YourYourInterviewInterview

Career ServicesCareer Services

Brigham Young University HawaiiBrigham Young University Hawaii

The The interviewinterview is one of is one of

the the most importantmost important

phases of the job phases of the job

search process. search process.

BEFORE THE INTERVIEW:BEFORE THE INTERVIEW:

Prepare and PracticePrepare and Practice

Evaluate and Know YourselfEvaluate and Know Yourself

Interviewers ask questions to measure:Interviewers ask questions to measure: Experience Experience Skills Skills Preparation Preparation Maturity Maturity InterestsInterests How well you will 'fit' with the How well you will 'fit' with the

employer/organizationemployer/organization

Evaluate and Know YourselfEvaluate and Know Yourself

PreparePrepare to verbally "market" your skills. to verbally "market" your skills.

Practice Practice describing your describing your accomplishments, experience, accomplishments, experience, education, skills, goals etc.education, skills, goals etc.

Practice Practice answering questions out loud.answering questions out loud.

DetermineDetermine the fair market value salary the fair market value salary range.range.

Research the EmployerResearch the Employer

It is It is importantimportant to learn: to learn:what an employer doeswhat an employer doeswhy they exist why they exist how financially stable they arehow financially stable they arewhat the work culture is likewhat the work culture is likewhat jobs are availablewhat jobs are available

Be prepared to state Be prepared to state WHYWHY

you want to work for you want to work for

the employer. the employer.

Research the EmployerResearch the Employer

HOW:HOW: Study job descriptions. Study job descriptions.

Read annual reports and study employer web sites.Read annual reports and study employer web sites.

Research an employer’s ownership, size, Research an employer’s ownership, size, products/services, customers, training programs, etc.products/services, customers, training programs, etc.

Attend company information meetings on campus.Attend company information meetings on campus.

Meet with employers at career fairs.Meet with employers at career fairs.

Research will help you to prepare to Research will help you to prepare to answer interview questions from answer interview questions from

employers:employers:

What do you know about us? What do you know about us? Why do you want to work here? Why do you want to work here? What qualifies you for this job?What qualifies you for this job?

DRESS PROFESSIONALLYDRESS PROFESSIONALLY

It is always better to beIt is always better to be over-over-dresseddressed than under-dressed in an than under-dressed in an

interview. interview.

Dress to impress Dress to impress

and look like a professional. and look like a professional.

If in doubt, wear a suit!If in doubt, wear a suit!

DRESS PROFESSIONALLYDRESS PROFESSIONALLY Matching suits and shined shoes for men and Matching suits and shined shoes for men and

women.women.

Wear a suit unless an employer specifies business Wear a suit unless an employer specifies business casual attire.casual attire.

““Business casual” is still “business.” Be conservative.Business casual” is still “business.” Be conservative.

Dark colors: navy blue, dark grey, brown…Dark colors: navy blue, dark grey, brown…

Choose natural fabrics that don’t wrinkle.Choose natural fabrics that don’t wrinkle.

Neat hair and minimal jewelry. Neat hair and minimal jewelry.

Prepare in advance!Prepare in advance!

MEN:MEN:

Shoes and belt should be the Shoes and belt should be the same color same color

Conservative silk tiesConservative silk ties

Be clean or close shavenBe clean or close shaven

WOMEN:WOMEN: Skirts at or below knee lengthSkirts at or below knee length

Women’s skirted suits are more formalWomen’s skirted suits are more formal

Wear long sleeved blouses and closed toe Wear long sleeved blouses and closed toe shoes with hoseshoes with hose

Keep makeup understated and naturalKeep makeup understated and natural

““Stylish, but conservative.”Stylish, but conservative.” The Smart Women’s GuideThe Smart Women’s Guide

What to BringWhat to BringDocuments to bring might include:Documents to bring might include:

resume resume transcripts transcripts applications applications list of referenceslist of references

DURING THE DURING THE INTERVIEW:INTERVIEW:

Presentation and Presentation and PerformancePerformance

Presentation and PerformancePresentation and Performance

Listen attentively and be aware of your body Listen attentively and be aware of your body language.language.

