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Before the Interview During the Interview After the Interview
INTERVIEWING Before the Interview During the Interview After the Interview
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Why Go Through an Interview?
The job interview provides an opportunity for you to sell yourself verbally to the employer on why you are the best applicant for the job.
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BEFORE THE INTERVIEW Call to make an interview appointment
Research the company Practice, practice, practice! Know your do’s and don’ts Plan your outfit ahead of time
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Make an Appointment While on the phone, you should… Speak clearly
Say it with a smile Repeat time and location of the interview Remember, you make your first impression when you talk to employers on the telephone
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Research: Ask Questions
Research — Be able to ask intelligent questions Library books Newspaper and magazine articles, brochures Talk to employees and customers Visit the company Web site Check the Human Resource Department for press kit about company history Visit the local Chamber of Commerce The more information you know, the better you can showcase yourself
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Practice, Practice, Practice
Interview with a friend Practice typical questions using a mirror and tape recorder Create a 30-second “commercial” that highlights your unique talents and skills Questions you might be asked… What is your experience? What activities did you participate in school or in your community? What are your career goals? Why do you want this job? What are your major strengths and weaknesses? How well do you work in teams? Are you willing to work overtime? When can you begin to work? Tell me about yourself.
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To Do and Not To Do Do… Don’t… Act natural Be late Be prompt
Carry out promises Ask questions Allow employer to express ideas Read company literature Follow procedures Be clear and precise Listen effectively to the interviewer Don’t… Be late Come in extreme dress Come unprepared Oversell yourself or criticize yourself Become impatient Try to be funny Put an emphasis on salary Control the interview
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Dress For Success: Women
Professional Dress for Women Wear a business suit in solid colors, such as blue, gray or black, or a nice dress and blazer or cardigan Skirt and dress hemlines should be no shorter than the bottom of the knee Wear quality fabrics and shoes that match Avoid extra jewelry Wear one to two rings per hand Only wear one set of earrings Wear perfume and makeup sparingly Keep hair pulled back from your face No gum, hair, cigarettes, or pockets full of coins
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Dress for Success: Men Professional Dress for Men
Wear a business suit in a solid, conservative color, such as blue, gray or black Avoid wearing a suit that you can tell is from an expensive designer White, collared shirt Choose a conservative tie — no cartoon characters! Your socks should be dress socks that match your suit Shine your shoes Keep hair and fingernails neatly trimmed Don’t wear accessories except for a watch
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AT THE INTERVIEW Know how to make a good first impression
Remember the questions in your practice interviews Be prepared to answer tough questions Come with questions to ask Know there are some questions the employer should not be asking you Don’t forget to thank the interviewer for his time!
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How to Screw Up an Interview
Making jokes that make no sense Sitting against the wall to fill out an application Listening to music, eating, talking on the cell phone, or reading text messages during the interview Displaying your hobbies, especially if they are irrelevant to the job Saying the only reason you’re looking for a job is to prove you’re searching for a job so you can get an unemployment check
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Some Things to Remember
Dress appropriately for the job Be neat and well-groomed Go to the interview alone Be on time Use good manners and appropriate gestures Pay attention to the interviewer Ask appropriate questions about the job Have necessary personal reference information with you Smile and relax Ask some opening questions Have good posture Sound enthusiastic Make eye contact Avoid distracting habits (rocking, etc.)
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First Impressions Count
Proper handshake Proper introduction Good posture Neat appearance: Proper attire for your job market Be groomed Personal hygiene
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First Impressions: Body Language
Good Posture Sit up straight on the edge of the chair and avoid crossing legs and arms Inviting Gestures Firm handshake Nod your head — indicates you are listening Eye Contact Indicates confidence Speak Clearly Standard English, not slang Not only what you say, but how you say it
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Tough Questions When you’re faced with tough questions, remember to not be defensive, stay calm, and focus on your skills. What qualities do you have that offset your lack of experience? Are you going to move to a better job as soon as you gain experience here? If you are faced with a deadline you can’t meet, what will you do?
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Questions You Should Ask
What services or products does the company provide? Who are the company’s customers? Who are the key personnel? Where are company headquarters, plants, etc? What are the specific duties of the job applied for? What is the name of the interviewer? How profitable is the company? Annual revenue? Number of employees?
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Questions to Avoid Salary, Vacations, Benefits and Sick Leave
When asked about salaries, be prepared with research — know what other companies pay for similar positions and give a range Don’t answer questions about… Race, sexual orientation or marital status Unemployment payments or what your spouse or family do for a living Arrests, religion, or national origin The employer is advised against asking these types of questions, but may ask them anyway.
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Situations: A New Trend
Lately many employers ask interviewees situation-based questions to determine their decision-making skills and processes, as well as to see how they react under pressure. Examples: If someone (describe a typical conflict situation in the department), what would you do? As we still have some time left, can you tell me a story? Outline in very broad terms how you would create a strategy for a public interest campaign. “Genius is attention to detail.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
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Closing the Interview Watch for cues the interview is about to be over, such as the employer standing up or saying who will be in contact with you. Thank the interviewer for the interview Decide a convenient time you can call on the hiring status
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AFTER THE INTERVIEW Evaluate the interview Write a thank-you letter or Accept the job…or deal appropriately with rejection
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Evaluate the Interview
Were there any issues you had during practice interviews that were corrected during your actual interview? Did you speak clearly? Did you forget important information, or forget to ask any pressing questions? What was your overall opinion of the job? Write out pros and cons Will you accept or reject the job offer?
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Writing a Thank-You Note
Things to include Thank the interviewer for his time and effort Reinforce your skills and abilities Insert added information you may have forgotten Restate your interest in the company Make sure you’re spelling the interviewer’s name and address ( or street) correctly Proof-read the letter for spelling and grammar Remember to call back at the appointed time
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If You’re Offered the Job…
And you want to take it: Ask for a day to think about the job offer Review the pros and cons list you created before you accept the job Ask for a formal offer letter for your files Send and keep a copy of your acceptance letter And don’t want to take it: If you don’t want to take it because the salary is too low, try negotiating. If you don’t want to take it because the job isn’t what you expected, be tactful in your response.
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If You Don’t Get the Job…
Consider it a learning experience Be respectful and tactful when speaking with the employer. Ask why you were not hired. Feedback will help you in future interviews. Do I need more training? How can I improve in my interview?
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