SUCCESSFUL

INTERVIEWING SKILLS

Cooperative Education

What is an interview?

An interview is a…

• Structured meeting between you and the employer

• Interviewing is a skill to be developed

• Practice makes perfect

The purpose of your co-op interview is to 1. Allow you to assess the position and nature of the organization

to determine if there’s a fit between your career goals and the co-op position.

2. Allow the Interviewer to gather information regarding your interests, skills, & abilities to determine if you will meet their needs.

THE INTERVIEW PROCESS

1. STEP ONE -- General Preparation

2. STEP TWO – Contacting Your Employer

3. STEP THREE – Rehearsing for the Interview

4. STEP FOUR – Dress for Success

5. STEP FIVE – The Interview

GENERAL PREPARATION

• Familiarize yourself with probable job duties, responsibilities and skills of the co-op position.

• Research the company and position

• Company website

• Summarize your skills, interests, personal assets, and goals, particularly those that relate to the job.

• Prepare your resume and a cover letter.

• Be prepared to ask and answer questions and provide specific examples

STEP ONE

CONTACTING YOUR CO-OP EMPLOYER

• Plan your message before you call so that you don’t end up rambling on the phone.

• Identify yourself to the person you are calling.

• Try to reach the supervisor directly and address the supervisor by his/her proper name.

• If you cannot reach the supervisor, then leave a detailed message for the supervisor. Be sure to leave your full name, the reason you are calling, when you can be reached, and your home telephone number.

• Try to keep your conversation short.

• Always thank the person to whom you have been speaking to before you hang up.

STEP TWO

PHONING FOR YOUR CO-OP INTERVIEW

Sample Script to calling a potential employer:

Good morning/good afternoon

My name is ____________ (your full name). May I speak with __________________ (name of contact person).

Once the Person is on the phone…

Hi ___________ (contact name), my name is _____ (your name). I am currently a grade ____ student, and I am very interested in gaining co-op work experience at ______ (name of organization/business). I was wondering if it would be possible to set up a time and day that we could meet and discuss the coop requirements for your organization.

Great. I look forward to meeting you on ___________ (date) at _____(time).

REHEARSING FOR THE CO-OP INTERVIEW

• Prepare common interview questions.

• Practice:

• Interview with a friend (Role Play)

• Use a mirror

• Use a tape recorder

• Don’t worry if you don’t have much job experience. You can

simply tie in the answers to experiences at home or school.

STEP THREE

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

Not

Appropriate!

STEP FOUR

DRESSING FOR SUCCESS

DO’S• Make sure your hair is clean and combed.

• Shower; use deodorant

• Shave

• Wear clean shoes

• Wear conservative and appropriate clothes, neatly pressed.

• Trim fingernails.

• Don’t smoke prior to the interview.

• Sit up, listen and RELAX!

DRESSING FOR SUCCESS

DONT’S• Use lots of hairspray.

• Use perfume or cologne

• Use heavy makeup.

• Wear Sandals.

• Wear clothes that will wrinkle easily.

• Wear bright nail polish.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

Dress as you

would for an

actual day on the

job, but a little bit

nicer.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

Business casual is

crisp and neat.

Avoid tight or baggy

clothing. Business

casual is classic

rather than trendy.

THE INTERVIEW

1. The Greetings – the handshake, the names

• Watch your body language.

2. The Core – the interviewing questions

3. Questions - questions for you to ask

4. The Close – What happens next?

STEP FIVE

1. THE GREETINGS

• Arrive on time.

• Establish eye contact.

• If the interviewer holds out a hand give it a firm

handshake, and be sure to smile.

MASTERING THE HAND SHAKE

How do you shake hands?

• The Pull In

• The Two-Handed Shake

The Topper

The Finger Squeeze

The Bone Crusher

The Palm Pinch

The Limp Fish

THE PROPER HANDSHAKE

• Firm, but not bone-crushing

• Lasts about 3 seconds

• May be "pumped" once or twice

from the elbow

• Is released after the shake, even

if the introduction continues

• Includes good eye contact with

the other person

HANDSHAKE PRACTICE

• Stand up.

• Find a partner.

• Assume you are meeting for the first time.

• Practice shaking hands.

• Remember to maintain eye contact!

• SMILE!

