Vanderbilt Career Center Christy Waggoner

Transcription

1 Vanderbilt Career Center Christy Waggoner

2 Employer Feedback Preparing for the Interview Interview Do s and Don ts Interview Attire Understanding Yourself Understanding the Organization Making An Impression Telling Your Story Bridge the Gap Types of Interviews Interviewing Techniques Illegal Questions Closing the Interview 2 nd Round Interviews After the Interview

3 Great Applicants Overall Strong Resume Quality Leadership, Internship & Work Experience Candidates Were Collected, Articulate and Professional Many Candidates Had Done Their Research kd h h f l b Asked Thoughtful Questions About Company Hiring Program

4 Do Not Use Filler Words such as Ummm or Yeah Answers Should Not Sound Scripted Rl Relate your answers to personal experience Provide your answer and then say, for example Body Language g Posture, do not cover your mouth when speaking Know Specifics About the Individual Department

5 MESSAGE: Be over prepared It will make YOUR interview flow more smoothly Know Why this Company? Know the Industry Research the Company Know the MARKET Reminder: Not the same as Social Networking Formality Can Be Viewed As A Sign Of Respect Mirror & Match the Interviewer

6 Role playing with a friend or counselor, practicing in front of a mirror, or video taped mock interviews are good methods of preparing for an interview. ie Appearance should reflect maturity and self confidence confidence. Be neat, clean, and dress in good taste. No extremes! Career and Human Resource Consulting

7 You may want to bring the following (carried in a small portfolio or binder): Extra copies of your resume, Transcripts, etc. A listing of the names, titles, organizations, addresses and phone numbers of your references. A "cheat sheet" which contains information to assist you in filling out an application neatly and completely (employers often use the application as a screening device). Paper and pen/pencil. A portfolio containing samples of your work (if appropriate). Career and Human Resource Consulting

8 DO Be minutes early Be friendly to receptionists Follow the lead of the employer to identify relevant topics for discussion Bi Bring extra copies of your resume Take notes DON T Chew gum or smoke Ramble; express thoughts clearly and concisely Bring up salary and benefits until they do Be negative Watch the clock Forget to have questions of your own prepared p

9 Be neat,,p pressed, and clean Don t worry about spending a fortune Wear clothes that fit properly Avoid perfume or cologne Avoid the smell of smoke Carry a briefcase only if you need one

10 Conservative, single- Long sleeve shirt in white breasted suit in a dark, with a crew neck t-shirt neutral color (gray or underneath (no v-neck t- navy; black is too formal) shirt) Pattern: solid or pinstripe Long & dark socks with Fabric: wool or black polished shoes wool/polyester blend Do not wear a Tie: solid or conservative handkerchief in the suit stripe ti (no tie tack or tie pocket bar) Neatly combed hair No heavy aftershave or cologne

11 Skirted suit or pantsuit in Nylons: sheer/natural dark, neutral colors color Pattern: solid, tweed, or Minimal jewelry/small subtle plaid pieces Fabric: linen or Natural looking makeup wool/polyester blend Hair pulled back and/or (depending on season) neatly styled Blouse in solid, light No heavy perfume color Shoes: plain polished pump p in dark color, closed heel & toe, one to two inch heels

12 Is business casual acceptable for interviews? Does business casual mean jeans? When is business casual appropriate?

13 How do your interests, values, skills, personality, and goals match the organization or job description? How do your education and work history relate to this organization or position? What are your achievements? Accomplishments? What are your personal strengths? Weaknesses? What are your salary requirements? Are there any problem areas that will be discussed (i.e., gaps in employment; ;job hopping; fired; career changer; overqualified)? Career and Human Resource Consulting

14 Is it a non profit,,g government, or for profit organization? Non Profit: What are the objectives of the agency? Funding Source? Programs? Company: What products or services does it offer? Organizational structure? Home offices and branches? Future plans and growth? Financial status? Main competitors? Typical career path for your field? Higher Education: What major programs and concentrations are offered? What is the size and nature of the student t population, lti faculty, and staff? What is the reputation and accreditation of the institution? School: How many schools are in the district? Who is the bargaining agent for teachers, administrators, and specialists? What is the socioeconomic make up of the district? Career and Human Resource Consulting

15 Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake Be enthusiastic Smile, but keep it natural Do not take a seat until offered one Maintain good posture and be aware of your body language SELL YOURSELF!!

