This workshop is the 4th in a 5-part Career Series. It is also presented to Human Communications, a class most students take during their freshman year.

1. Tips On Interviewing

2. Behavior-Based Interview
Questions
1st Interview 2nd Interview
 What do you think a typical day (Do your research)
would be like at ABC  Tell me something our
Company? competitors are doing that
 How do you manage your time? we are not.
(Time management)  How do you make important
 How do you handle “difficult decisions?
customers”?  Can you sell me on our
(Problem solving) current products?
 What strategies do you call on  What unique qualities do you
to handle multiple deadlines? possess that make you different
(Time management) from other candidates?
 What skills are you working to
 What has been the most
difficult situation you have had improve in the next year
to handle in your job? professionally and personally?
(Problem solving)  What type of salary are you
looking for?

3. So What Are They Really Looking For?
Tell me about yourself.
 Your answer to this statement
sets the tone for the interview.
 State 1 or 2 strengths you have
that are pertinent to this job.
 Share past experiences that
have affected your decision to
go into your chosen major.
 Mention strengths and abilities
that are important in this
career field.
 DO NOT share your family
history or anything personal
that does not relate to your job
in this field.

4. Candidate Interview Questions
Human Resources: Peer Interview:
 Tell me about an employee in  Why did you decide to join this
your organization who is company?
considered to be an  How have your expectations
outstanding employee. What changed over time?
makes that person special?
 What do you consider your
company's strengths and
 What would you consider to weaknesses?
be exceptional performance Hiring Manager Interview:
from someone performing in
this position in the first 90  What are the measurements
days? for success within your
organization?
 What can I do to make you
 I feel my background and successful?
experience are a good fit for
this position and I am very  What will be the
interested. What is the next measurements of my success in
step? this position?

5. Closing The Interview
 Ask if there is anything
else you can provide such
as references.
 Ask about the next step in
the process.
 It is appropriate to ask
about an approximate
decision date.
 According to NACE 2011
Recruiting Benchmark
Survey, average amount
of time from interview to
offer is 22 days.

6. Send A Thank You Note
In a Career Builder
survey, 22% of
employers
reported they would
not hire someone
who didn’t send a
thank you note after
the interview

7. How Did You Do On The
Pretest?
 20-19 = A Strong Interview Skills
 17-18 = B Average Interview Skills
 15-16 = C Weak Interview Skills
 14-0 = D Listen Up & Take Notes

8. Online Profiles Matter
45% of companies always search
29% occasionally search
13% don’t search at all
13% review if candidate provides
2011 Social Recruiting Survey Conducted by
Jobvite, July 2011.

9. So What Are They Really Looking For?
Why should we hire you?
 Think of yourself as a product
and develop a sales statement.
 Summarize your
accomplishments and relate
them to the job.
 Look at the job description and
link 2 or 3 qualities you have to
this position.

10. So What Are They Really Looking For?
What are your greatest strengths and
weaknesses?
 When assessing your
strengths, focus on knowledge-
based skills, transferable skills
and personal traits
 When assessing your
weaknesses, select a
professional trait that you
would like to improve upon.

11. Illegal Interview Questions
Be assertive if you are
asked an illegal interview
question.

12. Telephone Interview Preparation
 May be the first round of
screening out candidates.
 Use a land line if possible.
 Tape your resume to a
wall.
 Have a notepad handy to
take notes.
 Place a "Do Not Disturb"
note on your door.
 Turn off your stereo, TV,
and any other potential
distractions.

13. Skype/Webcam Interviews
 Set up your webcam so you are looking straight
into the camera.
 Set your laptop on top of a pile of books if you need to.
 Check your lighting and your background.
 Dress professionally. No low-cut shirts!
 Be aware of nervous habits (hair tossing, hands on
the face)
 Have a Plan B in case you have technical
difficulties.
 Skype with a family member or friend before your
interview.

14. Group Interviews
 Teamwork is important
 Greet all interviewers individually
 When answering questions, be sure
you are engaging the entire group

15. Should I Bring My Portfolio?
A professional portfolio is recommended
for marketing/advertising, graphic
design, communication, education and
visual arts. Optional for other
industries.

16. If You Are Taken Out To Lunch
 Turn your cell phone off.
 Stay away from sensitive
conversation subjects
such as religion and
politics.
 Safe conversation topics
are family, travel or
weather.
 Place your napkin in your
lap once everyone is
seated.

17. If You Are Taken Out To Lunch
 Don’t order messy food
such as
spaghetti, chicken, pizza,
ribs or big sandwiches.
 Water, juice or ice tea are
appropriate drink orders.
 Once silverware is used, it
does not touch the table.
 Salt and pepper should be
passed as a set.

18. If You Are Taken Out To Lunch
 Cut food into bite-size
pieces so you may quickly
chew and swallow your
food before speaking.
 The main point is you are
still being interviewed so
eating is secondary.
 If you need to excuse
yourself, place your
napkin on your chair, not
on the table.

19. If You Are Taken Out To Lunch
 Place your utensils on
your plate in the ten and
four o’clock position to
indicate you are finished.
Handles at four
o’clock, tops at ten
o’clock.
 Place your napkin to the
left side of your
plate, never on your plate.
 The host will pick up the
tab. It is inappropriate to
offer payment.

20. Do’s and Don’ts For
Job Fair Success
DO
 have a list of those
companies you must visit
and the order you wish to
meet with them.
 offer your resume, but be
prepared to go to a
company website to fill
out an online application
and upload your resume.
 be prepared to fill out an
application.
 send a thank you note to
the employers you met.

21. Do’s and Don’ts For
Job Fair Success
Don’t
 ask the following questions:
 Do you have any
openings?
 How much do you pay?
 Do you want to see my
portfolio?
 show up unprepared.
 stand in line at an
employer’s booth for more
than 10 minutes.
 be bashful.
 chew gum.

22. Life After College Workshop
Monday, April 23
12:00 in West Private Dining Room
4:00 in Hershey Hall, Room 201

23. Career Services Contact Information
Heidi Seegers, Director
Office Information
Office Hours: Monday-Friday
8 am-12 pm and 1 pm-5pm
Or by appointment
Hershey Hall, Room 231
319-385-6375
hseegers@iwc.edu
Online Networking
Linkedin.com/in/hseegers
Twitter.com/IWCCareer