BODY LANGUAGE

• When you interact with people, you communicate through body language—the gestures, posture, and eye contact that you use to send messages.

• Eye contact shows that you are paying attention.

• A firm handshake signals self-confidence.

• Nodding your head show that you are thinking, while biting your nails may suggest that you’re too nervous to hand the job.

• Good manners count! Don’t throw your coat or papers on the interviewer’s desk, and wait until the interviewer asks you to be seated.

BODY LANGUAGE

Do’s• Make frequent eye contact

• Smile

• Take notes

• Smile

• Nod frequently

• Smile

• Keep your hands out of your pocket

BODY LANGUAGE

Don'ts

• Slouch

• Cross you arms

• Tap your feet

• Clear your throat repeatedly

• Bite your lips or nails

2. THE CORE—INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

• Interviewers ask questions that are designed to give

them some insight into who you are, what your

experience and work ethic might be, and how you fit

into the organization.

TYPICAL CO-OP INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

1. Tell me about yourself.

• Typical answer: Well, I was born in Hamilton, but

we moved to Grimsby when I was three. I have a

dog and like to swim.

Borrrrring! That answer doesn’t tell the employer

anything about you that relates to the co-op position.

You want to use every opportunity to show that you

are a smart, hard working potential coop employee.

Tell me about yourself.

• Better Answer: Last year in school, I played on the basketball and soccer team. It kept me busy, but I learned to manage my time. I’m also involved in volunteering with my sister’s Girl Guide group. That’s been a great experience in learning how to work as a team with other leaders plus plan activities.

See what you’ve just done? You’ve shown the employer you are involved in positive activities, work as a volunteer and know the importance of teamwork. Who wouldn’t want to hire you?

2. How would your teachers describe you?

• Average answer: Oh, I guess they’d say I was an OK

student.

• Better answer: My teachers would tell you I work hard to

get my assignments in on time and I’m not afraid to ask for

help if I need it. They’d also tell you I try to be friendly to shy

kids in my class.

3. Why should I hire you over the other co-op

students waiting to be interviewed?

• Average answer: I really need the high school credits and I

think it would be cool to work here.

• Better answer: I’m a reliable person. I’ll arrive to work on

time and do the best I can on the job. I’ve done volunteer

work, but now I’d like to gain actual work experience. If you

hire me, you’ll get someone who isn’t afraid to learn.

4. Tell me about a time you had a problem and how you solved it.

• Average answer: My parents and I don’t always get along. I usually yell and then go to my room for a few hours.

• Better answer: There was a boy at school that really bothered me. He bumped into me and would slam my locker shut when he walked by. He’d also say sarcastic things to me. I talked to a teacher about it and she offered to be a mediator. She brought both of us into her class and basically let me tell the boy I wanted him to stop being a bully. I confronted him in a strong way. The situation is much better now.

5. What do you like best about school?

• Average answer: I really like hanging out with my friends.

• Better answer: I especially like working on projects

together with my friends. I just got done being in charge of

decorating for our school dance. I organized my friends and

we worked together to set up the gym with a Hawaiian

theme. I also like participating in school events like sports

teams and student government.

• There you have it. Five questions employers might ask you.

• Try to answer every question with a positive answer.

• Demonstrate that you are an honest, hard working person.

MORE SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

• Why to you want this co-op position?

• What qualities do you have that would make you a

good choice for this co-op position?

• What are your greatest strengths/weaknesses?

• Describe a situation where you set a goal and

achieved it?

• What subjects do you enjoy the most/least?

• What are your long-term education/career plans?

• What do you like to do in your spare time?

Your Turn…

3. QUESTIONS TO ASK THE INTERVIEWER

• If I were to get the co-op position, what would my

duties be?

• Are their training programs provided for co-op

students?

• Is their an employee handbook available?

• How many people will I be working with?

• Is their a dress code in effect?

• Is safety equipment required? If so, do I supply my

own?

4. THE CLOSE

• Be friendly as the interview closes.

• Shake the interviewer’s hand.

• Thank the interviewer and ask when he or she hopes

to make a decision.

PREPARE YOUR INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

ASSIGNMENT

• To practice for you co-op interview complete the pre-

employment interview question assignment.

• Type your answers in complete sentences.