Transcript INTERVIEWING WORKSHOP - Idaho State University

• ISU CAREER CENTER
• Effective Interviewing Techniques
• Museum Building Room 440
• Campus Box 8108
• (208) 282-2380
• 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. M-F
• 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (summer)
•WHAT IS AN INTERVIEW
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Communication of your assets
Demonstration of your personal traits
Opportunity to market yourself
Two-way conversation/information
gathering process
•COMMON TYPES OF INTERVIEWS
• Pre-screening – career fairs, HR
• Phone
• On-site
• Individual, panel
• Stress
• Group
•INTERVIEW PREPARATION
• Research - Things to Know
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Age and size of company
Services or products offered
Competitors
Growth pattern
Reputation
Divisions and subsidiaries
Number of employees
Sales, assets, and earnings
New products or projects
Number of locations
International operations
•INTERVIEW PREPARATION
• Research - Where to go
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Company web site
Internet searches
Libraries - ISU and public
Newspaper and magazine articles
Phone calls to the company
Annual reports to stockholders and other company
literature
• Information interviews with people who work there
•INTERVIEW PREPARATION
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Dress professionally and appropriately
Arrive 10 - 15 minutes early
Be courteous to everyone you encounter
Practice answers to typical questions
Experience a mock interview at the Career
Center – can be video taped
• Prepare ahead of time
• Bring extra copies of resume, list of
references, samples of work (portfolio), and a
pen
DURING THE INTERVIEW
• Behavioral responses
• Past predicts the future
• BAR format
• “Tell me about a time you wished you
handled your time better.”
• Whenever possible, answer behaviorally!
DURING THE INTERVIEW
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Display confidence
Maintain good eye contact
Pay attention to voice projection
Control nervous gestures and
mannerisms
• Avoid slang words and jargon
• Listen and concentrate
DURING THE INTERVIEW
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Positively respond to each question
Provide specific examples
Length of response (strive for balance)
Silence is your friend
Show genuine interest and enthusiasm
Discuss how the opportunity fits with
immediate and long-term goals
DURING THE INTERVIEW
• Salary discussion
• Don’t be the first to bring up salary
• Be prepared to give your salary
expectations when asked
• Do your research
CLOSING THE INTERVIEW
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Express interest in the position
Don’t expect an immediate commitment
Don’t let discouragement show
Ask appropriate questions
Thank the interviewer
Request the interviewer’s business card
for follow-up
THANK YOU LETTER
• Impresses interviewer and ultimately may be the
deciding factor
• Send as soon as possible (same day)
• Conveys appreciation for interviewer time and
consideration
• Reaffirms qualifications and interest
• If you have decided you do not want the position,
thank the interviewer for their time and inform them
of your decision
• Separate thank you letter to each interviewer
HOW THE CAREER CENTER CAN HELP
• Experience a mock interview with one of our
career counselors
• Pick up handouts at Career Center
• Check out a book on interviewing from our
resource library
• Obtain a copy of “Job Choices,” a free
publication covering all aspects of job search