Interviewing Guidelines

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Interviewing Guidelines

• Macalester College
• Career Development Center
• Kagin Commons, First Floor
• Monday-Friday 8AM-430PM
• 651-696-6394
• cdc_at_macalester.edu
• www.macalester.edu/cdc

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Before the Interview

• Research the position/ Company
• Research yourself, why are you interested in this
  field
• Practice answering questions
• Prepare questions to ask the employer
• Avoid extremes in dress
• Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early/ Bring
  extra copies of your resume
• Relax

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During the Interview

• Answer questions in terms of your specific skills
  and accomplishments
• Speak in positive terms, especially regarding
  employers, co-workers, classmates
• Avoid questions about salary and benefits
•  Ask for a time line regarding the hiring process

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After the Interview

• Follow-up the interview with a thank-you letter
• For templates and samples see (bottom of the
  page) http//www.macalester.edu/cdc/careersandjob
  s/jobsearchskills/correspondence/index.html
• Continue to pursue the position
• Ask for feedback

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Interviewing The Employers Perspective

• Commonly asked questions by employers
• Tell me about yourself. (Answer should focus on
  information pertinent to only the position, i.e.
  skills, accomplishments.)
• What do you consider to be your greatest
  strength? Greatest weakness?
• Why do you think you are qualified for this
  position?
• Can you give me an example of skills you have
  utilized that are related to this position?
• How do you determine or evaluate success?
• Why are you interested in this field?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
• Why should I hire you?
• Have you ever been fired or asked to resign?
• Give me an example of a time when you have
  failed.
• Describe your worst day ever.
• How would your friends describe you in 3 words?
• What is your greatest achievement?
• Why did you choose Macalester/major

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Behavior Based Interview Questions Asked by
Employers

• Behavioral Based Interviews Specific examples
  demonstrating related skills/experiences
• Essentially, a complete answer to a
  behavior-based question has three parts think
  STAR
• Situation/Task - what was the situation that you
  faced?
• Action - specifically what did you do?
• Result - what was the result of your actions?
• Key skills that the interviewer will be looking
  for may include
• Problem Solving
• Handling Details
• Communication Skills
• Conflict Management
• Initiative

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Post Interview Checklist

• Record company name, interviewers name, title,
  interview date
• Was my research of the position and employer
  thorough so I felt prepared?
• What were the overall strengths weaknesses of
  the interview?
• Any questions that were surprises during the
  interview?
• Did I sense a fit with the position/ orgs
  culture?
• How and when will the interviewer contact me
  regarding the position? Date I should call to
  follow up
• Did I send a thank you letter?
• Other information or recommendations

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Informational Interview Guidelines

• What is an informational interview?
• In contrast to a job interview, an informational
  or networking interview is an effective,
  creative, and interesting way to talk with people
  who work at a job or in a profession that may be
  of interest to you. Also, an informational
  interview may lead to information about potential
  openings. 
• How can an informational interview be helpful?
• Opportunity to ask the questions important to you
• Gain valuable interviewing experience
• Learn about the kinds of positions available in
  the career field as well as how to look for those
  positions. 
• There are several ways to research a career,
  including reading, current career literature,
  talking with someone who works in your career
  interest area, or investigating the career
  through online research

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Informational Interview Guidelines

• Who do you interview?
• Alumni
• Family/Friends
• Contacts at related organizations/associations
•  
• How do you arrange informational interviews?
• Phone or email contact
• Ask for a short meeting (30 minutes), make sure
  you introduce yourself and what you hope to gain
  from the meeting (understanding of industry,
  career strategies in networking/job search)
• Dont ask for a job during an informational
  interview
• Follow up on any leads or contact names that
  someone gives you
• Dress appropriately
• Always send a thank-you letter after the
  interview

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Sample Questions for an Informational Interview

• How did you get into this area of work?
• What is your background and training?
• What is a typical day like?
• What characteristics, skills, and qualifications
  are needed to effectively do your job?
• What do you enjoy most/least about your job,
  career, area, employer?
• Are there other organizations or people in this
  field that you could suggest I contact?
• What would be your advice for searching for a job
  in this field?