2. Remember the Silent Question
All questions employers ask are really the
same question…
3. Ways to Show Value &
Make an Impression:
Research the company
Understand the position
Know your strengths & value
Talk about your strengths
Learn to answer different types of questions
Practice your interviewing skills
Create an interview portfolio
Send a thank-you letter
4. Research the Company
Why?
So you can show how you match
with company needs
What?
Company mission, core values,
management style, culture, growth
areas, projects, problems
5. Research the Company
How?
Company / organization websites
Online resources: h
ttp://depts.washington.edu/careers
QuickLinks Web Resources Company
Research
Directories, financial sources and indexes in
libraries and Career Centers - Moody’s
Industrial Manual, Thomas Register
Annual reports, articles, newspapers, trade
journals
6. Understand the Position
Understanding what the employer is looking
for is key to answering interview questions
Print the job description and highlight the
“skill” words
If you don’t have a job description, ask
questions about it early in the interview
Is there anything more you can tell me about this
position?
What results do you expect to see from somebody in
this position?
7. Understand the Position
When answering interview
questions, discuss strengths
and experiences that match the
job description
Ask a few questions at end of
interview
Questions that show some
forethought
Questions that show you’ve done
your research
Questions that demonstrate your
desire to understand the position
9. Strengths-Based Interview Strategy
“Tell me about yourself?”
The question we usually get
to start the interview.
Gives the first opportunity to answer
the silent question.
10. Strengths-Based Interview Strategy
Keep in mind the job description and your
strengths/skills.
Choose three strengths and say:
“My strengths include _______, _______, and
_______; which of these would you prefer I talk
about first?”
11. Strengths-Based Interview Strategy
The interviewer will choose or let you
choose.
Give the best example of when you
demonstrated that strength.
Be short and clear - no more than 2
minutes.
12. Strengths-Based Interview Strategy
Ask: “Is this the kind of information you
want? Would you like another example in
this skill area or shall I go on to another?”
You will guide the interview so your
greatest strengths are clearly
communicated.
Complete the worksheets on pages 7-10 in
the CCS Career Guide
13. Know Your Strengths & Value
A Strong Academic Record
Skills & Achievements
Extra-curricular activities, achievements, and good experiences
are strong evidence to help in understanding the type of person
you are
Technical Skills
Essential in some fields, and highly valued in all fields
Also, your ability to…
place problems in a wide but relevant perspective
work efficiently with others in a team
get things done
14. Answering Questions
Basic Approach
Listen
Think through the answers you could give
Answer briefly and to the point
Use only positive information
15. Answering Questions
General tips
Be yourself
Speak clearly
Ask for clarification if you do not understand a
question
Don’t be afraid to ask for time to think
Keep your answers relevant to the question
Ask questions – leave the interview
knowledgeable about training, job locations,
when you should expect to hear the outcome of
the interview, etc.
16. Answering Questions
Behavior Based Questions
employers believe past actions predict future
behavior
think of examples/stories/scenarios
use the STAR Method
17. Answering Questions
Situational Questions
interviewer describes a situation and asks how you
would respond
relate to real situation if possible (keep the STAR
method in mind)
18. Answering Questions
Unexpected Questions
pause - think - respond
Negative Questions
always respond with a positive
talk about what you learned
speak about something unrelated to the job
19. Answering Questions
Technical Questions
test problem solving and critical thinking skills
indicate how you might arrive at an answer
http://www.hitequest.com
Illegal Questions
think of underlying question interviewer might
have in mind and address it
ask how it relates to performing the job
20. Practice Your Interviewing Skills
Answering interview questions effectively
takes practice
Practice out loud by yourself
Have a friend ask you questions
Participate in a Mock Interview at CCS
21. Utilize Interviewing Resources
Virtual Interview – computer in lobby
Interview Survival Kit – buy at front desk
Employer panels & Career Prep Event
Mock interview program
22. Create an Interview Portfolio
What is it?
A portable file of examples related to your skills
and strengths
Its purpose is to show evidence of your strengths,
value, and match to employers
23. Create an Interview Portfolio
Why should I create one?
The process of creating one allows you to reflect on
your strengths so you can better communicate them
Using portfolios in job interviews will:
Set you apart from other candidates
Help you better describe your strengths and examples
Help you get jobs!
24. Create an Interview Portfolio
How do I start making one?
Decide on a format (binder, online, etc.)
Start collecting artifacts that demonstrate the skills you
might want to discuss in interviews
Photos, charts, reports, certificates, thank you notes,
flyers, diagrams, etc.
See examples on next few pages
For each artifact, create a title and short description
Store artifacts in file box or electronic files
25. Rumi Tsuchihashi Portfolio
Highlights
Team player with experience in cross-cultural training, program
management, and interpersonal communication. Excellent writing
and editing skills. Native fluency in Japanese.
Experience
Cross-cultural training
* Designed and conducted workshops on Japanese patterns of
communication and managed student study abroad program.
* Researched and assembled a cultural diversity information packet, as
part of a training for educators.
Program management
* Effectively managed program participants of diverse ethnic and
cultural backgrounds.
* Designed and edited monthly program calendar and newsletter, which
aided internal communication.
* One program accelerated its application process by more than 50%
after a complete revision of the program information packet and
forms.
Interpersonal Communication
* Served as liaison between volunteers and clients by exercising active
listening skills, successfully mediating many interpersonal conflicts
and problems of miscommunication.
* Maintained regular phone and written contacts with clients, keeping
detailed written documents which promoted continuity and
cohesion in the service.
