MICA CAREER DEVELOPMENT— TECH PREP PRESENTATION + KNOWLEDGE ETIQUETTE PREP THE DAY OF YOUR QUESTIONS MASTERING WHAT TO T H E OEY WEAR toeeennoe BEFORE INTERVIEW INTERVIEW WHAT TO TIPS BRING SAMPLE FOLLOW UP QUESTIONSeae TECH PREP 13. P PRESENTATION . ot KNOWLEDGE ETIQUETTE PREP Te THE DAY OF 16. YOUR QUESTIONS TABLE 7 Pes WHAT TO OF THE DAY Eee eee BEFORE CONTENTS F 19. i INTERVIEW WHAT TO TIPS BRING i 18. inte FOLLOW UP QUESTIONSPREP YOUR KNOWLEDGE Know about the organization— It is super important that you have done your homework before the interview. Nothing will eliminate you from consideration faster than being uninformed about the company’s business. Research the employer with whom you are interviewing! Look for the About Us, Mission, or Philosophy pages to learn more about the size and scope of the organization. Is the company regional, national, or international? Where are they located and who are their clients or customers? What trends are happening in this industry? What is their mission/purpose? Try searching within the company website or LinkedIn profile page for your interviewer’s name; there may be a helpful bio. Checking out the company’s LinkedIn page is beneficial as well. There you can learn about the types of people that are hired at the company and what their experience level is. Through LinkedIn you have the opportunity to see the people that work for the company. If done ahead of time, you could try to connect with someone who works there. Connections can often improve your chances of getting an interview. You can even find out if a MICA alum works there! Of course, an informational interview prior to doing an actual job interview is a great way to gather inside information too. Know yourself— Do some research on yourself. Think about your previous experience in relation to this employer, their business needs and what skills and abilities you bring. Develop a list of your five to seven strongest skills or qualities for this particular position. Think about a time you demonstrated that quality and be prepared to tell that story. (Also think about what you will say if they ask you to describe a weakness!) Know something about your values, so that you can match them with the organizations with which you are interviewing. It is important that you select a position with an employer whose values are similar to yours. What do you want to gain from the experience? Where does this fit into your short and long term plans? Employers are impressed when they can see that you will get something out of the experience. 4 MAKE SURE TO HAVE: © THE DIRECTIONS 7 INTERVIEW SITE VS! ® ei OF PEOPLE OU ARE MEETING NOTEBOOK & PEN If you are interviewing via Skype or on the phone, it is still good to keep the above necessities in mind. Have PDF versions of your resume and portfolio available to share via email. Have a notebook and pen around to take notes.THE DAY BEFORE Consider buying new, interview appropriate clothes ahead of time ifyou need them. Don’t save this for the day before! Go to bed early. Do not party or drink the night before an interview. No matter how much you think it will calm your nerves, it’s a bad idea. Alcohol and smoke aromas linger. You want to impress interviewers, not overwhelm them. Visit the interview site if you can. This will tell you how long you will need the next day to arrive a little bit early. You will also be able to have a peek at the way employees of this company dress. Check your gas, the bus or subway schedule, and/or alternate routes to minimize anxiety the day of the interview. Review your research and make a few notes in your notebook. Add your list of questions. Look at trade magazines, relevant newspapers, or blogs to be sure you are up-to-date on what’s happening in your field. Lay out your clothes. Set up your portfolio. Check your portfolio, wipe it down inside and out with a “dryer sheet” to shine it up and remove static. Consider leaving extra jewelry or potentially distracting visible piercing at home. Take a thorough bath and clean nails, groom hair, facial hair. If Skyping, send a request to add them as a contact if they have not done so already. Test your Skype connection with a friend, and how your positioning looks on screen. THE DAY OF THE INTERVIEW Eat a high-protein, high-carb breakfast or lunch to boost your energy. Read the day's newspaper or check the Internet for any important breaking news which might be part of an “ice breaking” question. Arrive at least ten minutes early, plan time to visit the restroom for last minute touch ups, check for animal hair, lint, flakes and static cling. Wash and dry your hands. Make sure you don’t have coffee breath— brush your teeth or eat a mint! Be courteous to security guards and support staff. You never know who is providing input to the search