• ISU CAREER CENTER

• Effective Interviewing Techniques

• Museum Building Room 440

• Campus Box 8108

• (208) 282-2380

• 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. M-F

• 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (summer)

•WHAT IS AN INTERVIEW
• Communication of your assets
• Demonstration of your personal traits
• Opportunity to market yourself
• Two-way conversation/information
gathering process
•COMMON TYPES OF INTERVIEWS
• Pre-screening – career fairs, HR
• Phone
• On-site
• Individual, panel
• Stress
• Group
•INTERVIEW PREPARATION
• Research - Things to Know
• Age and size of company
• Services or products offered
• Competitors
• Growth pattern
• Reputation
• Divisions and subsidiaries
• Number of employees
• Sales, assets, and earnings
• New products or projects
• Number of locations
• International operations
•INTERVIEW PREPARATION
• Research - Where to go
• Company web site
• Internet searches
• Libraries - ISU and public
• Newspaper and magazine articles
• Phone calls to the company
• Annual reports to stockholders and other company
literature
• Information interviews with people who work there
•INTERVIEW PREPARATION
• Dress professionally and appropriately
• Arrive 10 - 15 minutes early
• Be courteous to everyone you encounter
• Practice answers to typical questions
• Experience a mock interview at the Career Center
– can be video taped
• Prepare ahead of time
• Bring extra copies of resume, list of references,
samples of work (portfolio), and a pen
DURING THE INTERVIEW
• Behavioral responses
• Past predicts the future
• BAR format
• “Tell me about a time you wished you
handled your time better.”
• Whenever possible, answer behaviorally!
DURING THE INTERVIEW
• Display confidence
• Maintain good eye contact
• Pay attention to voice projection
• Control nervous gestures and
mannerisms
• Avoid slang words and jargon
• Listen and concentrate
DURING THE INTERVIEW
• Positively respond to each question
• Provide specific examples
• Length of response (strive for balance)
• Silence is your friend
• Show genuine interest and enthusiasm
• Discuss how the opportunity fits with
immediate and long-term goals
DURING THE INTERVIEW
• Salary discussion
• Don’t be the first to bring up salary
• Be prepared to give your salary
expectations when asked
• Do your research
CLOSING THE INTERVIEW
• Express interest in the position
• Don’t expect an immediate commitment
• Don’t let discouragement show
• Ask appropriate questions
• Thank the interviewer
• Request the interviewer’s business card
for follow-up
THANK YOU LETTER
• Impresses interviewer and ultimately may be the
deciding factor
• Send as soon as possible (same day)
• Conveys appreciation for interviewer time and
consideration
• Reaffirms qualifications and interest
• If you have decided you do not want the position,
thank the interviewer for their time and inform them
of your decision
• Separate thank you letter to each interviewer
HOW THE CAREER CENTER CAN HELP
• Experience a mock interview with one of our
career counselors
• Pick up handouts at Career Center
• Check out a book on interviewing from our
resource library
• Obtain a copy of “Job Choices,” a free
publication covering all aspects of job search