Answer the question that is being asked.Answer the question that is being asked.

Ask questions about the job/organization.Ask questions about the job/organization.

ThankThank the interviewer, express interest, shake the interviewer, express interest, shake hands, etc.hands, etc.

You must effectively sell yourself.You must effectively sell yourself.

As soon as possible, As soon as possible,

write down what was discussedwrite down what was discussed

and and send a thank you lettersend a thank you letter..

What will they ask?Interview questions assess:Interview questions assess:

educational preparation educational preparation skills / work experience skills / work experience campus involvement campus involvement personal characteristicspersonal characteristics

Practice describing your Practice describing your success storiessuccess stories and and situations where you demonstrated skills and situations where you demonstrated skills and characteristics required for the job you seek.characteristics required for the job you seek.

Topics and skills interviewers Topics and skills interviewers question students about:question students about:

education education career experience career experience

internshipsinternships campus & community campus & community

involvementinvolvement communication skills communication skills interpersonal skillsinterpersonal skills teamwork & teamwork &

teambuildingteambuilding computer & technical computer & technical

skillsskills learning quickly/learning learning quickly/learning

from mistakesfrom mistakes decision-makingdecision-making

knowledge in academic knowledge in academic disciplinediscipline

project experienceproject experience achievement & goal achievement & goal

orientationorientation presentation skillspresentation skills leading & managing othersleading & managing others time & stress managementtime & stress management conflict resolutionconflict resolution analytical thinking & analytical thinking &

problem solvingproblem solving integrity & ethicsintegrity & ethics

Traditional Interview QuestionsTraditional Interview Questions

Tell me about yourself. Why do you want this job? Tell me about yourself. Why do you want this job? Why should I hire you?Why should I hire you?

How has your college experience prepared you for How has your college experience prepared you for this job?this job?

Why are you interested in working for this company? Why are you interested in working for this company?

What do you consider to be your top 4 strengths? What do you consider to be your top 4 strengths? Name 3 of your weaknesses.Name 3 of your weaknesses.

Tell me how you meet the qualifications for this job.Tell me how you meet the qualifications for this job.

List and describe three accomplishments have given List and describe three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction.you the most satisfaction.

Behavioral-Based Interview QuestionsBehavioral-Based Interview Questions

Ask for specific examples Ask for specific examples

of past situations that the employer of past situations that the employer

wants to find in the wants to find in the “ideal”“ideal” candidate. candidate.

Demonstrate:Demonstrate: SkillsSkills CompetenciesCompetencies Work Behaviors Work Behaviors

Behavioral-Based Interview QuestionsBehavioral-Based Interview Questions

To prepare:To prepare:

AnalyzeAnalyze the skills/qualifications that are required the skills/qualifications that are required

IdentifyIdentify situations where you demonstrated those situations where you demonstrated those behaviors behaviors

Give detailed examples, describing the Give detailed examples, describing the

situation situation you were in, you were in, tasks and challengestasks and challenges

you faced, your you faced, your actions and behaviorsactions and behaviors, ,

and theand the results/outcomes. results/outcomes.

Behavioral-Based Interview QuestionsBehavioral-Based Interview Questions

EXAMPLES:EXAMPLES:

Tell me about a situation when you Tell me about a situation when you demonstrated your leadership ability.demonstrated your leadership ability.

Describe a problem you’ve had on a job. Describe a problem you’ve had on a job. What actions did you take to resolve it?What actions did you take to resolve it?

Tell me about a time when you performed Tell me about a time when you performed well in a stressful situation or crisis.well in a stressful situation or crisis.

What do you need to know to decide if What do you need to know to decide if you want to work for this employer?you want to work for this employer?

Develop Develop insightful questionsinsightful questions designed to show your knowledge designed to show your knowledge of the employer and interest in the of the employer and interest in the

job you are seekingjob you are seeking.

Example Questions to Ask:Example Questions to Ask:

What type of projects and assignments could What type of projects and assignments could I expect as a new employee?I expect as a new employee?

What are the goals and objectives of the What are the goals and objectives of the company’s training program?company’s training program?

