career services, university at albany science library g-50 518.437.4900 albany.edu/career...

Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • [email protected]

Interviewing for Success

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Workshop Outline

A Few Words About InterviewingWhat Employers Are SeekingPreparationThe Interview ProcessAfter the InterviewTips for Successful InterviewingFinal Comments


A Few Words About Interviewing…

• Being invited to interview is a significant accomplishment.

• And.. the competition becomes more fierce.• It is not always the most qualified person who gets

the job. It is often someone who• meets the minimum qualifications• interviews the best• appears to be the best “fit” with future co-workers


Key Skills and Qualities:Top Qualities/Skills Employers SeekTop Qualities/Skills Employers Seek

• Communication skills (verbal & written)

• Honesty/Integrity• Interpersonal skills• Strong work ethic• Teamwork skills• Organizational skills

• Analytical Skills• Motivation/Initiative• Flexibility/Adaptability• Computer skills• Detail oriented• Leadership skills• Self-confidence

HIGHLIGHT THESE QUALITIES/SKILLS IN ANSWERS AND EXAMPLES

(Source: (Source: Job Outlook 2007Job Outlook 2007, National Association of Colleges and Employers), National Association of Colleges and Employers)


PlanningResearch

Assess yourselfResearch the employer and the position

PlanningTake care of logisticsPrepare your professional attire

Practice


Assessing Yourself• Identify your skills and abilities• Analyze your strengths and weaknesses.

When discussing weaknesses say what you are doing to work on them

Stick to work relevant weaknesses rather than personal

• Be ready to give specific examples


Research employer and position

CompanyMission/ValuesProducts and servicesOrganizational

structure including locations and size

Major competitorsFinancials: revenue

profit etc.

PositionOverall responsibilitiesSpecific tasksRequired skills and

experience

Be prepared to say why you want to work there and why you are the best candidate for the job.


What to Wear:

Men Dark suit Appropriate socks (e.g.

not white athletic socks Polished dress shoes

Women Conservative loose fitting suit No low cut blouses or tops Pantyhose Closed toe dress shoes

BothNo gum chewingMinimal jewelryMinimal cologne/perfume Cover tattoos and remove any piercing

other than earlobes


Logistics• Do you know where you are going?

Where is the building and the office?Where should you park? Is parking free?

• Do you know how long it will take?Assume the worst case scenario and plan to be early

In the vicinity 45 minutes in advance In the office 10 minutes in advance

Do a dry run of the trip.


Practice Practice Practice• Review possible questions

and formulate answers. Have examples ready Do not totally memorize answers

• Develop a list of questions to ask your interviewer/sDevelop a list of questions to ask your interviewer/s• Practice with a friend or set up a Practice with a friend or set up a Practice InterviewPractice Interview

with with Career ServicesCareer Services• Check out the Career Services website for sample

question to practice and to ask employers


The Interview Process

• IntroductionsA smile and firm handshake are important. Greet the interviewer/s by name.Exchange of small talk, such as the weather

• Questioning• Wrap-up



• Introductions• Questioning

Interviewer lead The main part of the interview Questions about your skills, experience and personality

You take the lead You are interviewing the company as well Be prepared with questions

• Wrap-up



• Introductions• Questioning• Wrap-up

Ask about the next step and when you will hear from them

Ask for the job or the next round of interviewsLet them know you are interested and look forward to

whatever the next step is.


Sample Questions – About yourself

• Tell me about yourself. Tell them more than what is on your resume

• What are your major strengths? Based on the employer and position

• What is a weakness that you have? Be ready to admit to one Show how you are working to improve in this area.

• What was an important decision or event in your life? Don’t get TOO personal. Add how the decision or event changed you, made you stronger, taught

you an important life lesson, etc.


Behavioral questions• Require that you answer with specific examples

from the pastPrepare examples in advancePrepare examples that show you in a good lightIf the example is negative – state what you learned or

changed due to the experience

• Examples: Tell me about a time when….…you had to work with a difficult employee…you were not as effective as you would have liked…where you showed leadership


Organizational Questions

• Shows that you did your research• Examples

Why do you want to work for us?Why are you interested in this field?What would be your greatest contribution to our

operation?What qualifications do you have that would make

you successful with us?


Questions you can ask employers

• Focus on job responsibilities and organizational culture and structure

• Avoid discussing benefits and salary unless the employer mentions them first

• Examples What kinds of people do you usually look for? Can you tell me about your own experience with the

company/organization? What have you liked most/least about working for this company? How will I be trained/evaluated? What do you see ahead for this organization in the next ten

years?


Handling Salary issues

• If they ask for your salary requirements Research the position so you know a reasonable salary range State a salary range rather than a number

• What if they don’t mention it? It is best to wait for an offer before you discuss salary It is OK to ask for more money

Make sure your request is reasonable Be prepared to discuss why you should be offered more They may say no - you can then accept the job at the lower salary.


Handling illegal questions

• What are illegal questions?AgeMarital statusCitizenship

• Answer the intent of the question, not the actual question.

• Ask what their concern is.


After the Interview• Evaluate the interview; what do you want to improve?• Write a thank-you letter or e-mail within two days.

If interviewed by a committee, send one thank you to the Chair, and ask that he/she extend your thanks to the others.

• Follow up if you do not hear Ask where they are in their selection process and if they need any

more information• Accept an offer verbally and in writing.• If rejected, ask for constructive feedback and work on weak

areas.


Interviewing tipsAttitude and appearance

Be early Be early Be friendly and courteousBe friendly and courteousShow enthusiasm and interestShow enthusiasm and interestMaintain appropriate eye contactMaintain appropriate eye contactBe aware of your body languageBe aware of your body languageShow your sense of humorShow your sense of humorShow confidence in your abilitiesShow confidence in your abilitiesDon’t present an aggressive, overbearing, or conceited Don’t present an aggressive, overbearing, or conceited

attitude. Be willing to begin at entry level.attitude. Be willing to begin at entry level.


Interviewing tips

• Answering questionsNever speak negatively about former employersNever speak negatively about former employersListen carefully and take your time to answerListen carefully and take your time to answerSpeak clearly and conciselySpeak clearly and conciselyEmphasize your strengthsEmphasize your strengthsDiscuss your weaknesses only when asked, and Discuss your weaknesses only when asked, and

then do so in a positive lightthen do so in a positive lightAvoid personal issues in your answers/examplesAvoid personal issues in your answers/examplesNever use slang or incorrect grammarNever use slang or incorrect grammar


More Resources for Interviewing• Schedule a Mock Interview with Career Services• Schedule an appointment to discuss interview skills• Stop by for Drop-Ins to get your resume critiqued

before an interview or to ask a quick question. Mon, Wed, Fri: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon Tues, Thurs: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

• There is more information and resources at the Career Services website

www.albany.edu/cdc

career services, university at albany science library g-50 518.437.4900 albany.edu/career...

Documents

albany science library

career services practice

career services website

practice interview

employers slide

interview questions

questions wrapup slide

communication skills