A Brief Guide to Interviewing

ENGT-2000 Professional Development

No matter how qualified you are on paper, you still need to sell yourself to the people who have the authority to hire you.

Selling Yourself

Preparation

Why Prepare?

Preparation builds confidence & reduces stress Improves the likelihood of success Reduces the possibility of surprises Enables you to handle “curveballs” Gives you a competitive edge

An Interviewing Fact Approximately 75% of the interview is based

upon –your appearance –how well you present yourself

Appearance also involves: –Attitude –Image –Verbal and non-verbal communication

Dress Conservatively

You should wear something that avoids directing the focus away from you and onto your clothes. You should wear something that makes

the interviewer think “professional” and “competent”.

Different Clothing Types/Styles Professional Dress

– Interview outfit – Daily clothing for professional office setting

Business Casual Dress – Dress down Fridays or casual office environment – Career Fair

Casual Dress – Company picnic – Traveling for work

Women’s Professional

Women’s Business Casual

Men’s Professional

Men’s Business Casual

Grooming Counts An expensive suit will not compensate for

dirty fingernails, messy hair, and wrinkled clothes Good grooming indicates attention to detail

and respect for others

Double Check! Be certain of the date, time, place, name of the

organization and the interviewer’s name. Never be late!

– Be a 10-15 minutes early – Remember to make time for unforeseen circumstances

such as traffic jams, difficulty with finding a parking place, bathroom breaks, etc.

– Do a dry run the day before if possible

Research the Company Use the previously discussed lesson material

to develop knowledge about the organization and questions to craft a conversation.

Don’t ask questions about things that are easily obtained from the web.

Review Your Resume - Again Be prepared to answer questions about your

– Education – Work Experience – Activities/Interests – Major – Grades and GPA

Be sure that what is on your resume is current and accurate. Update if needed. Be prepared to fill out an application upon arrival. Update your references! Have them ready to

provide to the interviewer if asked.

Preparation Tips Prepare your answers for typical questions Have a “Tell me about yourself” ready (use an

expanded career fair intro) Write down your success stories Learn about the organization and its people Prepare the questions you will ask the interviewer

about the job and the company Select your clothing and have them dry-cleaned or

laundered if necessary

Personal References Prepare a list of personal references to provide if/when

asked by the interviewer (need at least 3) Select individuals with direct knowledge of your positive

character & work ethic (Supervisors, co-workers, profs…) Inside contacts are always great to have! Ask your contact if they would be willing & able to be a

reference and allow them the chance to decline "Are you comfortable or in the position to make a positive or enthusiastic recommendation given your exposure to me and my work? " Provide them with your resume’ so they can be familiar

with your qualifications (especially if it’s been a while since your last contact)

Personal References Prepare a type

written list using the template on the website

Ensure all contact information for each

Keep your references informed of your job search so they can be prepared to respond when contacted

How to Craft a Success Story ( S-T-A-R ) (Situation - Task – Action - Result)

Think of a situation (work or school). Explain when or where this situation took place. Explain the situation? What obstacles, challenges

or problems called for your action? State the action you took? Share the results or outcomes? Quantify those

results – how many, how large, what percent? Convey the transferable skills you used or learned

that you can bring to the job.

Practice Makes Perfect Practice interviewing with a friend Schedule a mock interview with the Career

Development Center Practice in front of a mirror or a video

camera Practice your “tell me about yourself” and

success stories

The Interview

What to Take Several copies of your updated resume’ Several copies of your references list A portfolio/folder or small briefcase or

satchel in which to carry copies Pad to take notes on Writing instrument

The Greeting Greet the interviewer by name as you enter

the office. –If you are unsure of the pronunciation, ask! –Ask for a business card

Firmly shake the interviewer’s hand Provide a current copy of your resume’ Take your cues from the interviewer (don’t

sit until offered to do so)

During the Interview

Sit erect. No slouching. Hands on table. Be energetic, but not overactive! Project attentiveness

– LISTEN, MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT

No fidgeting. No gum chewing. Cell phone off !!!!! Request clarifications if uncertain of a question. Be careful not to criticize former employers, professors, or

anyone/anything for that matter!

