INTERVIEWING

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INTERVIEWING

• Before the Interview
• During the Interview
• After the Interview

Modified by the Ag Ed Leadership Revision
Committee May 2007
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BEFORE THE INTERVIEW
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Job Interview Purpose

• It 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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Research -- Be able to ask ???

• Research -- Be able to ask intelligent ??
• Library books
• Newspaper articles
• Talk to people who work for the company
• Visit their internet site
• Check Human Resource Department for press kit
  about company history
• The more information you know, the better
  you can showcase yourself!!!

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Sources of Information About Company

• Newspaper or Magazines
• Brochures
• Chamber of Commerce
• Internet Website of Company
• Employees
• Customers
• Position Announcements

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Rehearsal Time

• 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

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Practice Interview Questions

• What is your experience?
• What activities did you participate in school,
  community, etc.?
• What are your career goals?
• Why do you want this job?
• What are your major strengths?
• What are your major weaknesses?
• How well do you get along with others?
• Are you willing to work overtime?
• When can you begin work?
• Tell me about yourself.

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General tips on Interviewing

• Be neat and be well groomed
• Dress appropriate for type of job applied for
• Go to interview alone
• Be on time
• Use good manners and appropriate gestures
• Pay attention to 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.)
• Videotape yourself for practice

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Telephone Skills

• Speak clearly
• Say it with a SMILE
• Repeat time and location of the interview

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Dress For Success

• Be conservative in dress
• Dress one step above what employees are wearing
• Shower and shave
• Use cologne and perfume sparingly
• Avoid extra jewelry

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Professional Dress for Women

• A business suit-blue, gray, black
• Keep skirt length appropriate hemline no
  shorter than the bottom of the knee
• Wear quality fabrics
• Shoes that match

• Solid colors
• One ring per hand
• One set of earrings

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Professional Dress for Men

• Conservative color for suit, ex. Blue, gray,
  black
• A white collared shirt with a conservative tie,
  no wild patterns (cartoon characters)
• Socks needed to match suit
• Dont wear athletic socks
• Shoes need to be shined

• Dont wear accessories (a watch is fine)
• Avoid wearing a suit that you can tell is from an
  expensive designer

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Tips for Men and Women

• Hair should be trimmed, neatly arranged, and
  clean
• Fingernails should be neat, clean, and trimmed
• Avoid using colognes, scented powders, and
  perfumes
• Keep pockets empty of tinkling coins
• No gum, candy, or cigarettes

• Women Dont wear too much makeup
• Keep hair pulled back and out of face
• Be conservative
• earrings, piercing,
• etc

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Dos

• Act Natural
• Be Prompt
• Carry out Promises
• Ask Questions
• Allow Employer to Express Ideas
• Read Company Literature
• Follow Procedures
• Be Clear and Precise
• Listen Effectively to Interviewer

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Donts
Be Late Present an Extreme Appearance Come
unprepared Oversell Yourself Become Impatient Try
to be Funny Put Emphasis on Salary Criticize
Yourself Talk Too Much and Control Interview
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AT THE INTERVIEW

• Its
• Showtime

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What makes a good first impression?

• Proper handshake
• Proper introduction
• Good posture
• Neat appearance
• attire
• grooming
• personal hygiene

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Body Language

• Good Posture
• Sit up straight, Sit on the edge of chair, 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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Typical Questions

• Tell me about yourself.
• What are your strengths?
• What are your weaknesses?
• What are some of your goals?
• Do you like working with others or on your own?
• ???Honesty is the best policy???

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Typical Tough Questions???

• 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 cant meet,
  what will you do?
• Stay Calm, Dont be Defensive, Focus on your
  Skills

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Employee Questions

• What services or products does the company
  provide?
• Who are the companys 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, etc?

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Questions to Avoid

• Salary
• Research other companies, give a range
• Vacations
• Benefits
• Sick leave

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Final Comments

• Thank the interviewer for the interview
• Decide a convenient time you can call on the
  hiring status

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After an Interview

• Following Up

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Evaluate the Interview

• Did you speak clearly?
• Did you forget important information?
• Will you accept or reject the job offer?

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Thank You Letter

• Reinforce your skills and abilities
• Insert added information you may have forgotten
• Restate your continued interest in the company
• Remember to call back at appointed time!!!!!

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Accepting the Job Offer

• Ask for a day to think about the job offer
• List pro and cons before you accept the job
• Ask for a formal offer letter for your files
• Send and keep a copy of your acceptance letter

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Rejecting the Job Offer

• You are offered the job, but the salary is too
  low. Negotiate your salary.
• The job isnt what you expected
• Be tactful in your response

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If you are not hired

• Consider it a learning experience
• Ask why you were not hired
• Do you need more training?
• How can you improve in your interview?
• Feedback will help you in future interviews

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HAPPY HUNTING