Resumes Get You Interviews

Interviews Get you Jobs

Dear Mike,Thank you for your efforts in making our interview day possible at your university yesterday. We appreciate your assistance and your campus is impressive.

We would, however, like to make some remarks concerning the interview process:

1) Unfortunately, all students were not prepared for the interview. They did not do any research on our company and industry;

2) The quality of the students in general was disappointing. Especially referring to their social quality skills;

3) There was no clear understanding from the students what we are looking for.

Similarities Between Interviewing & Dating

1. Need to be prepared (e.g. think about questions to ask and how to ask them).

2. You dress up for it.3. It usually makes you nervous.4. You need to be flexible.5. You need to be yourself, yet somewhat different

and interesting.6. If you like what you see, don’t be afraid to ask

to continue the relationship.7. Be loyal if you said you would be.

Types of Interviewers

• Human Relations (personnel) Employees

• Technical Staff

Interview Locations & Length• On Campus

– 1st interview usually– 20-45 min. range– 30 min. average

• Off Campus– 2nd or 3rd interview usually

• 2 day range– 1 day average

Research the Company• Key people• Major products or services• Size (sales, employees)• Locations• Major competitors• View of the company by customers, employees,

competitors• Annual report• Latest news related to the company• Informational meeting (attend!)

Cardinal Sins in Interviewing Preparation

• Mispronouncing the Name of the Company

– e.g. Bunge

• Confusing the Company with Another Company

Research Yourself

• Strengths/Weaknesses• Goals

– SR & LR– Personal and Career

• Successes/Mistakes• Likes/Dislikes

Common Interview Tips

1. Research the company2. Practice answers to anticipated questions

(however, avoid ‘canned’ answers)3. Dress appropriately4. Avoid annoying mannerisms5. Ask intelligent questions

• You never get a second chance to make a positive first impression.

Creating a POSITIVE First Impression

• Be early• Neat, well groomed appearance• Firm handshake• Clear, positive self introduction• Act professionally

Creating a Positive Impression During the Info Exchange Part of the Interview

• Give positive nonverbal feedback:– Body language– Smile– Nod– Eye contact, etc.

• Listen• Ask intelligent questions• Give articulate answers

Talking Mistakes in Interviewing

• Using or overusing the interviewer’s first name (unless told to by them)

• Poor grammar and diction (e.g. yeah vs. yes)

• Filling pauses with um’s, ah’s, or uh’s• Ending sentences with ‘you know’, ‘see’,

‘okay’, ‘like’• Monotonic or unusual tone

Behavioral Interviewing

• Where interviewer is looking for specific past activities or behaviors that are likely to be indicators of desirable future performance

• Stay away from vague answers

Dave TierneyDeKalb

Ag Bus Club Meeting 3-2-95

‘STAR’ Interview Method

S = a situation you were in or

T = a task you had to do

A = action taken, and

R = results

=> ‘Tell me about a . . .’

Traits on Which You Will be Judged1. Personal Characteristics

Do you have good grooming? Do you have good manners? Do you maintain good eye contact?

2. Self-expressionAre you forceful or vague in expressing your ideas and when responding to the interviewer’s questions?

3. MaturityWhat about your overall sense of balance? Can you make value judgments and decisions?

4. PersonalityWhat are you like? Outgoing? Shy? Overbearing? Quiet? Tactful? Enthusiastic? Warm?

5. ExperienceWhat about your academic achievements? Involvement in extracurricular activities? Job accomplishments? Job skills?

6. Enthusiasm and interestAre you really interested in the employer? The particular job? Industry?

7. Career goalsWhat do you want to do in your professional life?

Skills to put on Resume = Same Skills to Demonstrate in Interview

Organizational (e.g. activity you organized?)

CommunicationProblem SolvingLeadership/Managerial (e.g. motivate

others? Time mgt? Stress mgt?)Interpersonal (e.g. difficult person)

Thought for the Day

• There’s very little difference in people, yet that littler difference makes a big difference.

• The LITTLE difference is attitude.

• The BIG difference is whether it’s positive or negative.

- Anon

Conflict Creating Personalities

1. Critic or cynic – negative opinions on everything2. Aggressor – desire to be boss or leader all the

time3. Gossip – source of all information4. Moralist – tell other people how to live5. Martyr – tell others how much you’ve done for

them6. Perfectionist or braggert – always right7. Short fuse – loses temper fast8. Con man – dishonest9. Hypocrit – have double standards

Examples of Difficult Qs (Interviewing)

1. What would you say is your biggest weakness?

2. Give me an example of something that you have done that is creative or innovative.

3. Tell me about a situation where you were in the minority.

- Barry CooperCargill Inc.

