Preparing for Your Interview

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Moris Greer
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1 Preparing for Your Interview Know yourself better Know your strengths Know your accomplishments Know what motivates you It s okay to ask a question to clarify an interview question It s okay to be honest and say I don t know (too many I don t knows leave a bad impression ) Know what skills the job will require of you Don t advertise past mistakes or poor decisions (if asked, don t hide them) Connect past experience/skills with needs of the job (show how you can transfer skills) Say what classes have prepared you for the job Show you have ambition Show a portfolio Mention your achievements Highlight documents that characterize these achievements (transcripts, certificates, etc ) Research the company before you interview (know at least a few details about them) Be able to articulate to an employer your best qualities and qualifications

2 Eight Steps for a Successful Interview 1. The job interview is generally the last and most important step in a job search process. An interview gives you a chance to "sell" what you can do for the employer. 2. Something as important as a job interview deserves advance preparation. You may want to role play some practice interviews. By practicing, you will become more aware of what is involved in thinking about a question and asking it aloud. 3. Find out as much as possible about the job and the company before your interview. Also, think about and assemble all materials that you need to take with you. 4. Your grooming and dress will influence the interviewer's final decision. Choose clothes that are appropriate for the job setting. Finally, check last minute details to help assure that nothing goes wrong. 5. Let the interviewer set the pace and tone of the interview. Adjust yourself to the style of the interview, and try to establish a compatible relationship with the interviewer. 6. Communication skills are important. Listen carefully and speak clearly. When you answer questions about your skills, you must be specific and complete. 7. After the interview, take time to think about the experience. Review any mistakes you may have made and consider how to correct them next time. 8. Write a thank you note.

3 POSSIBLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS 1. Tell me about yourself. 2. What are your greatest strengths? 3. What is your greatest accomplishment? 4. What are your career goals? 5. What are your weaknesses/areas to improve on? 6. Where do you see yourself five years from now? Ten years? 7. What type of position are you most interested in? 8. Have you held positions of leadership/management in school activities or Past jobs? 9. Do you prefer working with others or by yourself? 10. What are your own specialties? 11. How do you handle a major problem? 12. What have you learned from your mistakes? 13. In what school or community activities have you participated? 14. How do you organize your workday? 15. What jobs/experiences have you had? What skills have you developed 16. If I asked your teachers/former employers to describe your best qualities, what would they say? 17. How will you use your portfolio after graduation? 18. What application software do you feel most comfortable using? 19. What application software are you most uncomfortable using? 20. What do you believe will make you a successful employee? 21. Who had the greatest influence on you in high school and why? 22. You are coming straight out of high school seeking a very challenging job as a. Do you feel that you have been fully prepared to take on such a responsibility? Explain your answer. 23. Describe a crisis you have had to deal with and tell how you handled the crisis? This could be in or out of school? 24. Describe your role in a situation where you participated in a team. 25. What do you know about our company? 26. What one thing would you say has prepared you for full-time employment? 27. Describe the ideal boss (Work habits, preferred leadership style)? 28. If you had to choose one word that would convince me to hire you today, what would that word be? 29. Describe some situations that you experienced that would show how dependable and reliable you are? 30. Why is promptness to work important? 31. How can socializing on the job cause you to lose a lucrative position? 32. Complete Quality is always more important than quantity because 33. Describe some situations where you worked well under pressure. 34. Why did you leave your last position? 35. What do you rate higher in a job, challenge or stability? 36. Do you have anything else to add?

4 JOB SKILLS EMPLOYERS WANT Typing Clear communication skills Good people skills (speaking/social skills polite) Phone skills Leadership skills Applied skills in activities after school Creative Project management (can juggle a lot of responsibilities well) Organized Problem-solver Takes initiative Technical skills Computer literate Interpersonal skills Reading and writing skills Self-esteem (pride in self and potential to be successful) Able to set goals/motivated Flexibility to deal with change (adaptable) Team Player Language Arts Computers Math (note what courses) Speech Technical Writing Technical Classes PAST JOBS/EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES THAT DEVELOP JOB SKILLS GA secretary Administrative assistant to a sports team Intern as a camp counselor Secretary of your class Marketed yourself in an election Any club involvement Sports teams Theater/plays Cheerleading Girl Scouts Boy Scouts Gymnastics Student Council Volunteer work Student Service Learning Work Community Activities Baby sitting Fast food restaurant Association

