INTERVIEW WORKSHOP

1
INTERVIEW WORKSHOP
2
INTRODUCTION
Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Preparation
• Typical Questions
• The Interview
• Receiving Offers

Resumes and cover letters get interviews
interviews get jobs
Interview Workshop
3
PREPARATION
Interview Workshop
4
Preparation
Overview

• Time spent preparing and practicing for
  interviews is critical
• People who take this seriously are the ones who
  get the job
• Interview skills are learned through preparation
  and practice
• Most people get nervous when thinking about
  interviews
• Even people who are energetic and personable need
  work
• There is no substitute for interview experience
• The more interviews you do the better you will
  get

Interviews can be fairly high-stakes so it
makes sense to prepare as much as possible ahead
of time
Interview Workshop
5
Preparation
Research Company and Industry

• Thoroughly research the company you are
  interviewing with
• How does the company position itself?
• What are its major products/services?
• How big is the company?
• Where does it have offices?
• Has the company been in the news recently?
• Spend time researching the industry
• Be able to demonstrate at least a basic knowledge
• Great research sources include
• Company website (career and investor relations
  sections)
• College alumni currently employed at the company

A lack of basic knowledge about the company you
are interviewing with make it seem like you are
not interested in the opportunity
Interview Workshop
6
Preparation
Understand the Position

• Understanding the position you are interviewing
  for is important
• This will help you craft your story during the
  interview
• Read all materials available to you
• Career section of company websites
• Job postings
• Attend company presentations and career fair
  booths
• Companies often track attendance
• Attendance can help you secure an interview
• Talk to college alumni at the company, if
  possible
• If necessary, call an HR contact to ask for
  clarification

Interviewers will want to know WHY you are
interested in the position
Interview Workshop
7
Preparation
Craft Your Story

• It is important to prepare your story before an
  interview
• Why do you want to work in this field?
• Why would you be better than someone else for
  this job?
• How has your experience brought you to this
  point?
• Identify 3-6 points you want to get across in the
  interview
• These should reinforce the themes of your story
• Think through examples you will use to back the
  points up
• Draw on many different aspects of your experience
• Have multiple examples for each point you want to
  make

Taking time to craft your story will make it
easier for you to answer questions and help the
interviewer remember you after you leave
Interview Workshop
8
Preparation
Practice and Rehearse

• Prepare answers to all obvious questions
• Why are you interested in the industry?
• Why are you excited about this particular
  company?
• Why should you be hired over others interviewing?
• Write out answers to make things come out more
  easily
• Practice reading your answers out loud
• Refine them as you practice
• Review the list of questions included in this
  packet

Writing answers out ahead of time will help you
organize your thoughts During the actual
interview, try to make your answers
conversational do NOT memorize them word for
word
Interview Workshop
9
Preparation
Think About What to Wear

• Think about what you will wear for your interview
  ahead of time
• Leave yourself time to get things dry cleaned if
  necessary
• Try to gauge the style of dress from company
  presentations
• Wear a suit unless you have been told to wear
  business casual
• Black pants and a nice sweater set or collared
  shirt
• Pantsuits may be more comfortable than skirt
  suits
• Wear only closed-toe shoes
• Women should wear subtle jewelry and make-up
• Go light on styling products and perfume
• Get a haircut if needed

Be conservative with your dress and appearance
you dont want people to remember you for the
wrong reasons
Interview Workshop
10
TYPICAL QUESTIONS
Interview Workshop
11
Typical Questions
Overview

• Background questions
• Help the interviewer get to know you
• Company/industry questions
• Test your interest level in the position
• Behavioral questions
• Examine your past behavior to predict future
  performance
• Technical questions
• Test whether you have the required skills for the
  job
• Fit questions
• Help determine if you would fit in to the
  office culture
• Common questions
• Easy to ask and provide specific information

It is important to understand the different types
of questions interviewers ask As discussed,
preparation is the key to mastering ALL of these
questions
Interview Workshop
12
Typical Questions
Background Questions

• Interviewers will often begin the interview with
  these questions
• Background questions are often open-ended
• Why dont you walk me through your resume?
• Why dont you tell me a little bit about
  yourself?
• Some background questions are more specific
• How did you decide where to go to college?
• What made you decide to major in marketing
• Answers reveal more than just your background
• How do you make big decisions?
• Why are you qualified for this job?

Background questions are the best way to tell
your story
Interview Workshop
13
Typical Questions
Company/Industry Questions

• These are often asked near the beginning of an
  interview
• Questions will likely be short and
  straightforward
• Why are you interested in this
  company/industry?
• Why are you qualified for this position?
• Why are you interested in this position?
• What separates our company from our
  competitors?
• You should have answers to these questions
  planned ahead of time
• Answers should be concise, but convincing

Use these questions to continue the story you
crafted why do you want to work for this
company?
Interview Workshop
14
Typical Questions
Behavioral Questions

• Human Resource departments love these questions
• Questions will likely be very specific
• Describe a creative/innovative idea that you
  produced which led to a significant contribution
  to the success of an activity or project.
• What was the most difficult decision you have
  made in the last six months? What made it
  difficult? What variables did you consider? What
  did you decide? What was the result?
• These questions are easy to prepare for
• Think up examples to use ahead of time
• Draw on your professional, social and educational
  experiences

Make sure you provide SPECIFIC examples when
answering these questions Being vague will
dilute the effectiveness of your answer
Interview Workshop
15
Typical Questions
Technical Questions

