Transcript Real World Experience: - University of Alabama

THE
INTERVIEW…
PREPARE & PRACTICE
Parts of an interview
Greetings and small talk
 Interviewer gives details of the position
and the organization
 Interviewer asks you questions
 You ask the employer questions
 Closing: What are the next steps
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Prepare for all aspects of the
interview!
 Research
the employer.
 Practice sample interview questions.
 Write down questions to ask.
Learn as much as you can about the
employer!
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Approximate number of employees
Products and/or services
Types of clients
Growth and financial stability
Competition
Mission/Values/Vision statements
Typical career path
Know Yourself!
In order to convince an employer to hire you,
you need to have a focus.
Think of your goals, interests, strengths,
and experiences. Be able to discuss them.
Types of interview questions
Broad-based questions such as:
Why do you want to work with us?
What are your strengths/weaknesses?
Why did you choose this major/career?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
The ice-breaker…
or nerve rattler!
“Tell Me About
Yourself”
Have a concise, relevant response.
I am a sophomore majoring in Chemical
Engineering. I chose this major because I have
always liked math and science and I have a
natural curiosity for how things work. When I
researched different majors, Chemical
Engineering seemed to offer the most potential
for leading me to a career I would enjoy. I am
active in several organizations on campus and I
am eager to begin a Co-op to apply what I know
and also learn more about this field.
Behavioral based questions
STAR:
Situation
Task
Action(s) taken
Result of your action(s)
Situation and Task
Describe the situation you were in and the
task you needed to accomplish. You must
describe a specific event or situation, not a
generalized description of what you have
done in the past. Be sure to give enough
detail for the interviewer to understand.
This situation can be from a previous job,
from a volunteer experience, or any
relevant event.
Action
Describe the action you took and be
sure to keep the focus on you. Even if
you are discussing a group project or
effort, describe what you did -- not
the efforts of the team. Don't tell
what you might do, tell what you did.
Result
What happened?
How did the event end?
What did you accomplish?
What did you learn?
Sample behavioral based questions:
Describe a situation in which you….
…employed good time management skills.
…had to persuade someone to do
something.
…had to make a split second decision.
…had to go beyond the call of duty in order to
get a job done.
Give me an example of a time when you
showed initiative.
Example of Setting up the Situation:
After working one week at my summer job
with XYZ, the person who supervised my
position left. I was asked to take on some
of his responsibilities until a replacement
was hired. I didn’t mind helping out, but I
was a little anxious about being so new and
taking on a higher level of responsibility.
Example of Describing the Task:
One of the assignments I was given
involved contacting vendors to confirm
delivery dates of inventory items. The
vendor numbers and delivery dates were
written in a notebook and in some cases, it
was difficult to interpret the notes.
Example of Describing the Action
When I had a little down time between
customers, I created a record in Excel
showing vendor names, numbers, inventory
items being shipped, dates and any
adjustments being made to the order. I
also recorded the date of the confirmation
call so the new assistant manager would
know that status.
Example of Stating the Result
When the manager asked if I had been able to
reach all the vendors, I showed him the
Excel program letting him know I could
transfer the information back into the
notebook if he preferred.
He was pleased with the file I created and
asked me to explain the process to the other
staff. He also asked if I could set up files
for other data.
When preparing for the interview…
Think of examples you might share if asked about:
Showing initiative ~ Juggling responsibilities
Leading ~ Coping with disappointment ~
Using logic to solve a problem ~ Achieving ~
Working under pressure ~ ETC!
WHAT TO ASK THEM
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What is a typical day like for this position?
How are employees trained? Evaluated?
Does each employee have a mentor?
What type of assignments might I expect
during the first six months?
What is the biggest challenge the
organization faces today?
*Think of what YOU want to know!
Save $$$ questions until the 2nd
interview
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In the first interview, keep the focus on
your qualifications and interest in the job.
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You can inquire about $$, benefits,
vacation, etc. during the 2nd interview.
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Know your worth!!! Research salary ranges
(in the geographical area) for an entry level
employee with qualifications similar to
yours.
AFTER THE INTERVIEW…
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Inquire about next step.
Close with a smile and a handshake.
Send a thank-you note to everyone with
whom you interviewed.
Make sure you have an appropriate
outgoing voice-mail message and a good
system for receiving messages.
Make the first impression a GOOD one!
 Arrive
ten minutes early unless they
ask you to arrive even sooner for
paperwork.
 Be
pleasant and professional to
everyone!
When you first arrive, you may be
asked to complete an application.
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Follow directions.
Print clearly; be neat. They notice!
Avoid providing negative information.
If you don’t have a lot of experience,
emphasize education, volunteer work, etc.
If something seems unclear, ask.
Posture, Expression & Handshake
Sit straight with legs uncrossed or crossed
at ankles.
 Stand straight with shoulders back and
eyes ahead.
 Smile!!!
 Offer a firm, but not crushing, handshake.
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Dress Professionally;
Groom Conservatively
Women’s Business Professional:
Suits or jackets and pants with button
down shirts or pull over tops /camisoles
and simple accessories
 Jackets worn either with pants or skirts
are business professional appropriate.
 Always wear plain style, neutral colored
hose to interviews.
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Women’s Shoes:
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Choose shoes with
closed toes and
moderate heels that do
not impede walking
For interviews, black,
navy, or neutral
colored shoes are
recommended
Women’s Accessories: Don’t!
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Large and “dangly” earrings can be
distracting. Choose smaller, more
conservative styles.
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Don’t carry a purse with a briefcase.
Choose one or the other for interviews.
Head-to-Toe Mirror Check
 Hair:
neatly groomed, not distracting
 Make-up: conservative, minimal
 Breath: fresh/clean
 Cologne/perfume: minimal if any at
all
Mirror Check Continued…
 Jewelry:
conservative, minimal
 Piercings: ears for women, anything
else is a risk
 Nails: clean, neatly manicured
 Clothes: clean, pressed
Resources
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http://www.quintcareers.com
http://www.jobweb.com
http://www.careerbuilder.com
http://www.collegegrad.com
http://www.wetfeet.com
www.careerjournal.com/jobhunting
Great Interview; Eyre, Osen, Williams
Look for these helpful items in the
Jones Resource Center, 336 Ferguson:
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Numerous books with interviewing tips,
sample questions, advice for handling
tough questions, etc.
Handouts with sample questions including
behavioral-based questions and questions a
candidate should ask
Lists of Web sites providing information on
all career-related topics