WX Mentoring ProgramInterviewing: Best Practices

December 8, 2011

US1 9728453

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FORMAT OF TONIGHT’S PROGRAM

● Part One (20-30 minutes)

– group session; discussion of general best practices

● Part Two (20 minutes)

– sector break-out groups

♦ Development – Jane Greenblatt

♦ Private Equity – Ione Permison

♦ Asset Management – Jennifer Stewart

♦ Finance – Carmen Bowser

● Part Three (20-30 minutes)

– one on one sessions (mentors and mentees)

♦ mock mini-interview

♦ resumé review

● NOTE: Next program is January 31, 2012

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WRITTEN INTERVIEW MATERIALS

– Cover letter

♦ Brief

♦ Indicate specific interest in firm/position

– Resume

♦ Easy to read

♦ Emphasizes facts relevant to your career goals

♦ No exaggerations

♦ No gaps

– Deal sheet

– Transcript/writing sample

♦ Customary for the position sought/relevantto the requirements of the position

– Have your university career center, headhunter, friend, or industry contact review resume

– No typos

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PREPARING FOR AN INTERVIEW

– Researching the company/applicable department

♦ Industry contacts

♦ Online research of company and interview process (glassdoor.com)

♦ Company website

♦ Social media (Linked In, Facebook)

♦ Alumni network

– Understanding the company’s interview format and process

– Researching the interviewers

– Researching the industry/competitors

– Preparing your questions

♦ Future growth/direction of company

♦ Overall responsibilities for the position

♦ Opportunities for promotion and advancement

♦ Organizational structure/chain of command

♦ What do you need to know to determine whether this is the position for you?

– Preparing responses to anticipated questions

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PREPARING RESPONSES TO ANTICIPATED QUESTIONS

● INTELLIGENCE QUESTIONS

– Describe a problem or situation that best demonstrates your analytical skills.

– Give me an example of a problem you solved or solution you devised of which you are particularly proud.

– Tell me about a problem you had to solve with very little background information, direction or supervision. Describe to me how you went about the process.

– Describe a project where you did not find an answer. How did you keep yourself motivated?

– Tell me about a situation where you had to communicate a piece of negative information. How did you go about doing this?

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PREPARING RESPONSES TO ANTICIPATED QUESTIONS

● PROFESSIONALISM QUESTIONS– Describe a project you had to finish that was tedious and boring. How did you

keep yourself motivated?

– How has your previous work experience prepared you for this position?

– Give me an example of your work style.

– For students:

♦ Why did you choose the extracurricular activities that you did? What did you gain? What did you contribute?

♦ How do you prioritize school and work responsibilities? Describe your typical week.

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PREPARING RESPONSES TO ANTICIPATED QUESTIONS

● PROFESSIONALISM QUESTIONS (cont’d)

– What two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction, and why? What professional goals have you set for yourself? How do you plan on achieving them?

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PREPARING RESPONSES TO ANTICIPATED QUESTIONS

● TEAM-ORIENTED FOCUS QUESTIONS

– Tell me about a situation where you had to work with a group of people whose working styles were very different. How did you manage this?

– Have you ever worked with a difficult client, co-worker or peer? How did you handle the situation?

– What is the most useful criticism you’ve ever received? What did you learn?

– Tell me about a situation where you helped a colleague achieve a goal.

– How do you build trust with clients or colleagues?

– Describe an ideal working relationship with your colleagues.

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IN THE INTERVIEW

– Appearance

– Demeanor

– Interest level

– Highlighting your strengths

– Addressing your weaknesses

– Listening to the interviewer and answering her questions

– Interviewing with senior level personnel

– Interviewing with junior level personnel

– Staying “on top of your game” for a 3+ hour interview

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AFTER THE INTERVIEW

● Interviewee

– Follow up

– Salary/benefits/title negotiation

– Use your contacts

– Letters of recommendation

● Interviewer

– 360 evaluations

– Internet search of interviewee

– Review of recommendations