INTERVIEWING TO WIN

INTERVIEW PREP TIPSResearch the school/program

– WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW?

– Expansion?

– History?

– Culture/Philosophy?

– Services?

– Recent news articles

– Their reputation?

THE DAY BEFORE...

• Decide what to wear

• Review notes

• Check traffic routes

• Practice

• Get a good nights’ sleep

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU

• Directions to the interview

• School Info

• Writing materials-paper and pen

• Copies of resume and reference letters- just in case

• YOUR questions

INTERVIEWING PROTOCOL

• Arrive 10-15 minutes early

• Exhibit pleasant personality to EVERYONE

• Read related materials in waiting room

• Come unencumbered-Leave extraneous materials

• Do not chew gum, smoke or drink

DURING THE INTERVIEW

• Relaxed as possible

• Smile

• Appropriate humor

• Open body posture

• Eye-contact

CLOSING THE INTERVIEW

• Always ask this question: “Can you tell me what the next step will be as I remain very interested…”

• Thank the interviewer, shake hands

• Close with information …and enthusiasm

• Request/secure a business card from everyone

AFTER THE INTERVIEW

• Send a note

• Stay in pursuit

• Don’t wait too long

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO WAER TO AN INTERVIEW?

• A smile

THE BIGGEST NON-VERBAL CUES?

• How you dress

• Your handshake

DRESS FOR SUCCESS WOMEN

• Suit/Dress-Conservative, below knee-length

• Blouse-Simple style, white or soft color

• Shoes-Pumps or medium heels

• Purse-Medium or small, match outfit

Can I Wear a Pants Suit?

– In a recent study, 90% of college recruiters agreed pants suits for women are acceptable

DRESS FOR SUCCESS-MEN

• Suit-Dark blue, gray, muted pin-stripes

• Shirt-White, pale blue or yellow

• Tie-Conservative, classic

• Shoes-Polished dress shoes

• Remember…Your wardrobe reflects who you are, don’t let it say the wrong things!

• No matter what you wear, be professional

WHAT YOU CAN ASK ?

• Qualities for success

• Traits of past successful students

ABOUT THE QUESTIONS

• The questions are about you, You are the expert

• Open-ended beginnings - your opportunity

• Technical questions might arise

• Prepare a few questions of your own

THE MOST COMMON QUESTIONS

• Many will be “situational” questions– Tell me about a time…– Can you give me a situation where you….– Let me describe a situation and you tell

me how you would handle it…

Use the STAR Technique to answer Questions

–Situation or Task- State the background

–Action- Discuss what steps you took

–Result- Describe the outcomes

TAKE AIM AS YOU PRACTICE

• Be specific— use examples, tell stories

NO FAILURES, JUST LESSONS