Workshop: Successful Interviews

12/14/2007

Successful Interviews 134 Mary Gates Hall (206) 543 0535 (206) 543‐0535 careers.washington.edu

Remember the Silent Question • All All questions employers ask are really the questions employers ask are really the same question…

• “How can you be valuable to me?”

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Ways to Show Value, Make an Impression: • • • • • • • •

Research the company Understand the position Understand the position Know your strengths & value Talk about your strengths Learn to answer different types of questions P ti Practice your interviewing skills i t i i kill Create an interview portfolio Send a thank‐you letter

Research the Company • Why? – To show how you match with company needs To show how you match with company needs

• What?

– Company mission, core values, management style, culture, growth areas, projects, problems

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Research the Company • How? – Company / organization websites Company / organization websites – The UW Career Center web resources – Directories, financial sources and indexes ‐ Moody’s Industrial Manual, Thomas Register – Annual reports, articles, newspapers, trade j journals l

Understand the Position • Know what the employer is looking for • Print the job description, highlight “skill” words • If you don’t have a job description, ask questions about it early in the interview – What can you can tell me about this position?

– What results do you expect to see from somebody in this position?

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Understand the Position • When answering questions, discuss strengths p j and experiences that match the job description • Ask a few questions at end of interview – Questions that show some forethought – Questions that show you’ve done your research Questions that show you’ve done your research – Questions that demonstrate your desire to understand the position

Strengths‐Based Interview Strategy 12/14/2007

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• Answering the “Silent” question • An interview strategy demonstration

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Strengths‐Based Interview Strategy • “Tell me about yourself” – The question that often starts the interview The question that often starts the interview

• Gives the first opportunity to answer the silent question

Strengths‐Based Interview Strategy • Remember the job description and your skills • Choose three strengths and say: – “My strengths include _______, _______, and _______; which of these would you prefer I talk about first?”

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Strengths‐Based Interview Strategy • The interviewer will choose or let you choose • Give the best example of when you demonstrated that strength • Be short and clear ‐ Be short and clear no more than 2 minutes no more than 2 minutes

Strengths‐Based Interview Strategy • Ask: “Is this the kind of information you want? Would you like another example in this want? Would you like another example in this skill area or shall I go on to another?”

• You will guide the interview so your greatest strengths are clearly communicated g y • Complete pgs 6‐9 in the UWCC Career Guide

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Know Your Strengths & Value • A Strong Academic Record • Skills & Achievements Skills & Achievements – Extra‐curricular activities, achievements, and good experiences are strong evidence to help in understanding the type of person you are

• Technical Skills – Essential in some fields, and highly valued in all fields

• Also, your ability to… ,y y – place problems in a wide but relevant perspective – work efficiently with others in a team – get things done

Answering Questions • Basic Approach – Listen – Think through the answers you could give – Answer briefly and to the point – Use only positive information

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Answering Questions • General tips – Be yourself Be yourself – Speak clearly – Seek clarification if you don’t understand question – Don’t be afraid to ask for time to think – Keep your answers relevant to the question – Ask questions – leave the interview knowing about training, job locations, when you should expect to hear the outcome of the interview, etc.

Answering Questions • Behavior Based Questions – Employers believe past actions predict future behavior – Think of examples/stories/scenarios – Use the STAR Method

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Answering Questions • Situational Questions – Interviewer describes a situation and asks how you would respond – Relate to real situation if possible (keep the STAR method in mind) h di i d)

Answering Questions • Unexpected Questions – Pause ‐ Pause Think ‐ Think Respond

• Negative Questions – Always respond with a positive – Talk about what you learned Talk about what you learned – Speak about something unrelated to the job – Discuss a skill that’s the opposite of a required skill

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Answering Questions • Technical Questions – Test problem solving and critical thinking skills Test problem solving and critical thinking skills – Indicate how you might arrive at an answer – http://www.hitequest.com

• Illegal Questions g – Determine underlying question and address it – Ask how it relates to performing the job

Practice Your Interviewing Skills • Answering interview questions well takes practice • Practice out loud by yourself • Have a friend ask you questions Have a friend ask you questions • Participate in a Mock Interview at UWCC

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Utilize Interviewing Resources • Virtual Job Interview – UWCC web site • Interview Survival Kit – buy at UWCC • Employer panels & Career Prep Event • Mock interview program

Create an Interview Portfolio • What is it?

