THE NBMBAA NATIONAL CONFERENCE JOB FAIRResumes & Interviews
AGENDA Don’t Make Copies yet.. R. Averett Customize and stand out R. Averett Make your resume work for you R.
Averett Focus on the details R. Averett Interviewing Basics D. Jones
How to Stand Out D. Jones Things to Avoid D. Jones Challenging Questions D. Jones Answering Questions D. Jones Questions to Ask D. Jones
How to Behave in Social Settings R. Pearson
Final Points R. Pearson
DON’T MAKE COPIES UNTIL YOU… Have a professional critique your resume. Pay attention to Style
- Chronological: easy for employers to read fast.- Functional: focuses on skills.
Watch the length-2 page limit. Any experience over 10 years old should be
bulleted if still relevant. If it’s not still relevant cut it.
CUSTOMIZE AND STAND OUT Highlight the experience that fits what the
employers are looking for. Use a detective’s eye and pull out keywords
and critical requirements Develop your personal brand and USE IT! Recruiters hate objectives. Recruiters love the skills inventory. Consider making JIST cards
JIST CARDS
MAKE YOUR RESUME WORK FOR YOU If they are going to discriminate against you
at least make them work for it… Don’t list volunteer activities-if they expose
too much about race, religion, or political identity.
If you expose any organization that reveals your race then make it a professional organization.
FOCUS ON THE SMALL DETAILS
Pay attention to your online presence and email address.
Check information on your resume for accuracy.
Use first initial, last name, and unique identifier to save and upload your resume.
INTERVIEWING BASICS
How to Stand Out Things to Avoid Challenging Questions Behavioral Based Questions Answering Questions Questions You Should Ask
HOW TO STAND OUT
Have knowledgeable responses rather than canned responses
Demonstrate or communicate your experience and skills
Don’t confuse arrogance with confidence
THINGS TO AVOID
Insulting/degrading a former supervisor/co-worker
Exaggerating or lying about your work experience/education
Using clichéd responses
Telling the interviewer not to contact a former employer
THINGS TO AVOID (CONTINUED)
Not being informed about the company or the position
Not asking questions
Inquiring about salary and benefits in the first interview
Not thanking the interviewer
CHALLENGING QUESTIONSTell me about yourself.
Give a brief answer (30 seconds or less) on basic details about you that relate to the interview/position/company
“I am an MBA candidate a Wayne State University with a background in engineering and I am very interested in transitioning to a project management role which led me to apply to your opening.”
Why should we hire you? Briefly outline your qualifications for the position
Focus on your skills, knowledge and experience that relate to the job description
Emphasize how this opportunity is in line with your career interests and will allow you to develop professionally
NOTE: Be careful – you do not want to come across as arrogant
CHALLENGING QUESTIONS (CONTINUED)
Why do you want to work here?The employer is testing your knowledge of the company and the position
Discuss why you are interested in the company (and give detailed examples, rather than just a generic “ABC is a successful industry leader…”)
Reiterate your interest in the position and how it aligns with your career interests
NOTE: Do not refer to salary and benefits
CHALLENGING QUESTIONS (CONTINUED)
CHALLENGING QUESTIONS (CONTINUED)
What is your greatest weakness?State a professional weakness and describe how you are working on it
Ensure you do not mention a weakness that would hinder you in performing the position
Be honest and do not give a cliché answer such as, “I work too hard…”
Good Example:“I get very nervous speaking in front of groups of people, so before a big meeting or presentation I prepare notes and practice what I will say.”
What accomplishment are you most proud of? Give an example of something you accomplished that is related to work or school
Describe the work or effort you put into accomplishing the task, project or goal and the outcome
Explain why it was meaningful to you
CHALLENGING QUESTIONS (CONTINUED)
What are your salary expectations?Before the interview, research salary information for the position and compare it with salaries for similar positions (level, industry, company, location) and your qualifications
Rather than stating a specific number, provide a salary range within $5,000-$10,000 of your targeted goal, ensuring it is realistic based on your research
NOTE: Do not discuss salary first; let the interviewer bring up the topic
CHALLENGING QUESTIONS (CONTINUED)
“Tell me about a time when…”Describe the situation and your roleWhat was the outcome?What was the result? What would do differently or what did you learn?
