Get ready to impress your next

employer with your interpersonal skills, technical wit, and

good humor.

Thursday Sep. 18th

4pm – 5pm

EC 2780

Learning Objectives

Discuss aspects of interviewing

Recognize your needs (job and employer)

Understand importance of research

Poise when answering interpersonal and technical questions

Top 10 Qualities Employers Seek

10. Organizational Skills 9. Computer Skills8. Analytical Skills7. Flexibility/Adaptability6. Initiative/Self-Motivation5. Strong Work Ethic4. Interpersonal Skills (relates well to others)3. Teamwork Skills (works well with others) 2. Honesty/Integrity1. Communication Skills (verbal & written)

NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers)

Know Yourself

Work-related values

Interests

Skills

Strengths and weaknesses

Research Potential Employers

Initially, basic information: Name, address, phone, and fax Names and titles of key contacts Products and/or services; competition

As you start scheduling interviews, more details: Industry rank and size; subsidiaries Sales and profit trends Current plans

Informational Interview

Meet with someone in the industry or company What got them into the business Their likes and dislikes Advice they can offer Potential topics or skills discussed in an interview Your strengths and weaknesses as a candidate Practice using industry terminology

Thank them in person and follow up with a note Promise to follow up on leads and updates about progress Maintain this relationship as part of your network, which can

lead to further information and opportunities

First Impressions Make Lasting Impressions

Be on time: Take names and phone numbers in case you need to call Plan for traffic, getting lost, or unplanned prep time Arrive at site at least 30 minutes early Arrive at office 10 minutes early Bring reading material or something else to keep relaxedCarry portfolio with: College transcripts Examples of work Letters of recommendations References ResumesYou may not be asked for this information, but if you are, this

preparation could make a strong impression

Dress for Success Clean, polished shoes Cover visible tattoos Minimal jewelry Minimal cologne or perfume Neat, well-groomed hair and nails Remove visible body piercings Wear a watch Business Casual

Bring lint brush and iron

Don’t smoke before event

No coffee, spaghetti, etc. in interview clothes (spills)

Person next to you in line or at the bar may interview you later

Greeting Skills

Eye contact without staring Smile Introduce yourself Firm hand shake Wait to be invited Wait to sit down Confident and friendly

Non-Verbal Skills

Communication: Body Language Tone of voice Content

Be cognizant of: Attentive posture Eye contact without staring Firm handshake Nervous mannerisms Cues from interviewer(s)

Responding to Questions

Rehearse answers before interview Understand behavioral-based interviewing Sell yourself Tie your background to the position Focus on your accomplishments Turn weaknesses into areas for growth Stress the following in words, tone, and body language:

Capability Confidence

Dependability Enthusiasm

Flexibility Resourcefulness

Strong work ethic Easygoing, professional, manner

Reach for the STARs

(S)ituation

(T)ask

(A)ction taken

(R)esult of your action

Behavioral-Based Questions

Ability to handle ambiguity Reacting to stress Communication skills Good decision-making Honesty/integrity Initiative Problem solving/analytical skills Team work

Sample Behavioral Interview Questions

Describe a situation when you performed under pressure

Tell me about your accomplishments Tell me about yourself What are your strengths and weaknesses? What do you know about our organization? What kind of boss do you like to have? Why do you want this job? Why do you want to leave your present position? Why would you be successful in this job?

Sample Technical Interview Questions

What is Hooke’s law?

What is the equation that relates the bending moment to the normal stress developed in a beam?

Explain the significance of the 1st Law of Thermodynamics.

Sample Technical Interview Questions

Can you create a cyclic power system employing solely gravity as the driving force? If the answer to the previous question is no,

can the power system deliver work iteratively?

When a fluid flowing in a pipeline passes through a region where the pipe diameter increases, do you expect the flow rate to increase or decrease?

Sample Technical Interview Questions

Explain the difference between the method of joints and the method of sections. When and how is the method of joints

applied? When and how is the method of sections

applied? Give an example of the input to and output

from Finite Element Modeling package. How would you apply what you learned

from a class project to this position?

Some Illegal and Legal Questions

Topic Illegal Legal

Age How old are you/What is your birth date?

Are you 18 years or older?

Arrest Record Have you ever been arrested?

Have you ever been convicted of a crime? (Crime should be related to job)

Disability and Health-Related

Do you have any disabilities? Are you able to perform the essential functions of this job? (Make sure these have been articulated)

Family Status Do you plan to have a family? When?