– A portable file of graphic examples related to your skills – Its purpose is to show evidence of your strengths, value, and match to employers

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Create an Interview Portfolio • Why should I create one?

– Creating a portfolio allows you to reflect on your strengths so you can better communicate them – Using portfolios in job interviews will: • Set you apart from other candidates • Help you better describe your strengths and examples • Help you get jobs!

Create an Interview Portfolio • How do I start making one?

– Decide on a format (binder, online, etc.)

– Start collecting artifacts that demonstrate the skills you might want to discuss in interviews • Photos, charts, flyers, certificates, thank you notes, etc.

– For each artifact, create a title and short description – Store artifacts in file box or electronic files

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Rumi Tsuchihashi Portfolio Highlights Team player with experience in cross‐cultural training, program management, and interpersonal communication. Excellent writing and editing skills. Native fluency in Japanese.

Experience Cross‐cultural training * Designed and conducted workshops on Japanese patterns of communication and managed student study abroad program. * Researched and assembled a cultural diversity information packet, as part of a training for educators.

Program management * Effectively managed program participants of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. * Designed and edited monthly program calendar and newsletter, which aided internal communication. * One program accelerated its application process by more than 50% after a complete revision of the program information packet and forms.

Table of Contents Cross‐cultural Training………………………………….2 Program Development...……...………………….…. 3 Program Management…………………………………. 4

Interpersonal Communication * Served as liaison between volunteers and clients by exercising active listening skills, successfully mediating many interpersonal conflicts and problems of miscommunication. * Maintained regular phone and written contacts with clients, keeping detailed written documents which promoted continuity and cohesion in the service.

Cross‐cultural Training Developed presentation and public‐speaking skills through Japanese language and culture presentations to Seattle‐area public school students. l bl h l d

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Program Development

Conceived and conducted workshop assisting overseas program participants with logistical arrangements and provided support for cultural adjustment.

Program Management • Effectively managed program of participants from diverse cultural backgrounds.

• Designed and edited newsletter.

• Created program recruiting brochure.

• Accelerated application process by more than 50% resulting in increased matches.

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A Good Match

Create an Interview Portfolio • How do I use one in interviews?

– Review job description for key skills Review job description for key skills – Choose 5‐10 strengths and artifacts – Create targeted portfolio for each interview – Include title page and table of contents – When discussing a skill during an interview…show your proof!

– Leave portfolio for employer to review and then pick it up later

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Create an Interview Portfolio • Where can I learn more about portfolios?

– Download our Portfolio Basics Workshop slides from our website – Check out http://amby.com/kimeldorf/portfolio/ – Meet with a counselor individually – Participate in a mock interview

Send a Thank‐You Letter • Sending a thank‐you letter allows you to: – Express appreciation – Demonstrate professionalism – Demonstrate your writing skills – Restate your interest, skills, and match y – Address an issue you forgot or want to emphasize – Stand out from the crowd

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Send a Thank‐You Letter • Thank‐you letters should be: – Short, sincere, positive – Sent within 48 hours of your interview – Addressed to each interviewer Addressed to each interviewer – Signed

Summary • Research the company & understand the position • Know / speak about your strengths and value • Prepare for different types of questions • Practice, Practice, Practice!

• Create a portfolio Create a portfolio • Send a thank‐you letter • Review UW Career Center’s Gold Guide

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Successful Interviews 134 Mary Gates Hall (206) 543 0535 (206) 543‐0535 careers.washington.edu

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