THE NBMBAA NATIONAL CONFERENCE JOB FAIRResumes & Interviews

AGENDA Don’t Make Copies yet.. R. Averett Customize and stand out R. Averett Make your resume work for you R.

Averett Focus on the details R. Averett Interviewing Basics D. Jones

How to Stand Out D. Jones Things to Avoid D. Jones Challenging Questions D. Jones Answering Questions D. Jones Questions to Ask D. Jones

How to Behave in Social Settings R. Pearson

Final Points R. Pearson

DON’T MAKE COPIES UNTIL YOU… Have a professional critique your resume. Pay attention to Style

- Chronological: easy for employers to read fast.- Functional: focuses on skills.

Watch the length-2 page limit. Any experience over 10 years old should be

bulleted if still relevant. If it’s not still relevant cut it.

CUSTOMIZE AND STAND OUT Highlight the experience that fits what the

employers are looking for. Use a detective’s eye and pull out keywords

and critical requirements Develop your personal brand and USE IT! Recruiters hate objectives. Recruiters love the skills inventory. Consider making JIST cards

JIST CARDS

MAKE YOUR RESUME WORK FOR YOU If they are going to discriminate against you

at least make them work for it… Don’t list volunteer activities-if they expose

too much about race, religion, or political identity.

If you expose any organization that reveals your race then make it a professional organization.

FOCUS ON THE SMALL DETAILS

Pay attention to your online presence and email address.

Check information on your resume for accuracy.

Use first initial, last name, and unique identifier to save and upload your resume.

INTERVIEWING BASICS

How to Stand Out Things to Avoid Challenging Questions Behavioral Based Questions Answering Questions Questions You Should Ask

HOW TO STAND OUT

Have knowledgeable responses rather than canned responses

Demonstrate or communicate your experience and skills

Don’t confuse arrogance with confidence

THINGS TO AVOID

Insulting/degrading a former supervisor/co-worker

Exaggerating or lying about your work experience/education

Using clichéd responses

Telling the interviewer not to contact a former employer

THINGS TO AVOID (CONTINUED)

Not being informed about the company or the position

Not asking questions

Inquiring about salary and benefits in the first interview

Not thanking the interviewer

CHALLENGING QUESTIONSTell me about yourself.

Give a brief answer (30 seconds or less) on basic details about you that relate to the interview/position/company

“I am an MBA candidate a Wayne State University with a background in engineering and I am very interested in transitioning to a project management role which led me to apply to your opening.”

Why should we hire you? Briefly outline your qualifications for the position

Focus on your skills, knowledge and experience that relate to the job description

Emphasize how this opportunity is in line with your career interests and will allow you to develop professionally

NOTE: Be careful – you do not want to come across as arrogant

CHALLENGING QUESTIONS (CONTINUED)

Why do you want to work here?The employer is testing your knowledge of the company and the position

Discuss why you are interested in the company (and give detailed examples, rather than just a generic “ABC is a successful industry leader…”)

Reiterate your interest in the position and how it aligns with your career interests

NOTE: Do not refer to salary and benefits

CHALLENGING QUESTIONS (CONTINUED)

CHALLENGING QUESTIONS (CONTINUED)

What is your greatest weakness?State a professional weakness and describe how you are working on it

Ensure you do not mention a weakness that would hinder you in performing the position

Be honest and do not give a cliché answer such as, “I work too hard…”

Good Example:“I get very nervous speaking in front of groups of people, so before a big meeting or presentation I prepare notes and practice what I will say.”

What accomplishment are you most proud of? Give an example of something you accomplished that is related to work or school

Describe the work or effort you put into accomplishing the task, project or goal and the outcome

Explain why it was meaningful to you

CHALLENGING QUESTIONS (CONTINUED)

What are your salary expectations?Before the interview, research salary information for the position and compare it with salaries for similar positions (level, industry, company, location) and your qualifications

Rather than stating a specific number, provide a salary range within $5,000-$10,000 of your targeted goal, ensuring it is realistic based on your research

NOTE: Do not discuss salary first; let the interviewer bring up the topic

CHALLENGING QUESTIONS (CONTINUED)

“Tell me about a time when…”Describe the situation and your roleWhat was the outcome?What was the result? What would do differently or what did you learn?

