The Pennsylvania State University
Topics
• Purpose
• Internal Information
• External Information
• The Actual Interview
• Questions
Purpose
• For employer to determine match
between you and organization.
• For you to sell yourself and
qualifications.
• To determine if the job and
organization are what you want.
• To get the job!
Internal Information
• Career Goals
• What do I want to do?
• What kind of organization do I want to join?
• What can this opportunity do for my future?
• Educational Experience
• Why did I choose my major?
• How have I changed since beginning college?
• What educational experiences have influenced my goals?
• Work Experience
• What relevant experience(s) have I had?
• What kind of work environment do I prefer?
• How might I improve as a professional in my field?
• Personal Skills & Abilities
• Where have I shown leadership?
• Do I prefer individual or group projects?
• Am I a good analyst, organizer, manager, communicator?
External Information
• Find out as much as possible about a
company, organization, or district:
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Philosophy & objectives.
Services & products.
Annual reports.
Organizational chart.
Special accomplishments or projects.
Geographic location/s.
History.
The Actual Interview
• A firm handshake, not too weak or strong.
• Be Yourself! Strike a balance between your personal
and professional self!
• Try to be on employer’s level: Don’t be too
passive, aggressive, or reactive.
• Pay attention to body language, yours and interviewer’s.
• Use good speech: clearly and slowly.
Questions
• From the employer
– Typical questions:
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What are your strengths/weaknesses?
What accomplishments are you most proud of?
Why do you want to work for us?
What are your career goals?
What type of work environments do you prefer?
How would you define a good manager/customer service?
– Behavioral-based questions:
• Tell us about a challenging situation and how you managed it.
• Give an example of a time when you participated in a team
project.
Questions
• From you to the employer:
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What are some of the organization’s strengths?
What sort of training can I expect?
How is supervision conducted?
What progression could I expect?
How did you ascend to your current position?
What areas are you looking to improve?
Could you describe the day to day environment of
the office/organization.
Questions
• Inappropriate questions/Civil Rights Act of 1964:
– Those centered on the following:
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Age/Race/Nationality
Marital status
Sexual orientation
Political/Religious/Social affiliations
Financial status
Citizenship
• What do you do?
– Your choice:
• Respond, Decline, Ask how the question relates to
the job, or State that you are able to perform the job.
Additional Questions?
413 Boucke
865-2377
www.psu.edu/career