Interviewing 101
Lauren Loeffler
Career Services
Interview Quiz: True or False?
1.
2.
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4.
5.
The interview begins when I shake
hands with the interviewer.
All I need to do is answer the
questions correctly.
Asking about promotions shows that
I’m ambitious.
The interview is over when the
interviewer says so.
If I mess up I should play it cool and
hope the interviewer doesn’t notice.
Pre-Interview
• Research organization and job
▫ What are the best ways to research?
▫ Employers tell us that our students do not do
this enough
• Evaluate your strengths/weaknesses
▫ Organization needs
▫ Job requirements, qualifications
Prepare for the Interview
• Get clear directions
▫ When, where
▫ Determine route, locate parking
• Dress code
▫ Select professional, comfortable
attire
▫ No distractions
▫ Dress professionally?
How to Distinguish Yourself
• Anticipate, prepare for questions
▫ Review commonly asked questions
▫ Special attention to tough questions
• Prepare your one-minute commercial (CDG, p. 25)
• Knowing the “STAR” technique
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S = Situation
T = Task
A = Actions
R = Results
• Prepare for negative questions
How to Distinguish Yourself
• Get names, titles of all interviewers
• Get detailed job description
• Identify projects to illustrate strengths
▫ Match job skills/qualifications to accomplishments
▫ Prepare “cheat sheet” – a list of qualities
• Develop relevant questions to ask
▫ Demonstrate knowledge of employer, job
▫ Assess position fit with career goals
▫ Find out about next steps, decision time frame
What to Bring…
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Multiple copies of resume
Reference sheet
Notepad
Something to write with
Business cards?
Prepare a list of questions
Portfolio or nice folder
The In-person Interview
• Watch body language
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Posture
Fidgeting
Gestures
Eye contact
• Avoid “badmouthing” past employers
The meal interview
• Etiquette: why so important?
▫ Visible signals of the state of our manners
▫ May predict professional success
▫ It should not be stressful…
• Rules of thumb:
▫ Solids on the left, liquids on the right
 “But, my neighbor already took my bread plate!”
▫ Start from the outside and work your way in
Do’s at the Table
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Wait for everyone to be served before eating
“Please pass the salt”
Taste your meal first and then season it
Utensils should never touch the tablecloth after
they have been used
• Is this finger food?
• Passing the bread and butter
• Excuse yourself to go to the restroom
Don’ts at the Table
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Chew ice
Become lax in your presentation style
Use a toothpick to clean your teeth
Bring up controversial topics
Make slurping noises
Talk with your mouth full
Over-sweeten your drink
Eat something that looks foreign to you
Remember, this is still an interview
• Watch your posture
• How do I eat and answer questions at the same
time?
▫ Give equal time to everyone around you
▫ Make sure your mouth is clear of food
▫ Blot your mouth with your napkin
• Try to stay with the pace of the meal
▫ If you’re lagging behind, start asking some questions
of your own
• Be courteous to the wait staff
After the Interview
• Send short thank-you letter
• Call to inquire about status
of opening
• Wait for call or letter
After the Interview
• Make notes about what did, didn’t work
• Continuing to “interview”
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Reaffirm interest
Promote key skills and abilities
Address less effective responses
Mention things forgotten in interview
• Follow up on rejection letter
Get the Competitive Edge
• Take advantage of Career Services – Bldg. 19
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Publications with interviewing tips (e.g., CDG)
Website resources – www.uwf.edu/career
JasonQuest
Practice interviews
Attend the Etiquette Dinner
• Know the employer’s needs
• Practice interviewing!
Evaluate Offer: Be Informed
• Labor Market & Unemployment
▫ www.bls.gov/ - state & federal info
▫ www.labormarketinfo.com/laus/laus.htm - Florida
• Income Tax
▫ www.taxadmin.org/fta/rate/tax_stru/html - state rates
• Cost of Living vs Salary
▫ www.datamasters.com
 What Does It Cost?
 What Does It Pay?
▫ http://bestplaces.net – cost of living
▫ www.homefair.com – salary calculator