You just landed the interview. Now What?

• Always go to an interview—don’t be a no-show!– Practice– Good for networking—maybe they will tell

someone else!

• Types of interviews: traditional, behavioral, situational, telephone, etc.

• Information-gathering questions with straightforward answers

• Sample questions– Do you have the skills, enthusiasm and work-ethic? – Will you be a team player and fit into the company?– What are your long term and short term career

objectives?– What do you consider your greatest strengths and

weaknesses?

• Past performance indicates future performance

• Sample questions– “Tell me a specific example about a time

you had to handle multiple projects at once”

– Describe a situation where you had difficulty relating to another person in a group that may have resulted in confrontation. How did you handle it?

• Gives specific situations you may encounter on the job—future-oriented.

• Sample questions– “Consider a situation where you and a co-worker are

jointly working on a project. You divided up work in a manner you both agreed to. However, your co-worker fails to do his or her share of the work. What would you do?”

– If you were a supervisor, how would you respond to a client that complained your employee misrepresented your company's product?

• Telephone/Video interviews minimizes recruitment costs– great way to screen potential candidates– Could include facets of both situational and behavioral

interview• Group/panel interviews include a presentation about the

company and a Q&A sessions. Interviewers are observing– Attire and body language– Communication skills– Group interaction and participation

• Also allows you a chance to screen the employer

• Prepare, prepare, prepare!• Do your research: www.mtsu.edu/~career/links.htm • Know yourself, the employer and the position– Products or services– Types of customers– Subsidiaries or parent companies– How do they rank in the industry– Sales and profit trends– Future plans

• First impressions are invaluable

• Shows you are serious• FemaleConservative suitMinimal jewelry and makeupNo visible piercingsNo perfume

• MenConservative, 2-piece suit, white

shirt and simple tieAlways a jacket and tiePressed clothesNo visible piercingsNeat, trimmed hair and nailsClean dress shoes

• Know where you are going and how to get there

• Be on time, or even better, 5 to 10 minutes early

• Bring a nice portfolio with paper, pen and extra copies of your resume

• Practice your responses to common questions– Practice STAR method: Situation, Task, Action,

Results• Use the interviewers name when appropriate• Eye contact• What about an unexpected, tough question? • Prepare questions for the interviewer

• Write down any unexpected questions for reference later

• Immediately follow up with a thank you note • Give them 7-10 days before calling• Know it takes an average of 3 months to find a

full-time position—don’t get discouraged• Don’t talk money…until they make an offer

College of Basic & Applied ScienceNicole Green

JH 309494-8797

kngreen@mtsu.edu

College of BusinessKaty Riddle

BAS S123494-8911

kfriddle@mtsu.edu

College of Education & Behavioral SciencesLewis Gray

KUC 328494-7709

lgray@mtsu.edu

College of Liberal ArtsLucy Billings-Jones

Todd 226898-5364

ljones@mtsu.edu

College of Mass CommNancy Stubblefield

Bragg 130904-8154

nstubble@mtsu.edu