1. T HE NBMBAA N ATIONAL C ONFERENCE J OB F AIR Resumes & Interviews

2. A GENDA Don’t Make Copies yet..R. Averett Customize and stand outR. Averett Make your resume work for you R. Averett Focus on the detailsR. Averett Interviewing BasicsD. Jones How to Stand OutD. Jones Things to AvoidD. Jones Challenging QuestionsD. Jones Answering QuestionsD. Jones Questions to AskD. Jones How to Behave in Social SettingsR. Pearson Final PointsR. Pearson

3. D ON ’ T M AKE C OPIES U NTIL Y OU … Have a professional critique your resume. Pay attention to Style - Chronological: easy for employers to read fast. - Functional: focuses on skills. Watch the length-2 page limit. Any experience over 10 years old should be bulleted if still relevant. If it’s not still relevant cut it.

4. C USTOMIZE AND STAND OUT Highlight the experience that fits what the employers are looking for. Use a detective’s eye and pull out keywords and critical requirements Develop your personal brand and USE IT! Recruiters hate objectives. Recruiters love the skills inventory. Consider making JIST cards

5. JIST C ARDS

6. M AKE YOUR RESUME WORK FOR YOU If they are going to discriminate against you at least make them work for it… Don’t list volunteer activities-if they expose too much about race, religion, or political identity. If you expose any organization that reveals your race then make it a professional organization.

7. F OCUS ON THE SMALL DETAILS Pay attention to your online presence and email address. Check information on your resume for accuracy. Use first initial, last name, and unique identifier to save and upload your resume.

8. I NTERVIEWING B ASICS How to Stand Out Things to Avoid Challenging Questions Behavioral Based Questions Answering Questions Questions You Should Ask

9. H OW TO S TAND O UT Have knowledgeable responses rather than canned responses Demonstrate or communicate your experience and skills Don’t confuse arrogance with confidence

10. T HINGS TO A VOID Insulting/degrading a former supervisor/co-worker Exaggerating or lying about your work experience/education Using clichéd responses Telling the interviewer not to contact a former employer

11. T HINGS TO A VOID (C ONTINUED ) Not being informed about the company or the position Not asking questions Inquiring about salary and benefits in the first interview Not thanking the interviewer

12. C HALLENGING Q UESTIONS Tell me about yourself. Give a brief answer (30 seconds or less) on basic details about you that relate to the interview/position/company “I am an MBA candidate a Wayne State University with a background in engineering and I am very interested in transitioning to a project management role which led me to apply to your opening.”

13. Why should we hire you? Briefly outline your qualifications for the position Focus on your skills, knowledge and experience that relate to the job description Emphasize how this opportunity is in line with your career interests and will allow you to develop professionally NOTE: Be careful – you do not want to come across as arrogant CHALLENGING QUESTIONS (CONTINUED)

14. Why do you want to work here? The employer is testing your knowledge of the company and the position Discuss why you are interested in the company (and give detailed examples, rather than just a generic “ABC is a successful industry leader…”) Reiterate your interest in the position and how it aligns with your career interests NOTE: Do not refer to salary and benefits CHALLENGING QUESTIONS (CONTINUED)

15. What is your greatest weakness? State a professional weakness and describe how you are working on it Ensure you do not mention a weakness that would hinder you in performing the position Be honest and do not give a cliché answer such as, “I work too hard…” Good Example: “I get very nervous speaking in front of groups of people, so before a big meeting or presentation I prepare notes and practice what I will say.”

