Guide To Interviewing

Interviewing Handout (pdf)
Interviewing from Yahoo! HotJobs (Topeka Capital-Journal)
Interview Question Database from Quintessential Careers -
Includes suggested responses
Interviewer's Favorite Questions...and Answers from JobWeb
Interviewing Tips from JobWeb
Acing the Behavioral-Based Interview from JobWeb
Glassdoor.com gives you a free look at company salaries, reviews and interview questions at over 27,000 companies.

HOW CAREER SERVICES CAN ASSIST YOU WITH THE
THE INTERVIEW PROCESS:

* Interviewing class presentations
* Mock interviews
* Individual interview guidance
* Interview reference materials
* Job/interviewing leads
* On-campus job interviews

Practice interviewing at your computer with:

FREE to WU Students!

TEN FREQUENTLY ASKED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

1. Why don't you tell me about yourself?
   
2. Why should I hire you?
   
3. What are your major strengths?
   
4. What are your major weaknesses?
   
5. What salary do you expect to receive?
   
6. How does your previous experience relate to the position?
   
7. What are your career goals?
   
8. What will your former employers (or teachers, if you are a recent student) say about you?
   
9. Why are you interested in this position?
   
10. What do you know about our company?
    

TOP SKILLS AND TRAITS EMPLOYERS LOOK FOR:

• Communication skills (verbal and written)
• Leadership potential
• Confidence
• Interpersonal skills
• Intelligence, ability to learn
• Attitude
• Appropriate appearance
• Enthusiasm
• Problem solving ability
• Work ethic
• Self-esteem, motivation, goal setting
• Dependability

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

INTERVIEW DO'S...

• Dress professionally and conservatively
• Maintain a neat hairstyle
• Cover all visible tattoos
• Remove visible piercing jewelry - limit to one earring per ear for women, none for men; no nose, eyebrow, or lip piercings
• Wear perfume or cologne conservatively
• Wear minimal amount of jewelry
• Provide interviewer with your resume
• Smile - it's a universally attractive trait
• Walk with confidence
• Maintain good eye contact
• Shake hands firmly
• Arrive 10 minutes early at interview location
• Be very polite to the receptionist
• Greet the interviewer in a friendly, businesslike manner
• Relax, act natural, and let your personality shine
  

INTERVIEW DON'TS...

• Use interviewer's first name (unless or until asked to)
• Arrive late
• Sit down (until invited)
• Show anxiety or lack of interest
• Look at your watch
• Act inferior or superior
• Talk too much - or too little - in your responses
• Be rude to anyone
• Mumble, bluff, or answer dishonestly
• Criticize yourself
• Be negative when speaking about your employers
• Ask about your salary or benefits
  

THE ART OF PREPARATION

• Research the employer
• Assess your strengths and weaknesses
• Analyze and compare previous job responsibilities to those of position sought
• Remember that volunteer and internship
  experience count as relevant experience
• Develop and rehearse your responses to typical interview questions
• Frame answers to show job effectiveness
• Brush up on interview skills by reviewing relevant job search books and articles
• Prepare thoughtful interview questions
• Remember -- practice makes perfect
  

POWER WORDS AND PHRASES

Use action words in your interview responses just as in your resume:

* Achieved * Accepted
* Analyzed * Compiled
* Created * Determined
* Developed * Directed
* Instructed * Managed
* Mediated * Organized

PROFILE OF THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

• Someone who desires to work and will be dependable and responsible
• Someone who is likeable and will fit in
• Someone with the skills to do the job
• Someone who is motivated to assist the company in reaching its goals
• Someone who can benefit the company
• Someone who can successfully articulate, demonstrate, and give examples of all of the above

YOUR TURN TO ASK QUESTIONS
Common questions to ask the interviewer(s)

• What skills are considered most useful for success in this position?
• How often would my performance be reviewed?
• What kind of training program is offered?
• What would be a typical first assignment?
• What career progression do you see for someone in this position?
• What type of orientation would I have?

AFTER THE INTERVIEW

• Send follow-up thank-you letter the next day to the interviewer
• Allow the employer one week to ten days to contact you
• Take advantage of time by scheduling additional interviews with other companies
• Remember that interviewing is a skill that improves with practice
  

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

• You have rights to protect against discriminatory interview questions
• Discriminatory questions are usually those items classified as non-job related
• Sex, race, age, disabilities, national origin, and religion are categories employers may not ask about during interviews

Schedule a visit to Career Sevices for a mock interview or interviewing assistance!

Morgan Hall 123/785-670-1450/Email Kent McAnally