Real World Real World InterviewsInterviews

Before you go:Before you go:

Research the companyResearch the company– Missions, values, news articles, etc.Missions, values, news articles, etc.

Memorize a short commercial Memorize a short commercial about yourselfabout yourself– Summarize professional & personal Summarize professional & personal

lifelife Practice answers to anticipated Practice answers to anticipated

questionsquestions

Bring CopiesBring Copies

Resume, cover letter, Resume, cover letter, referencesreferences– Typed on your personal Typed on your personal

letterheadletterhead Anything job specificAnything job specific Pen & notebook – some Pen & notebook – some

people prefer to take notespeople prefer to take notes

Appearances Count!!Appearances Count!!

Don’t be too trendyDon’t be too trendy Don’t be casualDon’t be casual Check your shoesCheck your shoes Be conservativeBe conservative

– Hair, piercing, etc.Hair, piercing, etc. Grooming is must, Grooming is must,

makeup, nails, face, etc.makeup, nails, face, etc.

Dressing for Success for Dressing for Success for mock interviewsmock interviews

Avoid blue denim Avoid blue denim at all costsat all costs

No sweatpants, No sweatpants, sweatshirts, t-shirtssweatshirts, t-shirts

NO SNEAKERSNO SNEAKERS Example of casual Example of casual

job interview:job interview:– Not appropriate for Not appropriate for

mock interviewsmock interviews

Appearances Count!!Appearances Count!!

Look sharper than you usually Look sharper than you usually dodo

Go blue, gray, black, whiteGo blue, gray, black, white Go earlyGo early Be kind, while waitingBe kind, while waiting

Formal Interview Formal Interview AttireAttire

Mock interview attireMock interview attire

Be PreparedBe Prepared

For odd/offbeat questionsFor odd/offbeat questions For questions about job For questions about job

hoppinghopping About if/why you were fired or About if/why you were fired or

let golet go About gaps in employmentAbout gaps in employment About school/work attendanceAbout school/work attendance

Entering the InterviewEntering the Interview

SmileSmile Shake handsShake hands

– Firm, but not death gripFirm, but not death grip

Wait to Sit Down!!Wait to Sit Down!!

Until the Until the interviewer asks interviewer asks you toyou to

If they don’t If they don’t offer, sit at the offer, sit at the same time they same time they dodo

Eye ContactEye Contact

Look at the Look at the interviewer interviewer oftenoften

Looking around Looking around indicates indicates nervousness or nervousness or lyinglying

Interviewing BehaviorsInterviewing Behaviors

Address the interviewer by formal Address the interviewer by formal name, such as:name, such as:Mr. JonesMr. JonesMs. MillerMs. Miller

Take time to think about your Take time to think about your answers before speakinganswers before speaking– AVOID “Ummm”,”Ahhh”, or “I don’t AVOID “Ummm”,”Ahhh”, or “I don’t

know” (and other filler words)know” (and other filler words)

Interviewing BehaviorsInterviewing Behaviors

Speak clearly and use proper Speak clearly and use proper grammargrammar– FISHIN or HUNTIN (uses the G)FISHIN or HUNTIN (uses the G)– AIN’T is NEVER appropriateAIN’T is NEVER appropriate

Ask for clarification or to rephrase Ask for clarification or to rephrase if you don’t understandif you don’t understand

Ask to repeat if you need stall timeAsk to repeat if you need stall time

Interviewing BehaviorsInterviewing Behaviors

Be PositiveBe Positive– Never criticize your former Never criticize your former

bosses, coworkers, teachers, or bosses, coworkers, teachers, or other authority figures in a other authority figures in a personal mannerpersonal manner

Stress your qualifications for the Stress your qualifications for the jobjob

Interviewing BehaviorsInterviewing Behaviors

Express your readiness to Express your readiness to undertake the job dutiesundertake the job duties

Ask when a hiring decision will Ask when a hiring decision will be madebe made

Thank the interviewer for their Thank the interviewer for their timetime

What What NOTNOT to Do!! to Do!!

Tap pens, fingers, or other itemsTap pens, fingers, or other items Play with hairPlay with hair Tap toes, knees, feetTap toes, knees, feet Chew gum, fingers, pensChew gum, fingers, pens Speak incredibly fast, loud, or too Speak incredibly fast, loud, or too

quietlyquietly Discuss personal problemsDiscuss personal problems

How to SitHow to Sit

No slouchingNo slouching Don’t fold or cross armsDon’t fold or cross arms Don’t grip the armrests for dear Don’t grip the armrests for dear

lifelife Not to comfy but not on edgeNot to comfy but not on edge

How to Sit During the How to Sit During the InterviewInterview

Don’tDon’t DODO

At the EndAt the End

Be sure to ask relevant questionsBe sure to ask relevant questions Reaffirm interest in positionReaffirm interest in position Don’t overstay your welcomeDon’t overstay your welcome Ask for a business card for follow Ask for a business card for follow

up up

Questions to ask Questions to ask them…them… What would my key What would my key

responsibilities be?responsibilities be? Can you describe a typical day?Can you describe a typical day? Was the last person in this job Was the last person in this job

promoted?promoted? Where is the company headed?Where is the company headed?

Questions to ask Questions to ask them…them… What type of training would I What type of training would I

receive?receive? What would my first project What would my first project

be?be? Why is this job open?Why is this job open?

Thank-you NoteThank-you Note

Always send a thank you note to Always send a thank you note to follow up follow up

Mail within 24 hoursMail within 24 hours Refer to some part of the interviewRefer to some part of the interview Highlight skills not discussed during Highlight skills not discussed during

interviewinterview State availability for callback State availability for callback

interviewsinterviews