• 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• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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• 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• 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• 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