• Front line employees will often ask these
  questions
• Questions will definitely be very specific to
  your job
• How do you calculate a WACC?
• What are the four Ps of marketing?
• Few people like to give technical interviews
• If you satisfy the interviewer he/she will likely
  move on
• Give concise, confident answers
• If possible, always hold back for the follow-up

It is important to answer these questions with
confidence, but dont be afraid to admit when you
dont know the correct answer
Interview Workshop
16
Typical Questions
Fit Questions

• Fit questions usually come toward the end of the
  interview process
• Questions are designed to examine your
  personality
• What do you like to do in your free time?
• What was the last book you read?
• If you could choose a historical figure to have
  dinner with, who would it be and why?
• You need to pass the Flight to Tokyo Test
• Dont be controversial or far out with your
  answers
• Answer honestly and enthusiastically

Interviewers want to make sure you would be a fun
person to work with
Interview Workshop
17
Typical Questions
Common Questions

• Interviewers love to ask these crutch questions
• It is best to familiarize yourself with the most
  common questions
• Why should I hire you?
• What are your biggest strengths?
• What are your biggest weaknesses?
• What would your friends say about you
• Prepare an answer to the biggest weakness
  question ahead of time
• You should be able to list three real weaknesses
  in an interview
• Try to demonstrate how you have worked to improve
  on them

You will get asked at least one common question
during your interview processes
Interview Workshop
18
THE INTERVIEW
Interview Workshop
19
The Interview
Before the Interview

• Be sure to bring extra copies of your resume,
  paper and a pencil
• Get someone to check your appearance before you
  leave
• Arrive at the company at least 15 minutes early
• Remember the interview starts as soon as you
  arrive
• Be friendly and courteous to everyone, especially
  admins!

The only thing in life you can ever truly control
is your attitude Be confident, have enthusiasm
and try to relax!
Interview Workshop
20
The Interview
Beginning the Interview

• Smile and introduce yourself clearly
• Remember your non-verbal language and verbal cues
• Have a firm handshake as it shows confidence
• Be sure to make eye contact
• Always use good grammar
• Wait to sit down until your interviewer offers
  you a seat

You never get a second chance to make a first
impression
Interview Workshop
21
The Interview
Answering Questions

• Try to be concise when answering questions
• Dont be afraid to ask, Is that what you were
  looking for?
• Try to frame your answer
• Be willing to say I dont know
• Dont try to bluff the interviewer
• If you have to say this, make a positive point as
  well
• Express confidence you can learn whatever it is
• Be as honest as you can it comes across and
  makes life easier
• Once an interviewer has established you are
  qualified the rest is fit
• Would be a pleasant addition to the office?
• You cant just be qualified and smart, you must
  be liked

The most important thing to do during an
interview is be yourself
Interview Workshop
22
The Interview
Ending the Interview

• Ask lots of questions at the end three at a
  minimum
• Follow-up questions show you think on your feet
• Do not just sprout memorized questions
• Good questions to use at the end of an interview
  include...
• Tell me about one of your typical days?
• Why do you like working for/in this
  company/industry?
• What is the culture like at this company?
• Tell the interviewer of other offers or deadlines
  you have
• Ask the interviewer about next steps and
  timelines
• If the interviewer did not give you a card, ask
  for one at the end
• Shake hands and thank the interviewer for his/her
  time

Always thank your interviewer for his/her time
even if you think the interview went poorly
Interview Workshop
23
The Interview
After the Interview

• Send a thank-you e-mail, preferably that day
• Try to refer to something you discussed in the
  interview
• E-mails should be short and polite
• Proofread, proofread, proofread!
• If you dont hear from someone in a short time,
  politely call or e-mail
• Interviewers are often very busy
• The hiring process is easy to fall through the
  cracks
• Try to find the right balance, you dont want to
  be too aggressive
• Keep track of the questions you were asked
• Keeping notes can help you improve for other
  interviews

Thank-you emails can help the interviewer
remember you, but they can also destroy your
chances if you dont proofread!
Interview Workshop
24
RECEIVING OFFERS
Interview Workshop
25
Receiving Offers
Negotiation

• It is best NOT to negotiate for internships or
  entry-level positions
• You are an unproven quantity with no leverage
• Small asks (start dates, moving expenses) are
  the exception

Trying to negotiate at this point in your career
can create more problems than it is worth
Interview Workshop
26
Receiving Offers
Accepting and Declining Offers

• Do this in person (i.e. not by voicemail or
  e-mail)
• It is ok to leave a voicemail asking for them to
  call you back
• Wait until you receive written notification
  before you accept an offer
• Accept an offer before you decline others, just
  in case
• Be ready to give reasons why you are declining an
  offer

Never burn bridges because you never know where
your career will take you
Interview Workshop
27
Receiving Offers
Legal Issues

• Many companies will do a background check before
  hiring you
• Alert companies ahead of time to ANYTHING that
  may come up
• Report anything worse than a speeding ticket
• Even if you are not required to disclose it, you
  should report it
• Think carefully about how to disclose it and to
  whom
• In most cases you will be fine if you let them
  know ahead of time

Employers will want to know you are honest and
they will respect that
Interview Workshop
28
CONCLUSION
Interview Workshop
29
CONCLUSION
Questions

• Any questions?
• Materials available at www.vcs.nu/fyf-interview/

Please check your hand-outs for additional
information including sample interview questions
Interview Workshop