INTERVIEWING SKILLS GUIDE

iSucceed Stages Utilized: 3. iDecide (Combine Career & Self-Awareness) 4. iPlan (Action Steps & Timeline) 5. iEvaluate (Modify Decisions)

Diane Massey, Director The Bruder Center 610-647-4400 Ext. 3501 dmassey@immaculata.edu

What is an Interview?
An interview is a professional business meeting used to determine how the candidates skills, experience, and personality will fit the needs of the organization. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your value to your potential employer.

Types of Interviews
Screening Interview In order to make sure that candidates meet required

qualifications, companies may use screening tools, such as computer programs, to weed out unqualified candidates. Informational Interview This is an interview that you initiate in order to obtain information or advice from someone in your desired field. During the interview, you can exchange contact information, as well as get to know each other without the pressures of interviewing for a specific job. Then in the future, should a position become available, the employer will already have your name and information on file. You should come to the interview with prepared questions about the field. Be sure to ask for contact information of other individuals they think would be helpful for you to speak with. Leave a copy of your resume. Be sure to send a thank you. Behavioral Interview Behavioral interviewing relies on past performance to predict your future behavior. Employers use techniques to gather information from you regarding your competency in a particular position. You could be asked to describe when you had to use your problem-solving skills, conflict resolution, leadership, multi-tasking, etc. and how you handled these types of situations. You want to respond in a way that reflects your experience in a brief story that highlights your skills and qualities. You should keep the story brief, but identify the situation, how you reacted and the end result. Situational Interview Requires you to respond to job related activities with hypothetical solutions. Combination - Most likely, a combination of these interviewing types will be used.

Diane Massey, Director The Bruder Center 610-647-4400 Ext. 3501 dmassey@immaculata.edu

Preparing for the Interview

Prior to Obtaining the Interview Ensure the messages on your home and cell phones are professional. Alert roommates and/or family members that potential employers will be calling. The Day (or Two) Before Get to know yourself o Identify your qualities, skills, accomplishments, experiences (work, school, and extra-curricular), and how you handled challenging situations. o Identify why you want to work for this company and what you have to offer them. o Prepare answers to the 5 most common interview questions: Tell me about yourself What brings you to our company? What can you do for our company? What are your strengths/weaknesses? What kind of person are you? Get to know your prospective employer o Do some research Who are they, what do they do, what products do they make, who are the key employees, who will you be interviewing with (do they have a biography on the companys website?). o Prepare several questions that you can ask your interviewer (See below for Questions to Ask Employers). Find something to ask about the company is there a new product you heard about, the companys structure, how many employees, etc.? What questions should you NOT ask. o Will I have to work overtime? o What is the salary? o What holidays do we get off? o What kind of vacation time will I get? Networking o Who do you know and what information can they provide you? o How can they help you to be better prepared? Do they work in the same industry/field? Mock interview o Make an appointment with the Office of Career Services for a mock interview.

o You can receive instant feedback about what you can do to be better prepared, answer questions more directly, or view yourself on a video tape to correct poor body language. The Night Before Make sure you know where you are going. Get directions and do a driving test-run to the facility. Prepare and lay out what you are going to wear. Make sure there are no runs in your stockings, your shirt is ironed, your nails are painted, etc. Prepare your portfolio have paper, pen, extra resumes and reference information. Review your resume. Go to bed early and make sure you get enough sleep. The Day of Eat before you go. Leave in enough time to allow for traffic and to arrive early enough to be able to use restrooms and to compose yourself. Turn off your cell phone. Do not chew gum, do not smoke, wear very little or no perfume or cologne.

Diane Massey, Director The Bruder Center 610-647-4400 Ext. 3501 dmassey@immaculata.edu 4

During the Interview

Body language Give a firm handshake, sit up straight, dont fidget, make eye contact. Dont mumble, speak clearly, dont ramble, use proper words - yes and no, not ya or uh-uh. Dont speak too fast take a breath to slow yourself down. Use your action words. Dont be afraid of a little silence. Dont talk just to talk. Say what you need to say to sell yourself and be quiet. Be polite, positive, and smile. Be honest sell yourself, but dont lie or over exaggerate. Jot down notes get names and correct spellings and titles. Ask for the interviewer's business card so you can send a follow-up letter. End interview on positive I look forward to hearing from you soon regarding joining your company.

Inappropriate Questions
Questions about the following topics cannot be legally asked: o ethnicity/ancestry/race o sexuality/family status o age o religion o handicap o membership in organizations

http://www.brocku.ca/co-op/current/handbooks/InterviewSkills.doc

Thank You Letter and Follow-Up

As soon as possible, write down what you are thinking and feeling. Later in the day, look at what you wrote and assess how you did. Write a follow-up thank-you letter, reminding the interviewer of your qualities.

Diane Massey, Director The Bruder Center 610-647-4400 Ext. 3501 dmassey@immaculata.edu 5

What and What Not to Wear

How Women Should Dress Conservative suit: formal, dark colors. Pants versus skirts? In some industries, such as advertising, a suit with pants is appropriate. A skirt is the safest choice. Avoid short hemlines and patterned hose. Shoes: Closed-toe and lower heel. Accessories: Minimal. No clunky jewelry. Be wary of long necklaces that may distract you. Make-up: Natural look is best, but if you must wear make-up, apply it minimally.
http://www.som.yale.edu/careers/oncampusrecruiting/busattire.asp

http://www.bloomu.edu/departments/cardev/pages/InterviewAttire.html

How men should dress Conservative dark suit preferably a single-breasted, two-piece suit (all wool is preferred). Shirt: should be starched, long-sleeved with no fraying at the collar or cuffs. Collar: spread collar or button-down Oxfords are suggested. Tie: should be small-patterned. Cologne: if you wear cologne, use it sparingly. Shoes: loafers or lace-ups with a low heel. Socks: should cover your entire calf - never wear white socks! Your socks should harmonize with the colors of your pants and shoes, not your tie or shirt. Accessories: tie pins or cuff links should not have insignia of groups, religions or organizations.
http://www.som.yale.edu/careers/oncampusrecruiting/busattire.asp

http://www.bloomu.edu/departments/cardev/pages/InterviewAttire.html

Business Casual

http://www.som.yale.edu/careers/oncampusrecruiting/busattire.asp

Diane Massey, Director The Bruder Center 610-647-4400 Ext. 3501 dmassey@immaculata.edu 8

Questions to Ask an Employer

What in particular, from my background sparked your interest? What are some of the challenges facing your company? What challenges might I encounter? What professional development or training seminars do you have employees in this role attend? What are the top priorities of this job? What performance criteria I would be rated on? Who do I report to? When do you plan on making a final decision? When shall I call you to check on my status?

Diane Massey, Director The Bruder Center 610-647-4400 Ext. 3501 dmassey@immaculata.edu 9

Top 10 Interviewing Mistakes

1. Lying. 2. Not being prepared for tough questions or not taking the interview seriously. 3. Making a bad first impression - Arriving late, dressing inappropriately, appearing to be too nervous, or too confident. 4. Being too modest. 5. Talking too much or interrupting the interviewer. 6. Focusing on the salary or benefits. 7. Talking negatively or belittling past jobs. 8. Failing to ask questions about the company. 9. Lack of enthusiasm. 10. Forgetting the follow-up.

Diane Massey, Director The Bruder Center 610-647-4400 Ext. 3501 dmassey@immaculata.edu 10