Workshop Topics
1. Identify your goals
2. Learn about the company 3. Know your strengths & skills 4. Know your weaknesses & challenges
5. Be prepared for questions 6. Prepare questions to ask 7. Practice 8. Appearance and Impressions
9. What to bring with you? 10. What to do at the end of the interview? 11. How did you do?
Identify Your Goals
Remember you want this job
Why
Visualize yourself working at this job
What do you like to do?
What do you want to learn?
What is your vision of your career?
Remember you want this job
Learn About the Company
Company Website
Google or other search engines
Visit if possible
Talk to people who work there or have worked there
Job description or posting
Consider how your skills match up
Make some notes about the company for discussion during your interview
Useful Information About the Company
How long have they been around
What do they do
Do they face competition
How are they doing
What is their reputation
One site or many
Number of employees
Earnings
What are their current activities
Mission Statement
Strengths and Skills
They must relate to this job
How have these helped you accomplish
things in your life?
What did you do to achieve or develop
these?
Who has guided you?
References
Make a list of potential professional,
academic and personal references
Contact the ones you think are most likely to
have positive things to say about you
Tell them you are interviewing for jobs and
ask if they are willing to provide a positive
reference for you
Weaknesses & Challenges
We all have weaknesses and challenges
The interviewer expects you to identify yours but
does not have to be told something that would
create a negative opinion of you as a candidate
This is not the time to discuss your concerns
about yourself
Turn your weakness into a strength
Examples of How A Weakness Can Be A
Strength
I like to work on a project or assignment until
it’s completed, so I generally don’t socialize very much.
I’m something of a perfectionist. I expect a lot of myself.
I like a clean desk, so I try to complete as
much as possible every day.
I have trouble saying no because I really like
to be helpful and busy.
The Interviewer’s Goal They want to fill the position with a
good fit
Need to find out
if you have the skills
If you have personal attributes
If you are motivated
Tell Me About Yourself your 60 second commercial
Where you grew up
Educational background
Including major area of studies and why you
chose it
2 or 3 strengths or skills that are related to this
job
Academic or vocational accomplishments
Your ability and desire to make contributions to
the success of your employer
Your career goals
Speak in a conversational tone
STAR OUTLINE FOR ANSWERS
S ituation
I worked at…….
T ask Where I ……
A ction I did……
R ESULT I achieved…….
Notes for possible answers and
descriptions
Its OK to have notes with you
There are questions that you can expect and can write down points to remember (see handout of frequently asked interview questions)
How would you describe something you have done that relates to this type of work?
You may refer to your notes during the interview
Interview Success Tips
Focus and refocus attention on your successes.
Always offer positive information.
Discuss only the facts needed to answer the question.
You may mention hobbies/interests but keep it brief
Listen carefully.
If you are not sure you understand the question, ask
for clarification.
Tell the truth but do not offer information not asked for.
Interview Success Tips
Make your points. Then ask if the interviewer
would like further details
Be organized in your presentation
Be concise in your responses
Pause at times to consider your responses
M. DeLuca & N. DeLuca, 24 Hours to the Perfect Interview (2004),
McGraw Hill
Illegal Topics
Interviewers May Not Ask About
Nationality/race
Marital status
Religion
Affiliations
Disability or medical history
Pregnancy, birth control, child care
Age
TO DISCLOSE OR NOT TO
DISCLOSE
Employers CAN NOT ask you if you have a disability
You are not required to disclose a disability during an interview
Why would you?
Source: Baker, Jed. Ph.D. (2005): Preparing for Life: the Complete Guide to
Transitioning to Adulthood for those with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. Arlington, TX. Future Horizons INC.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER Is your disability readily apparent?
Poor eye contact, idiosyncratic movements, etc.
Can you explain how it will not interfere with performing the job duties?
Can you point out how aspects of your disability make you a desirable candidate for the position?
i.e. RULES = HONESTY
(see handout on disclosing)
If your disability is not readily apparent No need to disclose
Accommodations may be simple and can be requested without disclosure
Steven Shore and baseball hat
Write Out Questions for the
Interviewer Your questions show your interest in the
position and the company
Examples:
What do you consider the most important qualities for someone to have in this job?
Why is this position available now?
What do you like about working here?
What are the opportunities for advancement?
When do you plan on filling this position?
PRACTICE
Ask friends, parents, teachers to spend 30 minutes doing this
Divide the Practice Interview into 3 Parts First Impression
Questions & Answers
Closing
How did you do?
What do you need to do better? See Practice Interview Rating Sheet
Make a Practice Trip to the Interview
Location
Check out the route
Travel at the same time of day as your
interview
Allow extra time for traffic or delays
Observe the business environment
How are people dressed
Appearance Matters. . .A Lot!
If you don’t dress seriously, they can’t take you seriously!!
Make a good first impression
Pride in yourself implies pride in your work
Show your creativity in your work, not your
appearance
Dress conservatively
Be well groomed and clean
Don’t Forget the Details
Conservatively styled hair
Clean and neatly trimmed beard
Clean fingernails
No large or distracting accessories
Clean & well-pressed clothes
No perfume or cologne
No smoking or gum chewing
Brush your teeth and use mouthwash
Tips for Women Good Outfits
Dark colored skirt or pants suit with a blouse or sweater
Fit should be comfortable….not tight or very loose
No Cleavage!
Nothing transparent
Skirt still at knees when sitting
Wear polished, low heeled shoes
Small, neat accessories Might be a good time to remove nose and
tongue rings
Wear clean, matching panty hose or socks
Tips for Men
Good Outfits
Depends on position
Dark colored business suit with solid shirt
Tie with a neat knot
Shirt, tie and slacks
Keep jacket buttoned when standing
Shoes shined and in good condition
Socks same color as shoes or pants
Pants should be long enough to cover legs when sitting
Making A Good Impression
Firm handshake
Stand up when the interviewer comes to greet you and any time you are introduced to someone
Repeat the interviewer’s name, with their proper form of address: Mr., Mrs., Dr.
Be on time for the interview (5-10 minutes early)
Be polite and respectful to the receptionist
Impressions Don’t sit until you’re invited to, and sit up
straight
Practice good eye contact Look at one eye, shoulder or forehead
Walk next to or behind interviewer and at same pace
Say something nice about the office, brief small talk
Nod your head in agreement or understanding
Say please and thank you
Impressions
You may be invited to lunch or offered coffee
Practice your table manners
Use a napkin
Don’t talk with your mouth full If you’re not confident in ability to interview
and drink coffee at same time say no thank
you
What to Bring to an Interview
Several copies of your resume
Examples of your work if appropriate
New notebook (with your notes in it) and a nice pen
Briefcase or folder
Names, addresses, and phone numbers of references
Photo I.D.
Other things to bring with you
Comb
Dental Floss
Mouth Freshener
Tissues
Take a few minutes to go to the bathroom and
check out your appearance when you arrive
At the End of the Interview
Ask for the interviewer’s business card
Use the interviewer’s name as you thank him/her for taking the time to meet with you
Mention some topics from the interview that
you appreciated learning about
State your interest in the job and belief in
your ability to perform well
After the Interview
Send a short thank you note within
24 hours
Neatly typed, spell checked
Summarize a few key points from
the interview
Clearly state your interest in the position
You may phone to check on the decision making process after 10 days – 2 weeks
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