Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • [email protected]
Interviewing for Success
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Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • [email protected]
Workshop Outline
A Few Words About InterviewingWhat Employers Are SeekingPreparationThe Interview ProcessAfter the InterviewTips for Successful InterviewingFinal Comments
Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • [email protected]
A Few Words About Interviewing…
• Being invited to interview is a significant accomplishment.
• And.. the competition becomes more fierce.• It is not always the most qualified person who gets
the job. It is often someone who• meets the minimum qualifications• interviews the best• appears to be the best “fit” with future co-workers
Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • [email protected]
Key Skills and Qualities:Top Qualities/Skills Employers SeekTop Qualities/Skills Employers Seek
• Communication skills (verbal & written)
• Honesty/Integrity• Interpersonal skills• Strong work ethic• Teamwork skills• Organizational skills
• Analytical Skills• Motivation/Initiative• Flexibility/Adaptability• Computer skills• Detail oriented• Leadership skills• Self-confidence
HIGHLIGHT THESE QUALITIES/SKILLS IN ANSWERS AND EXAMPLES
(Source: (Source: Job Outlook 2007Job Outlook 2007, National Association of Colleges and Employers), National Association of Colleges and Employers)
Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • [email protected]
PlanningResearch
Assess yourselfResearch the employer and the position
PlanningTake care of logisticsPrepare your professional attire
Practice
Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • [email protected]
Assessing Yourself• Identify your skills and abilities• Analyze your strengths and weaknesses.
When discussing weaknesses say what you are doing to work on them
Stick to work relevant weaknesses rather than personal
• Be ready to give specific examples
Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • [email protected]
Research employer and position
CompanyMission/ValuesProducts and servicesOrganizational
structure including locations and size
Major competitorsFinancials: revenue
profit etc.
PositionOverall responsibilitiesSpecific tasksRequired skills and
experience
Be prepared to say why you want to work there and why you are the best candidate for the job.
Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • [email protected]
What to Wear:
Men Dark suit Appropriate socks (e.g.
not white athletic socks Polished dress shoes
Women Conservative loose fitting suit No low cut blouses or tops Pantyhose Closed toe dress shoes
BothNo gum chewingMinimal jewelryMinimal cologne/perfume Cover tattoos and remove any piercing
other than earlobes
Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • [email protected]
Logistics• Do you know where you are going?
Where is the building and the office?Where should you park? Is parking free?
• Do you know how long it will take?Assume the worst case scenario and plan to be early
In the vicinity 45 minutes in advance In the office 10 minutes in advance
Do a dry run of the trip.
Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • [email protected]
Practice Practice Practice• Review possible questions
and formulate answers. Have examples ready Do not totally memorize answers
• Develop a list of questions to ask your interviewer/sDevelop a list of questions to ask your interviewer/s• Practice with a friend or set up a Practice with a friend or set up a Practice InterviewPractice Interview
with with Career ServicesCareer Services• Check out the Career Services website for sample
question to practice and to ask employers
Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • [email protected]
The Interview Process
• IntroductionsA smile and firm handshake are important. Greet the interviewer/s by name.Exchange of small talk, such as the weather
• Questioning• Wrap-up
Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • [email protected]
The Interview Process
• Introductions• Questioning
Interviewer lead The main part of the interview Questions about your skills, experience and personality
You take the lead You are interviewing the company as well Be prepared with questions
• Wrap-up
Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • [email protected]
The Interview Process
• Introductions• Questioning• Wrap-up
Ask about the next step and when you will hear from them
Ask for the job or the next round of interviewsLet them know you are interested and look forward to
whatever the next step is.
Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • [email protected]
Sample Questions – About yourself
• Tell me about yourself. Tell them more than what is on your resume
• What are your major strengths? Based on the employer and position
• What is a weakness that you have? Be ready to admit to one Show how you are working to improve in this area.
• What was an important decision or event in your life? Don’t get TOO personal. Add how the decision or event changed you, made you stronger, taught
you an important life lesson, etc.
Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • [email protected]
Behavioral questions• Require that you answer with specific examples
from the pastPrepare examples in advancePrepare examples that show you in a good lightIf the example is negative – state what you learned or
changed due to the experience
• Examples: Tell me about a time when….…you had to work with a difficult employee…you were not as effective as you would have liked…where you showed leadership
Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • [email protected]
Organizational Questions
• Shows that you did your research• Examples
Why do you want to work for us?Why are you interested in this field?What would be your greatest contribution to our
operation?What qualifications do you have that would make
you successful with us?
Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • [email protected]
Questions you can ask employers
• Focus on job responsibilities and organizational culture and structure
• Avoid discussing benefits and salary unless the employer mentions them first
• Examples What kinds of people do you usually look for? Can you tell me about your own experience with the
company/organization? What have you liked most/least about working for this company? How will I be trained/evaluated? What do you see ahead for this organization in the next ten
years?
Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • [email protected]
Handling Salary issues
• If they ask for your salary requirements Research the position so you know a reasonable salary range State a salary range rather than a number
• What if they don’t mention it? It is best to wait for an offer before you discuss salary It is OK to ask for more money
Make sure your request is reasonable Be prepared to discuss why you should be offered more They may say no - you can then accept the job at the lower salary.
Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • [email protected]
Handling illegal questions
• What are illegal questions?AgeMarital statusCitizenship
• Answer the intent of the question, not the actual question.
• Ask what their concern is.
Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • [email protected]
After the Interview• Evaluate the interview; what do you want to improve?• Write a thank-you letter or e-mail within two days.
If interviewed by a committee, send one thank you to the Chair, and ask that he/she extend your thanks to the others.
• Follow up if you do not hear Ask where they are in their selection process and if they need any
more information• Accept an offer verbally and in writing.• If rejected, ask for constructive feedback and work on weak
areas.
Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • [email protected]
Interviewing tipsAttitude and appearance
Be early Be early Be friendly and courteousBe friendly and courteousShow enthusiasm and interestShow enthusiasm and interestMaintain appropriate eye contactMaintain appropriate eye contactBe aware of your body languageBe aware of your body languageShow your sense of humorShow your sense of humorShow confidence in your abilitiesShow confidence in your abilitiesDon’t present an aggressive, overbearing, or conceited Don’t present an aggressive, overbearing, or conceited
attitude. Be willing to begin at entry level.attitude. Be willing to begin at entry level.
Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • [email protected]
Interviewing tips
• Answering questionsNever speak negatively about former employersNever speak negatively about former employersListen carefully and take your time to answerListen carefully and take your time to answerSpeak clearly and conciselySpeak clearly and conciselyEmphasize your strengthsEmphasize your strengthsDiscuss your weaknesses only when asked, and Discuss your weaknesses only when asked, and
then do so in a positive lightthen do so in a positive lightAvoid personal issues in your answers/examplesAvoid personal issues in your answers/examplesNever use slang or incorrect grammarNever use slang or incorrect grammar
Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • [email protected]
More Resources for Interviewing• Schedule a Mock Interview with Career Services• Schedule an appointment to discuss interview skills• Stop by for Drop-Ins to get your resume critiqued
before an interview or to ask a quick question. Mon, Wed, Fri: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon Tues, Thurs: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
• There is more information and resources at the Career Services website
www.albany.edu/cdc