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Professional Interviewing 101 Brought to you
by Karen IvyCareer Counselor for the College of
Sciences UTSA Career Services
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Career Quiz

• On average, out of every 100 applicants for a
  professional position, how many are interviewed?
• A) 80
• B) 60
• C) 40
• D) 20

On average, only 1 of 5 applicants (20) qualify
for an interview
D) 20
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Career Quiz

• On average, out of every 10 interviews, how many
  receive a job offer?
• A) 8
• B) 5
• C) 3
• D) 1

Only 10 percent of interviews result in job
offers!
D) 1
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Interviewing Whats Involved

• Research
• Dress Appearance
• Introduction / First Impressions
• Answering Questions
• Asking Questions
• Closing Follow-up

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Research

• Preparation is the most important part of
  interviewing.

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Appearance

• MEN
• Dark, conservative business suit
• Long sleeved dress shirt
• Color-coordinated tie
• Shined, conservative dress shoes
• Matching dress belt
• Dark socks
• Well groomed shave get a haircut!

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Appearance

• WOMEN
• Dark, conservative business suit
• Blouse color muted conservative
• Shined, conservative dress shoes (not too
• high in the heel and NO OPEN TOES!)
• Dark or neutral hose
• Minimum very conservative makeup
• Watch fingernail length color

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Career Quiz

• According to Industrial Psychologists, what
  percentage of any interview is visual?
• A) 15
• B) 25
• C) 34
• D) 55

Its not always what you say, but how you look
when you say it!
D) 55
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Career Quiz

• Also according to Industrial Psychologists, if
  you make a poor first impression, how many
  subsequent positive interactions does it take
  with that person to overcome the initial bad
  impression?
• A) 3
• B) 5
• C) 8
• D) 12

In interviewing, you dont get 12 chances you
only get one!
D) 12
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Introduction

• NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS
• Handshake
• Eye-contact
• Posture
• Hand gestures
• SMILE!

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Answering Questions

• Sample Questions

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Common First Question

• Tell me about yourself.

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Behavioral Interview Question

• WORK ETHIC
• Give me an example of a time you put in extra
  effort to complete a task.

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CAR Method

• C Circumstance
• A Action
• R Result

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Behavioral Interview Question

• MULTI-TASKING
• Describe a time when you had to do many things
  all at once.

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More Behavioral Questions

• Describe a situation when you were part of a
  team. How did you contribute to the overall
  goal?
• Give an example of a situation in which you
  provided a solution to a problem.
• Tell me about a time you were on a team and one
  of the members wasnt carrying his or her own
  weight.

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Common Questions

• Where do you want to be in 5 years? 10 years?

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More Common Questions

• What made you decide to apply with
  _____________________?
• What is your greatest strength? weakness?
• Why should we hire you over other candidates?

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Keys to Success

• Give specific answers. Interviewers are not
  looking for vague, general answers.
• Give successful answers. Examples of failure
  wont cut it! Your examples must demonstrate
  that you have successfully performed in the core
  competency area in the past.

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Asking Questions

• After the interviewer has completed their
  questions, they will probably ask if you have
  any. Your answer will be

YES!
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Sample Questions

• What is the work schedule? Are nights and
  weekends involved?
• With great performance where can I be with your
  company in 5 years?
• Whats your turnover rate?
• Can you discuss your long-range growth and
  expansion plans in more detail?
• Whats your vacation and sick days policy?
• Can you tell me more about your career with
  ________?
• Have you ever fired someone for tardiness?

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Closing the Interview

• Make sure youre clear on the next step and the
  timetable.
• Always get a business card.
• Be ENTHUSIASTIC if you want the job, tell them!
• Dont BLOW IT! End like you began firm
  handshake, good eye contact, big smile, etc.

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Follow Up

• Thank you notes!

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INTERVIEW BUSTERS

• NEVER write See Resume on an application or
  other company document
• NEVER be late for an interview
• NEVER take a cell phone to an interview
• NEVER smoke prior to an interview
• NEVER chew gum during an interview

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INTERVIEW BUSTERS

• NEVER be rude to the receptionist
• NEVER ask for a refreshment
• NEVER take a friend or relative to an
  interview
• NEVER ask How did I do at the conclusion of
  an interview
• And NEVER lash out in anger if you dont
  get the job.

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UTSA Career Services

• We are much more than just Career Fairs and
  on-campus interviews! In addition to those, we
  also offer
• Individual Career Counseling
• Information Sessions
• Networking Events
• Professional Development Training
• Dining Etiquette
• Resume Preparation
• Mock Interviews
• JobBank other Internet Career Search tools
• Much more!

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On Campus Interviews

• New procedures!
• What does it mean to be qualified?!
• www.utsa.edu/careerservices

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Questions? Karen Ivy Career Counselor for
COS UTSA Career Services Karen.Ivy_at_utsa.edu 210-45
8-4589 www.utsa.edu/careerservices
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