Unlawful and Lawful Interview Questions (examples)

Topic Illegal Questions OK

Nationality Are you a U.S. citizen?Where were you born?Where are your parents from originally?

Are you authorized to work in U.S.?What languages are you fluent in?

Age How old are you?What is your birth date?

Are you over 18?

Family Are you married?With whom do you live?Do you plan to have a family? When?Do you have any children?

Are you willing to relocate?Are you willing to travel?Are you willing to work overtime?

Personal How tall are you?How much do you weight?(OK if min. standards exist for the job)

Disabilities Do you have any disabilities?Have you had any recent illnesses or operations?

Are you able to do ____ (related to job)?Medical exam after job offer ok.

Legal Have you ever been arrested? Have you ever been convicted of _____ (should relate to job)

Examples of “Make You Think” Qs

1. If you could be any part of a pizza, what would you be and why?

2. If you were a horse in a pasture and your owner left the pasture gate open by mistake, would you stay or leave? Why?

3. If you were to be any animal in the jungle, which would you most like to be and why?

4. What do you foresee as being your biggest challenge in making a successful transition from college to the work place?

Practice ‘Damage Control’

1. Soften or even mention possible ‘strengths’ associated with your ‘weaknesses’.

2. Emphasize what you’ve learned.3. Point out a weakness is not related to the

job.4. Provide justification for the weakness.

Closing & Following Up An Interview

• Ask for the job

• Thank them there and with follow up letter

Pay Attention to Off-Campus Interview Details

1. Name, Title, Address, Phone Number of Coordinator

2. Travel and Lodging Details3. Interview Schedule – where, when, who4. Paying for the Interview Expenses

Lunch & Conversation Suggestions

• Appropriate dress• Ordering

– Don’t go first (or ask for recommendations), pick the most costly, select sloppy or unfamiliar foods, ask for alcohol, overindulge

• Conversation– Be relaxed, friendly, interesting– Focus on company and job – Avoid past personal embarrassments, religion,

politics

• Everyone you meet on your visit is interviewing you all the time.

Other Things To Do On Site

• Observe the People (happy, challenged, enthusiastic, …?)

• Observe the Facilities

• Be Prepared for Offer

Questions for the Personnel Manager

1. Are employees encouraged to express their ideas and concerns? If so, then how is this done?

2. What do employees like best about the company? Least?

3. How much employee turnover is there?4. What are the living conditions in this area of the

country?5. How large is the department in which the

opening exists? How is it organized?6. Why is the position open?7. How much travel would normally be expected?

Questions for the Personnel Manager

8. What are the chances of being relocated, once on the job?

9. What type of training program/orientation does a new employee receive? Who conducts it? When does it start and end?

10. How often are performance reviews given and how are they conducted?

11. How are raises/promotions determiend? What is the salary limit assigned to the position?

12. What are the long-range possibilities for employees in similar positions who consistently perform above expectations?

13. What are the employee benefits offered by the company?

Questions for your would-be supervisor

1. What are the major responsibilities of the department? Of the job?

2. What would the new employee be expected to have accomplished in the first six months on the job? The first year?

3. What are the special projects now ongoing in the department? What are some that are coming in the future?

4. How much contact with management is there? How much exposure?

5. What is the path to supervision in this dept? How long does it take to get there? How long do people stay there?

6. What is the path to management from this department?

Questions for a would-be colleague:

1. What do you like best about working for this company? In this department? Least?

2. What does on during a typical workday?3. Do you feel free to express your ideas and

concerns? Does everyone in the company?4. What are the possibilities here for professional

growth and promotion?5. How much interaction is there with superiors?

Colleagues? Customers? How much independent work is there?

6. How long have you been with the company? Does your future here seem secure?

Agri Selling Steps - Applied to Selling ‘Yourself’

PREPARATION

SERVICE OPENING

CLOSE PRESENTATION

1. Know Yourself2. Know the Company3. Prepare Resume4. Prepare for Interviews5. Write Letters

1. Follow Through2. Check Back

1. Greet Prospect2. Build Rapport3. Probe for Needs4. Arouse Interest

1. Ask for the Job2. Establish Next Step3. Thank Them4. Leave

1. Review Problem2. Outline Solution3. Detail Features & Benefits4. Handle Objections