Job Interview Skills Getting a running start

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Job Interview SkillsGetting a running start

• Office of Career Connections
• and Experiential Education
• University of Louisiana Monroe

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So, what can we do for you?

• Internshipslocal, national, international
• Part- and full-time jobs, online postings
• Career counseling
• Help with job search skills and documents
• Online help with interview skills (www.ulm.edu
• /careerconnections)
• Guest lectures
• And more.

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Today, lets look at job interview skills.

• The employer has already looked over your resume
  and liked it enough to invite you in for a visit.
• This is your chance, your big chance, to let your
  personality shine through, to make a great first
  impression.

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To make that first impression--

• First, prepare. Get ready.
• Then, execute. Do it well.
• Finally, follow-up. Be polite and be memorable.

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Preparation is key. Research the company

• Check out the companys website
• Read the companys annual report (if its
  publicly traded)
• Look at the corporate profile (www.yahoo.com/finan
  ce)
• Look at recent news, press releases, etc.
• Look at philanthropic/community involvement
• Research corporate history and name
• Talk with people who work there if possible

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More homework.Research the industry

• Know the companys competition
• Study analysts reports (how is the industry
  doing as a whole?)
• Get to know the industry terminology well enough
  to use it

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Now, research the position

• Know the exact job title and the titles of
  related jobs
• Know any specialized jargon
• Look at similar positions at other companies,
  including salaries
• Research your interviewer (Google and other
  sources)

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Be aware of the specific interview type--

• Structured or unstructured interviews
• Group (aka team) and stress interviews
• Video (aka virtual) and telephone
  interviewsmore and more common

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The next part of the preparation processPrepare
Yourself.

• OK, so now you know about the company, the
  industry, and the position. Do you know
  yourself?
• The interviewer has read your resumenow you need
  to review it, looking at it from his/her point of
  view.
• Update your resume if necessary.
• Imagine tough questions the interviewer might
  have about your resumegaps in experience, for
  instance.

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Consider preparing an Employment Portfolio

• Résumé
• Reference page (be sure to ask your references
  for their permission)
• Recommendation letters
• Certifications and other proof of training or
  status (such as work visa status, etc.)
• Relevant examples of your work (e.g. electronic
  copies, photos, printed copies)
• Make it professional-looking
• Dont forget to present it to the interviewer!

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Personal preparation, continued.

• Compare your qualifications with the job
  description. How do your skills fill the
  companys needs? Be creative!
• Prepare some questions that youd like to ask the
  interviewer. Make sure they reflect your
  knowledge of the company. Dont ask about salary
  or benefits!

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Prepare yourself emotionally--

• Think of the interview as a two-way street. Its
  a chance for you to find out if you want this
  job, as well as for the employer to find out if
  he/she wants you in the job.

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Control your jitters--

• Remember, someone thought enough of your
  qualifications to call you. You have a realistic
  shot at this job!
• If this interview doesnt work out, therell be
  others.

• Your interviewer was once in the hot seat, just
  like you!
• Your interviewer has a life and interests outside
  work, just like you. Be prepared to connect on
  multiple levels.

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More preparation--

• Plan your appearance dress a bit better than
  youd dress for the job. Think conservative. Be
  sure youre comfortable in your interview
  clothes.
• Make sure you are immaculately clean and neat,
  especially fingernails, hair, and shoes.
• Avoid strong scents like cologne or tobacco
  smoke.
• Avoid heavy makeup and excessive jewelry.
• For more suggestions, talk with professors and
  company employees, and check out websites such as
  www.msn.com/careers.

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Practice!

• Use InterviewStream on the Career Connections
  websitesend the video to someone you trust to
  make helpful suggestions.
• Watch your video, noting distracting mannerisms,
  lack of eye contact, fillers (ummm, you know),
  bad posture or poor body language, etc.

• Ask a friend, a professor, or a Career
  Connections staff person to pretend to interview
  you.

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Its the day before the big interview.

• Plan your arrivalplan for transportation,
  parking, etc., even going to the interview site
  to be sure you know how to get there. If flying,
  be sure to carry your bag on board (checking it
  is too risky).
• Prepare your clothing, making sure everything is
  clean and pressed.
• Prepare your carry-ins professional-looking
  portfolio, notebook, pen, etc. No purses. NO
  CELL PHONES!
• Plan to go aloneno friends, no children.

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Now its time to executejust do it!

• Use your social skills, beginning with people in
  the office. Introduce yourself, maintain eye
  contact, and give a firm handshake.
• Walk in confidently,
• with your best posture.
• Dont sit until youre
• invited.
• Be ready to make small talk. This counts as part
  of the interview! Be honest but
• diplomatic, brief and witty (never silly or
  obscene).

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The main event--

• The interviewer will tell you about the company
  and the job. Listen! Smile, nod, and make notes
  of questions youd like to ask.
• Focus! As you answer questions, remember that
  your main concern is to show youre qualified. If
  youre asked a difficult question, its OK to
  stop and think for a moment.
• Be the best version of yourself, but be honest.

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The main event, continued

• Keep the spotlight on what you can do for the
  company, not what the company can do for you.
• Be positive, be enthusiastic, and be friendly.
  Dont forget to ask for the job.
• When its time to leave, leave. Shake hands, say
  thank you, and leave.

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After the interview.

• Be cordial to people on your way out.
• Take time to review the interview, making notes
  of what you can improve.
• Assess whether you want the job if its offered.
• Write a cordial, brief thank-you note, and get it
  in the mail within 24 hours. If youre still
  interested, be sure to say so.

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Dont

• Show bad posture or body language.
• Forget to smile.
• Interrupt.
• Blame poor performance on anyoneemployers,
  teachers, etc.
• Fail to have questions when asked.
• Let nervousness alter your actions.
• Forget to write a thank-you note, even if youre
  not interested in the job.
• act like this....

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So, youre ready!

• Youre going to be prepared, youre going to
  execute, and youre going to follow up.
• Youre going to do a great job with your
  job interviews.
• Now, go out and knock em dead,
  Warhawks!