INTERVIEW SKILLSINTERVIEW SKILLS

Macquarie Fields LibraryMacquarie Fields Library

OUTLINEOUTLINE

Before the InterviewBefore the Interview

Prepare, Research, Prepare, Research, Dress CodeDress Code

During the InterviewDuring the Interview

Body Language, Q & Body Language, Q & A, Do’s & Don’tsA, Do’s & Don’ts

After the InterviewAfter the Interview

Thank you and follow Thank you and follow upup

ReviewReview

Before the InterviewBefore the Interview

INTERVIEW PREPINTERVIEW PREP Create a portfolio with a cover Create a portfolio with a cover

letter, resume references & a letter, resume references & a writing padwriting pad

Get directions, know where you Get directions, know where you are goingare going

Conduct a mock interview Conduct a mock interview Know yourself; skills, strengthsKnow yourself; skills, strengths

DRESS CODEDRESS CODE

What should What should you wear to a you wear to a job interview?job interview?

What about What about grooming?grooming?

For MenFor Men

Dress shirt w/out Dress shirt w/out advertisements or logos advertisements or logos

Dark pantsDark pants Add a tieAdd a tie Or you can opt for a dark two Or you can opt for a dark two

piece suit piece suit Polished dress shoesPolished dress shoes Clean trimmed fingernailsClean trimmed fingernails

For WomenFor Women

Dark pantsDark pants Skirt and dress Skirt and dress

lengths should be a lengths should be a little below the kneelittle below the knee

Blouses without Blouses without advertisements/logosadvertisements/logos

Polished dress shoesPolished dress shoes Simple accessoriesSimple accessories Make-up should be Make-up should be

minimal & minimal & conservative conservative

Types of InterviewsTypes of Interviews

YOU

Telephone Interview

Interview exclusively

by one person

Interview by a Group panel

OrInterview with a group of other

applicants

During the InterviewDuring the Interview Non-Verbal LanguageNon-Verbal Language

What non-verbal cues do you give?What non-verbal cues do you give? Do you play with your hair?Do you play with your hair? Do you tap your feet/hands?Do you tap your feet/hands? Do you fail to make eye contact?Do you fail to make eye contact? Do you use hand gestures?Do you use hand gestures? Do you slouch in your chair?Do you slouch in your chair?

Q & AQ & A KNOW YOURSELFKNOW YOURSELF Practice Q & APractice Q & A

Work ExperienceWork Experience

Education & Career GoalsEducation & Career Goals

Personal qualities & Problem solvingPersonal qualities & Problem solving Use STAR technique to describe your Use STAR technique to describe your

resolution of conflicts and problems resolution of conflicts and problems

SSituation, ituation, TTask, ask, AAction, ction, RResultesult

Common QuestionsCommon Questions

Tell me about yourself…Tell me about yourself… What do you know about our company?What do you know about our company? Why do you want to work here?Why do you want to work here? Tell me about your Strengths and Tell me about your Strengths and

weaknesses?weaknesses? Why should I hire you?Why should I hire you? Where do you see yourself 5 years from Where do you see yourself 5 years from

now?now?

Do’s & Don’tsDo’s & Don’ts

Do’sDo’s Present a confident Present a confident

self image and be self image and be positivepositive

Bring extra copies of Bring extra copies of your resume your resume

Show genuine Show genuine interest and interest and enthusiasmenthusiasm

Listen, answer Listen, answer questions fully questions fully

Don’tsDon’ts DO NOT BE LATEDO NOT BE LATE(arrive minimum 15 min. (arrive minimum 15 min.

early)early) Don’t dominate the Don’t dominate the

conversationconversation Don’t lie or get Don’t lie or get

defensivedefensive Don’t speak poorly of Don’t speak poorly of

former bossformer boss Don’t talk about salary Don’t talk about salary

before mentioned before mentioned

Selling PointsSelling Points

Your academic achievements and involvement Your academic achievements and involvement in in

school, organizations, sports, clubs, volunteer school, organizations, sports, clubs, volunteer work are all excellent examples of highlightingwork are all excellent examples of highlightingyour abilities and talentsyour abilities and talents

EducationEducation ExperienceExperience Personality and attitudePersonality and attitude Leadership and team playerLeadership and team player AchievementsAchievements

Wrapping it upWrapping it up

Ask the interviewer when he/she Ask the interviewer when he/she will be making a hiring decisionwill be making a hiring decision

Don’t forget to Shake hands & Don’t forget to Shake hands & thank the Interviewer for their thank the Interviewer for their timetime

After the InterviewAfter the Interview

Thank you & follow upThank you & follow up Send a thank you letter, card or Send a thank you letter, card or

e-mail within 24 hourse-mail within 24 hours Taking the initiative to follow up Taking the initiative to follow up

will give you an opportunity to will give you an opportunity to stand out from the other stand out from the other candidates candidates

ReviewReview

Evaluate yourself on how you did, Evaluate yourself on how you did,

and what you can improveand what you can improve Regardless of the outcome, the Regardless of the outcome, the

experience of the interview experience of the interview process will help you with future process will help you with future opportunities.opportunities.

CONGRATULATIONS!CONGRATULATIONS!(You did it!)(You did it!)

BalanceBalance Remember to maintain a balance Remember to maintain a balance

between school, home, friends & workbetween school, home, friends & work

PermitPermit Minors under the age of 17 must have a Minors under the age of 17 must have a

work permit work permit

RightsRights Know your rights, minimum wage is Know your rights, minimum wage is

$8.00 $8.00