16 Arrive early! l! Make Eye Contact Don t Slouch Pay attention, be attentive, lean forward slightly Don t interrupt Don t cross your arms Professional Dress

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19 Highlight your education Highlight relevant employment Pick 2 to 3 experiences or skills that you would like to highlight Remember time: 30 seconds or less

20 Be able to communicate your scientific and academic research and results to a non scientific audience such as a human resources recruiter Practice on friends who are not experienced in your scientific field Translate the value of your research and academic projects to industry specific needs through suggested applications and through transferrable skills such as team work, leadership, troubleshooting, and presenting Communication is KEY! Keep in mind: Screening interview, first interview, second interview; HR Recruiter, Hiring Manager

21 In one way or another, you will be asked the following three questions in any interview: Why are you interested in this field? Why are you interested in this position and organization? What relevant skills and experience do you have that will make you successful? Brown University Career Development Center

22 Tell me a little about yourself Can you walk me through your resume? Why do you want this job? Get to the point Keep it relevant Always make it about the actual question Always listen

23 Communicate to interviewer: Education Key strengths and relevant personal characteristics Experiences Accomplishments Goals Interest in the field/company/job Do not start by saying, My name is Do not relate an autobiographical history-- I was born in

24 Behavioral Ak Asks how you have behaved in past situations i Interviewer will ask follow up questions based on your responses to the first few questions (questions build on one another) You will be asked to provide examples and details; not allowed to generalize Must follow the interviewer s i lead and direction i Traditional Asks how you would behave in a potential situation Variety of questions are asked Less structured Sometimes allows you to concentrate on areas that you may feel important Case Interviewers are generally looking for the following skills: Numerical and verbal reasoning skills and troubleshooting skills Communication and presentation skills Business skills and commercial awareness

25 TRADITIONAL Asks how you would behave in a situation Variety of questions asked Less structured May allow you to concentrate on areas that you feel are important BEHAVIORAL Asks how you have behaved in a situation Interviewer asks follow-up questions based on responses (questions build on one another) Asked to provide examples and details; not allowed to generalize Must follow interviewer s lead and direction

26 Recall past events Prepare short description of past examples Organize your story (use the CAR method) Have a positive outcome to your story Be honest Be specific

27 Question: Tell me about a challenging situation you ve encountered at Vanderbilt University and describe how you handled it. Challenge: My service organization was in danger of losing its charter at the university. Membership was down and funds were quite low. Action: As fundraising chairperson, I was charged with the responsibility of increasing donations by thirty percent. Action: In order to accomplish my goal, I initiated a door-to-door campaign off-campus campus. All members were involved in the fundraising effort. Result: Thanks to our membership s dedication and participation, pat we increased donations o by thirty-seven ty e percent.

28 Describe a time that t your research did not produce impressive i results. What criteria did you use to determine if and how you should continue on that particular path of research? Can you specifically discuss a time you have had to share highly technical material in a clear manner to a non technical audience? Have you ever had to teach another staff person or colleague a new system or skill? How did you do it? Tell me about a time that you failed or faced a significant professional or research related setback. How did you handle it? Academia is not as fast paced as the corporate world, and PhD s do not always transition successfully. How do you think you re different, and discuss how you think you can work in a faced paced environment. Naledi Saul UCSF Office of Career and Professional Development

29 Not required to answer illegal questions Suggestions for handling: Ask How is this relevant to the job? or Why do you ask this question? Say I prefer to focus on questions relevant to the requirements of this job. Answer question if you feel comfortable doing so Consider reporting to EEOC Do not bring them up yourself! Gender, Age, Race/Nationality, Disability, Religion/Creed, Marital Status/Family

30 Have questions for the interviewer i relating lti to the company, market, opportunity, not salary or benefits Ak Ask about the time frame Know who makes the next move If you want the job tell the interviewer! This job/company sounds great; I think this position is a good fit with my interests and skills and I really hope to hear back from you.

31 More challenging/stakes are higher Interviews that usually take place at the employers facility Where you have an opportunity to meet potential co workers, mentors and managers.

32 If it s been a few weeks since your initial interview, re visit the employer website and remind yourself about who they are and what they do. Think about how you come across and work in a team. Get some feedback from your friends/peers to develop your self awareness Give yourself plenty of time to get to the office there s nothing worse than arriving ii late and feeling flustered.

33 Send a thank you letter within 24 hours Compile and review notes you took during the interview Analyze how you did Prepare for second round interviews, if applicable Continue your job search and interviews for other organizations Notify your references Become familiar with salary negotiation tactics (2 nd round)

34 Personal debrief Take notes following your interactions with employers. Make note of talking points with each person you spoke with. Ask for Interviewer s business card to double check official title and spelling of name. Handwrite or ? Industry/Culture Specific Consider hiring timeline Example: Finance THANK YOU LETTERS Reference Talking Points The primary purpose is to simply say thank you Send each interviewer a thank you note. Conclude note by reiterating interest in the position/company and why Do not go over 1 page Proofread!

35 Congratulations on your new journey and opportunity!