What do you like most about your job and What do you like most about your job and working for this organization?working for this organization?

Reflection and EvaluationReflection and EvaluationAfter each interview:After each interview:

EvaluateEvaluate what you did well what you did well

DetermineDetermine how you might improve how you might improve

IdentifyIdentify your strengths and your strengths and weaknesses.weaknesses.

Make each interview a Make each interview a learninglearning opportunityopportunity and strive to continuously and strive to continuously

improve.improve.

AFTER THE INTERVIEW:AFTER THE INTERVIEW:

Reflection and Reflection and EvaluationEvaluation

Reflection and EvaluationReflection and Evaluation Did you arrive on time, dress professionally, and act Did you arrive on time, dress professionally, and act

appropriately?appropriately?

Did you indicate you had researched the employer/job?Did you indicate you had researched the employer/job?

Did you state your career goals?Did you state your career goals?

Did you answer questions with details to support your skills and Did you answer questions with details to support your skills and accomplishments?accomplishments?

Were you positive and enthusiastic? Were you positive and enthusiastic?

What questions did you do well on? What questions could you What questions did you do well on? What questions could you have answered better?have answered better?

Afterwards, did you Afterwards, did you mail a thank you letter mail a thank you letter within 24 hours to within 24 hours to the interviewer?the interviewer?

TELEPHONE INTERVIEWSTELEPHONE INTERVIEWS

Many employers conduct preliminary interviews Many employers conduct preliminary interviews with candidates by telephone.with candidates by telephone. Be preparedBe prepared with your resume, paper, pen, with your resume, paper, pen,

etc.etc. Speak as if the interviewer could see you.Speak as if the interviewer could see you. Avoid “Avoid “yesyes” and “” and “nono” answers --- provide ” answers --- provide

details.details. Be polite and do Be polite and do NOTNOT interrupt the interviewer. interrupt the interviewer. Write down ANY important details.Write down ANY important details. TThankhank the interviewer. the interviewer.

Your Your GOALGOAL for a for a

telephone interview is telephone interview is

to get an to get an

in-person interview.in-person interview.

SECOND INTERVIEWSSECOND INTERVIEWS

Allow employers toAllow employers to

assess your qualifications assess your qualifications

and personal characteristicsand personal characteristics..

Also, Also, continue marketing yourselfcontinue marketing yourself

and gathering more information to help you and gathering more information to help you

decide whether you would like to work there. decide whether you would like to work there.

SECOND INTERVIEWSSECOND INTERVIEWS

If it includes lunch or dinner:If it includes lunch or dinner:

Use Use good etiquettegood etiquette ParticipateParticipate in the discussion in the discussion Ask pertinent Ask pertinent questionsquestions Stick with Stick with safe conversational topicssafe conversational topics

Show your ability to Show your ability to

mix business with pleasure!mix business with pleasure!

Second Interview Etiquette Tips:Second Interview Etiquette Tips:

Elbows off the table Elbows off the table

Order food that is easy to eatOrder food that is easy to eat

Taste food before seasoningTaste food before seasoning

Use the proper silverwareUse the proper silverware

Cut food one bite at a timeCut food one bite at a time

Never talk while chewing Never talk while chewing

Keep napkin in your lap until you leave the table Keep napkin in your lap until you leave the table

Some things to remember:Some things to remember: If everyone asks you the same question, answer it If everyone asks you the same question, answer it

enthusiastically enthusiastically everyevery time. time. Act so that each interviewer recognizes your ability!Act so that each interviewer recognizes your ability! Provide details about your skills and qualifications.Provide details about your skills and qualifications. Ask questions and get a feel for the employer’s Ask questions and get a feel for the employer’s

operating environment.operating environment. Dress professionally. Dress professionally. Be confident, enthusiastic, and polite. Be confident, enthusiastic, and polite. Ask when you can expect to hear regarding the hiring Ask when you can expect to hear regarding the hiring

decision.decision. Send a thank you letterSend a thank you letter..

ILLEGAL QUESTIONSILLEGAL QUESTIONS

Employers should Employers should ONLY ONLY ask ask questions related to your ability questions related to your ability

to perform the job dutiesto perform the job duties. .

