ACE THE INTERVIEW

1
ACE THE INTERVIEW

• By
• Career Services

Refer to pages 26 - 29 of the Career Services
Career Guide
2
Understanding the Interview

• Purpose of Interview To determine if you are
  the best candidate for the position or the best
  fit for their organization
• Selling a product - YOU!
• Buying a product - The Company!

3
Where Do I Start?

• Do your homework
• research the company
• research the position
• research yourself

4
Suggested Sources for Researching the Company

• The Internet
• Chamber of Commerce
• Better Business Bureau reports
• College Placement Annual (College Placement
  Council)
• CollegeGrad.com

5
Researching the Employer Important Information

• Understand the mission of the company and what
  exactly they do.
• How is the company structured?
• Who are their competitors?

• Company Size in terms of profits, current
  employees growth
• Locations outside your community
• Be prepared to articulate why you desire
  employment based on your research

6
Who Am I?Researching Yourself!

• Have information at your fingertips-
• Employment Records
• Volunteer Activities
• Extracurricular Activities

• Honors and Awards
• Military Records
• Language Skills
• Abilities

7
Researching Yourself

• Be ready to give specific examples
• Be able to recall related stories or experiences
  that are relevant to the posted position
• Be able to verbalize goals, both short and long
  term

8
Researching the Position

• What are the responsibilities of the job?
• Obtain a job description if possible
• Prepare to match your qualifications to those
  listed on the job description
• Know how the position fits with your goals

9
Whats Next?

• Prepare
• - Review possible questions formulate
• answers
• - Have examples ready to back up your
• answer. Do not completely memorize
• answers
• - Be prepared to respond to follow up
• questions
• - Develop a list of questions to ask the
  employer

10
Whats Next?

• Practice!
• Mock interview at Career Services
• Friends/Family
• In front of mirror

11
How to Handle Salary Questions

• Do not ask or mention Salary during initial
  interview. Focus on selling your experience,
  skills abilities
• Rule of thumb discuss salary only after an
  offer is made
• Research appropriate pay in your industry
  including pay for credentials experience
• If asked, give a range starting with the
  employers probable salary ending a little above
  what you are willing to settle for know your
  absolute bottom line

12
Types of Interviews

• Phone Interview Often used as a screening
  process
• Interviewing In-Person
• One Interviewer
• Panel Interview

13
Are You Prepared?

• Mentally
• know your strengths/weaknesses
• prepare good answers to the questions
• prepare good questions for the recruiter
• Physically
• sleep and eat well
• dress appropriately

14
Dos and Donts for Women

• Do Wear
• Suit/Tailored Dress
• not too short
• Neutral hose
• Hair up if long
• Low heals (2 or less)
• Light perfume if any
• clean,subtly polished nails

• Dont Wear
• Lots of Makeup
• Lots of Jewelry
• 5-7 pieces
• Open toe shoes

15
Dos and Donts for Men

• Do Wear
• Navy, charcoal, gray, or pin-stripe suit
• over the calf. dark socks
• Neat hair
• get a hair cut before if possible
• Dress shoes
• polished

• Dont Wear
• Casual Attire
• tennis shoes
• jeans, dockers
• open collared shirts
• Flashy jewelry
• cuff links, ring, or chains
• Strong cologne

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In the Interview

• Be Positive
• about yourself and others
• about your experiences
• Never speak negatively about former employers
• Show Energy and Enthusiasm
• for your field of interest
• i.e. being a counselor
• the job
• i.e. being a counselor for the University

17
Be a Good Listener

• Follow the Interviewers cues
• Listen carefully and give clear concise, and
  thoughtful answers
• ask if you are unclear about a questions
• Never use slang or incorrect grammer

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Nonverbal Language

• Be aware of your body language
• Be sure to Smile
• maintain good eye contact
• practice a good handshake

19
It Aint Over!Follow Up!

• Write a thank you letter - the same day of the
  interview!
• Contact your references
• Supply any additional information requests from
  the employer promptly!

20
Reflection Time!

• What were your impressions of the people you came
  into contact with?
• Did you boss seem like a workaholic? Did he
  talk about long hours and a mountain of duties?
• What does your instinct tell you?

21
Come See Us!

• Career Services
• University Center, Suite 304
• 825-2628
• - http//career-services.tamucc.edu