Interviewing

1. Interviewing Presented by WCTC Career Development Services

2. Interviewing • What is an Interview? • Why learn about • interviewing? • Types of interviews • Before the Interview • During the Interview • Closing the Interview • After the Interview

3. What is an interview? • The interview is where employment • information is exchanged--you learn about • the job you are seeking and the employer • learns about your job-related qualifications • It is the opportunity to sell your skills and • abilities, and to convince the interviewer • you are the best candidate for the position

4. Why learn about interviewing? Because successful interviewees--the candidates that get the job--know how to interview well and are always prepared! They know that the interview is where lasting impressions are formed and where important career and hiring decisions are made.

5. 4 Types of Interviews • 1. Preliminary “screening” interview with human resources, (often conducted by phone) • - focus is on employment history, reviewing application and resume for accuracy, and determining if applicant is minimally qualified • 2. Hiring interview with the “hiring” manager • - focus is on specific skill sets and what you can bring to the position

6. Types of Interviews 3. Individual interviews are conducted by one interviewer and you meet with them one-on-one

7. Types of Interviews 4. Panel or team interviews are conducted by more than one interviewer

8. Before the Interview • Prepare by: • examining your career goals • knowing yourself and your skills well • reviewing your resume • researching the company • practicing interviews

9. “Dress for Success” • Dress appropriate to the workplace • Men’s options • General recommendation is to dress one level higher • than the typical workday (style, manner, attire, mode) Women’s options • Suit, dress, or professional-looking pants suit • Always be clean, neat, freshly pressed • Select conservative but flattering styles • First impressions really do count!

10. Being prepared means… • Arrive 5-10 minutes early--always! • Make a good first impression • Greet the receptionist warmly • Come to the interview alone • Do not smoke, chew gum • Do not bring any beverages • Turn off cell phones before the interview

11. Use these interview tips • Be aware of your body language • Be diplomatic • Be truthful • Make only positive comments regarding former • employers • Bring references and extra resumes • Use a portfolio to carry everything neatly, and • to take notes, if you wish

12. During the Interview • Begin with the BIG 3 • firm handshake • genuine smile • direct eye contact

13. During the Interview • The Employer may begin with: • - “small talk” to put you at ease • provide company and job information so • you understand what the job entails • evaluate your social skills; conversation • and grammar skills; composure, attitude, • enthusiasm, interest

14. During the Interview • The Applicant should: • - Listen and respond with concise, complete sentences • - Stay on track; do not ramble • - Remember to conduct a “dialogue, not a monologue” • State contributions you can make rather than the • security the company provides • Answer questions focusing on job-related skills and • abilities • - Sell yourself!

15. During the Interview Be prepared to answer questions about your work experience, educational history and job-related qualifications

16. Sample questions you may be asked • Tell me about • yourself. • Why are you • interested in joining • our company? • What qualifications • do you have for this • position? • Why are you leaving • your current job? • What are your • strengths and • weaknesses? • Where do you see • yourself in 5 years? • Give me an example • of a decision you • had to make under • pressure--how did • you approach it?

17. During the Interview Be prepared to ask questions about the company and the position

18. Appropriate questions you can ask • How will I be • trained or • introduced to the • job? • What are the • department’s goals • for the next year? • How does this • position help to • meet those goals? • What are the • opportunities for • advancement • from this position? • How are • performance • reviews conducted? • What is the next • step in the interview • process?

19. How to handle salary information • Allow employer to approach subject first • Be knowledgeable about salaries for this • position in your geographical area • Be realistic about your expectations • Be tactful in how you present your salary • request • Give a salary range rather than an exact • amount if asked to state a specific salary • Consider wages and benefits as a total • compensation package

20. Closing the Interview • Clarify next step in the • process • Offer references • Prepare a closing statement • that shows interest • Thank the interviewer • End with The Big 3 • -firm handshake • -genuine smile • -direct eye contact • Thank the staff on the • way out

21. After the Interview • Send an immediate thank you note • Follow up with additional information if • requested • Review your performance • Learn from the experience, stay positive, • continue active job search • Evaluate the position carefully before • accepting

22. Interviewing A Presentation from the WCTC Career Development Services