If you are asked inappropriate questions, If you are asked inappropriate questions, you will need to choose how to respond you will need to choose how to respond

without being angry or defensive.without being angry or defensive.

Possible responses:Possible responses:

Answer the question.Answer the question.

Don't answer. Don't answer.

Guess what is behind their question formulate Guess what is behind their question formulate a response. a response.

"I'm not sure how this relates to my ability "I'm not sure how this relates to my ability to perform the job. Would you please clarify to perform the job. Would you please clarify

your question for me so that I can better your question for me so that I can better understand your concerns?"understand your concerns?"

SALARYSALARYNegotiate salary Negotiate salary AFTER AFTER a job offer a job offer

is extended, but is extended, but BEFOREBEFORE you you accept.accept.

Before interviews, determine your “worth” Before interviews, determine your “worth” based on your skills and experiencebased on your skills and experience. .

Please come into the Please come into the Career Services CenterCareer Services Center for assistance in evaluating job offers and for assistance in evaluating job offers and

preparing for salary negotiations.preparing for salary negotiations.

EVALUATING JOB OFFERSEVALUATING JOB OFFERS

When you receive a job offer, When you receive a job offer,

evaluate everything about it,evaluate everything about it, NOTNOT just the salary and benefits. just the salary and benefits.

Things to Consider:Things to Consider:

Would you like this job? Happy working here? Living in this Would you like this job? Happy working here? Living in this city?city?

Matches your skills, interests, and career goals? Matches your skills, interests, and career goals? Challenging?Challenging?

Co-workers and supervisors you like and respect?Co-workers and supervisors you like and respect?

People seem happy/enthusiastic about working here?People seem happy/enthusiastic about working here?

Skill development through training and career Skill development through training and career advancement?advancement?

Best work environment for personality/career needs?Best work environment for personality/career needs?

Salary and benefits to meet your financial needs?Salary and benefits to meet your financial needs?

AcceptingAccepting Job Offers Job Offers If you want the position, you may If you want the position, you may accept accept

immediatelyimmediately.. You may accept an offer in person or by telephone, but You may accept an offer in person or by telephone, but also write and mail a formal acceptance letter.also write and mail a formal acceptance letter.

If you want to think about the offer, you If you want to think about the offer, you may ask for a little more time to consider may ask for a little more time to consider the offer. the offer.

Ask when they need your decision to show you are Ask when they need your decision to show you are treating the offer seriously.treating the offer seriously.

Accepting a job offer Accepting a job offer

should be done inshould be done in good faith good faith..

Once you have accepted an offer, Once you have accepted an offer,

professional ethicsprofessional ethics suggest that you suggest that you

withdraw from further interviews withdraw from further interviews

with other employers. with other employers.

Declining Declining Job OffersJob Offers

Do Do NOTNOT stall in replying to an offer in hopes stall in replying to an offer in hopes of receiving a different offer from another of receiving a different offer from another employer. employer.

In this case, contact the other company. Let In this case, contact the other company. Let them them know you have an offer and want to know know you have an offer and want to know when when they will make a hiring decision.they will make a hiring decision.

If you have an offer from another organization If you have an offer from another organization that requires a reply, you should contact the that requires a reply, you should contact the company representative to make the most company representative to make the most informed decision.informed decision.

When you accept a job offer, When you accept a job offer, please inform please inform Career Career

ServicesServices..

Check out the resources at the Career Center.Check out the resources at the Career Center.

Learn about how to interview. Learn about how to interview.

Research employers. Research employers.

Determine what you need to know to decide if Determine what you need to know to decide if you would accept a job. you would accept a job.

Develop questions to ask during interviews. Develop questions to ask during interviews.

Study job descriptions. Study job descriptions.

Evaluate how you can market yourself. Evaluate how you can market yourself.

BYU Hawaii Career ServicesBYU Hawaii Career Services(808) 293-3533 / FAX: (808) 293-3975(808) 293-3533 / FAX: (808) 293-3975

EMAIL: EMAIL: careerservices@byuh.edu

http://www.byuh.edu/careerhttp://www.byuh.edu/career