proc: While you are waiting, people watch and pick up clues to the office culture. Will you feel comfortable working here? Take slow, deep breaths to help you relax.Gentlemen— DO DON'T 1. Button down and khakis are clean and classic 2. Go the extra mile with a sweater, plaid, and bowtie 3- Consider loafers or oxfords 4. Blazers and sport coats layer well 5. Try to conceal any distracting piercings and tattoos 6. Sportswear is for the gym 7. Your 5 panel is cool, but leave it at homeLadies— DO DON'T 1. Pencil skirt with a blouse always looks professional 2. A tasteful dress is a smart choice 3. Feel free to accessorize, but keep it simple GP ane 4. Blazer and dress pants are chic and comfy 5. Stay away from denim, tears and holes, and anything short 6. Conceal any piercings or tattoos 7. Heels are fun and can be professional, but don’t be obnoxious 10 llTECHNOLOGICAL PREPARATION Skype— If using a laptop, plug in, or make sure your battery is fully charged. Use reliable internet. Ethernet is more reliable than wireless connection. Close all other programs on your computer to avoid slowing of the system or unexpected distractions. Set your Skype status to ‘available’ so your interviewer knows you are ready. Make sure to have an appropriate Skype username and user photo. Doatest call on Skype to make sure your microphone and webcam are functioning properly. Phone— Choose an Area with good reception. If using cellphone, make sure you have a fully charged battery Silence incoming calls, text messages, and notifications to avoid distractions Pick a quiet space for the interview (no cafes or public spaces). Do not drive. i PRESENTATION & ETIQUETTE On screen— Take note of the time zone: is there a difference between you and your interviewer? If so, make sure you schedule a time for the appropriate time zone, and make a note of that difference. Log on at least 15 minutes early and set your status to ‘available’ so your interviewer knows you are ready. Sit up straight and close enough to the webcam that your shoulders and head are visible. Look into the camera, not at the screen. Avoid wearing bright colors or dense patterns. Situate yourself in a comfortable, quiet, distraction-free, and well lit environment. Preferably, a plain background, not your messy room. Obscure everything! Turn offyour phone and make sure that everyone in your household knows you are interviewing and won't barge in. On the phone— Don’t smoke, chew gum, eat, or drink. Speak slowly and enunciate clearly. Turn your call and text setting to silent to avoid unexpected distractions. In person— Arrive to the interview location on time. Not too early, and not late. 5-10 minutes early is usually good. Bring several copies of your cover letter and resume. Shake the person’s hand upon arrival and wait to be directed where to sit. Relax and be yourself. 13SAMPLE QUESTIONS THEY MIGHT ASK Tell me a little bit about yourself and your work? Why did you choose to be a major? Why are you interested in working for us? What are some of your short term and long term goals, and how will this position help you? What about this position are you most excited about? What part of the position will be most challenging for you? Describe your greatest strengths and what areas you would like to improve? Briefly describe your experience, if any, with the following: (Specific skill required of the position such as Adobe Suite, Office Suite, Mac/PC, Programs, ete. or any skill/experience you have listed on your resume) What are some of your personal interests and how might they help you in this role? What special skills do you have that you could bring to the position? Do you work best on your own or in groups? Tell us an experience where you had to work under pressure? Describe a time when you have had to juggle multiple responsibilities/ deadlines at once? Tell us about a recent project that you are proud of. Include how you prioritized your work, met deadlines, and included others in this process. What is your ideal work environment? Can you tell us about a time you needed to educate yourself on a topic/ issue and howyou did so? What are a few things that are important for you to gain from this job experience? 14 Give an example of dealing with an angry customer/client. Describe how you handled the conflict. How would you describe your organizational style? What sets you apart from other candidates? If I were to call one of your classmates/colleagues, what would they say it is like working with you? What do you like to do for fun? Tell us something that is not on your resume that will give us a different perspective of you as a person. What questions do you have for us? TIP: Write down professional experiences you've had on index cards, review your stories. Only use each story once during an interview. Don’t overplay a single experience. Show you are multi-faceted. 