Name cards out!
Technology away!
Curtis Kuznecov – T25 & T32
Comm 202
Tutorial #8
Agenda
Employment Interview Assignment
Interview Questions
Closing
Words of Wisdom
Action Items
Employment Interview (10%)
When: Apr 4th, Apr 5th and Apr 7th
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO BRING?
RESUME
COVER
LETTER
JOB
DESCRIPTIO
N
PADFOLIO
PEN
Employment Interview –
Things to Remember
Check in with reception at Birmingham
Be Early! – ideally about 10 minutes, if
you are not there when the interviewer
comes out, you will receive an automatic
“0”
Interview is approx. 20 minutes long
Dress to Impress – Business Formal
Common Questions
Tell me about YOURSELF!#1
What are your STRENGTHS?#2
What are your WEAKNESSES?#3
Tell me about A TIME WHEN…#4
*WILD CARD* Question!#5
Do YOU have any QUESTIONS?#6
#1- Tell me about yourself?
The MOST COMMON QUESTION you will get in an interview
Can be asked in different ways!
Keep it 2 minutes or less
Brand yourself – give them something to remember you by
Sound natural, not like you’re reading off a script!
Speak to your skills and accomplishments
Show passion
Provide a well-rounded picture
Your Story
The Beginning
Growing Interest
The Spark
Your Future
Why you are here
Introduction – quick background
Realization that this was the career for you
Your formula that makes you perfect for the job!
Where you see yourself
How this position ties into it all
Your Story – What is your Formula
? + ? ?+
THE GOAL: Tell them a story that no one else
can replicate and impress them in the first 2
minutes
My Story
+ +
=
Studied Finance
and Economics in
University
Showed entrepreneurial
ability and initiative
Exploited inefficiencies in unique
markets by applying various
financial concepts
Aspirations to
become a trader
and fit perfectly
into the fast-
paced
environment at
Goldman Sachs
Activity
Grab a partner and share
“tell me about yourself”
stories
Give some feedback!
#2 - What are your strengths?
Relevant to the position
Links experience to job or
position
There is no perfect answer
#3 - What are your weaknesses?
DO NOT FLIP WEAKNESSES
INTO
STRENGTHS!
✘ “I’m such a perfectionist”
✘ “Too detail-oriented”
✘ “Over-achiever”
✘ “I work too hard sometimes”
Weakness wouldn’t impair you from
doing the job
Show you are actively trying to
improve these weaknesses
Show the “lesson learned”
#4 – Tell me about a time…?
SKILLS MATRIX
Resume
Cover Letter
Interview
Don’t forget to link it back to the company
and position!
#5 – Wild Card Questions
• A way for the interviewer to gauge your interest and knowledge of the position and industry
• Test your ability to communicate clearly
• Shows the interviewer how you think
• TESTS BUSINESS ACUMEN: news, trends, etc.
INDUSTRY/JOB SPECIFIC OR… A SURPRISE!
THE
GOAL
Walk them through
your thought process
Stay calm and
provide a clear answer
FINANCE PITCH ME A STOCK
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS VS DOWNSIDES OF USING DEBT VS EQUITY
FINANCING?
HOW WOULD VALUE A PERPETUAL ZERO COUPON BOND?
DO YOU THINK THE FINANCIAL MARKETS ARE EFFICIENT?
ACCOUNTING WHY DO YOU WANT TO PURSUE A CPA?
WHY THIS FIRM?
WALK ME THROUGH THE MAJOR LINES OF A CASH FLOW STATEMENT?
MANAGEMENT
CONSULTING
HOW MANY WORDS ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE NY TIMES?
TELL ME YOUR 5 WEAKNESSES… AND ANOTHER… ANOTHER
DESCRIBE A PROJECT YOU HAVE WORKED ON THAT CHALLENGED YOU?
CASE-BASED QUESTIONS…
MARKETING HOW WOULD YOU INCREASE SALES OF X PRODUCT BY X%?
SELL ME THIS PEN
HOW DO YOU THINK OUR BLOG IS DOING? WHAT CAN BE DONE BETTER?
TLOG HOW COULD YOU IMPROVE THE COMPANY’S PRODUCTIVITY?
HOW WOULD YOU DEAL WITH A DIFFICULT FACTORY WORKER?
TELL ME ABOUT A TIME YOU IMPROVED SOMETHING WHERE YOU WORKED?
HR TELL ME ABOUT A TIME WHERE YOU HAD TO MOTIVATE A TEAM
ASSUMING YOU ARE SELECTED, WHAT WOULD BE THE FIRST CHANGE YOU
WOULD MAKE?
RANDOM WHAT IS 3/16 IN DECIMAL?
TELL ME ABOUT SOMETHING IN THE NEWS, HOW IT RELATES TO THIS JOB?
WHY ARE MANHOLES ROUND?
TEACH ME SOMETHING YOU LEARNED IN SCHOOL?
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?
Examples
#6 – Do you have any questions?
• Always have at least 2 questions
• Avoid asking questions you could find the
answer to on Google.
• Never ask a question like, “What do look for in
candidates?” – probably should have asked
this before the interview
• Do not ask something that has already been
addressed in the interview
• Always safe to get them talking about
themselves – maybe ask something directly
related to their job/industry or some career
advice.
Closing the Interview
Thank
Them
Re-iterate
Interest
Confirm
Follow-up
Solid
Handshake
Business
Card
Remember
Name
ASK QUESTIONS IF IT NEVER CAME UP IN
THE INTERVIEW!
Follow-Up
Email in
24 Hours
Thank
Them
Refer to
Convo
Tailor to
Reader
Re-iterate
InterestCheck for
Typos
DO NOT WRITE AN ESSAY!
Hi Michael,
I just wanted to say a quick thank you for taking the time
to interview me. I really enjoyed our conversation, even
though you did not like my top two classic rock bands, at
least we could agree on Zeppelin. Good luck with your
future at Goldman, hopefully the transition continues to
be a smooth one for you.
Best Regards,
Curtis Kuznecov
Example
General Tips
GUIDE THE CONVERSATION TO
WHERE YOU ARE
COMFORTABLE
SMILE AND NOD
ANSWER THE DARN QUESTION
DIFFERENTIATE YOURSELF
BRING ENERGY INTO THE ROOM
Words of Wisdom
Never be a “YES” Person
When an opportunity presents
itself, just go for it!Seek mentorship and provide it
If you are not willing to take
risks, how can you expect
someone to take a risk on you
Make yourself into a person that
people want to invest in!
Assume Nothing
Idolize No One
Applaud Humility
- Professor Robert Gateman
Action Items
Employment Interviews April 4th, 5th
and 7th
Informational Interview due April 14th
at 11:59 pm
Interview stream due April 3rd at 8:59
pm
Lecture next week…..