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Interviewing 101 Have a Great First Date!

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Personal Preparation: Yes, this stuff really happens …. <ul><li>Grooming – no perfume and aftershave, ironed and professional clothes, don’t chew gum (It is OK to bring a water bottle and sip), eat light and appropriately, don’t smoke or wear clothes that smell of smoke </li></ul><ul><li>Hygiene – don’t touch your nose, if you are sick say so and don’t shake hands </li></ul><ul><li>Fidgiters – no clicking pens, shaking foot </li></ul><ul><li>Be nice to support staff, receptionist, their opinion counts </li></ul><ul><li>Punctuality - Set 2 alarm clocks </li></ul><ul><li>Practice run to location – follow directions and check out parking – have back up transportation </li></ul><ul><li>Cell phone off – not even on vibrate! It is still audible. </li></ul><ul><li>Practice a Happy Face – test yourself in a mirror </li></ul>

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How to Dress for an Interview <ul><li>Women </li></ul><ul><li>Conservative suit </li></ul><ul><li>Coordinated blouse </li></ul><ul><li>Moderate shoes – no killer stilettos, no sandals </li></ul><ul><li>Limited jewelry - nothing should jangle </li></ul><ul><li>Neat, professional hairstyle </li></ul><ul><li>Sparse make-up </li></ul><ul><li>Neatly trimmed nails, if polished, no chips </li></ul><ul><li>Portfolio or briefcase </li></ul><ul><li>Men </li></ul><ul><li>Conservative suit </li></ul><ul><li>Long sleeve shirt </li></ul><ul><li>Conservative tie </li></ul><ul><li>Dark socks, professional polished shoes </li></ul><ul><li>Very limited jewelry </li></ul><ul><li>Neat, professional hairstyle </li></ul><ul><li>Neatly trimmed nails </li></ul><ul><li>Portfolio or briefcase </li></ul>

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“ What Not to Wear” on a Job Interview <ul><li>Flip-flops or sneakers. </li></ul><ul><li>Underwear (bras, bra straps, briefs, boxers, etc.) that is visible. Don't wear any underwear that shows - even if your bra straps match your top. </li></ul><ul><li>Shorts. Jeans. </li></ul><ul><li>Skirts that are too short. </li></ul><ul><li>Pants that are too low-rise or too tight. </li></ul><ul><li>Blouses that are too low-cut or too short - don't show your cleavage or your belly. </li></ul><ul><li>For men – untucked shirts </li></ul><ul><li>Your Social vs. Your Professional Presence - What you wear off-the-job and socially doesn't have to be what you wear interviewing or at work. </li></ul><ul><li>Perfume and Cologne - Your scent (even if you smell good) can be an issue. With any type of scent, less, or none, is better. This includes Hairspray! </li></ul><ul><li>Pantyhose - The question of whether women should wear pantyhose on a job interview created a lot of discussion and the answer was overwhelmingly yes. </li></ul><ul><li>Tattoos and Piercing - Depending on where you are interviewing, you may want to consider covering your tattoos and taking out your rings. There are companies that have policies which limit both. </li></ul>

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Interview Chat: They want to like you. <ul><li>Green Light </li></ul><ul><li>Goals </li></ul><ul><li>Growth </li></ul><ul><li>Professional Highlights </li></ul><ul><li>Motivations </li></ul><ul><li>Share Commonalities </li></ul><ul><li>Listen – don’t interrupt </li></ul><ul><li>Yellow Light </li></ul><ul><li>Vacations </li></ul><ul><li>Allergies </li></ul><ul><li>Pets </li></ul><ul><li>All Skills </li></ul>

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Interview Chat: They want to like you. <ul><li>Red Light </li></ul><ul><li>Lifestyle choices, politics, religion, family plans </li></ul><ul><li>Endless name dropping </li></ul><ul><li>Health History </li></ul><ul><li>House Problems, nanny drama, rehab trips </li></ul><ul><li>Bosses from Hell </li></ul>

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Interviewing Basics <ul><li>Interviews are always stressful - even for job seekers who have gone on countless interviews. The best way to reduce the stress is to be prepared. Take the time to review the &quot;standard&quot; interview questions you will most likely be asked. Also review sample answers to these typical interview questions. </li></ul><ul><li>Then take the time to research the company. That way you'll be ready with knowledgeable answers for the job interview with questions that specifically relate to the company you are interviewing with. </li></ul>

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Interview Questions: Your Work History <ul><li>Name of company, position title and description, dates of employment. </li></ul><ul><li>What were your expectations for the job and to what extent were they met? </li></ul><ul><li>What were your starting and final levels of compensation? </li></ul><ul><li>What were your responsibilities? </li></ul><ul><li>What major challenges and problems did you face? How did you handle them? </li></ul><ul><li>Which was most / least rewarding? </li></ul><ul><li>What was the biggest accomplishment / failure in this position? </li></ul><ul><li>Questions about your supervisors and co-workers. </li></ul><ul><li>What was it like working for your supervisor? What were his strengths and shortcomings? </li></ul><ul><li>Who was your best boss and who was the worst? </li></ul><ul><li>Why are you leaving your job? </li></ul><ul><li>What have you been doing since your last job? </li></ul><ul><li>Why were you fired? </li></ul>