CHALLENGING QUESTIONS (CONTINUED)

Behavioral Based Questions Very common in many interviews

Past performance is a better predictor of future performance

Used to see how you actually handled a certain situation

Geared to evaluate a certain competencyExample: Teamwork“Tell me about a time when you worked on a team with diverse members…”

ANSWERING QUESTIONS Prepare your answers ahead of time

Three to five examples to highlight your skills, competencies, experiences

Don’t have to be perfect, but need to demonstrate your:Strengths Initiative to take responsibilityAbility to make responsible and informed

decisions Willingness to learn, ask for help

Structure answers in STAR formatSituationTaskActionResult

Know when to use “I” vs. “we” Discuss your contributions & skillsShow ability to take credit & failure as a

team

ANSWERING QUESTIONS (CONTINUED)

Prepare three to five examples that highlight:Working in teams

Difficult work/school relationship

Not having all the information, something went wrong

Leadership and initiative

ANSWERING QUESTIONS (CONTINUED)

QUESTIONS TO ASK

Can you describe a typical day in this position?

I noticed on your website…could you tell me more about…?

What do you enjoy about working here?

When will a decision be made on the successful candidate?

HOW TO BEHAVE IN A BUSINESS SOCIAL SETTING Remember you are still being evaluated even if

everyone else is socializing.

Try to limit political and religious remarks You may offend a decision maker

Don’t abuse the open bar Keep it to a two drink minimum

Be social but don’t try to be the life of the party

FINAL POINTS

It’s okay to be nervous

Appreciate silence (and breathing)

Listen and think before you speak

Send thank you’s

Remember: interviewers are human, too

THE NBMBAA NATIONAL CONFERENCE JOB FAIRPreparation & Navigation

A. Sullivan

AGENDA Preparation for the Conference Materials to Bring Navigating the Conference Managing Your Time After Hours Events Follow-Up

PREPARATION FOR THE CONFERENCE Register for the Job Fair – http://www.nbmbaa.org/members/conference/

Conference Job Matchhttp://jobmatch2012.careers.adicio.com/jobs/user/login

Search for Open Positions Upload your Resume to Job Match

Goal: To have interviews scheduled before arriving To research what positions are posted

MATERIALS TO BRING Resumes Portfolio for Holding Materials Briefcase Laptop (Optional: computers will be on-site) Pens Business Cards Calendar Comfortable, professional business suits Comfortable shoes (floors are concrete)

It will be a long day, try to carry light materials!

MATERIALS TO BRING (CONT’D) Career Exposition Map

http://www.mapyourshow.com/shows/index.cfm?show_id=nbmbaa12&userid=&lang=EN&locale=EN

Schedule of Eventshttp://www.nbmbaaconference2012.org/conferenceSched.html

Or

http://www.calendarwiz.com/calendars/week.php?crd=nbmbaa&cid%5B%5D=77929&

YOUR PLAN TO NAVIGATE THE CONFERENCE

Prepare a list of top employers and rank them Prepare a list of secondary employers and rank

them Look at the Exhibition Map and chart your

course (employers are placed by industry)

MANAGING YOUR TIME

Schedule events on your calendar Arrive when the doors open! Be flexible (allow time for interviews) Watch the clock closely Allow enough time to prepare for interviews

and arrive on time!

AFTER HOURS EVENTS

Enjoy yourself, yet be mindful of your behavior and limit your consumption of alcohol. Be mindful that you are still being “interviewed.”

Go to all VIP events you are invited to, even if for a short time.

Connect with your recruiters at these events. Remember: The Job Fair is 2 days! Get some

sleep.

FOLLOW-UP

Send “thank you” emails to recruiters the same day as the interview, if possible.

Being prompt is important because there will be a large number of candidates.

Say something unique to make yourself stand out.