Table of Contents
Cross-cultural
Training………………………………….2
Program Development...……...
……………………. 3
Program
Management…………………………………. 4
27. Program Development
Conceived and conducted workshop
assisting overseas program participants
with logistical arrangements and provided
support for cultural adjustment.
28. Program Management
Effectively managed
program of participants
from diverse cultural
backgrounds.
Designed and edited
newsletter.
Created program
recruiting brochure.
Accelerated application
process by more than
50% resulting in
increased matches.
29. A Good Match
What I Bring:
Cross-cultural training
Program development
Program management
Your Job Listing:
Assistant Director – Institute for International
Education of Students
30. Create an Interview Portfolio
How do I use one in interviews?
Review job description for key skills
Choose 5-10 strengths and artifacts
Create targeted portfolio for each interview
Include title page and table of contents
When discussing a skill during an interview, show your
proof!
Leave portfolio for employer to review and pick it up
later
31. Create an Interview Portfolio
Where can I learn more about portfolios?
Download our Portfolio Basics Workshop slides
http://depts.washington.edu/careers/careerplan/worksh
Check out http://amby.com/kimeldorf/portfolio/
Meet with a counselor individually
Participate in a mock interview
32. Send a Thank-You Letter
Sending a thank-you letter allows you to:
Express appreciation
Demonstrate professionalism
Demonstrate your writing skills
Restate your interest, skills, and match
Address issue you forgot or want to emphasize
Stand out from the crowd
33. Send a Thank-You Letter
Thank-you letters should be:
Short, sincere, positive
Sent within 48 hours of your interview
Addressed to each interviewer
Signed
34. Summary
Research the company
Understand the position
Know / speak about your strengths and value
Prepare for different types of questions
Practice, Practice, Practice!
Create a portfolio
Send a thank-you letter
CollegeGrad.com - click on Interview Prep
Show first bullet and ask participants what they think the underlying question is. Then show second bullet.
This slide previews the rest of the workshop
Mention Hoovers.com as a resource for researching companies that the UW is licensed to use. Must use a UW computer or browser (UWICK). Gives company profile, officers, financial info, competitors. Researching Companies Online is good as well. Also mention wetfeet.com and vault.com as company research sites, though they charge a fee for more detailed reports. Other web sites on back of handout packet. Can also do an articles search on www.careers.wsj.com, type in company name in search box.
Refer to questions in gold guide packet.
Ask for volunteer. Indicate that the volunteer will not be embarrassed or humiliated and that they will likely find out some good things about themselves and help in demonstrating the strategy to the group. Once you get a volunteer. Ask them to come up front and have a seat (arrange chairs in advance). Then ask the group: “What are questions you usually get in the beginning of the interview?” Take some answers – usually “Tell me about yourself.” “Why do you want to work here?” “What is your background?” Validate them all and select the “Tell me about yourself” as the question you will ask the volunteer and begin the interview role play. Follow the Dependable Strengths interview role play process. When done ask about the difference between the before and after interviews. Address questions, concerns (ie. “You took over the interview”). Thank the volunteer. Then review the interview strategy on the following slides.
The strategy can also work with other questions like “Why do you want to work here?” “What is your background?” by saying “I want to work here because I believe it would give me the opportunity to utilize my strengths that match with the position. They include _______________,_________,__________. Which would you like to hear about first?”
Try to keep responses to around 90 seconds.
Address concerns about taking over the interview and who is in control. First Bullet - refer to the Dependable Strengths identification exercise in the handout packet (Information About Self from the gold guide). Describe and discuss the exercise briefly. It’s fun if you like to write, may be tedious if you don’t, and it is among the best things one can do in preparing for an interview. Encourage students to follow-up with a career counselor after completing the DS exercises in Career Guide.
After showing top bullet, ask for ideas/examples of what behavior-based questions are Give examples of questions - see sample behavior based questions on STAR handout Point them to STAR section of Career Guide
After showing top bullet, ask for ideas/examples about what situation questions are Give an example of a situational question (i.e. “Let’s say you are working for us and you have been assigned to a team project as the lead person. One member of the team is not producing or pulling their weight. How would you deal with that situation?”)
Ask for examples of unexpected interview questions they’ve faced or heard about Give examples of unexpected questions (i.e.. What is your philosophy?, How would you describe your sense of humor?, etc. For unexpected questions, it is okay to ask for time to think, or to ask for clarification. Ask for ideas about what “negative questions” means Give examples of negative questions. (“What is your greatest weakness?’’, “Why didn’t you like your last job…your last employer…your education at the UW?”)
Technical question example – “How many jelly beans would fit in a Boeing 747?” Refer to the illegal questions handout.
Discuss and refer to CCS Mock Interview program handout. Inform them that they can do an MI with a peer, career counselor, or employer Be prepared to address questions about “practicing” in real interviews Only interview with companies that are of genuine interest to you Prepare adequately for each interview Try to do multiple interviews
Show some portfolio hard copies too Mention that you don’t necessarily need to include your resume in your portfolio Emphasize the importance of having a title page
Refer to example thank-you note in Career Guide Encourage students to send brief, appreciative email thank-you letter *immediately* after interview AND follow-up with more detailed letter in the snail mail within 48 hours If a group interviews you, try to send thank you notes to each interviewer. If you don’t know the names of each interviewer, send a thank-you letter to the “person in charge” Only need to send thank-you notes to people with whom you spent individual time.
Mention Job Offer & Salary Negotiations workshops and point them out on the Calendar of Events.