Would you be willing and able to travel as needed for the job?

National Origin Are you a US citizen? Are you authorized to work in the US?

Questions for Students

“Why weren’t your grades better?” If interviewing, you probably fulfill basic criteria for position Probably trying to assess how well you handle adversity Don’t get defensive or place blame Concentrate on what you learned and the effort you put in

“Why didn’t you participate more in extracurricular activities?” Might be worried about a lack of outside interests (burnout) Talk about interests that aren’t formal or organized

The 250 Job Interview Questions…!, Veruki, p 164

Questions for Employer

Is continuing education encouraged? Is there a probation period? How long? How do you evaluate your employees? How is feedback given concerning job performance? What are the department's goals for the year? What are some characteristics of successful

employees in your organization? What staff development programs are available? What training is provided? How long?

12 Themes with Examples (1-4)

Prepare 12 personal themes (with examples) that showcase your skills and qualifications:

1. Passion for the business Why you’re interested in the field. What excites you?

2. Motivation and purpose Why you want this interview and this job

3. Skills and experience How you’ll use specific key skills. Minimize weaknesses

4. Diligence and professional character Thoroughness and accountability; see projects through,

predict obstacles, etc.

The 250 Job Interview Questions…!, Veruki, page 13

12 Themes with Examples (5-8)

5. Creativity and leadership Effectiveness, initiative; how you overcome problems, take

advantage of opportunities, and rally support of others

6. Compatibility with the job Specific qualifications. What you’re seeking in your next job.

(Should match job description)

7. Personality and cultural compatibility Fit. How would colleagues, supervisors, or customers react to

you? Interact with you?

8. Management style and interpersonal skills Skills with peers, leaders, customers, etc. What kind of

colleague or boss would you be?

The 250 Job Interview Questions…!, Veruki, page 13

12 Themes and Examples (9-12)

9. Problem-solving ability How you’ve resolved difficult issues. Practical and realistic?

10.Accomplishments How you’ve delivered more than expected. Action taken and

positive results. What can you contribute?

11.Career aspirations Reiterate skills and strengths you want to develop further,

such as cross-functional experience, budget, supervisory, etc.

12.Personal interests and hobbies Balanced lifestyle? Personality reflected in career choice?

How would you reflect on the company?

The 250 Job Interview Questions…!, Veruki, page 13

Wrap up Skills

Wrap up Interview Notice signs that interview has run its course Thank interviewer for their time Ask for business card Ask about next step Maintain confident, friendly attitude

Follow up Letter Business thank you letter Reaffirm interest in position Reiterate qualifications discussed

Prepare for Next Interview

Write down what you learned Were you prepared? What were tough questions? Where can you improve?

Salary Negotiation

“The prospect of negotiating salary

and benefits strikes fear into the hearts

of many job seekers young and old.

But handling the inevitable money

questions doesn’t have to be difficult.

And the more you think about them

in advance, the easier they’ll be

for you to answer”

The 250 Job Interview Questions…!, Veruki, page 186

Do You Want the Job?

Be enthusiastic; find something you like Don’t accept solely based on a few thousand Growth and professional development Job title and responsibilities Salary, overtime, bonus structure Tuition reimbursement Vacation, sick time, parental leave Life, medical, vision, and dental insurance Discounted meals Travel; relocation Company culture: Schedule, pace, flexibility Office environment: Teamwork and dialogue?

Independent and isolated?

Career Services

Tues, 9/23,10am Technical Career Fair @ GC Wed, 9/24, 10 am Non-Technical CF @ GC Thu, 10/30, 6:30 pm Alumni Job Fair @ GC

Information Sessions on Monday, 9/22 @ EC Panther Pit: 11am NAVSEA, 3pm Goldman Sachs, 6pm Amtrak, 7:30pm GE

Visit http://www.fiu.edu/~careerfor more events

ASME Events

ASME/SAE BBQThurs. Sept 18th from 11am - 3pm EC

Technical Career FairTues. Sept. 23rd in GC Ballrooms

Non Technical Career FairWed. Sept. 24th in GC Ballrooms

ECTC ConferenceFri. & Sat. Oct. 3rd &4th in EC 2300

Visit http://web.eng.fiu.edu/~asme/

to get connected

Questions?

Visit http://web.eng.fiu.edu/~asme/

to get connected