Interviewing Success

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Interviewing Success
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These Career Center Partners have generously
supported Michigan Tech students!
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These Career Center Partners have generously
supported Michigan Tech students!
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Upcoming Events

• Mock Interview Week
• Mon.-Fri., September 25 - 29 -- Career Center
• Use InterviewStream www.career.mtu.edu
• Job Search Strategies
• Wed., September 27 135 Fisher Hall at 6 pm
• Career Day Job Fair
• Tues., Oct. 3 - Gates Tennis Center, Basketball
  Gym, and Multipurpose rooms, 9 am 4 pm

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Interviewing Strategies

• What is an interview?
• Essential Techniques to
• Impress Companies

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The Mystery

• What is the company looking for?
• The Answer
• A productive, motivated employee who will fit in
  well with the companys teams and culture.

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Interview Preparation

• Gather facts about the company
• Key people
• Major products or services
• Size (sales and employees)
• Locations of facilities
• Competitors
• Latest news and reports

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Interviewing Highlights

• Know what the employer wants
• Hiring process
• Confidence
• Express your values
• Answer questions thoroughly
• Ask good questions avoid yes/nos

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Nuts and Bolts

• Things to take with you to interview
• Portfolio/pens
• Resumes
• Transcripts
• Notes about yourself and company
• Supporting documents

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Dress Tips for Men

• Suit Dark blue, brown or gray
• Shirt White, light blue
• Tie Contrasting (with some red)
• Shoes Black or brown)
• Belt Matches shoes,
• socks match slacks
• Hair Trimmed or pulled back
• Avoid Earrings, hats, heavy cologne

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Dress Tips for Women

• Skirt/Slacks Dark blue, brown, gray
• Blouse Light colored, not floral
• Shoes Conservative
• Hair Pulled away from face
• Avoid
• Tight or revealing clothing
• Shoes with straps, high heels, light colored
• Excessive jewelry, perfume and make up

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General Hygiene

• Dry clean and iron clothes
• Try clothes on before you interview!
• Shower, shave, clean nails, brush teeth
• No alcohol
• No cigarettes
• Use breath mints before interview

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Just Before the Interview

• Know where you are going
• Arrive 10 minutes early (not earlier or late!)
• Announce yourself to receptionist
• Be polite to EVERYONE
• Use titles Mr., Ms., Dr., etc.
• Dont sit until told to do so
• Give a good, firm handshake

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Interviewing Mistakes

• DONT
• Chew gum or suck on candy
• Touch your face a lot
• Be jittery, fidget or keep tapping
• Name drop
• Bring anyone with you to the interview
• Slouch or avoid eye contact
• Bring in a cell phone or backpack
• Dont bring your parents to the interview

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After the Interview

• Ask for business card
• Thank them for their time/information
• Provide a personal statement
• Tell the person you want this job
• Most importantly
• Send a thank you note/email ASAP!

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Interviewing Techniques

• Three basic types of questions
• Traditional
• Behavioral
• Case Study

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Traditional Questions

• General info about you, casual and light
• Why did you choose Michigan Tech?
• Whats your favorite class so far?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
• Whats their strategy?
• Want to relax you, ask you about easy topics
• Learn important details about you

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Traditional Questions

• Whats your strategy?
• Be as relaxed as possible
• Look over interview questions to get more
  familiar and confident in them
• Review your accomplishments
• Dont ramble!

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Behavioral Questions

• Describe your approach and actions in a past,
  real life situation
• Tell me about one time when you had to complete
  a problem with little information.
• Give me an example of a time when you had to
  work with someone you didnt care for.
• Whats their strategy?
• They assume that how you acted in the past is a
  good indicator of how you will act again.

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Behavioral Questions

• Whats your strategy?
• Describe situation thoroughly, enough for the
  interviewer to understand
• Focus on YOUR actions, even if your situation was
  with a group
• What were the results? What did you accomplish
  and learn?

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Case Study Questions

• Usually an impossible question to answer
• How many barbers are in Milwaukee?
• Why are manhole covers round?
• Whats their strategy?
• Try your reaction under pressure
• See your problem-solving/analytical skills
• Assess creativity and logical reasoning
• Test your general knowledge

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Case Study Questions

• Whats your strategy?
• Remain calm. (They dont expect correct answers!)
• Dont jump in take a few moments to think.
• Take notes and use your notepad if needed
• Communicate your train of thought clearly

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Questions to Ask Employers

• Ask about training programs
• Company management styles
• Performance reviews
• Depts. your position may work with
• How the recruiters career has developed within
  the company
• What do they like best about the company?

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What NOT to Ask

• How much will I make?
• How much vacation will I get?
• What are your benefits?
• Will you reimburse my education?
• Do I get a company car?
• How about the corner office??
• Questions about pay and benefits should wait
  until after you have received the offer!

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Mock Interview Week

• Sign up now for an excellent way to practice your
  interviewing techniques!
• Career Center (in Meese Building)
• Week of
• September 25 - 29

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Be PreparedBe ConfidentBe EnthusedBest of
Luck!-The Career Center Staff