Successful Interviewing Tips on Landing the perfect career! Presented by Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Getting the Job You Want: Strategies for Successful Interviewing F Preparing for the Interview F The Interview F The Close

Preparing for the Interview F The Professional Image: “Think Conservative” F Know the Company F Know Yourself F The Dos and Don’ts

Preparing for the Interview F The Professional Image –Neat and Organized u Clothing that is Clean and Pressed u Neat, Professional hairstyle F Think “Conservative” –Wear a Suit –Be careful of Trends-- especially in shoes, skirt lengths, etc... –Earring/Piercing Rule

Preparing for the Interview F Know the Company –Do your research –Look for things that are important to you –Get a Job Description

Preparing for the Interview F Know yourself –What are your Skills, Strengths, Values and weaknesses? –What are your goals?

Preparing for the Interview Dos and Don’ts F The Dos –Practice! –Arrive Early –Bring Many Copies of Your Resume –Have a Few Mints with you-and have one just before –Make Good Eye Contact –Remember to SMILE –Develop and Use A Firm Handshake –Accentuate the Positive

Preparing for the Interview Dos and Don’ts F The Don’ts –Chew Gum (or chew on that mint!) –Use inappropriate language –Bring Beepers or Cellular phones into the interview –Bring other People with You to the Interview –Look at your watch or Clock –Assume that Anyone You Meet is “Unimportant”

The Interview F How to Make a Good Impression F Behavioral Interviewing F How to Answer Behavioral Questions

The Interview F How to Make a Good Impression –Presentation is Everything u Smile u Offer a firm handshake u Be conscientious of the non-verbal/verbal communication –delivery and animation –presentation of ideas –grammar and vocabulary u Show enthusiasm!

The Interview F Behavioral Interviewing –What is Behavioral Interviewing? u Definition u Benefit F Behavioral Questions –Competencies –Sample questions

The Interview F How to answer behavioral questions –What to avoid –Situation, task, action, result –Silence is OK –Positive result

The Close F Be Prepared With Questions F Make Sure That You Completely Understand the Position F Ask For the Next Step In The Interview Process –Express Your Interest In The Position –If Not Interested, Decline Gracefully.

The Close F Follow up After Interview –Send “Thank-You” cards or letters. –Follow up by phone.

When Can You Start? Now What? TIPS ON KEEPING THE JOB

COLLEGE TO CAREER COLLEGE F FLIP FLOPS & JEANS F FALL, SPRING, SUMMER BREAKS F SLEEPING IN ‘TIL NOON F CRAMMING FOR TESTS CAREER F BUSINESS SUIT & TIE F 2 TO 3 WEEKS VACATION/YEAR F WAKING 6:30AM F WORKING LATE ON A PROJECT

1 ST IMPRESSIONS/DAILY F DRESS AS IF EVERY DAY WERE AN INTERVIEW. F KNOW YOUR COMPANY’S DRESS CODE AND FOLLOW IT. *If in doubt, do not wear it! F PERSONAL HYGIENE (showering, shaving, cologne to a minimum) SHOULD BE AN EVERY DAY PRACTICE. F FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE EVERYTHING TAKE IT SERIOUSLY!

PLANNING AHEAD F BUY & USE A PLANNER (Daytimer, PDA, etc.) F PLAN YOUR WEEKS/MONTHS IN ADVANCE. F SCHEDULE PERSONAL TIME (dry cleaning, haircuts, car maintenance, banking, etc.)

PROFESSIONALISM F BE PUNCTUAL (10-15 minutes early). F NETWORK & BUILD RAPPORT WITH ALL OF YOUR PEERS. (Never know when you might need a favor.) F STAY AWAY FROM THE RUMOR MILL/GOSSIP. F ACCEPT CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM. (Use every situation as a learning tool.) F ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS. F DO THE RIGHT THING—ETHICS!

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE or CONTACT: Joe