Interviewing Skills
Workshop
Purpose
• Identify the Do’s, Don’ts, and Professional
Dress for Interview
• Interview Styles, Questions, and Techniques
• Preparing for the Interview
• Best Practices at a Career Fair
Interviewing Aspects
Do’s, Don’ts and Dress
Did you know
Interviewing Tips
Do:
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Turn off your cell phone
Have a firm handshake
Be familiar with the
organization and position
Ask questions
Dress professionally
Send a thank you note
Ask about next steps
Don’t:
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Be Late
Fail to practice beforehand
Dress inappropriately
Overlook body language
Speak negatively about
yourself or others
Lie
Fail to ask questions
What to Wear?
Interview Styles
Questions and Techniques
Interview Types
Styles:
Questions:
• Individual /Group
interviews
• Situational
– “Think on your feet”
– Panel
• Phone, Skype,
Second/on-site interviews
• Case
– Advanced
– Presented with a set of
facts/problem to solve
• Major specific/Technical
– Related to your field of
study
• Behavioral
– Specific examples
Comparison of Questions
Traditional Style:
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“Tell me about one of your group
projects”
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“Tell me about a challenge you
have faced”
Behavioral Style:
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“Describe a time when you tried
to get a group of people to
cooperate and work together as a
team so that an objective could
be accomplished”
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“What types of problems have
you had to identify and solve in
your academic career? Describe
in detail one of the most
significant of these problems and
the solution you developed”
Behavioral Interview Technique
Sources of Experience
• Group projects
• Internships/Co-ops
• Campus/Professional
Organizations
• Hobbies and Interests
• Leadership Positions
• Previous Work Experience
• Summer/Part-time Jobs
• Awards and Recognition
• Volunteer Work
Think of your “Stories”
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Times where you saved/made
money for an employer
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A time where you provided
successful leadership
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A crisis or two and how you
responded/recovered
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Failures you faced and how
you overcame them
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A time where you were part of
a team and what your
contribution was
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Events that caused you to
change direction and how that
worked out
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A time when you dealt with
stress
Practice Makes Perfect
Preparing for the Interview
Interview Checklist
• Research the organization and industry
– Company website, annual reports, competitors
• Determine names and job titles of interviewers
• Choose appropriate attire for interview
• Review directions/location of interview
• Prepare your questions to ask (4-5)
• Double check your resume and references for
further review
What can I ask the Employer?
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What skills and experiences would
make an ideal candidate?
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Do you offer continuing education
and professional training?
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What is the single largest problem
facing your staff and would I be
in a position to help you solve this
problem?
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Can you tell me about the team I’ll
be working with?
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What can you tell me about your
new products or plans for growth?
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Who previously held this position?
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What is the next step in the
process?
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What have you enjoyed most
about working here?
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What constitutes success at this
position and this company?
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Do you have any hesitations
about my qualifications?
Questions NOT to ask the Employer
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What are the hours of this
position?
What is the pay for this
position?
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What type of benefits do you
offer?
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What does your company do?
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When can I take vacation?
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How long is my lunch?
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Will I have to take a drug test
or complete a background
check?
Follow Up After Interview
• Phone/Email message within 24 hours
– Formal email message
• Handwritten note OR letter
• Additional follow up is standard 2 weeks
from your interview
• Consider your grammar and handwriting
• Keep in mind the provided next step
instructions from employer
Best practices for Career Fair
What’s your Game Plan?
What are your Goals?
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Connect with organizations to collect information,
submit resumes, or arrange interviews?
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Discuss job search strategies, interview, and
resume tips, or finding a summer internship with
recruiters?
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Develop a job search network - collect referrals to
other departments/divisions within an
organization?
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Meet with new, less familiar organizations and
discover unexpected opportunities?
How to Ace the Fair
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Review who is coming to campus with Career Center or
academic college
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Attend resume or interview workshop with Career Center
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Research any open internship or entry level positions on
the company website and/or CareerLink
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Update or create your LinkedIn profile
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Strategically navigate the employer layout
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Make eye contact, firm handshake, pick up materials,
and leave behind your resume
Create your “30 second commercial”
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Sample
“ Hello, my name is Jane and I am a sophomore majoring
in Marketing. I did some research on your website and am
interested in the marketing research internship that is
posted. I have worked for ABC company the past 2 years
collecting customer survey results and tracking that data
in an online database. I’d love to hear more about your
company and the internship program.
Develop Questions to Ask
Positive questions:
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What opportunities are
available in your organization?
What type of training is
available?
What types of assignments
are given?
What do you look for in
candidates?
What skills/experiences are
highly desirable?
Do you have any tips for
success in this field?
Negative questions:
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What are you hiring for?
What does your company do?
What give-a-ways do you
have?
Do you run background
checks?
What do you pay?
Do you know “John” that
works for your company?
After the Career Fair
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Get organized, keep track of potential leads
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Follow up with employers you met
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Make necessary updates to your resume
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Continue practicing your interviewing skills
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Reflect on your experience at the fair
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How well did I prepare for it?
Do I feel like I networked well?
Did I give my 30 second commercial?
What went well? What would I do differently?
Did I learn something about myself or a potential employer?