explore Make candidate comfortable –Set a relaxing tone Extract job-related information –Verify unclear items on resume Answer candidate’s questions –Promote organization –Present realistic picture Discuss next steps –Bring interview to an end Compare candidates qualifications –Record information accurately

Phone Interviewing Keep four things in mind 1.Get their attention 2.Generate interest 3.Create a desire to know more about you 4.Make the representative take action! Tips –Find a QUIET area/room and turn off all distractions –DO NOT ANSWER the other line or your cell phone –Communication Style-do not become familiar with the person –Let representative do most of the talking- take notes –Have résumé laid in front of you –Dress as if you are doing a face to face –Ask for the next step in the process

In Person Interview Call to confirm you have the correct address, date, time and spelling of interviewers name. Bring extra résumés (these can be your fancy version) Fill out application accurately –If you sent ahead, bring a completed printed copy Let the interviewer lead the conversation Look directly at the person that asked the question. –Panel interview- start with person that asked question and end with that person Do not make derogatory remarks about past experiences/ employers/team members Avoid self-serving questions Do not take your cell phone into the interview Have 3-5 prepared questions –About the position/company/training Don’t linger Send a THANK-YOU – or card

In Person Interviewing-cont’d Body Language –Learn to control negative body movements –Firm Handshake –Taking your seat Personal zone –Eye contact –Acknowledging you are listening –Smile –Hands- keep them under control Hold onto something

Behavior-based interviewing WHAT IS IT? Behavior based interviewing focuses on experiences, behaviors, knowledge, skills and abilities that are job related. Based on the belief that past behavior and performance predicts future behavior and performance. Use work experience, activities, hobbies, volunteer work, school projects, family life - anything really - as examples of your past behavior. Be prepared to give specific examples Looking to assess your past performances

Behavioral Interviewing cont. How Can I Best Answer Behavior-Based Questions? Think of "PAR for the Course". A complete answer to a behavior-based question must explain the task or problem for which you were responsible, the specific action you took, and the results of your actions. Your answer must contain all of these components to be a PAR answer. Tell the interviewer a "story" (with a beginning, a middle, and an end) about how you used a practical skill. Problem (P) -- Advertising revenue was falling off for the Daily News and large numbers of long-term advertisers were not renewing contracts. Action (A) -- I designed a new promotional packet to go with the rate sheet and compared the benefits of DN circulation with other ad media in the area. I also set-up a special training session for the account executives with a College of Business professor who discussed competitive selling strategies. Result (R) -- We signed contracts with fifteen former advertisers for daily ads and five for special supplements. We increased our new advertisers by twenty percent (quantities are always good) over the same period last year.

Practice Questions Describe a situation where your work/idea was criticized Have you ever had any confrontations with a teammate Have you done the best work you are capable of doing Tell me something you are not very proud of How did you get your summer jobs What type of position are you interested in What do you know about our company Why did you choose the college you decided to attend What are your biggest accomplishments Can you work under pressure What are your outstanding qualities Why should I hire you over the other candidates

Practice Questions cont. What was the most challenging part of your internship What exactly do you mean when you say you want a position that challenges you What would your references say In what way, has your education prepared you for this position Why do you want to work for this industry Do you have any questions –You should be prepare to ask 3-5 career related questions Training Continuing education Mobility in the company Are there any concerns you have regarding my background that I can clarify- your chance to resell your self

Ten factors being assessed Energy, drive, initiative Trend of performance Comparability of past accomplishments Experience, education, industry background Problem solving and thinking skills Overall talent, technical competency Management and organizational skills Team leader/motivate others Character-values, commitment, goals Personality/culture fit

Where to look for guidance Career Center on Campus –Remember to have them check your resume –mock interviews Career Fairs –Target those companies that you want to talk to-know something about them Direct Research –Search companies profiles Resume Databases –i.e.: Newspapers –Thousands of overlooked opportunities since the web Employment Agencies –Make sure that they are the correct service for your specialty References –Go back to those that know you well Networking/Professional Associations –Back to not what you know but who you know

Additional Resources Hire With Your Head: A rational way to make a gut decision –by Lou Adler Knock “em Dead 2004 –by Martin Yate The Everything Etiquette Book –by Nat Segaloff NACE’s Guide to Interviewing College Students –