The Interview The Interview Or, “You’re Hired” Or, “You’re Hired”

Preparation is the Key! Developing Your Personal Themes for the Interview Developing Your Personal Themes for the Interview Research Potential Employers Research Potential Employers Practice, Practice, Practice Practice, Practice, Practice Be Comfortable with Different Interview Techniques Be Comfortable with Different Interview Techniques Be on Time and Prepared Be on Time and Prepared Follow Up Follow Up

Developing Your Personal Themes Passion for Business Passion for Business Motivation and Purpose Motivation and Purpose Skills and Experience Skills and Experience Diligence and Professionalism Diligence and Professionalism Creativity and Leadership Creativity and Leadership Compatibility with the Job Compatibility with the Job

Personal Themes Cont. Personality and Cultural Compatibility Personality and Cultural Compatibility Management Style and Interpersonal Skills Management Style and Interpersonal Skills Problem Solving Ability Problem Solving Ability Accomplishments Accomplishments Career Aspirations Career Aspirations Personal Interests and Hobbies Personal Interests and Hobbies

The Sixty Second Pitch Call a week after you send your resume Call a week after you send your resume Don’t just ask if your resume was received Don’t just ask if your resume was received Use 60 seconds to explain why you are the best candidate for the position Use 60 seconds to explain why you are the best candidate for the position

Researching the Potential Employer First Phase First Phase 1. Company name, address, phone, and fax numbers 2. Names and job titles of key contacts 3. Whether the company is privately or publicly held 4. Products and services 5. Years in business 6. Number of employees

Researching the Potential Employer Phase 2 Phase 2 1. Detailed information 2. Know the products 3. Type of customer 4. Type of ownership 5. Locations 6. Size 7. Current plans

Phase 2 Continued 1. Management Culture 2. Dress code 3. Principal competitors 4. Where do they rank in the market

Where to Look SwVCC Library SwVCC Library SwVCC Career Services SwVCC Career Services Dunn and Bradstreet’s Million Dollar Directory Dunn and Bradstreet’s Million Dollar Directory The National JobBank (Adams Media Corporation) The National JobBank (Adams Media Corporation) You can also find resources on the internet by looking up your specific job interests (monster.com to name one source) You can also find resources on the internet by looking up your specific job interests (monster.com to name one source)

Research Call the company and ask for any literature that would be sent to a consumer Call the company and ask for any literature that would be sent to a consumer The more time you can spend researching a company of interest, the better The more time you can spend researching a company of interest, the better Find out if the company has been in the news lately Find out if the company has been in the news lately

Practice, Practice, Practice Practice with a friend Practice with a friend Anticipate the types of questions you may be asked and write down the answers Anticipate the types of questions you may be asked and write down the answers Be specific in your answers Be specific in your answers Be positive in your responses Be positive in your responses

Remember: Capability Capability Confidence Confidence Dependability Dependability Easygoing manner Easygoing manner Enthusiasm Enthusiasm Flexibility Flexibility Resourcefulness Resourcefulness Strong work ethic Strong work ethic

Interview Types Screening Interview Screening Interview One-on-One Interview One-on-One Interview Panel (Group) Interview Panel (Group) Interview Peer Group Interview Peer Group Interview Luncheon Interview Luncheon Interview Second interview Second interview Video Interview Video Interview

Be on Time and be Prepared Know how long it will take to arrive at your interview Know how long it will take to arrive at your interview Be 10 minutes early, no more and no less Be 10 minutes early, no more and no less Be prepared to wait in case the interviewer is running behind Be prepared to wait in case the interviewer is running behind Smile Smile

Be on Time Make eye contact Make eye contact Shake hands firmly (practice) Shake hands firmly (practice) Carry you briefcase in the proper hand so you don’t have to juggle Carry you briefcase in the proper hand so you don’t have to juggle Remember names and use correctly Remember names and use correctly Look at the interviewer when responding Look at the interviewer when responding Keep your tone constant and match your speed to that of the interviewer Keep your tone constant and match your speed to that of the interviewer Be animated but don’t over do or fidget Be animated but don’t over do or fidget

Ask knowledgeable questions about the position and company. Ask knowledgeable questions about the position and company. 1. Would you describe an average day on the job? 2. What are key challenges? 3. Is there room for professional growth