Did you know?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL9Wu2kWwSY
What would you do…..
…. if you knew you couldn’t fail?
The First Interview:
how to get started...
• prepare and fine tune your resume (consult
Mike Gaul’s office & others for
suggestions and advice)
• prepare a draft of your cover letter (your
final cover letter should be tailored to the
specific application you submit)
The First Interview:
how to get started …
• locate a good internship/employment
opportunity
• look at ISU CMS (career management
service)
• ask your academic advisor about openings
• review the “jobs book” in 119/123 Kildee
The First Interview:
how to get started..
• look at AgCareers.com and similar web
sites
• work your network
• read the careers sections in newspapers,
scientific journals, trade magazines, etc
• submit a polished resume and cover letter!
The First Interview:
how to get started..
• your cover letter and resume got you the
interview…..
• the interview is where you
“close the deal”/“make the sale”
• How can you make the most of this
opportunity?
The First Interview:
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PREPARE
PREPARE
PREPARE
research the company, its mission, its
products/services
Will you consider international
opportunities?
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get passport now (free – ask how)
attend international discussions
consider Ag Travel as an introduction
start while you are young & less tied down
start those nasty inoculations if destination
is known and travel is likely
“International skills”
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adventurous spirit/curious
eager to learn new things
foreign language skills
sensitivity/adaptability/flexibility
strong interpersonal skills
willingness to take risks
The First Interview:
• 7-second rule for first impression
• 7-minute rule for second impression
Tips to succeed in 7 minutes:
• research the company
• determine if interviewer is from human
resources or is an animal scientist
• practice interview
- prepare introductory lines
- prepare responses
- prepare questions
Tips to succeed in 7 minutes:
• be on time
• dress appropriately
• bring
– a notebook and pen/pencil
– extra resumes
• make eye contact
• introduce yourself
• firm hand shake
Dressing the part...
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groom yourself…hair to shoes
first interview: contrasting outfit OK
pants vs skirt for women...
second interview: know company culture
(how do the upper level people dress?)
Dressing the part...
• don’t look trendy (unless it’s a
modeling job!)
• reduce jewelry and accessories
• ditch the body piercings
Interview “don’ts”:
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don’t be late
don’t over/under dress
don’t wear strong “scents”
don’t give long answers
don’t make up answers
How to be “ahead of the pack”:
• be prepared for “diverse” question set
• stress your leadership/people skills and
balance with technical knowledge
• be prepared for “small talk” (but be careful
– some topics should be “off limits”!)
How to be “ahead of the pack”:
• demonstrate interest at end “When will I hear from (you/HR)?”
• offer an on-line ‘portfolio’(if you have one)
• follow-up immediately with thank you note:
a) e-mail as soon as possible AND/OR
b) take blank thank you notes with you OR
c) hand-written thank you in mail same day
(or next day at latest )
Questions to expect (1):
• YOU NEED TO PREPARE ANSWERS!
• What interested you in signing up for this
interview?
• What are your greatest strengths?
• What are your weaknesses?
- turn a “negative” into a “positive”!
Questions to expect (2):
• How would your friends describe you to me?
• Describe your perfect internship/job.
• What do you want to accomplish in this
internship/job?
Questions to expect (3):
• Tell me about an event/activity that you
were responsible for that was a real success.
– Why?
• Tell me about an event/activity that you
were responsible for that was not
successful.
– Why?
– What did you learn from it?
Questions to expect (4):
• Tell me about your most important
leadership activity in college.
– Why?
• Tell me about a major conflict in which you
were involved, and how you resolved the
conflict.
– What did you learn from it?
Questions to expect (5):
• Would it be OK if we started the formal
interview after we eat?
– Duh….. The interview starts at the first moment
of contact!
Questions to expect (6):
• If in a group, what do you {interviewees}
want to do this evening before the interview
starts tomorrow morning?
- Who is bossy & takes charge?
- Who is passive/submissive?
Illegal questions
interviewers can NOT ask you...
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marital/family status
national origin/citizenship
affiliations
disabilities
age
arrest record
military record
personal… (height, weight, sexual orientation,
religious beliefs, etc); medical condition - rarely
Prepare good questions (1):
• What would be my primary responsibilities?
• What would I be expected to accomplish in
the first (6 months)?
• What training opportunities does the
company provide?
Prepare good questions (2):
• Do you have a mentoring program
for new hires?
• What new areas/projects are the
company considering?
Prepare good questions (3):
• What has kept you with (company A)?
• What has your career path been with
(company A)?
• What do you like best about (company A)?
• Do you have suggestions that may assist me
in a potential follow up interview?
Prepare good questions (4):
• If I am hired…
- to what area of the country might I be assigned?
- what is the normal career progression for
successful people in your organization?
• How is the organization positioned for the
challenging economic climate?
• What is the compensation range for this
entry level position? (one of the last
questions to ask!)
The second interview:
• likely to be set up by phone call
• travel to corporate “home office” likely
• get details from caller, including
expense reimbursement
• prepare for more intense scrutiny
• management involved
• plan wardrobe
Travel tips:
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get all details well in advance
use a travel agent if you are ‘inexperienced’
arrive at airport >1.5 hr in advance
carry-on critical clothing…..
use services at hotel to your advantage
file expenses promptly
Dining tips:
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follow your host..
order simple items
use your utensils
pace yourself
avoid the exotic
avoid alcohol
don’t forget you’re still interviewing..
Professional communications:
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letter of inquiry/cover letter
resume
thank you (hand written!)
submission of expenses
acceptance/turn-down letter
that answering message...