March to Employment Success

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March to Employment Success
Time to Grab your Horn and make some noise!
Topic Interviewing
The information and presentation that follows was
originally given at the 2005 NIRSA Region II
Lead-on and is an overview of the interviewing
process. The full presentation will be found on
the March to Employment Success site.
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Part Two The Dance
Preparing for the National Conference and Beyond

• Brooke Turner
• Melanie Freeman

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Interviews
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Types of Interviews

• Individual
• Group
• School Socials
• Meals

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Interviewing 101

• Networking gets you the interview, you get the
  job.
• Arrive Early (15 Minutes)
• Early is on time, on time is late, late is
  unacceptable.
• Review Your Research
• RELAX
• Attire
• Suit (Jacket, Pressed Shirt, etc)
• Shoes (Be Prepared to Walk)
• Bag (Snacks, Water, Pens, Supplies)

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Portfolio

• Extra Resume Copies
• Notebook Paper
• Job Description
• Research
• Prepared Questions

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Meeting the Interviewer

• Face Where Interviewer Will Come From
• Sit Where You Are Ready To Go
• Be Ready To Go
• SMILE
• Firm Handshake
• Walk With Energy

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Interview Tips

• Sit on the Edge of Your Seat
• Write Down the Names of the Interviewers
• Make Good Eye Contact
• Never Lie
• Listen as Well as Talk
• Use Specific Examples from Your Life
• Be Proud of Your Accomplishments. Be Open About
  Your Background or Experience
• Dont Give One Word Answers. They Want to Know
  What You Think

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Interview Tips

• Emphasize Your Desire to Work, Learn, Help,
  Achieve, and be a Team Player
• Dont Chew Your Fingernails, Smoke, Drink, or Eat
  During the Interview
• Do Not use Profanity or Slang
• Bring Extra Copies of Your Resume, References,
  Transcripts or Any Other Pertinent Information
• Ask Appropriate Questions
• ALWAYS Thank the Interviewer

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Life After the Interview

• Write a Thank You Note
• Talk to Professionals from Your School
• Let Them Know Which Jobs You are Really
  Interested In
• Go Out of Your Way to Say Hello

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Follow up

• Phone Calls, Letters and E-Mails
• Subsequent Interviews
• Follow Application Procedures
• Handling Multiple Opportunities
• Sleep on Job Offers
• Accept with Enthusiasm
• If You Decline Keep the Door Open for Later

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The Key to Interviewing
Be Yourself!
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Whats With All the Questions?
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What are Interviewers Looking For?

• Energy Level
• Professionalism and Presence
• Ability and Motivation
• Thinking on Your Feet
• Judgment and Common Sense
• Creativity and Problem Solving Skills
• Attitude and Potential
• Adding to the Program
• Response to Stress and Pressure
• Loyalty, Integrity, Honesty, Accountability,
  Responsibility

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Beyond the Question

• Your use of examples when answering questions
  helps your past experience to come alive and to
  demonstrate that you take pride in your work and
  will take the responsibility to increase quality
  levels, ensure customer satisfaction, or meet
  deadlines
• Employers will take a chance on a less
  qualified candidate (can you do the job) IF the
  person demonstrates enthusiasm for learning (will
  you do the job) and IF the person appears to fit
  in

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Answering Questions

• Answer the Question Then Justify Your Answer
• STAR Technique
• What was the Situation or Task what were the
  Achievements Results
• Continually Sell Yourself
• Focus on Positives
• Dont Try to Justify Negatives Turn Them into
  Positives
• Prepare Several Success Stories
• Prepare for the Liability Questions

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Tricky Questions- John LaFerve

• What is Your Greatest Weakness?
• Where Do You Want to be in 10 Years?
• How Would You Evaluate Your Last Boss?
• What is Your Greatest Strength?
• Why Do You Want This Job?
• Tell Me About Yourself

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Common Questions

• Why did you choose your school and major?
• What will this job do for you?
• Give an example of a time when you took
  initiative.
• What qualities do you look for in a boss?
• Tell about a situation that didnt work out well.
• Why do you want to work for this school?
• Tell me what your boss will say about you.
• What classes did you like? What were the
  hardest?
• Do you consider yourself a creative person?
• What is your greatest accomplishment?
• What book are you reading currently?
• Who is your favorite superhero and why?
• Why should I hire you for this job?

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Turning the Tables
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Questions to Ask

• Structure, History, Department Structure
• Pros and Cons of working here?
• Whom would I report to?
• What are you looking for in ideal candidate?
• What concerns if any do you have about hiring me?
• Whats the next step from here?
• What is the turnover ratio?