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Interview Questions About You <ul><li>What is your greatest weakness? </li></ul><ul><li>What is your greatest strength? </li></ul><ul><li>Describe a typical work week. </li></ul><ul><li>Do you take work home with you? </li></ul><ul><li>How many hours do you normally work? </li></ul><ul><li>How would you describe the pace at which you work? </li></ul><ul><li>How do you handle stress and pressure? </li></ul><ul><li>What motivates you? </li></ul><ul><li>What are your salary expectations? </li></ul><ul><li>What do you find are the most difficult decisions to make? </li></ul><ul><li>Tell me about yourself. </li></ul><ul><li>What has been the greatest disappointment in your life? </li></ul><ul><li>What are your pet peeves? </li></ul><ul><li>What do people most often criticize about you? </li></ul><ul><li>When was the last time you were angry? What happened? </li></ul>

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Interview Questions About You <ul><li>If you could relive the last 10 years of your life, what would you do differently? </li></ul><ul><li>If the people who know you were asked why you should be hired, what would they say? </li></ul><ul><li>Do you prefer to work independently or on a team? </li></ul><ul><li>Give some examples of teamwork. </li></ul><ul><li>What type of work environment do you prefer? </li></ul><ul><li>How do you evaluate success? </li></ul><ul><li>If you know your boss is 100% wrong about something how would you handle it? </li></ul><ul><li>Describe a difficult work situation / project and how you overcame it. </li></ul><ul><li>Describe a time when your workload was heavy and how you handled it. </li></ul><ul><li>More job interview questions about your abilities. </li></ul><ul><li>More job interview questions about you. </li></ul>

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Interview Questions About New Job and New Company <ul><li>What interests you about this job? </li></ul><ul><li>Why do you want this job? </li></ul><ul><li>What applicable attributes / experience do you have? Are you overqualified for this job? – </li></ul><ul><li>What can you do for this company? </li></ul><ul><li>Why should we hire you? </li></ul><ul><li>Why are you the best person for the job? </li></ul><ul><li>What do you know about this company? </li></ul><ul><li>Why do you want to work here? </li></ul><ul><li>What challenges are you looking for in a position? </li></ul><ul><li>What can you contribute to this company? </li></ul><ul><li>Are you willing to travel? </li></ul><ul><li>Is there anything I haven't told you about the job or company that you would like to know? </li></ul>

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Interview Questions: The Future <ul><li>What are you looking for in your next job? What is important to you? </li></ul><ul><li>What are your goals for the next five years / ten years? </li></ul><ul><li>How do you plan to achieve those goals? </li></ul><ul><li>What are your salary requirements - both short-term and long-term? </li></ul><ul><li>Questions about your career goals. </li></ul><ul><li>What will you do if you don't get this position? </li></ul>

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Interview Questions to Ask <ul><li>How would you describe the responsibilities of the position? </li></ul><ul><li>How would you describe a typical week/day in this position? </li></ul><ul><li>Is this a new position? If not, what did the previous employee go on to do? </li></ul><ul><li>What is the company's management style? </li></ul><ul><li>Who does this position report to? If I am offered the position, can I meet him/her? </li></ul><ul><li>How many people work in this office/department? </li></ul><ul><li>How much travel is expected? </li></ul><ul><li>Is relocation a possibility? </li></ul><ul><li>What is the typical work week? Is overtime expected? </li></ul>

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Interview Questions to Ask <ul><li>What are the prospects for growth and advancement? </li></ul><ul><li>How does one advance in the company? </li></ul><ul><li>Are there any examples? </li></ul><ul><li>What do you like about working here? </li></ul><ul><li>What don't you like about working here and what would you change? </li></ul><ul><li>Would you like a list of references? </li></ul><ul><li>If I am extended a job offer, how soon would you like me to start? </li></ul><ul><li>What can I tell you about my qualifications? </li></ul><ul><li>When can I expect to hear from you? </li></ul><ul><li>Are there any other questions I can answer for you? </li></ul>

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Interview Questions NOT to Ask <ul><li>What does this company do? (Do your research ahead of time!) </li></ul><ul><li>If I get the job when can I take time off for vacation? (Wait until you get the offer to mention prior commitments) </li></ul><ul><li>Can I change my schedule if I get the job? (If you need to figure out the logistics of getting to work don't mention it now...) </li></ul><ul><li>Did I get the job? (Don't be impatient. They'll let you know.) </li></ul><ul><li>http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewquestionsanswers/a/interviewquest.htm </li></ul>

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Thank you notes <ul><li>Your mother told you to do it, and now a new survey shows she was right: Sending a thank-you note not only displays impeccable manners but also may give job hopefuls an edge over other applicants. Eighty-eight percent of executives polled by Robert Half International said sending a thank-you note following an interview can boost a job seeker's chances of landing the position. Despite the overwhelming support for these notes, however, hiring managers estimate that almost half (49 percent) of applicants fail to send them. </li></ul><ul><li>A thank-you note allows you to accomplish three objectives: Express your appreciation for the opportunity; reinforce your interest in the job; and restate the value you can bring to the organization. And, often, composing a thank-you note takes less time than you may think since this type of message should be only a few paragraphs in length. </li></ul>

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Closing the Interview <ul><li>Recognize when your time is up </li></ul><ul><li>Don’t drone on </li></ul><ul><li>Ask for the job </li></ul><ul><li>Indicate that their company interests you </li></ul><ul><li>Ask about next steps </li></ul><ul><li>Firm good-bye handshake </li></ul><ul><li>Thank the interview for their time </li></ul>