CHALLENGING QUESTIONS (CONTINUED)
Behavioral Based Questions Very common in many interviews
Past performance is a better predictor of future performance
Used to see how you actually handled a certain situation
Geared to evaluate a certain competencyExample: Teamwork“Tell me about a time when you worked on a team with diverse members…”
ANSWERING QUESTIONS Prepare your answers ahead of time
Three to five examples to highlight your skills, competencies, experiences
Don’t have to be perfect, but need to demonstrate your:Strengths Initiative to take responsibilityAbility to make responsible and informed
decisions Willingness to learn, ask for help
Structure answers in STAR formatSituationTaskActionResult
Know when to use “I” vs. “we” Discuss your contributions & skillsShow ability to take credit & failure as a
team
ANSWERING QUESTIONS (CONTINUED)
Prepare three to five examples that highlight:Working in teams
Difficult work/school relationship
Not having all the information, something went wrong
Leadership and initiative
ANSWERING QUESTIONS (CONTINUED)
QUESTIONS TO ASK
Can you describe a typical day in this position?
I noticed on your website…could you tell me more about…?
What do you enjoy about working here?
When will a decision be made on the successful candidate?
HOW TO BEHAVE IN A BUSINESS SOCIAL SETTING Remember you are still being evaluated even if
everyone else is socializing.
Try to limit political and religious remarks You may offend a decision maker
Don’t abuse the open bar Keep it to a two drink minimum
Be social but don’t try to be the life of the party
FINAL POINTS
It’s okay to be nervous
Appreciate silence (and breathing)
Listen and think before you speak
Send thank you’s
Remember: interviewers are human, too
THE NBMBAA NATIONAL CONFERENCE JOB FAIRPreparation & Navigation
A. Sullivan
AGENDA Preparation for the Conference Materials to Bring Navigating the Conference Managing Your Time After Hours Events Follow-Up
PREPARATION FOR THE CONFERENCE Register for the Job Fair – http://www.nbmbaa.org/members/conference/
Conference Job Matchhttp://jobmatch2012.careers.adicio.com/jobs/user/login
Search for Open Positions Upload your Resume to Job Match
Goal: To have interviews scheduled before arriving To research what positions are posted
MATERIALS TO BRING Resumes Portfolio for Holding Materials Briefcase Laptop (Optional: computers will be on-site) Pens Business Cards Calendar Comfortable, professional business suits Comfortable shoes (floors are concrete)
It will be a long day, try to carry light materials!
MATERIALS TO BRING (CONT’D) Career Exposition Map
http://www.mapyourshow.com/shows/index.cfm?show_id=nbmbaa12&userid=&lang=EN&locale=EN
Schedule of Eventshttp://www.nbmbaaconference2012.org/conferenceSched.html
Or
http://www.calendarwiz.com/calendars/week.php?crd=nbmbaa&cid%5B%5D=77929&
YOUR PLAN TO NAVIGATE THE CONFERENCE
Prepare a list of top employers and rank them Prepare a list of secondary employers and rank
them Look at the Exhibition Map and chart your
course (employers are placed by industry)
MANAGING YOUR TIME
Schedule events on your calendar Arrive when the doors open! Be flexible (allow time for interviews) Watch the clock closely Allow enough time to prepare for interviews
and arrive on time!
AFTER HOURS EVENTS
Enjoy yourself, yet be mindful of your behavior and limit your consumption of alcohol. Be mindful that you are still being “interviewed.”
Go to all VIP events you are invited to, even if for a short time.
Connect with your recruiters at these events. Remember: The Job Fair is 2 days! Get some
sleep.
FOLLOW-UP
Send “thank you” emails to recruiters the same day as the interview, if possible.
Being prompt is important because there will be a large number of candidates.
Say something unique to make yourself stand out.