1. Preparing For Your Interviews
December 13, 2002
Dan Smith

2. Are You Ready? Practice interviewing
Ask your self the core questions
Answer them aloud
Tape record your answer
Playback and critique
Have you talked with people at company xyz other than those at the information night?
Have a two-minute “walk story” prepared

3. Start with the Predictable Questions
Why Kelley?
Why Marketing?
Tell me about a time when you displayed leadership
Tell me about a time when you had to persuade someone
Walk me through your resume
What are some of your weaknesses?
Why do you want to work for us?
Other?

4. Key Takeaways From Mock Interview Session
THE BIG ISSUE
What makes you special? How will you add value if we were to bring you into our company?
Come to the interview with a clear sense of the two or three things you want the interviewer to know about you
Get to the point of your answer
Think for a moment … organize your thoughts
Provide 10 second summary at the close of a story
Have three to five “stories” about how you have displayed leadership traits …
This is the time when the word “I” can be used frequently
Recognize the value of being on a team with good colleagues … but focus on YOUR ROLE

5. Key Takeaways From Mock Interview Session.
Be passionate and excited
about the opportunity
Have a pleasant facial expression
Use hand gestures … but sparingly

6. Case Interviewing: Key Skills
Listen to what is being asked … and answer the question asked
Take notes … but don’t let the writing distract you
Write/create pictures and frameworks on the spot
Remember, the issue is the PROCESS you would follow, not THE answer

7. Case Type Questions – The Basics
Evaluate this ad (or FSI .. i.e., free-standing insert) … Tell me about a good ad and a bad one
Tell me about a good marketing strategy/bad strategy
Change of business position
“Our profits have been flat for the last two years. Wall Street is asking for significantly higher returns. What do you suggest we do?”

8. Case Type Questions – The General Categories
New Product Idea/Introduction -- Price
“We have a great new product. It’s better than anything on the market. How would you determine what price to charge?”
New Product Idea/Introduction
“R&D just came to you with what they claim is a hot new product concept. They got the idea from a salesperson who said customers have been asking for such a product. What do you do?”
Channel Strategy --
“We currently do not use the Web for transactions but are now thinking of doing so. What do you think?”
Price Changes --
“A competitor is getting very price competitive. We hate to play a price-based game, but we are losing share. What would you suggest we do?”

9. A Few Thoughts About Closing
Address any unique aspects of your resume/experience that may be working against
Summarize the top two or three benefits you bring to the company – show how they fit with where the company is going/what they are doing
Tell the interviewer EXACTLY why you want to work with their firm
Is there anything that I have not covered? Have your questions been addressed?