Transcript CLASS - Indiana Institute on Disability and Community at

Interviewing Tips:
Are You
Ready?
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Preparing for the Interview
 When setting up the interview,
ask how many people will be
interviewing you.
 Make copies of your resume
and reference sheet for each
interviewer.
 Bring a notepad and pen to
take notes.
 Make a list of questions to ask
at the end of the interview.
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Research the Employer &
Industry
Interviewers describe lack of company knowledge
as one of their top pet peeves.
 Ask yourself: Why am I interested in working for
this employer?
 Do some homework: Be sure you know what the
company mission is and what they manufacture
or what service they provide.
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Interview Type
Will you be interviewed:
•
By phone or online?
•
By several people or by
a group of people?
•
By a single person?
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Preparing for the Interview
 What types of questions
will the interviewer ask?
 Be prepared to give
examples of how
you’ve demonstrated
skills in prior work or
volunteer experiences.
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Some possible questions:
 “What qualities do you feel a
successful employee should
have to be a customer service
attendant?”
 “Describe a situation where you
were involved with a team to
complete a task.”
Preparing for the Interview
Rehearsing and practicing are
the best ways to be prepared.
• Role playing
• Mock interviews
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Preparing for the Interview
Plan ahead. You’ll
never get a second
chance to make a
good first impression.
 Clean and polished conservative
shoes
 Well-groomed hairstyle
 Clean and trimmed fingernails
 Minimal cologne or perfume and
accessories
 Dress according to type of business
 Get a good night’s sleep the night
before
 No alcohol on your breath
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Preparing for the Interview
Getting there:
 Make sure you can find
the company
 Ask for directions
 Practice your route before
the day of the interview
 Plan for the unexpected
 Don’t arrive more than 15
minutes early
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When You Arrive
Your interview actually begins even before
you meet your interviewer.
 Arrive about 10 minutes before the interview.
 Have a positive attitude when you greet and
talk with any “gatekeepers” (the receptionist,
the security guard, a secretary, etc.) you may
meet.
 Wait patiently until you’re called for your
interview.
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First Impressions

No food or gum

Turn off your cell phone

Do not smoke right before your
interview.

Greet your interviewer with
enthusiasm and a smile:
•
•
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Stand up
Extend your hand for a
medium-to-firm handshake.
Show Your Confidence
Learn body language and behaviors that help you:

Make eye contact with the interviewer as much
as possible

Smile naturally

Sit up straight

Speak clearly (no mumbling!) and loudly
enough to be heard
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Talking with the Interviewer

Use some hand gestures
to show enthusiasm, but
keep it minimal.

If you can’t keep your
hands still, hold a prop,
like a clipboard or pad.

Don’t tap or play with a
pen or pencil.

Don’t keep nodding your
head.
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Talking with the Interviewer

Show your interest by
asking a few questions.
 If you don’t already
know them, ask your
interviewer about the
company’s current
goals.
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Showcase Yourself
 A positive work attitude
Interviewers often look for:
 Skills and previous
experience in the field
 Communication skills (How
well do you write? Can you
give oral presentations?
How do you relate to
others?)
 Problem solving skills
 Leadership ability
 Teamwork
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Illegal Interview Questions
Sometimes an interviewer will ask questions they’re
not allowed to ask by law. These questions usually
have to do with your:

Marital circumstances (Are you single or married?)

Age

Gender and physical appearance

Disabilities

Citizenship and national origin
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Questions You May Be Asked
Interviewers CAN ask the following questions:
 Do you have responsibilities or commitments that will
prevent you from meeting specified work schedules?
 Do you anticipate any absences from work on a regular
basis? If so, please explain the circumstances.
 Do you meet the minimum age requirement set by law
in our area?
 If hired, can you produce proof of your age?
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More Possible Questions
 If you are a minor, can you provide proof of age
in the form of a work permit or certificate of
age?
 As you understand the job requirements, are you
aware of any circumstances or
conditions that may prevent you
from successfully performing the job?
 Will you be able to safely carry out
all the job assignments necessary for
this position?
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…and More Possible Questions
 After you’re hired, can you provide verification of
your legal right to work in the United States?
 Do you have language abilities other than English
that may be useful in performing this job
successfully?
 If you’re hired, are you aware that a
photograph may be required for
identification?
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Talking About Your Disability—
Or Not
 You are not required to tell an employer that you have
physical or mental disabilities.
 Any information you disclose is voluntary.
 There may be good reasons to tell an employer about
your disability (i.e., to obtain accommodations or job
supports); there may be reasons you would
like to keep your disability private.
 All information you disclose will be
kept confidential.
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Talking About Your Disability—
Or Not
 In an interview, an employer may ask all potential
employees (not just you) if they would like to volunteer
information about their disabilities so that the employer
can be sure it is providing opportunities to people with
disabilities.
 If you choose not to provide information, that choice will
in no way affect your chance to be hired.
Just be sure to plan ahead, and decide whether or not
you want to tell an employer if you have a disability.
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How to Handle Tricky
Questions
If an interviewer asks about your age (which is an
illegal question) you could answer:
“No matter what age a person is, I think it is important
to work together as a team to accomplish the
assigned task.”
If they ask about whether you have children, you
could reply:
“I assure you that my attendance is excellent and I
haven’t missed a day since. . . .”
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Concluding Your Interview
 Ask about the next step in the
hiring process.
 Collect a business card(s) from
your interviewer(s).
 Tell your interviewer it was a
pleasure meeting them and thank
them for their time. Shake hands.
 Send a thank you letter or email
to each of your interviewers.
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Getting Called Back
It’s common for a business to call back a few candidates
for a second interview.
 You may be asked many of the same questions—just be
ready!
 You may meet with the same interviewer,
or you may talk with other people in the
company.
 Be prepared to talk about salary
and benefits.
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Getting the Job!
No job? Thank the employer for considering
you. And then keep trying!
Job offer? Congratulations! If you’re
ready to accept, ask about when you’ll
start and what you need to know.
Need to think about it? Thank your interviewer
and ask if you can let them know in a couple of
days. Be sure to follow up!
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