Interview Etiquette Strategies for Success

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Interview Etiquette Strategies for Success

• Pathways Career Symposium
• May 14, 2005
• Erika Peters, Internship Director
• UC Center Sacramento
• Erika.Peters_at_ucop.edu
• 916-445-5533
• uccs.universityofcalifornia.edu

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4 Rs of Interview Preparation

• Resume
• Accurate, up-to-date, HONEST, concise, clear and
  1-2 pages only!
• Review
• Know your resume, know your skills, values,
  interests and accomplishments have stories to
  illustrate your points.
• Research
• Learn everything you can about your potential
  employer.
• Web Site
• Expert Opinions
• Annual Report / Publications
• Current News Items
• Rehearse
• Mom was right! Practice DOES make perfect!
• Internship and Career Center
• Mentors in your field
• Friends, family

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Interview types

• Settings
• One-on-One, Committee/Panel, Group, Presentation,
  Telephone, Video
• Types
• Screening, In-depth, Technical, Assessing Fit,
  Comparing Candidates

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Positive Confidence

• Attitude is expressed in every answer
• Turn every situation into an expression of your
  positive nature and ability to succeed.
• Even if youre not convinced
• the cup IS HALF FULL!

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Stages of an Interview

• Ice Breaker / Welcome
• Current Events, activities, areas of emphasis,
  travel
• Describe position
• may include information about company, job
  requirements and duties, salary
• Questions, Questions, Questions
• Invitation of questions from you
• Not the time for a discussion of benefits,
  salary, vacation, etc.
• Wrap Up

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The Behavioral Interview

• What is a behavioral question?
• How can you recognize it?
• How should you respond? STAR Method
• S - Situation
• T - Task
• A - Action
• R - Result

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Tell me about yourself.

• You put together the puzzle!
• Should be related to work.
• Dont hesitate to stop and ask if you should
  continue.
• Dont ramble
• Have the destination in mind
• PRACTICE

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What are your two greatest weaknesses?

• Be honest
• Relate to work environment
• Show how you compensate or overcome the problem.

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Do you have any questions for us?

• Your chance to have the last word!
• Worst answer -- uh, no
• OK answer -- I believe weve already covered most
  of what I wanted to know.
• Best bet? Think of it as your big opportunity!
• Show knowledge of company or position
• Wrap up with a summary of qualifications and
  enthusiasm about position
• Gather additional knowledge
• Fill in missed information

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Tips to Remember.

• An interview is a TWO WAY exchange
• Keep the conversation flowing
• Interact with everyone -- no time to be shy
• Be honest
• Dont chew gum or ice
• Turn off your cell phone
• No Smoking!
• Be polite to everyone

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Sweat the Small Stuff.

• Emergency Bag

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Sweat the Small Stuff.

• Call the company prior to interview
• Check directions, parking location and cost
• Find out how long the interview will take
• Arrive 15-20 minutes early to location, but only
  7-10 minutes early to office
• Check in and be prepared to wait for your
  interviewer

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Dress for Success

• Dress for the position you want
• not for the position you have

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Dress for SuccessAccessories

• Shoes
• Polished, comfortable, closed toe
• Socks/Hose
• Wear matching socks or pantyhose
• Belts
• If pants have belt loops, wear a belt
• Jewelry
• Minimal -- take out facial piercings
• Purse/Attaché Case

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Dress for SuccessRules of Thumb

• No sleeveless shirts
• Have your clothes pressed
• No open toe shoes
• Clothes should be comfortable
• avoid
• too tight
• too short
• too trendy

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Dress for SuccessHints

• Men
• Pull long hair back
• Wear a white t-shirt under dress shirt
• Helps with perspiration
• Tie your tie well!
• ask for help if you need it
• bottom of tie should reach the bottom of the belt
  line
• Women
• Have hair neat and out of the way
• Apply make up conservatively
• One ring per hand

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Dress for SuccessDifferent clothing types

• Professional Dress
• Interview outfit
• Daily clothing for professional office setting
• Business Casual Dress
• Dress down Fridays or casual office environment
• Career Fair
• Casual Dress
• Company picnic
• Traveling for work

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Womens Professional
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Womens Business Casual
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Womens Casual
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Mens Professional
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Mens Business Casual
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Mens Casual