SuccessfulInterviewStrategiesPleasereviewthefollowingstrategiestoimproveyourskillsandincreaseyouropportunitiesinsuccessfullylandingafull-timeorinternshippositionBeforetheInterviewVisitthecompany’swebsiteBeabletoarticulatewhatyoulearnedincludingyourunderstandingofthemissionandphilosophyKnowwhattheorganizationoffersincludingservicesandproductlinesEmployersexpectyoutoknowwhattheorganizationisandwhatitdoesandhowthatfitsintoyouremploymentplansFirstThingsFirst•PerfectYourResume•Employerswillonlyconsiderresumesandcoverlettersthatareflawlessinformat,grammarandspelling•ResumesshouldalsobetailoredtothespecificjobforwhichyouhaveappliedandshouldemphasizerelevantworkexperienceandacademicqualificationsDressforSuccessProfessionaldressrequirementsConservativedarksuit(Menandwomen,tieformen)Polishedclosed-toedressshoesConservativehairstyleMinimalmake-upNovisiblebodypiercing,tattoosWhattoBringPrepareatravelfolderthatincludes:Name,addressandphonenumberoftheorganizationDateandtimeoftheinterviewDirectionsCopiesofyourresume,paperandpenListofquestionstoaskProfessionalportfolio(ifapplicable)AreyouReady?ObtaindirectionsandmakeapracticetripifpossibleDayoftheInterviewArrive15to20minutesearlyRemembertheinterviewbeginswhenyoustepintotheemployer’spremiseBefriendlyandprofessionaltoeveryoneyoumeetThesupportstaffmaybeaskedtheiropinionofyouTakeafewmomentstocomposeyourselfonceyouarrive•MakesureyourappearanceisprofessionalandyourdemeanoriscalmandconfidentTips:TurnOFFyourcellphone(Donotleaveitonvibrate)DuringTheInterviewListencarefullytoquestions.It’sokaytoaskforclarificationShowinterestinthepositionthroughyoureyecontact,postureandattentivenessKnowthedifferencebetweenbeingsureofyourselfandbeingcockyProvideconcreteexamplesofyourclassroomorworkexperienceTypicalInterviewQuestionsTellmeaboutyourself–describeyourselfprofessionally,notpersonallyConsideryouransweraone-minutecommercialaboutyouStateyourskillsandexperienceandhowtheyrelatetothepositionHowdidyoulearnaboutourcompany?Byresearchingtheorganization’swebsite,youwillbeabletoarticulateknowledgeofthecompanyDescribeaproblemyousolvedintheclassroomoratworkandwhatyoulearnedfromthisexperience.BehavioralquestionsareaskedbecauseyourpastexperiencecanpredictfuturebehaviorAlwaysstatetheoutcomesofyourexperiences–whatdidyoulearn?WhyshouldIconsideryouastrongapplicantforthisposition?ArticulatehowyourskillsrelatetothepositionDescribeaweaknessthatyouhaveBehonestandpositive,andstatebrieflyhowyoucompensatefortheweakness.Example:Ifyouarenervousaboutpublicspeaking,explainthatmakeaneffortinclasstoparticipateTipsontheWeaknessQuestionEveryonehasaweakness;don’tbearrogantAvoidtriteanswerslike“Iworktoohard”RecognizeadeficientskillnotacharacterflawChoosesomethingthatwillnotaffectyourabilitytodothejobChangingaweaknesstoapositivemakesyoustandoutinacrowdInterviewQuestionstoAskGoogle“InterviewQuestionstoAsk”asaguidetoformulatingpertinentquestionstoaskattheendoftheinterviewRememberthatyouareinterviewingtheorganization,aswellasbeinginterviewedAskpermissiontotakeafewnotesduringtheinterviewincaseyouneedclarificationattheendoftheinterviewDevelopquestionsfromtheinformationontheWebsitethatwillhelpyoufurtherunderstandtheorganizationwhenansweredSamplequestions:“Whatarethechallengesandopportunitiesforthenewhireintheirfirstyear?”“Howdidyouchooseyourcareerpath?’Whatisthemanagementstyleofthesupervisorthepersonintheposition?”“Whenwillyoumakeyourhiringdecision?”IllegalQuestionsEmployerscannotaskaboutage,race,nationalorigin,maritalandfamilystatus,sexualorientation,medicalhistory,orpossibledisabilities.Onewaytorespond:“ThatisaquestionIhaveneverbeenaskedbeforeandIamcuriousastowhyitisimportanttothejobunderconsideration.”PracticeYourInterviewSkills