The Art of Being InterviewedProf. Delia Serrano

2012 version

Copyright Delia Serrano

Plan on going

to an Interview?How do you feel?

Are you stressed?

Do you get very nervous?

Can you sell yourself well?

Have you prepared effectively?

Have you anticipated possible questions?

2012 version 2Copyright Delia Serrano

Eye Contact Activity

Everyone stand in a circle.

Look down at the floor.

When given the signal, everyone look up and across the circle.

Try to meet the eyes of another person.

2012 version 3Copyright Delia Serrano

Eye Contact Activity

When eye contact is made, both should move toward each other.

Take each other’s place in the circle without losing eye contact.

When both arrive in the new place, try to make eye contact with someone else.

Continue until time is called.

2012 version 4Copyright Delia Serrano

Eye Contact Activity

What do you think was the objective of the activity?

Was it difficult to find someone who would make eye contact with you?

How did you feel when trying to maintain eye contact? Was it difficult?

2012 version 5Copyright Delia Serrano

What Should I Do First?

Research

Investigate information about the company

Know where it is located

Know the interviewer’s name

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Brainstorm

What outstanding skills do I have?

What questions might I be asked?

What are my salary

expectations?

How should I

prepare to

respond to the

questions?2012 version 7

What experiences

make me eligible

for the position?

Copyright Delia Serrano

Interview Tips

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Interview Tips

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Interview Tips

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TRUTH

First Impression

What is noticed?

Physical appearance

Body language

Handshake

Eye contact

Greeting/Interview closing

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Physical and Behavioral Appearance

EvaluatedOccurs in seconds

Creates a first and lasting impression

Will never get a second chance

2012 version 12Copyright Delia Serrano

Project a Positive Image

Dress appropriately.

Be aware of the other person’s personal space.

Observe your posture.

Maintain eye contact to show interest.

Maintain an amiable disposition.2012 version 13Copyright Delia Serrano

Project Positive Behavior

Be a good listener.

Keep your opinions and dialogue positive.

Remember some people do not like to be touched.

State the other person’s name whenever possible.

2012 version 14Copyright Delia Serrano

Top 10 Interview

BlundersLacks preparation

Wears inappropriate attire

Has poor communication skills

Permits technological interference

Lacks application documentation

Speaks too much2012 version 15Copyright Delia Serrano

Top 10 Interview

BlundersSpeaks too little

Does not provide clear facts

Fails to communicate clearly

Criticizes past employers

Forgets to follow up2012 version 16

The Importance of Dressing Your Best

55 percent of the interviewer’s

perception of you is based on how you look, so look good!!

Make a Good Impression at a Job Interview

www.impressforsuccess.com/ArticleMakeaGoodImpression.pdf

2012 version 17Copyright Delia Serrano

Women’s Attire Dressing for

Solid color, conservative suit

Coordinated blouse

Professional shoes

Limited jewelry

Manicured nails

Success

Neat hairstyle

Sparse make-up and perfume

Tan or light hosiery (optional)

Portfolio or briefcase

2012 version 18Copyright Delia Serrano

Men’s Attire Dressing for

Solid color, conservative suit

White long sleeve shirt

Dark socks

Professional shoes

Very limited jewelry

Success

Neat hairstyle

Neatly trimmed nails

Sparse after shave/cologne

Portfolio or briefcase

Dressing for Success By Alison Doyle

2012 version 19Copyright Delia Serrano

What can cost

you the job!

2012 version 20Copyright Delia Serrano

Interview Questions

Work History

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About You

2012 version 22Copyright Delia Serrano

Interview Questions

About the new job & company

2012 version 23Copyright Delia Serrano

Interview Questions

About the new job & company

2012 version 24Copyright Delia Serrano

Interview Questions

Compensation Negotiations

If asked early in the interview…

Suggest discussing it when you have been chosen for the job

If you have no idea…

Ask to discuss the salary range, fringe benefits, contractual specifics.

2012 version 25Copyright Delia Serrano

Dealing with Difficult

Questions

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When Salary Request not Met

Ask for other benefits.

Solicit a performance review after a year to request salary increase.

Inquire about flexible time agreements.

Request all negotiations in writing.

2012 version 27Copyright Delia Serrano

Eight Worst Comments

I hated my boss and/or work.

I do not know anything about your company.

I have no questions to ask about your company.

I need to take some days off.

