Who Are You In Person?

Bob Langewisch r-langewisch@kellogg.northwestern.edu

Jill Clouse j-clouse@kellogg.northwestern.edu

9 – April - 2010PTMBA-CDS

Mastering the Interview, Search Wrap-Up & First Day on the Job

Career Management Process

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• Creating an interview agenda

• Types of interviews

• Prep for a behavioral interview

• Offer Decision Making/Negotiation

• Search Wrap-Up/Working

• CDS next steps

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Agenda

• Have an agenda (but not push it) during interviews

• Make it easy on the interviewer by building the bridge

• Know the company/department you are interviewing with

• Importance of preserving a relationship during negotiations

• Close the loop with your contacts about your search but keep the loop open

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Today’s Takeaways

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Can they do the job? Do they have relevant

skills & experiences?

Will this person fit into our firm? Do I

like them?

Will they accept my

offer?

Please hire me. Please hire me.Please hire me.

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Leverage Your Pitch

Other Networking Activities

InterviewsCover Letters

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PREPARATION

•Self-Assessment•Pitch•Resumes•Interview Stories

JOB DESCRIPTION

•Company/Dept. details•Desired qualifications•Responsibilities•Your company research

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YOUR

INTERVIEW

AGENDA

PREPARATION

•Self-Assessment•Pitch•Resumes•Interview Stories

JOB DESCRIPTION

•Company details•Desired qualifications•Responsibilities•Your company research

Why you? Why them?

• Revisit your Pitch & Ideal Job Description/Ideal company

• Brainstorm 3 skills/experiences you have that are relevant to that job

• Brainstorm 3 reasons why you are a good fit for that position/company (based on your research)

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Exercise

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Format of Interviews

• Phone Screens • One-on-one• Two-on-one• Panel• Group• Scheduled Day

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Typical Interview

• Introduction/Break the ice• “Walk me through your resume”• Behavioral Questions• Company Questions• Technical/Case/Situational Questions• You Ask Questions• Closing

• Introduction/Break the ice• “Walk me through your resume”• Behavioral Questions• Company Questions• Technical/Case/Situational Questions• You Ask Questions• Closing

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Walk me through your resume or Tell me about yourself

your 2 minute pitch

Talk about what ISN’T on the page• Why you made job choices• What relevant skills/experiences you gained• Significant results• Why business school• Why targeting this function, this industry, and this

company

• Exchange resumes with person next to you

• First person, ask question. Either:“Tell me about yourself” or

“Walk me through your resume”

• Provide feedback on answer

• Switch

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Exercise

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Most common mistakes to avoid• Too personal

• Too long – 2 mins max

• Leave out why came back to school

• Leave out why interested in target function/industry

• Not targeted to new function/industry

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Behavioral Questions

• “Tell me about a time when you led a team.”

• “Describe a situation where you had to overcome obstacles to achieve a goal.”

• “Give me an example of when you came up with a creative solution.”

Story MatrixLeadership Teamwork Analysis Problem

SolvingOther Skills

Job 1 SituationTask

ActionResult

SituationTask ActionResult

Job 2 SituationTask

ActionResult

Job 3 SituationTask

ActionResult

SituationTask ActionResult

Kellogg SituationTask ActionResult

UG SituationTask

ActionResult

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Use the STAR Method

Structure• Situation – The

background• Task – Objective• Action – What you

specifically did• Result – What was the

outcome of your action

Keep it Short• 1 Bullet

• 1 Bullet• 3 Bullets

• 1 Bullet

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Tell me about a time when you failed

• Resiliency

• Lessons Learned

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Characteristics Questions

• “What kind of leader are you?”

• “Convince me to hire you.”

• “How would your co-workers describe you?”

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Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths• Relate to target job• Give support • 3 Strengths

Weakness• Not in core

competencies of job• Not personality trait• No red flags• Show how improving• Give 1 (2 in pocket)

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Most common mistakes to avoid

• Using “we” vs. “I”

• Theorizing

• Not giving the result of the story

• Not answering their question

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They will ask you questions about their company

• What do you know about my company?

• What are your 5 favorite products from my company?

• If you were our CEO, what 3 things would keep you up at night?

• If you were to expand our airport hubs, which city would you go to next?

• What do you think about our latest deal?

Must research the company/dept. before the interview

Asking Questions – Differentiate yourself!

• Prepare questions prior to the interview

• Ask questions that are of interest to you

• Demonstrate your sincere interest in the job and the company

• Do not ask questions that have already been answered in the interview, through other company events, or on the website

• “I understand that you are expanding into the organics food market. How will that affect your marketing strategy?”

• “It seems like a trend in the Real Estate market is addressing LEED requirements. How is your company dealing with this trend?”

• “I spoke with John earlier about your company’s focus on innovation. Could you tell me more about the Innovation Committees?”

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PREPARATION

•Self-Assessment

•Pitch

•Resumes

•Interview Stories

JOB DESCRIPTION

•Company details

•Desired qualifications

•Responsibilities

•Your company research

YOUR

INTERVIEW

AGENDA

PRACTICE!

Career Management Process

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Tips for Decision Making

• Check in with Part-Time Program Career Coaches

• Check in with your Personal Board of Directors

• Revisit your self-assessment

• Consult Friends & Family Members

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Tips for Negotiating

• PREPARE!

• Focus on the relationship— think long term

• Be up front with companies about timing

• Prioritize all negotiable items—what are your deal breakers?

Career Management Process

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Career Development SeriesInstruction Practice

Who Are You and What Are Your Goals? - Jan 29

Who Needs a Plan? YOU! - Feb 26 Speed Networking – May 7

Business Etiquette – Apr 17

Who Are You on Paper? – Mar 5 Resume Review – May 21

Who Are You in Person? - Apr 9 Interview Practicum – June 4

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Wrap –Up / Action Items• Create agenda for each firm:

– Know why you, why them

• 2 minute pitch builds a bridge from past to future

• Stories should be in STAR/list format

• Researching the company and industry is crucial

• Revisit your self-assessment when making decisions

• Negotiating impacts a relationship

• Don’t stop your networking just because you’ve started the job—this is where internal career

management comes kicks in!

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