18YOUR QUESTIONS You should be prepared with a list of questions of your own about the company. After all, an interview is a two-way selection process and there are things (besides salary) that you need to know if you are going to accept ajob offer. Most importantly you need to be comfortable with the work environment and culture so many of your questions can be tailored to this goal. In addition, having some questions highlights your interest in the company and shows you’ve done your homework. Here are some questions you might want to ask. What do you consider the essential skills for someone to succeed in this job? Can you describe an ideal employee? Could you explain your organizational structure? Who are some of your current clients? Are there any projects in the wings you are looking forward to? What is the day-to-day like for the person in this role? How would you describe the working environment? How do you measure employee performance and provide feedback? Will I be a part of a team? What is the composition of that team? Second interview or job offer stage— Is there travel or relocation involved with the position? What is the company’s policy on providing seminars, workshops and training so that employees can sharpen skills and aquire new ones? Is there anything you would change about the company if you could? How does XXX firm compare with its competitors? Similar firms? and in conclusion... Is there anything else you'd like to know? Is there anything else I can provide for you? 16 What is your time frame for reaching a decision regarding this position? What is the ideal start date? May I follow up with you by phone or e-mail in about a week? ilsFOLLOW UP Follow up all of your conversations with a thank you note via e-mail or mail, within 48 hours, reinforcing your interest in the position. Get the business card of each person you spoke with, or write down their name so that you can research their contact information later. You may be judged on whether or not you do this, it’s important! So, bring a note pad and take notes! Don't feel like you have to accept any position if offered on the spot. Thank them graciously for the offer, reiterate your interest, but ask ifyou can send them an e-mail the following day. Do ask at the end of the interview when they expect to make a hiring decision. Do be sure you have the correct names and titles of everyone with whom you interviewed. Do consider follow-up as a strategic part of the process which includes thank-you notes and phone calls which you have orchestrated. Do use follow-up techniques to continue to show your enthusiasm; be persistent but very polite so you are not perceived as pushy. Doalert your references that they might get a phone call. Don't stop job hunting even if you are confident the interview went very well. Even with all the advice as to the importance of sending a thank-you note, very few candidates do so. You stand out from the crowd when you send one. The follow-up note and phone call is often the single factor that distinguishes you from your competition (and this has been documented time and again). The thank-you note provides an opportunity to re-emphasize your qualifications and enthusiasm for the position as well as to impart anything you wish you'd said during the interview. Employers sometimes use candidate initiated follow-up as a screening device. If you don’t follow-up, you may be considered disinterested. 18 INTERVIEW TIPS Be yourself! Confidence, a positive attitude, and willingness to learn can goalong way. Make eye contact, give a firm handshake, and be respectful in your body language. Dress professionally and bring copies of your resume and business or artist cards. Be courteous, polite, and positive! Smile! Be honest, don’t lie about your skills or qualifications to get a job. But learn to “spin” your weak areas into areas for you to grow. Share your enthusiasm to learn, or discuss a project/program you are currently working on to improve in this area. Always stay positive with your comments. Never criticize a former employer or coworker if you had a negative experience at a former position. Make sure your portfolio is portable, neat, and begins and ends strongly. Include only your best work and be sure to have pieces that reflect the type of position you are applying for. Be prepared to discuss each piece. If you don’t get the job — Ask for feedback. Thank them for the opportunity. Consider this a networking exercise or ask for suggestions as to their people or organizations they may refer you to. Do not burn a bridge. Never wear a backward baseball cap to an interview unless applying for the job of umpire! 1)MICA Career Development 1401 W. Mt Royal Avenue Gateway, 2nd floor 410-225-2420