LaSalle Academy - Interview Workshop

How to Ace the Interview and Land the Job

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”


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


Before the Interview


Research• The Company and Position• Yourself• Note: Your References


The Company• Size• Mission/Values/Goals• Product• History• Number of Employees• Impressive accomplishments• News stories• Prepare questions • Show you have done your homework!


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!


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


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


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


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


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


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.)


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!


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


Your References• Contact your references prior to your interview• Provide employers with accurate contact information

– Name– Company Name– Title– Phone– Email


The Interview


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


Answering Interview Questions

• EXAMPLES, EXAMPLES, EXAMPLES• STARR Approach

– Situation– Task– Action– Results– Relate


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


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


After the Interview


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


Questions?• Anything you hoped to learn that we did not cover?


Thank you!

Contact Info: Megan Gentille

Marketing CommunicationsLaSalle Network

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Date post:	07-Nov-2014
Category:	Career
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