OCN 750 Class #13: April 10Interviewing

Interviewing 101

Mock interviewing

Upcoming assignments/classes

Questions? Announcements? Michele?

Assignment due today Job ad of interest to you

Cover letter specific to that job ad

Congratulations!!!!You Got an Interview.

Interviewing 101

Pre-interview preparationHow to dress The interview Follow-up

References: Brent Fujinaka, Manoa Career Center http://career-advice.monster.com/job-interview/careers.aspx

Pre-Interview:Responding to the Interview Invitation

Respond promptly and professionallyBe flexible and cooperativeFollow all instructions carefully

Goal: To make a positive first impression.Tip: Keep a job application summary sheet

(and keep it handy).

Aloha! Thank you for your application to the C-MORE Scholars Program. To further explore whether you will be a "good fit" to the program, we would like to schedule a Skype interview with you. If you're not already on Skype, you can join free of charge.

The interview will last about 20-30 minutes. Interviews will be held on 5/14, 5/15 and 5/16 at the following times: 10 am, 10:30 am, 11 am, 11:30 am, 12 pm, 12:30 pm, 1:00 pm, 1:30 pm.

Please let us know1) your Skype name2) your top 3 choices of interview times

Aloha,Jessica Ayau and Barbara BrunoC-MORE Scholars Program

Aloha Jessica and Barbara,

Could I please interview:5/15 @ 11:00am?

My skype name is xx

Mahalo,xx

Pre-Interview: Reflection How does this opportunity fit with yourQualificationsCurrent position/statusCareer goalsLifestyle

What questions do you have? (write them down!) Consider keeping a job application journal

Pre-Interview: Research

Review organization’s websites and publicationsGoogle the organizationGet salary information Research your interviewers

Goal: Come to interview prepared; Convey strong interest to interviewers

Plan what you will wear

Neat, clean, pressedClassic and conservative Proper fitClosed shoesAvoid perfume/cologne

Goal: Give a professional appearance.

Women Pants or knee-

length skirt/dressJacket (or at least

covered shoulders)Avoid loud, low-cut

or frilly blouses Minimal jewelry &

make-upNeutral hosiery

MenPressed Pants Local: Aloha shirts for

academic/non-profitMainland/downtown:

Jacket and tieAvoid leather jacketsMatch belt and socks

to shoes

On the DayBring job ad, application materials and several CVs

Bring pen and note paperArrive 10 minutes earlyBe courteous and professional to everybodyShut off cell phoneWatch your body languageObserve other people’s body language

Interview Goals

Your GoalsTo advance to next step in the recruiting processTo determine whether this job is right for you

Employer GoalsTo find the right person for the jobTo sell the company’s strengths

What do employers generally look for in prospective employees?

Pair upTake 2 minutes to come up with at least 5

transferable skills or personality characteristics

A Typical Interview

Warm-upEmployer(s) questionsApplicant questionsWrap-up

Warm-Up

Introductions Handshake(s)Small TalkTransition to Employer Questions

Message: I am courteous, socially skilled and enthusiastic about the position

How To Answer Questions

Take notes during questionsThink before answeringBe clear and conciseUse specific examplesAvoid cliches or canned answers

Message: I am articulate, confident and stand out from other applicants

Skills and Accomplishments questions

Describe how you meet the job qualifications.What is your research specialization? What is your greatest ….? How would you rate your skills in ….? Have you ever.…?

Message: I am highly qualified and competent (and can be trained)

“Right Fit” questions

Why are you interested in this position?Why do you want to work for our ……?What can you bring to our ….?How are you hoping to grow in this position?What is your ideal work environment?Why should we hire you?

Message: I am the right person for the job.

Behavioral questions

Tell me about a time when you …impressed your bossdisagreed with your bosswere creative in solving a problemworked effectively with a difficult individualworked with people whose backgrounds differed

from your own background

Message: I am high value, low maintenance

STARS – situationT – task/roleA – action R – results

Applicant Questions

Bring at least 2 appropriate questions Don’t ask dumb questions

Questions NOT to ask

What is the salary?When can I expect a raise or promotion?How many others are you interviewing?Is there an inside candidate?What is your flextime policy?

Illegal and Inappropriate Questions*

Marital status/SpouseChildren/PregnancyAgeRace/NationalityCitizenship/Birth PlaceGender-specific

*unless you volunteer the information

ReligionPoliticsHeight/WeightArrestsHealthMilitary discharge

At the end of the interview

Ask if you answered all of their questionsRestate your interest in the position (if

true)Thank your interviewers for their timeShake everyone’s hand

Post-interview Follow Up

Send a thank you note promptlyUpdate your job summary spreadsheetConsider keeping a journal

Reflect on how it wentWrite down tough questions they askedInclude names of interviewers

Remember…… Always be honest

Focus on your strengthsYou’ll get better with practice & reflectionIt’s fine to (gently) ask for feedbackInterviews over lunch or dinners are not

social occasions.

Questions?

Then Break

Next: Mock Interviewing

Mock interviewsPair up with a partner & discuss job applications

Review interview questions (handout):As interviewer: select 4 questions (include 1 behavioral)As interviewee: plan 1 question to ask about your job

10 min. per interview, then switch (2:15; 2:25)“Warm-up” (hand shake, etc), then questionsTake notes

If interviewer: feedback for partner (handout) If interviewee: make notes of what you said

2:35 pm: discuss with each other, then whole class

Upcoming assignments & classes Next week (4/17):Teaching PhilosophyUpload online profile; email us the link

Looking ahead (4/24 & 5/1): Class projects:

Presentation (8 minutes max, plus time for questions)Reflection #4 (TBA; due on day you don’t present)

Course evaluation:4/24 departmental eval5/1 our eval