5 DO S & DON TS OF THE INTERVIEW DO S Show that you want the job Smile and look interested Be confident Be honest Be clear and sure of what you want to say Maintain eye contact Be relaxed and calm Think before speaking Dress appropriately for the interview Know your strengths and skills Use correct English Tell how you believe in being prompt Say what interests you about the job Share extra-curricular activities Ask questions Know what skills the job requires of you Show how you have achieved goals Focus Be consistent List your greatest accomplishments Admit your weaknesses but say that you re working on them Bring your portfolio to the interview Provide additional copies of your resume if necessary. DON TS Say I don t know to a question too many times Be nervous Fiddle with stuff Say um. Hmm. Like Look disinterested Down yourself Tell long stories about your life (ramble) Babble Use slang Say you are quiet/shy Slouch Use a monotone Rock back and forth Say you have nothing to improve on Giggle Say yeah (say yes instead) Volunteer negative information

6 During Your Interview Body Language. Good posture Eye contact Relaxed Smile Poise/confidence Shake hands When Asked What Your Weaknesses Are.. Be Honest Bored easily so...i need to seek work out to be done Communications skills but I am working on them by Tend to take on too much work but I am working on balancing priorities Organizational skills but I am taking a class in that now Time management but I am learning how to keep a project calendar ALWAYS follow up with how you are working on it. When Asked What Your Strengths Are. Confident Positive Outgoing Intelligent Enthusiastic Helpful Good Listener Good at meeting deadlines Responsible Goal-oriented Creative Energetic Determined Quick Learner Hard working

7 USING YOUR PORTFOLIO How To Use Your Portfolio During An Interview Your portfolio should be turned toward the interviewer Present your portfolio, don t just go through it one page at a time Know what and where things are in your portfolio and use them to your advantage Be able to locate specific artifacts that support your statements and skills (as you re talking) Be able to relate and/or discuss your writings (reflections, rationales, missions, and goals) as opposed to just reading them Be prepared to answer questions about yourself and your skills Be prepared to reflect during the interview Last Thoughts Portfolio development never ends! Keep adding and refining! If you think your portfolio is lacking in quantity, make it excel in quality (and get a smaller binder!) Trust in your abilities!

8 The Job Search Many people need to know where to start looking for a job. You can 1. Apply directly to an employer 2. Ask friends about jobs where they work 3. Answer local newspaper ads 4. Use the State Employment Service 5. Ask relatives 6. Use a private employment agency 7. Take a civil service exam 8. Use the job placement office at school 9. Answer non-local newspapers 10. Ask a teacher or other school personnel 11. Union hall hiring 12. Answer ads in professional journals 13. Place an ad in the local newspaper 14. Look in the telephone book for potential employers

9 Ten Tips for Succeeding in the Workplace Be Honest Be on Time Have a positive attitude Always be reliable Don't be afraid to ask questions Take responsibility for your actions Do your best at all times Learn everything you can Treat people with respect Do more than is expected What Upsets Employers The Most Irresponsibility, goofing off, and attending to personal business on company time Dishonesty and Lying Arrogance, egotism, and excessive aggressiveness Absenteeism and lateness Not following instructions or ignoring company policies A whining or complaining attitude Absence or commitment, concern or dedication Laziness and lack of motivation and enthusiasm

10 Sample Thank You Note Dear Ms. Jones, April 25, 200_ Thank you for taking the time to come to McDonough High School this week for our senior exit portfolio interviews. I enjoyed meeting with you yesterday and I felt that I learned a lot from this experience. Before the interview I felt a little nervous, but you really put me at ease with your questions and your interest in my portfolio. Since my plans for college include having an opportunity to study abroad, I was particularly glad to hear your advice on schooling overseas. You have given me a lot to think about. In addition, I would like to add that going through this process with you has given me much more confidence about facing future interviewers. Thank you again for your time and interest in me and other McDonough students. Sincerely, John Q. Student

11 INTERVIEWER S EVALUATION Circle the appropriate number in each category, then make additional comments below Low High 1. Overall, how would you rate the interview skills of the students you interviewed? In your opinion, were the students able to speak with knowledge and confidence about their career goals/objectives? In your opinion, were the students able to speak with knowledge and confidence about their marketable/transferable skills? In your opinion, did the portfolios exhibit honest reflections by the students? Overall, how would you rate the students creativity in showcasing their skills and achievements? ADDITIONAL COMMENTS PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING (ONLY ANSWER THIS SURVY ONE TIME) Your Name: (PRINT) Title: How would you rate your experience? (Check one) excellent good fair poor Comments: Would you be willing to participate next year? Yes No If yes, please fill out the following information (Please Print) Mailing address City State Zip code Phone address

12 STUDENT INTERVIEW EVALUATION Student's Name Career Objective Circle the appropriate number in each category, then make additional comments below. Low High Greeting and Introduction Shakes hand, smiles, overall first impression Appearance Posture, grooming, appropriate dress for job Self-confidence Eye contact, awareness of marketable skills/qualities Positive Attitude Appears interested, motivated, asks questions Presentation of Self Speaks clearly and concisely, demonstrates maturity Closure Summarizes him/herself, shakes hand, thanks the person for his/her time Additional Comments: Interviewer's Name: