SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEWING
Allegheny ValleyExit Interview
April 28th, 2015
The Job Interview by Definition
Opportunity to present yourself, skill set, and knowledge to one who can hire you or accept you into their institution
The Interview Procedure
The Interview Procedure includes: Formally present your electronic portfolio
materials (5 minutes) Answer interview questions (20 minutes)
The Goal– Present yourself as the top candidate
Keys to the Successful Interview:Preparation BEFORE the Interview
Know yourself Review your electronic materials
Practice, Practice, Practice
Make a good impression
Know Yourself
What do you have to offer?
Identify 5 – 10 work or school experiences that demonstrate your skills and accomplishments half should be totally positive half should be ones that started out negative but had either a positive result or a good learning experience
What do you want to do and where do you want to do it?
How are you perceived by others?
Practice, Practice, Practice!
To better prepare yourself for the interview, as well as assist in conquering pre-interview anxiety, practice is key
Look up interview questions and brainstorm how you would answer
Practice for the interview with family or friends
Perfect your e-portfolio (proofread) and practice your 5-minute introduction
Proper Attire
DO: Wear conservative attire, such as dark colored business
attire Wear dress shoes of appropriate height Have hair neatly brushed and face shaved before
interview
DON’T Wear bright colored business suits: Black and gray are
most appropriate Wear flashy accessories like watches, jewelry, or
excessive amounts of cologne, perfume, or hair gel Wear skirts that reach above the knees Wear stiletto heels or tennis shoes Display tattoos
YES NO
DURING the Interview Be prompt and
prepared
Be poised and aware of and body language
Answer the questions thoroughly
Be positive – Smile
Be Prompt and Prepared Arrive 10 to 15 minutes before the scheduled
interview time
Turn the cell phone OFF – vibrations make noise
Give a firm handshake, make eye contact, and smile when you are greeted
Bring 3 extra copies of your e-portfolio in case technology fails
Poise and Body Language Many interviewers will assess you based on:
Appropriate eye contact and posture Proper grammar and enunciation If you seem enthusiastic and confident
When greeted, introduce yourself and shake interviewer’s hand. Don’t sit until interviewer is seated
Never chew gum during an interview
Most employers agree that the first five minutes of an interview will tell them the most about a person
First impressions are important
Answering the Questions Speak slowly and clearly. Dont be afraid to pause for a moment to
collect your thoughts
Listen and understand the interviewer’s questions before responding thoroughly yet concisely
Be honest- don’t try to cover up mistakes. Instead, focus on how you learned from them
Give positive nonverbal feedback to the interviewer Smile, be enthusiastic, show a positive attitude
Avoid negative terms and comments when responding to questions. Stress positives
After the Interview
Thank the interviewer or panel members
Interviewing Myths & Facts
Myth: The candidate with the best education, skills, and experience will get the job
Reality Check: Employers hire individuals for many different reasons. Education, skills, and experience are only a few of the several hiring criteria. If employers hired only on the basis of education, skills, and experience, they would not need to interview candidates. Such static information is available on applications and resumes. Employers interview because they want to see how you look and interact with them, how you would handle various work situations, and how well you fit into the organization.
Interviewing Myths & Facts
Myth: If the interviewer asks if I have any negatives or weaknesses, I should indicate I have none
Reality Check: You should be honest. Everyone has negatives. If you indicate you have none, the interviewer knows you are being less than candid. But neither should you blurt out your worst negatives. Identify a weakness and talk about how you are working to overcome it.
Interviewing Myths & Facts
Myth: I’ll be at a disadvantage because I’ll be nervous
Reality Check: If you practice some stress reduction techniques, such as taking deep breaths and focusing attention on the questions, you should be able to project confidence in the interview. Keep in mind, many interviewers are under pressure to hire the right candidate.
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