1. Ask the Recruiter!
How to Prep for Job Interviews
Silvia Rodriguez-Maldonado, Recruiter,
Verizon Wireless, MWA Talent Acquisition
http://www.linkedin.com/in/silviars/en

2. 1. Do your Homework
I got the call! Now what?
Do your research!
•Company and Industry
•Job description, similar jobs
•Interviewer
•Read through all the information sent by the recruiter.
•Make sure that you know driving directions and alternate
routes.
•Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment.

3. 1. Do your Homework
Go above and beyond!
•Quiz yourself on your company, industry and
position knowledge.
•Mock Interviews; Ask a friend to interview you
and give you feedback.
•Rehearse!
7.Create a list of possible questions
8. Script answers
9. Study your answers and read them out loud

4. 2. Types of Interviews
Behavioral Interview
Type of interview where the interviewer is looking for specific examples of how you
have handled work related situations in the past.
How to identify a behavioral
interview?
Questions typically start with
phrases like "tell me about a
time when" or "give me an
example of a
situation/scenario where " .

5. Behavioral Interview
Do Don’t
• Use real-life examples (preferably recent) • Disclose unnecessary or
• Be a S T A R!
confidential information
(Customer’s or coworker’s
- Situation: Provide a specific example of a situation
you were involved in that resulted in a positive
names, company's policies etc).
outcome. (What was the problem or situation)
- Task: Describe the tasks involved in that situation
- Action: Describe the actions involved in the situation’s • Say “ In a situation like that I
task
- Results: Describe the results that directly followed would…….” or “Usually what I do
because of your actions. (What was the overall is….”
outcome?)
• Use personal pronouns “I”, “me” and “my”
• Provide general examples
• Make sure you fully understood the question, If you
are in doubt, rephrase the question and ask for
clarification.
• Write your success “stories” in advance and study • Exaggerate or embellish your
them before the interview
story.

6. Phone Interview
Do Don’t
• Find a quiet room or place to take the • Take any calls 20 minutes
call
prior to the interview.
• Have your resume and job description
with you.
• Take the call while driving.
• Highlight your resume so you can
easily select some of your greatest
accomplishments and strengths. • Take the call in a
• Prepare as if it where an in-person public/noisy place.
interview.
• If you’re returning a phone call from a • Try to multitask while on
potential employer, be ready just in the call.
case s/he wants to do phone
interview right away.

7. Panel Interview
Do Don’t
• Make eye contact with all the • Make eye contact only with
interviewers.
the interviewer who is in
• Have several copies of your resume. front of you or who is the
main talker.
• Introduce your self and shake
everybody’s hands.

8. Sell yourself!
•Do a Self-analysis: Identify your
skills, strengths, opportunities, plans
and career goals.

9. Sell yourself!
•Highlight your strengths
•Turn negative into positive
•Be consistent
•Positive Attitude
•Smile