16. What accomplishment are you most proud of? Give an example of something you accomplished that is related to work or school Describe the work or effort you put into accomplishing the task, project or goal and the outcome Explain why it was meaningful to you CHALLENGING QUESTIONS (CONTINUED)

17. What are your salary expectations? Before the interview, research salary information for the position and compare it with salaries for similar positions (level, industry, company, location) and your qualifications Rather than stating a specific number, provide a salary range within $5,000-$10,000 of your targeted goal, ensuring it is realistic based on your research NOTE: Do not discuss salary first; let the interviewer bring up the topic CHALLENGING QUESTIONS (CONTINUED)

18. “Tell me about a time when…” Describe the situation and your role What was the outcome? What was the result? What would do differently or what did you learn? CHALLENGING QUESTIONS (CONTINUED)

19. Behavioral Based Questions Very common in many interviews Past performance is a better predictor of future performance Used to see how you actually handled a certain situation Geared to evaluate a certain competency Example: Teamwork “Tell me about a time when you worked on a team with diverse members…”

20. A NSWERING Q UESTIONS Prepare your answers ahead of time Three to five examples to highlight your skills, competencies, experiences Don’t have to be perfect, but need to demonstrate your: Strengths Initiative to take responsibility Ability to make responsible and informed decisions Willingness to learn, ask for help

21. Structure answers in STAR format Situation Task Action Result Know when to use “I” vs. “we” Discuss your contributions & skills Show ability to take credit & failure as a team ANSWERING QUESTIONS (CONTINUED)

22. Prepare three to five examples that highlight: Working in teams Difficult work/school relationship Not having all the information, something went wrong Leadership and initiative ANSWERING QUESTIONS (CONTINUED)

23. Q UESTIONS TO A SK Can you describe a typical day in this position? I noticed on your website…could you tell me more about…? What do you enjoy about working here? When will a decision be made on the successful candidate?

24. H OW TO BEHAVE IN A BUSINESS SOCIAL SETTING Remember you are still being evaluated even if everyone else is socializing. Try to limit political and religious remarks You may offend a decision maker Don’t abuse the open bar Keep it to a two drink minimum Be social but don’t try to be the life of the party

25. F INAL P OINTS It’s okay to be nervous Appreciate silence (and breathing) Listen and think before you speak Send thank you’s Remember: interviewers are human, too

26. T HE NBMBAA N ATIONAL C ONFERENCE J OB F AIR Preparation & Navigation A. Sullivan

27. A GENDA Preparation for the Conference Materials to Bring Navigating the Conference Managing Your Time After Hours Events Follow-Up

28. P REPARATION FOR THE C ONFERENCE Register for the Job Fair – http://www.nbmbaa.org/members/conference/ Conference Job Match http:// jobmatch2012.careers.adicio.com/jobs/user/login Search for Open Positions Upload your Resume to Job Match Goal: To have interviews scheduled before arriving To research what positions are posted

29. M ATERIALS TO B RING Resumes Portfolio for Holding Materials Briefcase Laptop (Optional: computers will be on-site) Pens Business Cards Calendar Comfortable, professional business suits Comfortable shoes (floors are concrete) It will be a long day, try to carry light materials!

30. M ATERIALS TO B RING ( CONT ’ D ) Career Exposition Map http://www.mapyourshow.com/shows/index.cfm?show_id=nbmbaa12&use rid=&lang=EN&locale=EN Schedule of Events http://www.nbmbaaconference2012.org/conferenceSched.html Or http://www.calendarwiz.com/calendars/week.php?crd=nbmbaa&cid%5B% 5D=77929&

31. Y OUR P LAN TO N AVIGATE THE C ONFERENCE Prepare a list of top employers and rank them Prepare a list of secondary employers and rank them Look at the Exhibition Map and chart your course (employers are placed by industry)

32. M ANAGING Y OUR T IME Schedule events on your calendar Arrive when the doors open! Be flexible (allow time for interviews) Watch the clock closely Allow enough time to prepare for interviews and arrive on time!

33. A FTER H OURS E VENTS Enjoy yourself, yet be mindful of your behavior and limit your consumption of alcohol. Be mindful that you are still being “interviewed.” Go to all VIP events you are invited to, even if for a short time. Connect with your recruiters at these events. Remember: The Job Fair is 2 days! Get some sleep.

34. F OLLOW - UP Send “thank you” emails to recruiters the same day as the interview, if possible. Being prompt is important because there will be a large number of candidates. Say something unique to make yourself stand out.