During the Interview

Be frank and truthful in your answers – avoid being negative Be enthusiastic about what you have done and

what you can do – THINK POSITIVE!

Relate past experiences to the skills you will need for the job

– Give specific examples

Recruiters Are Looking For Ability to communicate – can you organize your

thoughts and ideas effectively when writing or speaking? Can you present your ideas in a positive way.

Self-confidence – Can you demonstrate a sense of maturity and direction that enables you to deal positively and effectively with situations and people?

Willingness to accept responsibility – are you someone who recognizes what needs to be done? Are you willing to get it done? Are you willing to do more than what is required of you?

Flexibility – Are you capable of change and receptive to new ideas and situations?

Recruiters Are Looking For Ability to handle conflict – Can you successfully

contend with stress situations and antagonisms? Competitiveness – Do you have the capacity to

compete with others and a willingness to be measured by your performance in relation to that competition?

Goal achievement – Can you identify, work toward and obtain specific goals? Can you look ahead, anticipate the future and make long-range plans?

Level of Initiative – Can you identify purposeful work and take action? Do you always wait to be told what to do?

Recruiters Are Looking For Possession of technical skills or ability to achieve

them – Do you possess the skills necessary for the particular job or do you have the ability to learn them

Direction – Do you know where you want to be in two or three years? Do you know enough about your field to know the different opportunities available and what type of position will satisfy your knowledge and goals?

Level of energy – Are you ambitious? Do you possess drive? Can you take charge of a situation? Would you be willing to put in extra time and time to accomplish a specific task

Recruiters Are Looking For Interpersonal skills – Can you get along with people

who are different from you in any respect? Can you work with them toward a common goal in a professional manner?

Leadership – Do you have the ability to gain people’s respect and confidence? Can you organize and direct a group of people? Can you delegate responsibilities?

Knowledge of the company – Are you familiar with the company’s products and services; potential growth areas?

Recruiters May Ask What are your future career plans? What do you see yourself doing 5 or 10 years from now? In what school activities have you participated? Which did

you enjoy most? In what type of position are you most interested? What are the reasons for which you might like to work for

our company? What courses did you like best? Least? What kind of boss do you prefer?

Recruiters May Ask What were the reasons for your choice in college major? What interests you about our product or service? Do you feel you have done the best scholastic work of

which you are capable? What are your major strengths? Weaknesses? How would a professor, colleague or previous supervisor

describe you? What would be the benefit to us of your joining our

organization?

Recruiters May Ask These Tough Questions Questions regarding your family status, age, religion,

political views, etc. – These are illegal in most cases to bring up in an interview. – Deflect your answer by saying you make it a habit not to discuss

personal status or views in a professional environment.

“Out of the box” questions to see what your reaction is – Don’t read too much into them. – Answer them honestly and without hesitation. – Don’t try to find the right answer just a complete one!

What salary are you looking to make? – For co-op positions, refer the interviewer to Susan at the ECDC – For full-time positions tell them the market rate commensurate with

your qualifications and experience.

Questions You May Ask What would be a typical assignment/day? What type of training/orientation would I have? What might I expect in terms of job progression? How does this particular department fit into the

entire structure of the organization? Do you have any recent graduates (or co-op

students) from UT or Engineering working at your company? How long have you been with the company? What

are the positive factors? Negative?

Closing

Be alert to signs from the interviewer that the session is closing. Thank the interviewer at the close of the

interview. Ask what the next step will be and when it

will occur. Shake their hand again when departing.

Follow-up Send a well-written thank-you note within 24 hours

– Use the previously discussed lesson format

Keep in contact with the interviewer – Remember to be courteous, respectful and professional – The recruiter may recommend you for something else ( a different

position or new one that has yet to be posted) if you do not land the current position

Keep in contact with the ECDC office if things don’t work out for a co-op position for which you interviewed

In Summary … Prepare Practice Project

– professionalism – maturity – confidence

Any Questions?