interviewing with confidence cynthia favre gustavus adolphus college career center
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Interviewing with Confidence
Cynthia FavreGustavus Adolphus CollegeCareer Center
Tell Me About Your Self
Find a partner (apple/orange)One minute to respond“Tell me about yourself”Switch – One more minuteHow was it?
Job and School Interviews
Concepts can be used for both employment and graduate/professional school admission interviews
Specific academic programs will have specific focus – law, medicine, etc.– Research what to expect in your specific field
Interview Ideas
Passion – Many people have the skills; not everyone has the
passion!
“Its not bragging if its true”
Help the employer make a good decision by providing information
More Interview Ideas
Leadership – Initiative– see what needs to get done and make it happen
Maturity – suspend personal agendaPattern of SuccessProfessional
– Give a demonstration of how you work!
Demonstrated or Gained
You are not rewarded for degrees or positions
You are rewarded for what you have demonstrated or gained from the experiences
You cannot over use these words in interviews!
Knowledge, Skills, Qualities
Knowledge (Career Related)
Skills (Transferable)– What you can do like tie your shoe
Qualities (Self-Management)– Characteristics of you like do – er
150 Positives
Students are not use to talking about themselvesNeed to develop language for this150 Positive Skills and QualitiesWrite it Down!Flexible/Adaptable – BOTH!Mine the words for more color and richness!It can be done!
Research Employers
What they do
Where they are
Why you are interested
How you fit the organization
Image
One chance to make a first impressionProfessional Dress– Business casual– Professional
Professional Behavior– Stand to shake hands– Learn and use business etiquette
It’s a Conversation
Ask for clarificationAsk if you are on trackGive question back– Would they like an example?– What skills have they found most valuable?
Prepare questions to ask– No questions means you are not interested
3 Basic Questions
What do you want to do?
What do you have to offer?
Why do you want this position at this place?
Types of Questions
Fact (10%)– Can be confirmed by other sources
Opinion (30%)– In your opinion….
Behavioral Based (60%)– Best predictor of future success based on past
experience and success
Behavioral Based Questions
Specific Stories and Examples– Tell me about a time when….– Give me an example of…
Be prepared for the negative– Tell me about a time you disagreed– Tell me your worst….
Prepare for Behavioral Based
Think of peak experiences– When you show your best skills and qualities
List the skills and qualities you demonstrated or gainedCreate a S.T.A.R. storyOne story can cover several skills and qualities
S.T.A.R.
S: Situation
T: Task
A: Action
R: Result (positive)
100% Responsible
Communication in interview is 100% candidate’s responsibility
If interview ends and they don’t know something important – its your fault, not theirs – even if they don’t ask the right questions
Career Outline
You cannot tell whole life storyFocus on 3 – 5 key things that make you a good candidate– Interests, skills, experiences, qualities, education
Have a S.T.A.R. for each – Specific examples giving proof/evidence– Most people are visual – make a word picture
Summary Statement
20 second summary of 3 – 5 key strengthsWrite it out – to be articulateUse for networking situations too!“Tell me about yourself”“Do you have anything to add?”
Questions You Ask
May be more important than your answersShow your interest in finding a good fit– If selected, what could I do to make an immediate
contribution?– What characteristics do your most successful
employees share?
Avoid “What’s in it for me?”
What to Bring
PortfolioExtra resumesTranscriptList of References3 – 5 key strengthsList of questionsInterview portfolio – if you have one
Ending
Summarize 3 – 5 key strengthsLearn when and how to follow-upAsk for the Sell– Please offer me the opportunity to work with you.– Please give me this job.– I would appreciate the opportunity to work with you.
Thank You
Write thank you note within 2 working daysSend by mail, NOT e-mailMay be handwrittenSend to primary interviewer/contactA demonstration of how you work
Tough Questions
What is your greatest weakness?– Weakness for position– Life long learner
Illegal Questions– I can answer better if I understand how this relates to
the position
Only Positive
You have only had positive learning experiences and challengesNo negative or disparaging comments about employers, colleagues, teachers, etc.Do NOT appear immature, unwilling to be responsible, or whinny
Summary
Answer questionsGive examplesBe specificRelate answers to positionKeep it short, ask if they want more information– Especially for phone interviews
Preparation
Write out answers to sample questionsVideotapesGive answers to friend, mirror, tape recorderAttend professional events – Employer Information Day
Practice InterviewMock Interview
Mock Interview Night
Only Once this Year: Thursday, October 7, 20044:00 – 8:00 in Heritage RoomResumes due on eRecruiting by Sunday, Sept. 26 – open sign upPhone Interviewers available45 minute appointmentsProfessional dress
Reminders
Professional Dress (SIFE – dress for success)Business Etiquette (LAN – etiquette dinner)Be on TimeSmile and use namesBring ResumesShow how you fit the position
Career Center
Student UnionOpen 8:00 – 4:30 on school daysQuick Questions 2:00 – 3:30 on school daysResource library available when office is openWebpage and eRecruiting for calendar information
Contact
Phone: 507-933-7586Fax: 507-933-6277E-mail: [email protected]: www.gustavus.edu/careercenterStaff: Jeff Stocco, Director/Cynthia Favre, Career Management/Brian Koeneman, Internships/ Karen Ryan, Health Professions/ Kathy Allen/ Healther Banks/Karen Thomasson (intern)