PREPARING FOR AN INTERVIEW

Tips on interaction and answering questions

INTERACTION TECHNIQUESLet’s look at behaviors that are favorable while an interview is taking place

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BE ON TIME! OBVIOUSLY.

Actually, be 10-15 minutes early

Know where you need to be and when you should be there

TURN OFF YOUR PHONE

Having your phone vibrate or ring during an interview can be viewed offensively

KNOW THE COMPANY AND WHY YOU WANT TO WORK THERE Research

beforehand on the internet or call HR

Familiarize yourself with the position and requirements

BRING RESUMES, PEN & A NOTEPAD

Cater your resume to the job description

Limit resume to 2 pages

Take notes when appropriate

BE CAREFUL TO NOT… Crack jokes Babble Flirt Badmouth

previous employers or companies

Go off topic Have public

profiles

BUT PLEASE DO HAVE…

Passion

Goals

Accomplishments

BODY LANGUAGE (not too) Strong

handshake

Eye contact… looking around makes you look distracted/uninterested

Don’t fidget or play with hair/face/jewelry

ASK QUESTIONS This reinforces

your interest in the job

Let’s the employer know that you are paying attention

SEND A THANK YOU NOTE This

automatically make you stand out

Shows appreciation

Email, phone call, written note

FOLLOW UP When no one

calls you, call them

Express continuing interest

Don’t be overbearing

TOUGH QUESTIONS.Use the suggestions to prepare responses for frequently asked interview questions

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“TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF.” Make yourself look

good Quick run down of

qualifications and experience

Education, work history, recent experience, goals

“WHY DID YOU LEAVE YOUR LAST JOB?”

List career goals

Take what you learned and apply it to new position

“WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 5 YEARS?”

You are stable

You want to be with the company for the long haul…even if you don’t.

“WHAT ARE YOUR WEAKNESSES?”

Don’t respond literally

Identify areas of improvement that will be assets to your future employer

“WHY WERE YOU LAID OFF?” Answer as

honestly as possible

The company was experiencing the effects of a tough economy

I’m confident it had nothing to do with my job performance

“TELL ME ABOUT THE WORST BOSS YOU’VE EVER HAD.”

NEVER criticize past bosses.

You can discuss what management style you most prefer

Keep it positive: “While some taught me more than others…”

“HOW WOULD OTHERS DESCRIBE YOU?” Always ask for

feedback from coworkers and supervisors

Highlight aspects that will help the company

Carry examples

“”WHAT CAN YOU OFFER THAT ANOTHER PERSON CAN’T?”

You get things done

You have a passion for excellence

You are positive and hard working

Have examples to back your claims

“IF YOU COULD CHOOSE ANY COMPANY TO WORK FOR, WHERE WOULD YOU GO?” ONLY SAY THE

COMPANY YOU ARE INTERVIEWING FOR

“I would not have applied here if I really didn’t want this job”

“WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO TAKE A SALARY CUT?” I am making ____

I know the average rate for this position is: _____to_____

I am more interested in the job than money

I can start lower but I hope that once you see my potential you will raise my pay

We can discuss it later