Interviewing AdviceInterviewing Advice

4 P’s of Interviewing4 P’s of Interviewing

Research the companyResearch the company- Search the company website- Search the company website

- Ask questions, etc.- Ask questions, etc.

Prepare a portfolioPrepare a portfolioKnow the locationKnow the location

- be early- be early

Think about questions to askedThink about questions to asked

PreparationPreparation

4 P’s of Interviewing4 P’s of Interviewing

Dress appropriately Dress appropriately Be prepared physicallyBe prepared physically

- plenty of sleep- plenty of sleepMaintain good eye contactMaintain good eye contactUse a firm handshakeUse a firm handshakeSay the interviewer’s last name correctly Say the interviewer’s last name correctly

and use it during the interviewand use it during the interviewPositive attitudePositive attitude

Personal PresentationPersonal Presentation

FIRST IMPRESSION?FIRST IMPRESSION? Occurs in every new situationOccurs in every new situation

Within the first 3 – 8 seconds Within the first 3 – 8 seconds evaluated at a glanceevaluated at a glance

You may intrigue some and disenchant You may intrigue some and disenchant othersothers

Hard to change a first impression Hard to change a first impression

Make a positive 1Make a positive 1stst impression impression

Appraise visual and behavioral appearance from Appraise visual and behavioral appearance from head to toehead to toe

Grooming Grooming HairHair MakeupMakeup ClothesClothes ShoesShoes

Accessories Accessories WatchWatch Handbag / briefcaseHandbag / briefcase Hair ornamentsHair ornaments Facial ornamentsFacial ornaments

Speaking styleSpeaking style Loud and aggressiveLoud and aggressive Rude – interrupt before interviewer has finishedRude – interrupt before interviewer has finished Mumbling Mumbling Quiet but audible speech - a mark of refinementQuiet but audible speech - a mark of refinement

Demeanor and MannerismsDemeanor and Mannerisms Project confidenceProject confidence Be friendlyBe friendly

Body languageBody language Smile, have a pleasant expression Smile, have a pleasant expression Project a positive personalityProject a positive personality Use open hand gesturesUse open hand gestures

4 P’s of Interviewing4 P’s of Interviewing

Practice interviewing with family or friendsPractice interviewing with family or friends

- Anticipate questions- Anticipate questions

- Practice interviews- Practice interviews

- Visit the career center- Visit the career center

PracticePractice

Types of Interview QuestionsTypes of Interview Questions1.1. TraditionalTraditional

- - uses broad-based questions uses broad-based questions - “why do you want to work for this company” - “why do you want to work for this company” - “tell me about your strengths and weaknesses” - “tell me about your strengths and weaknesses” - “tell me about yourself”- “tell me about yourself” a. Evaluatinga. Evaluating

- interviewers skills and abilities - interviewers skills and abilities - enthusiasm and work ethic - enthusiasm and work ethic - team player and good fit - team player and good fit

2. Behavioral2. Behavioral

- questions probe specific past behaviors- questions probe specific past behaviors

- "tell me about a time when you confronted - "tell me about a time when you confronted an unexpected problem," an unexpected problem,"

- "tell me about an experience when you - "tell me about an experience when you failed to achieve a goal,“failed to achieve a goal,“

- "give me a specific example of a time when - "give me a specific example of a time when you managed several projects at once." you managed several projects at once."

a. a. EvaluatingEvaluating

- past performance as the best - past performance as the best indicator of indicator of future behaviorfuture behavior

4 Parts of Behavioral Questions4 Parts of Behavioral Questions

1.1. describe the situationdescribe the situation

2.2. discuss the actions you tookdiscuss the actions you took

3.3. relate the outcomesrelate the outcomes

4.4. specify what you learned specify what you learned

How to Handle the Technical How to Handle the Technical InterviewInterview

Discuss specific projects Discuss specific projects

- how you’ve used your technical - how you’ve used your technical experience to solve problemsexperience to solve problems

If you don’t know the answerIf you don’t know the answer

- acknowledge you are not sure- acknowledge you are not sure

- explain how you would troubleshoot a - explain how you would troubleshoot a similar problem similar problem

Illegal QuestionsIllegal Questions

Question Answer What to SayAre you married?Do you plan to have children?How many children do you have?What kind of child care arrangements do you have?

The interviewer is allowed to ask you about your willingness and ability to relocate, travel, and/or work overtime- if every applicant is asked the same question.

I can travel and work overtime as necessary for the job. I'm willing to relocate if needed.

Illegal QuestionsIllegal Questions

Question Answer What to Say

How old are you?When did you graduate?When were you born?

The interviewer needs to know if you are over 18 or how close you are to retirement.

I have been in IT for more than xx years.

Illegal QuestionsIllegal Questions

Question Answer What to Say

Do you have any disabilities?How is your health?Have you had any recent or past illnesses or operations?

The interviewer needs to determine whether you can perform the essential functions of this job with or without

I am physically able to perform this job without any problem.

4 P’s of Interviewing4 P’s of Interviewing

Ask the interviewer questionsAsk the interviewer questions

Make a list of questions Make a list of questions - Take the list in a notebook- Take the list in a notebook

- Don’t ask a question which has been discussed- Don’t ask a question which has been discussed

Pertinent QuestionsPertinent Questions

Questions to AskQuestions to Ask

What are my work hours?What are my work hours?

What would a typical day entail?What would a typical day entail?

What are the benefits?What are the benefits?

What exactly did you mean by . . .?What exactly did you mean by . . .?

When do you anticipate making a decision?When do you anticipate making a decision?

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Interview Don’tsInterview Don’tsDon’t confuse an interview with an Don’t confuse an interview with an

interrogationinterrogationDon’t take anyone with youDon’t take anyone with youDon’t wear sunglassesDon’t wear sunglassesDon’t have anything in your mouthDon’t have anything in your mouthDon’t smokeDon’t smokeDon’t leaving Your Cell Phone OnDon’t leaving Your Cell Phone OnDon’t be too quick to sit down or leaveDon’t be too quick to sit down or leave

After the InterviewAfter the Interview

Record Record

Record the date of the interviewRecord the date of the interview

Get correct spelling of the interviewer's nameGet correct spelling of the interviewer's name

Impressions of interview & companyImpressions of interview & company

New and important facts about employer New and important facts about employer

Weak spots or points not made Weak spots or points not made

What next and when What next and when

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ThankThank You YouWhen you leave thank them for the When you leave thank them for the

interview with a handshake.interview with a handshake.Send a thank you within 24 hoursSend a thank you within 24 hoursAdd information to bolster one of your Add information to bolster one of your

points with a pertinent specificpoints with a pertinent specific Include omitted itemsInclude omitted items

Stay in PursuitStay in Pursuit

Complete additional itemsComplete additional items– Send transcriptsSend transcripts– Send referencesSend references– Any thing asked in interview Any thing asked in interview

Don't Wait Too LongDon't Wait Too Long

If told you would hear by the end of the If told you would hear by the end of the week and you haven't:week and you haven't:

– give the employer a reminder callgive the employer a reminder call– reasonablereasonable– shows interestshows interest

Additional InformationAdditional Information

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