JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF CENTRAL FLORIDA, INC. Enhanced Success Skills for Crooms Academy of Information Technology Fall 2013 – Week 4

OBJECTIVES Dangers of Facebook & Twitter First impressions Dress for success Interviewing skills Traditional interview Behavioral interview Job Interview checklist

Dangers of Facebook

College Admissions According to a 2008 Kaplan study, one in 10 college admissions officers routinely check out applicants facebook pages. Graduate School & Careers Graduate school admission officers surf social networking sites in even greater numbers than undergrad officers.

Dangers of Twitter

Twitter can be even more dangerous than Facebook It WILL actually go on your permanent record You are not invisible

First Impressions It can take just 30 seconds to make a lasting impression. Research has shown that the first impression you make on an interviewer really sticks. In one study, untrained subjects were shown 20- to 32-second videotaped segments of job applicants greeting their interviewers. When the subjects rated the applicants on attributes like self-assurance and likeability, their assessments were very similar to the interviewer’s, who had spent more than 20 minutes with each applicant.

How to Make the Right Impression Be cordial - You never know who is going to have influence on the hiring decision. Be professional and courteous to all you encounter. Use the appropriate body language - Make eye contact when shaking hands. Sit upright in the chair, and avoid crossing your arms or legs. Take deep breaths, keep your head up, and always make eye contact. Your body language should express that you are engaged and prepared for the interview.

How to Make the Right Impression Smile Don’t underestimate the power of a smile. A smile projects confidence and warmth. A smile is a great way to make a first impression and communicate to the employer that you are confident and capable of handling the position. Be confident Potential employers know that you are nervous. What they want to know is how you handle your nerves. A skilled interviewee will project confidence and professionalism to an employer, even though he or she may be feeling otherwise.

Dress for Success By projecting your professional best you greatly improve your chances. “Professional best” means projecting yourself, physically and mentally, in the best possible light. Ask others how they see you and evaluate their feedback. Is this how you want to be perceived? Is this how a potential employer would see you?

Dress for Success Tips Dress professionally An interview is not the time to wear the latest trend or an uncomfortable outfit. A conservative business suit is appropriate professional attire for men and women. Double check your grooming Think simple and professional. Avoid cologne and perfume. Keep makeup minimal, hair clean and conservative, and cover any tattoos. Keep visible piercing to earrings, one in each earlobe.

Dress for Success Tips continued Arrive early Rushing into an interview flustered and late makes the wrong impression. Ideally, arrive 10 minutes prior to the interview. Check in with the receptionist, and try to relax. Be aware of your handshake A good handshake is firm—but not too firm—and brief. A handshake can say a lot about you to an employer. Make eye contact when shaking hands; this shows you are confident and engaged.

Dress for Success continued Calm your nerves Everyone is nervous before an interview. Minimize nerves by dressing in an outfit that makes you feel comfortable, confident, and professional. At the beginning of an interview, you may display nervous behavior. Be aware of the tapping of pens and feet, and the twirling of hair; this is not professional behavior. If it happens, take a deep breath, compose yourself, and begin again.

Interviewing Skills Know as much as you can about the company This will make the interview more interactive Practice answering interview questions Plan ahead Know what you are going to wear Know where you are going Research salary information is a good resource

Typical Interview Questions What is your greatest weakness? What is your greatest strength? How would you describe yourself? How do you handle stress and pressure? What motivates you? What type of work environment do you prefer? What are your goals for the next five years / ten years?

Behavioral Interviews Behavioral based interviewing is interviewing based on discovering how the interviewee acted in specific employment-related situations. The logic is that how you behaved in the past will predict how you will behave in the future i.e. past performance predicts future performance.

Behavioral Interview Questions Give an example of a goal you reached and tell me how you achieved it. Describe a decision you made that was unpopular and how you handled implementing it. Have you gone above and beyond the call of duty? If so, how? What do you do when your schedule is interrupted? Give an example of how you handle it. Have you had to convince a team to work on a project they weren't thrilled about? How did you do it?

Answering Behavioral Interview Questions STAR METHOD A Specific situation The Tasks that needed to be done The Action you took The Results i.e. what happened

Job Interview Checklist Before the Interview: Research the company Prepare one or two questions to ask the interviewer Look professional Display a clean and polished appearance Minimize makeup and jewelry Arrive 10 minutes early

Job Interview Checklist continued During the interview: Be conscious of your eye contact and handshake Provide a copy of your resume, cover letter, and references Use appropriate body language Thank the interviewer

Job Interview Checklist continued After the interview: Follow up with the interviewer Send a thank-you note

Next Week Job Interviews Thank you letters Self-assessments