Post on 07-Nov-2014
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How to Ace the Interview and Land the Job
Presented by LaSalle Network
Presented by LaSalle Network
Introduction• About LaSalle Network• What have you been finding in your job search? How is the
market?• Challenges?• Parents, siblings, friends getting laid off?• 30 second “elevator pitch”
Presented by LaSalle Network
Content• Before the Interview
– Research• Company/Position• Yourself
– What to Bring/Wear– Travel
• During the Interview– Answering Interview Questions– Asking Interview Questions– Closing the Interview
• After the Interview– Follow-up
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Before the Interview
Presented by LaSalle Network
Research• The Company and Position• Yourself• Note: Your References
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The Company• Size• Mission/Values/Goals• Product• History• Number of Employees• Impressive accomplishments• News stories• Prepare questions • Show you have done your homework!
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The Position• Job duties and requirements
– Match with your accomplishments• Career progression (Hard to do, but if possible)• Intangibles (Ex. What personality type do they generally look
for? Company culture?)• By knowing the position, you can better sell yourself to them!
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Yourself• Skills, abilities, interests• What are your goals? • Review work experience
– Make a list• Strengths? Weaknesses? Expectations? • Highlight impactful educational experiences • THREE specific examples to illustrate past successes
– Relate to potential employer’s needs– STARR Approach
• One-minute overview of who you are and why you are the best fit for each specific position
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Activity• 5 minutes• List of skills gained through your educational and job
experiences (“hard” and “soft skills”: degrees, specialized training, computer skills, languages, communication skills, problem-solving skills, customer service, organizational skills, teamwork skills, etc.)
• Lastly, objectively list your personality strengths and dislikes• Draw parallels between your strengths and the position
requirements
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Match Your Profile• I took software classes in
college, and have continued using Microsoft Word and Excel on a regular basis since that time. I used these programs for papers, projects and presentations throughout college, as well as during my times as a research assistant in the Psychology Department. By using these programs, I created surveys and charts for tracking research subjects, as well as a variety of other projects.
• Strong Microsoft Word and Excel abilities
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Match Your Profile• While at school at the
University of Illinois at Chicago, coordinator of the biggest organization on campus: The UIC Fashion Show. Member of the American Marketing Association. Extracurricular activities, in addition to my studies, required me to juggle. Able to handle these tasks successfully while maintaining a 3.5 GPA within my major.
• Strong organizational abilities
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Match Your Profile• During my time in the
Department of Psychology, I was responsible for communicating the results of our research through frequent presentations. I also was tasked with communicating with the department’s different professors regarding the progress of various studies.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
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What to Bring• At least two clean, hard copies of your resume• Two to three professional references (Phone numbers and
email)• Pen and pad of paper• Anything else the company requested you bring (Ex. Writing
samples, prior projects, cover letter, etc.)
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What to Wear• Crisp, clean, wrinkle-free suit• Shine your shoes• Nice folder or briefcase• Conservative and polished (black, gray, or navy blue)• Dress above what the job requires• Women: minimal make-up, minimal jewelry and no perfume• Men: minimal jewelry, no cologne and be well-groomed• Get a good night’s sleep. Not only will you look better, but
you will feel better, and perform better too!
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Travel• Plan your mode of transportation ahead of time. Map out
your route and allow plenty of time for wrong turns, traffic, etc
• Be early, but not too • Write down the interview time, location, phone number,
interviewer’s name and title
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Your References• Contact your references prior to your interview• Provide employers with accurate contact information
– Name– Company Name– Title– Phone– Email
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The Interview
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The Interview• Begins when you walk in the door• Professional and respectful, no matter who you’re interacting
with (Receptionist to President)• Stand, smile, offer a firm handshake, and maintain eye
contact• Body language: Stand and sit straight without slouching
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Answering Interview Questions
• EXAMPLES, EXAMPLES, EXAMPLES• STARR Approach
– Situation– Task– Action– Results– Relate
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Answering Interview Questions
• Body language, eye contact, nonverbal communication• Pause before answers. Listen, think, reflect, speak• Use your research• The preparation should be the hard part! • Avoid vague answers. Incorporate specific examples• Answer negative questions positively. Always remain positive• Emphasize what you can do for the company• Ask permission to take notes, but remain engaged• Do not discuss salary or benefits
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Closing the Interview• Ask questions (See handout of potential questions)• Thank them• Express interest and excitement about the position (“Thank
you again for meeting with me. I am very excited about the opportunity to work with your company!”)
• Get business card• Set expectations• Firm handshake, eye contact, smile, exit
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After the Interview
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After the Interview• Send a handwritten thank you• Send a thank you email• Complete any requested steps in a timely manner (writing
samples, paperwork, etc.)• Call to follow-up in one week• Keep searching for other opportunities
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Questions?• Anything you hoped to learn that we did not cover?
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Thank you!
Contact Info: Megan Gentille
Marketing CommunicationsLaSalle Network
megan@thelasallenetwork.com312.419.1700