Dress and Interviewing Skills Anchorage School District Presentation School Year Funding for the Youth First Career Guides program is provided by the Division of Business Partnerships, Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. We are an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

Youth Job Center Services: Resume Assistance Employability Skills Career Exploration Job Searching Practice Interviews Job Shadows Job Placement

How Important is the Application ? Your application is your first impression! It can screen you out or in! Creates the tone for the interview!

Communicating Wordlessly Talking clothes? First impressions Value judgments

educationLevel of education Level of successLevel of success Positionsocio-economicPosition and socio-economic status Your work habits TrustworthinessTrustworthiness CredibilityCredibility LikeabilityLikeability moral characterEven your moral character What You Wear Can Communicate

If you want a job, you will wear… ThisNot This

Men's Interview Attire: Nice Slacks Long-sleeved shirt Belt Tie Dark socks, conservative leather shoes Little or no jewelry Neat, professional hairstyle Limit the aftershave Neatly trimmed nails Portfolio or briefcase

If you want a job, you will wear… ThisNot This

Women's Interview Attire Slacks or Skirt (Skirt should be long enough to sit down comfortably) Coordinated blouse (Zero cleavage) Conservative shoes Limited jewelry (None is better than cheap or flashy) Professional hairstyle Neutral pantyhose Light make-up and perfume Neatly manicured clean nails Portfolio or briefcase

What Not to Bring to the Interview Gum Cell phone Ipod Coffee or soda Lots of piercings (earrings only) Cover tattoos

The Interview How many interviews? Gets you the job If you don’t say it doesn’t count

Interview Tips Be Descriptive. -Know at least 7 strengths/skills and be able to give a concrete example. -If you say you want to be a pharmacist, be able to say HOW you came to the decision and WHAT you are doing to pursue the goal. Be Positive. –Never say anything negative about yourself or anyone else. Turn any negative into a positive.

Interview Tips Know what they are really asking. The real question under every question is “Are you a good employee and a good coworker?” Sample Question: What subjects have you liked best in high school and why? What they really want to know is… Where do you excel and what do you love about it? How will this make you a good employee?

Interview Tips Communicate your positive and professional attitude. Communicate your strong work ethic.

Positive Work Attitude Enthusiastic Friendly Motivated Willing to accept assigned tasks Accept responsibility for own behavior, thoughts, deeds, and actions

Positive Work Attitude Ready for work & use time wisely Reliable and dependable Evaluate their own work Calm and self-controlled Show initiative

Professional Attitude Know what needs to be done and do it. Specific examples of this self- directed attitude. Interested and enthusiastic. On time and have good attendance.

Employability Skills Employers desire employees who have skills that will help their business or industry succeed. Adapt to changing demands of a job. Be accurate. Be creative and innovative. Be flexible. Be precise and exacting.

Also important to remember: Strong handshake, look people in the eye and introduce yourself. Greet every interviewer and give them a copy of your resume. Be prepared to ask your own questions at the end of the interview which show your interest and show you have researched the company. Thank them for the chance to interview.

Funding for the Youth First Career Guides program is provided by the Division of Business Partnerships, Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. We are an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.