2012 version 28Copyright Delia Serrano

Eight Worst Comments

How long will it take for me to receive a promotion?

Are you an active member of your church?

As Shakespeare so expressively put it…

Another thing I hate…

2012 version 29Copyright Delia Serrano

Interview Activity

After being assigned a partner, you will decide who will be the interviewer and who will be the interviewee.

The interviewer will interview his/her partner using the 5 given questions.

Discuss the positive and negative points of the interview.

2012 version 30Copyright Delia Serrano

What to do after the interview

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmDduOND4y82012 version 31Copyright Delia Serrano

Thank You Letter

Write a thank you letter or e-mail (a must)

Send it preferably within 24 hours after the interview

Customize the letter

Hand written or typed depending upon the organization-“personality”

View letter as a “sales” letter

2012 version 32Copyright Delia Serrano

Group interviews

You may write a group letter

Recommended: an individual letter for each interviewer

Lunch or dinner interview

Express gratitude for meal and for taking the time to interview

Remember to proofread the letter.2012 version 33Copyright Delia Serrano

Thank You Letter

2012 version Copyright Delia Serrano 34

Thank You Letter

References• Anten, T. (n.d.). Five Alternatives to Salary Negotiations.

Retrieved March 21, 2007, from Yahoo! HotJobs: http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/salary/Five_Alternatives_to_Salary_Negotiations__2003228-1325.html?subtopic=Salary

• Balderrama, A. (2009, August 29). Eight Worst Things to Say in an Interview. Retrieved 2009, from CareerBuilder.com: http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-1571-Interviewing-Eight-Worst-Things-to-Say-in-an-Interview/

• Chandler, R. (2004). Twenty-five Steps to a Good Interview. Retrieved August 8, 2007, from Right-Writing.com: http://www.right-writing.com/steps.html

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References• Darlington, R. (2006, August 27). How to Have a Good

Job Interview. Retrieved August 8, 2007, from Roger Darlington's World: http://rogerdarlington.co.uk/Interview.html

• Doyle, A. (n.d.). Dressing for Success: How to Dress for an Interview. Retrieved June 11, 2008, from About.com: http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewsnetworking/a/dressforsuccess.htm

• Doyle, A. (n.d.). Job Interview Tips: Job Interview Tips and Advice. Retrieved June 11, 2008, from About.com: http://jobsearch.about.com/cs/interviews/a/jobinterviewtip.htm

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References• Doyle, A. (n.d.). Top Job Interview Mistakes: Top 10

Interview Blunders. Retrieved June 11, 2008, from About.com: http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewsnetworking/a/interviewblund.htm

• Fifty Standard Interview Questions. (n.d.). Retrieved June 30, 2008, from CollegeGrad.com: http://www.collegegrad.com/jobsearch/Mastering-the-Interview/Fifty-Standard-Interview-Questions/

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References• Genden, T. (2003, June 23). Setting slide backgrounds in

Powerpoint. Retrieved June 2011, from The STA Program @ Trinity College: http://b27.cc.trincoll.edu/weblogs/sta/2010/06/changing_backgrounds_and_creating_a_border_in_power_point.html

• Hansen, K. (n.d.). Quintessential Careers: Job Interviewing Do's and Don'ts. Retrieved August 8, 2007, from Quintessential Careers: http://www.quintcareers.com/printable/interviewing-dos-donts.html

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References• Most frequently asked Interview Questions. (n.d.).

Retrieved June 11, 2008, from The Placement Papers: http://theplacementpapers.50webs.com/most%2Bfrequently%2Basked.pdf

• Smith, J. (2008, October 21). What Says to Employers, "Hire Me!". Retrieved October 2008, from Careerbuilder.com: http://www.careerbuilder.com/Article/CB-1022-Getting-Hired-What-Says-to-Employers-Hire-Me/

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References• SoYouWanna ace a job interview? (n.d.). Retrieved August 9,

2007, from SoYouWanna.com: http://www.soyouwanna.com/soyouwanna-ace-job-interview-1001-full.html

• Thank You Letter - Job Interview: Sample Interview Thank You Letter. (n.d.). Retrieved June 11, 2008, from About.com: http://jobsearch.about.com/od/thankyouletters/a/blthank.htm

2012 version Copyright Delia Serrano 40

Copyright

Prof. Delia Serrano

Instructional Design Specialist/Team Teacher

Natalia P. Pérez

Copyright Delia Serrano 412012 version