SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEWING

Allegheny ValleyExit Interview

April 28th, 2015

The Job Interview by Definition

Opportunity to present yourself, skill set, and knowledge to one who can hire you or accept you into their institution

The Interview Procedure

The Interview Procedure includes: Formally present your electronic portfolio

materials (5 minutes) Answer interview questions (20 minutes)

The Goal– Present yourself as the top candidate

Keys to the Successful Interview:Preparation BEFORE the Interview

Know yourself Review your electronic materials

Practice, Practice, Practice

Make a good impression

Know Yourself

What do you have to offer?

Identify 5 – 10 work or school experiences that demonstrate your skills and accomplishments half should be totally positive half should be ones that started out negative but had either a positive result or a good learning experience

What do you want to do and where do you want to do it?

How are you perceived by others?

Practice, Practice, Practice!

To better prepare yourself for the interview, as well as assist in conquering pre-interview anxiety, practice is key

Look up interview questions and brainstorm how you would answer

Practice for the interview with family or friends

Perfect your e-portfolio (proofread) and practice your 5-minute introduction

Proper Attire

DO: Wear conservative attire, such as dark colored business

attire Wear dress shoes of appropriate height Have hair neatly brushed and face shaved before

interview

DON’T Wear bright colored business suits: Black and gray are

most appropriate Wear flashy accessories like watches, jewelry, or

excessive amounts of cologne, perfume, or hair gel Wear skirts that reach above the knees Wear stiletto heels or tennis shoes Display tattoos

YES NO

DURING the Interview Be prompt and

prepared

Be poised and aware of and body language

Answer the questions thoroughly

Be positive – Smile

Be Prompt and Prepared Arrive 10 to 15 minutes before the scheduled

interview time

Turn the cell phone OFF – vibrations make noise

Give a firm handshake, make eye contact, and smile when you are greeted

Bring 3 extra copies of your e-portfolio in case technology fails

Poise and Body Language Many interviewers will assess you based on:

Appropriate eye contact and posture Proper grammar and enunciation If you seem enthusiastic and confident

When greeted, introduce yourself and shake interviewer’s hand. Don’t sit until interviewer is seated

Never chew gum during an interview

Most employers agree that the first five minutes of an interview will tell them the most about a person

First impressions are important

Answering the Questions Speak slowly and clearly. Dont be afraid to pause for a moment to

collect your thoughts

Listen and understand the interviewer’s questions before responding thoroughly yet concisely

Be honest- don’t try to cover up mistakes. Instead, focus on how you learned from them

Give positive nonverbal feedback to the interviewer Smile, be enthusiastic, show a positive attitude

Avoid negative terms and comments when responding to questions. Stress positives

After the Interview

Thank the interviewer or panel members

Interviewing Myths & Facts

Myth: The candidate with the best education, skills, and experience will get the job

Reality Check: Employers hire individuals for many different reasons. Education, skills, and experience are only a few of the several hiring criteria. If employers hired only on the basis of education, skills, and experience, they would not need to interview candidates. Such static information is available on applications and resumes. Employers interview because they want to see how you look and interact with them, how you would handle various work situations, and how well you fit into the organization.

Interviewing Myths & Facts

Myth: If the interviewer asks if I have any negatives or weaknesses, I should indicate I have none

Reality Check: You should be honest. Everyone has negatives. If you indicate you have none, the interviewer knows you are being less than candid. But neither should you blurt out your worst negatives. Identify a weakness and talk about how you are working to overcome it.

Interviewing Myths & Facts

Myth: I’ll be at a disadvantage because I’ll be nervous

Reality Check: If you practice some stress reduction techniques, such as taking deep breaths and focusing attention on the questions, you should be able to project confidence in the interview. Keep in mind, many interviewers are under pressure to hire the right candidate.