1. Joe Scott, Assistant Director joscott@rci.rutgers.edu Rutgers Career Services Career & Interview Center PREPARING FOR A JOB INTERVIEW

2. WHAT WE WILL COVER TODAY Purpose of Interviews Types of Interviews Preparing for the Interview Interview Structure Typical Questions Next Steps

3. PURPOSE OF INTERVIEW (Employer Perspective) Do you have the skills to do the job? Will you fit into the organization’s culture? Are you motivated to do the job? Will you stay?

4. PURPOSE OF INTERVIEW (Candidate Perspective) Learn about the organization Determine if you fit into the culture Get the job offer

5. INTERVIEW TYPES Screening/Human Resources Behavioral Group Phone/Video

6. PRIOR TO THE INTERVIEW Research: find out what is happening in your career field and the particular company you will be interviewing with Preparation: identify what you have to offer the company and prepare for common interview questions

7. RESEARCH Organization: Organization website, literature, and Kilmer Library Services, products, locations, divisions and competitors Recent news, new product launches, mergers Organization strengths Trends in the Profession: Career publications, professional organizations and networking Other Tools: www.rileyguide.com/The Rutgers Online Career Library

8. PREPARATION Selling Points Character Traits Practice Interviewing

9. SELLING POINTS Technical skills, advanced training Management/supervision experience Awards Customer service ability Advanced coursework Special projects Internships Volunteer, community service, activities

10. CHARACTER TRAITS Team Player Adaptable Good judgement Quick thinker Ethical Leadership Communication: verbal & written Attention to detail

11. NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION Attire/appearance Hand shake/Eye contact/Posture Hand gestures

12. PRACTICE INTERVIEWING Mock Interview Interview Stream, Virtual Mock Interview Career Services Guide (sample questions) Career Resource Center Publications

13. INTERVIEW PROCESS Warm up - Rapport Building Questions/Dialog Questions from interviewee Wrap-up Follow-up

14. WARM-UP How about this weather? How about the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants? How are your classes going?

15. QUESTIONS/DIALOGUE Traditional: Traditional interview questions focus on your educational background, work experience, activities, skills, etc. Behavioral: Behavioral interviews focus on specific past behaviors, “Describe a time when..” Past behavior is the best predictor of future performance

16. TRADITIONAL QUESTIONS Tell me about yourself. Why did you choose Rutgers? Where do you see yourself in five years? Why did you choose this profession? Why should I hire you? What do you know about us? What is your biggest weakness?

17. BEHAVIORAL QUESTIONS Describe a major problem you have faced and how you dealt with it. Describe a situation where 10 different things had to get done at once and how you handled it. Use the P.A.R. system (Problem-Action-Result) in answering these types of questions

18. QUESTIONS FROM INTERVIEWEE What kind of assignments might I expect in the first six months? What skills are important for someone in this position? How would you describe the ideal candidate for this position? What do you like most about working for the company?

19. INTERVIEW WRAP-UP Express interest in the position Clarify next steps Get business card Send thank you letter

20. NEXT STEPS Make an appointment at any Career Services office to conduct a Mock Interview (option to be video-taped) Use Interview Stream, Virtual Mock Interview – self assessment