Preparing for the Mock- Interview

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Preparing for the Mock- Interview

• CALS Career Services

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Consider your job objective

• The mock interview involves interviewing for a
  specific job, internship or admission to a
  specific professional school.
• You will receive a job/intern/school description
  in career services when you sign up.
• Examples are Research Scientist, Sales Rep,
  Environmental Aid, Management Trainee, Vet,
  Dental, Medical School.

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Must dos...

• Arrive 10 minutes early and check in with the
  representative from CALS Career Services in the
  3rd floor lounge of the Talley Student Center.
• You will be directed to your interview room.
• Do not be late!
• Do not miss the interview unless there is an
  emergency. Call 515-3249 in this event. There
  is a waiting list and we appreciate 24 hours
  notice if you cancel!!
• Take this seriously and treat the recruiter with
  courtesy and respect.

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Before the interview

• Review the company/school web site listed on the
  job description you receive.
• Make a list of your strengths and skills.
• Practice talking about your skills in front of a
  friend.
• List specific examples and stories for each
  selling point.
• Prepare to discuss a weakness. Tell how you are
  trying to overcome it.

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Do your homework and think about goals

• Discuss how you feel you can contribute to the
  company/program. What can you add?
• Impress the recruiter with the initiative you
  have taken to learn about their organization.
• Talk about your future career plans.
• Have a plan! (It is ok to change your mind, but
  dont sound confused and vague in the interview).

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Demonstrate a pattern of success

• Past performance predicts future success.
• Describe accomplishments and how/why you achieved
  them.
• Include examples from work and education.
• Highlight what you can do for them, not the
  opposite.

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Interview Etiquette

• First impressions are critical. Start with a
  firm handshake and a smile.
• Look your best! Dress professionally in a
  tailored suit.
• Avoid distracting behavior such as touching hair
  and tapping foot.
• Develop rapport and maintain a comfortable
  dialog.
• Ask for the recruiters business card at the
  conclusion of the interview.

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Practice Sample Questions

• How would you describe yourself?
• What motivates you to put forth your greatest
  effort?
• What are your short-term, long-term goals?
• What qualifications do you possess for success?
• What are your greatest strengths/weaknesses?
• What do you think you would like in this
  particular job? What contributions could you
  make?
• Do you think your grades are a good indication of
  your academic abilities?
• What steps have you taken to familiarize yourself
  with this profession?
• What are the disadvantages of your chosen field?
• What have you done that shows initiative and
  willingness to work?
• Pretend I'm your boss and I just told you the
  sales presentation you made this afternoon was
  ineffective. How would you respond?

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Difficult questions

• Try to relax and be yourself.
• Dont freeze.
• Take a deep breath, repeat the question and do
  your best.
• Describe a time you were not pleased with your
  performance, what did you do about it? explain
  a situation, how you acted and what the result
  was. Dont spend too long on anything negative.

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Stages of the Interview

• Introductions
• Questions about your background, skills and goals
• Information about the organization
• ask the interviewer questions like, What do you
  like best about working for XYZ?
• Conclusion
• Thank interviewer for their time
• 20 minutes is spent on interview, 10 minutes is
  spent on the critique

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Take notes on improvements

• Interviewer will share your interview evaluation
  with you in a 10 minute verbal critique
• Use the feedback to improve for the real thing in
  the future
• You will be asked to provide a written evaluation
  of the interview

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Tips

• Be confident and self-assured
• Dont be modest
• Do look like a professional, not a student
• Share your accomplishments with pride
• Enjoy the experience

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Dinner After the Interview

• Join us for a dinner celebration at 500pm in the
  Walnut Room of Talley Student Center.
• Arrive at least 10 minutes before dinner.
• Plan to mingle with our interview guests, CALS
  administration, and fellow CALS students.
• FREE facts are good discussion topics.
• From, Recreation, Education, Event
• You will be sitting at a table with your
  interviewer. Watch his/her lead and sit down
  accordingly. Dont rush to the buffet line.

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Dinner Tidbits

• Open napkin (half open if it is a large dinner
  size) as soon as seated and place on lap with
  crease toward you. If you leave during the meal,
  place napkin on the chair. Never shake it out,
  snap it or use it as a handkerchief.
• Dont be a food critic. Use your time wisely over
  dinner converse on topics to impress your host,
  not complaining about the meal.
• Avoid taking cell phone calls during meals. Its
  best to turn them off. If you absolutely must
  take a call, leave your phone on vibrate and
  kindly excuse yourself from the table.
• ALWAYS remember to thank the host or hostess. A
  handshake and a polite "thank you" provide a
  sufficient close to the occasion.

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Conversation During Dinner

• Take advantage of the networking opportunity over
  dinner. Be conscious of safe and unsafe topics.
  To prepare, think of conversation starters ahead
  of time, for example
• Would you mind sharing your career path with us?
• What are the advantages/disadvantages of working
  in your field?
• Is there anything you would do differently?
• What advice do you have for us?

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Conversation During Dinner

• Remember SOFTEN
• S- Smile
• O- Opening lines
• F- Forward lean
• T- Tone
• E- Eye contact
• N- Nod
• Enthusiasm goes a long way.

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Etiquette Tips

• Dinner will be a buffet line. After you have
  your food, take a seat and wait for one more
  person to sit at your table before you begin
  eating. Watch the host (interviewer) and follow
  his/her lead.
• Dont salt prior to tasting.
• Dont groom at table.
• Dont rock in chair, crunch ice, smoke or dunk
  anything.

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Outcomes

• Post interview
• Send a thank you note to the address on the
  business card. (Actual job offers have resulted
  from mock interviews in the past, so dont be
  surprised if this happens to you.)
• Keep in touch with the interviewer and seek out
  career advice. This is how you network.
• Sign up for on campus interviews in 111 Patterson
  Hall after your practice session is completed .
• Attend Kick Start Your Career to provide more
  help to you as you prepare to reach your career
  goals.

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Good luck in your mock interview!

• GO GET EM