INTERVIEWING
 Before the Interview
 During the Interview
 After the Interview
Modified by the Ag Ed Leadership Revision Committee May 2007
August 2008
BEFORE THE INTERVIEW
August 2008
Job Interview Purpose
• It provides an opportunity for you to sell
yourself verbally to the employer on why
you are the best applicant for the job.
August 2008
Research -- Be able to ask ???
• Research -- Be able to ask intelligent ??
–
–
–
–
–
Library books
Newspaper articles
Talk to people who work for the company
Visit their internet site
Check Human Resource Department for press kit
about company history
The more information you know, the better you can
showcase yourself!!!
August 2008
Sources of Information
About Company
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Newspaper or Magazines
Brochures
Chamber of Commerce
Internet Website of Company
Employees
Customers
Position Announcements
August 2008
Rehearsal Time
• Interview with a friend
• Practice typical questions using a mirror
and tape recorder
• Create a 30-second “commercial” that
highlights your unique talents and skills
August 2008
Practice Interview Questions
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
What is your experience?
What activities did you participate in school, community, etc.?
What are your career goals?
Why do you want this job?
What are your major strengths?
What are your major weaknesses?
How well do you get along with others?
Are you willing to work overtime?
When can you begin work?
Tell me about yourself.
August 2008
General tips on Interviewing
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
August 2008
Be neat and be well groomed
Dress appropriate for type of job applied for
Go to interview alone
Be on time
Use good manners and appropriate gestures
Pay attention to interviewer
Ask appropriate questions about the job
Have necessary personal reference information with you
Smile and Relax
Ask some opening questions
Have good posture
Sound enthusiastic
Make eye contact
Avoid distracting habits (rocking, etc.)
Videotape yourself for practice
Telephone Skills
• Speak clearly
• Say it with a SMILE
• Repeat time and location of the interview
Remember -- You make your first impression
on the telephone!!!!!
August 2008
Dress For Success
• Be conservative in dress
• Dress one step above what employees are
wearing
• Shower and shave
• Use cologne and perfume sparingly
• Avoid extra jewelry
August 2008
Professional Dress for Women
• A business suit-blue,
gray, black
• Keep skirt length
appropriate: hemline no
shorter than the bottom of
the knee
• Wear quality fabrics
• Shoes that match
August 2008
• Solid colors
• One ring per hand
• One set of earrings
Professional Dress for Men
• Conservative color for
suit, ex. Blue, gray, black
• A white collared shirt with
a conservative tie, no wild
patterns (cartoon
characters)
• Socks needed to match
suit
• Don’t wear athletic socks
• Shoes need to be shined
August 2008
• Don’t wear accessories
(a watch is fine)
• Avoid wearing a suit that
you can tell is from an
expensive designer
Tips for Men and Women
• Hair should be trimmed,
neatly arranged, and
clean
• Fingernails should be
neat, clean, and trimmed
• Avoid using colognes,
scented powders, and
perfumes
• Keep pockets empty of
tinkling coins
• No gum, candy, or
cigarettes
August 2008
• Women: Don’t wear too
much makeup
• Keep hair pulled back
and out of face
• Be conservative:
earrings, piercing,
etc
August 2008
August 2008
August 2008
August 2008
Do’s
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Act Natural
Be Prompt
Carry out Promises
Ask Questions
Allow Employer to Express Ideas
Read Company Literature
Follow Procedures
Be Clear and Precise
Listen Effectively to Interviewer
August 2008
Don’ts
Be Late
Present an Extreme Appearance
Come unprepared
Oversell Yourself
Become Impatient
Try to be Funny
Put Emphasis on Salary
Criticize Yourself
Talk Too Much and Control Interview
August 2008
AT THE INTERVIEW
It’s
Showtime
August 2008
What makes a good first
impression?
• Proper handshake
• Proper introduction
• Good posture
• Neat appearance:
attire
grooming
personal hygiene
August 2008
Body Language
• Good Posture
– Sit up straight, Sit on the edge of chair, Avoid crossing
legs and arms
• Inviting Gestures
– Firm handshake
– Nod your head -- indicates you are listening
• Eye Contact
– Indicates confidence
• Speak Clearly
– Standard English, not slang
– Not only what you say, but how you say it
August 2008
Typical Questions
•
•
•
•
•
Tell me about yourself.
What are your strengths?
What are your weaknesses?
What are some of your goals?
Do you like working with others or on your
own?
???Honesty is the best policy???
August 2008
Typical Tough Questions???
• What qualities do you have that offset your lack of
experience?
• Are you going to move to a better job as soon as
you gain experience here?
• If you are faced with a deadline you can’t meet, what
will you do?
Stay Calm, Don’t be Defensive, Focus on your Skills
August 2008
Employee Questions
• What services or products does the company
provide?
• Who are the company’s customers?
• Who are the key personnel?
• Where are company headquarters, plants, etc?
• What are the specific duties of the job applied
for?
• What is the name of the interviewer?
• How profitable is the company? Annual
revenue? Number of employees, etc?
August 2008
Questions to Avoid
• Salary
– Research other companies, give a range
• Vacations
• Benefits
• Sick leave
August 2008
Final Comments
• Thank the interviewer for the interview
• Decide a convenient time you can call on
the hiring status
August 2008
After an Interview
Following Up
August 2008
Evaluate the Interview
• Did you speak clearly?
• Did you forget important information?
• Will you accept or reject the job offer?
August 2008
Thank You Letter
• Reinforce your skills and abilities
• Insert added information you may have
forgotten
• Restate your continued interest in the
company
Remember to call back at appointed
time!!!!!
August 2008
Accepting the Job Offer
• Ask for a day to think about the job offer
• List pro and cons before you accept the
job
• Ask for a formal offer letter for your files
• Send and keep a copy of your acceptance
letter
August 2008
Rejecting the Job Offer
• You are offered the job, but the salary is
too low. Negotiate your salary.
• The job isn’t what you expected:
Be tactful in your response…
August 2008
If you are not hired…
• Consider it a learning experience
• Ask why you were not hired
– Do you need more training?
– How can you improve in your interview?
Feedback will help you in future interviews
August 2008
HAPPY HUNTING
August 2008