The information in this tutorial will help you get the most out of your interview experience. Learn how to present yourself professionally, answer interview questions or communicate your ideas witth someone from a different culture. The orientation will take approximately 15 minutes, so plan accordingly. After completing the tutorial, sign up for a time slot in Gator CareerLink.
Evaluation
The Importance of Research
Dress to Impress
Answering and Asking Questions
Practice Questions
During your mock interview, you will be evaluated on the following:
Firm Handshake
Confidence
General Appearance
Smile
Enthusiasm
Attitude
Eye Contact
Tone of Voice
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Posture
Manner of Speech (ums..)
Gestures/Expressions
Ability to explain goals
Evidence of decision making
Use of examples
Identified knowledge, skills, abilities
Overall impression
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Choose a specific position to practice interviewing for. Know key points about the position and company/organization that is interviewing you. Read over the job description and and think about how you would fit into that position. Interviewers want to see that you will be a good fit for their company, not just that you have the necessary skills.Your knowledge of the organization will get you points and will enable you to tailor your answers to the person and type of company with whom you are interviewing.
The mock interview will be more useful if you choose a specific position. If you have an interview scheduled, the mock interview can be practice for that, or you can make up a position you would like to interview for.
You should know key points about the company or organization that is interviewing you. Not only will your knowledge of the organization get you points, but you will be able to tailor your answers to the person and type of company with whom you are interviewing.
It is also good to know as much about the position as you can. Read over the job description and think how you would fit into that position. Interviewers want to see that you will be a good fit with their company, not just that you have the necessary skills.
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We suggest that you wear business attire to your mock interview. The way you dress reflects what type of an employee you will be. You should know whether your field or the company you are interviewing with is more traditional or modern. An accountant would dress more conservatively than someone working in advertising or fashion retail. If you are not sure what to weare, be more conservative and formal to make a good first impression.
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How would you answer the following questions? Use personal and professional examples to illustrate your answer.
1. What was your proudest achievement?
Use examples to illustrate your reasoning for being a qualified candidate.
2. Give me an example of a time when you failed.
Explain what you learned from the experience.
3. Why did you choose your major?
Relate yourself to the position by identifying your skills and abilities.
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Be sure of yourself and your goals.
Winning Solutions to the Questions….
When giving examples in your answers, use the STAR technique
(S = Situation, T = Task, A = Action, R = Results).
Explain the situation, the task you performed, the steps and actions you took to accomplish the task or resolve the situation and the positive outcome or goals achieved.
1. Tell the employer about the situation surrounding your achievement. Did you win a sports tournament or organize a conference? The interviewer may not know the organizations you were involved with, so be sure to explain. You were involved in your fraternity's intramural football team your sophomore year or you were the event coordinator for a campus organization devoted to - explain the situation.
Expain the tasks you were given. What were you responsible for? Did you plan team practices and order team shirts to motivate your teammates or did you plan meetings with your organization's members or find speakers for your organization?
After you explain what your tasks were, describe what actions you took in order to make the situation a success. To end your answer, let the employer know the success that you are so proud of. Make sure that by the time you are finished, you've relayed why the example you used was so important and how successful you were. Use details such as how many people attended events or how many hours a week your team practiced.
The STAR technique will help you give detailed, concise answers between 2 and 5 minutes. Keep in mind the length of your interview. You can give longer answers in hour-long interviews but must be more concise in a 20-minute interview.
2. Don't tell a sad time about a failure. Tell about an inspiring time in your life when you overcame a challenge or obstacle. Focus on how you used problem-solving, conflict management and communication skills to make the best of the failure. Use the STAR technique to give a strong answer, and focus on the positve - what you did right in handling the situation.
3. Discuss skills that specifically relate to the position. Instead of just answering the question, tell the interviewer why the skills you've outlined are important and how you foresee using them in the position. If you are applying to a position that is not directly correlated to your major, use questions like these to relate your educational background in some way to the position you are applying for. Job, internship and volunteering experiences can be used in this way as well. Even if your major and experiences seem like obvious preparation for a job, still make the connection between your background and the position.
4. Instead of saying "I hope" or "maybe," repeat the beginning of the question or state your answer very clearly without using these filler words. Avoid using other fillers such as "umm," "ahhh" or "like."
It is important to have goals, but don't alienate yourself from the company you are interviewing with. For example, if you are applying for a full-time position, it may not be good to mention your plans to go back to graduate school full time in a year. Don't be dishonest in any part of the interview. If graduate school is a goal, just say that you want to eventually continue your education. Research scompanies that may pay for your schooling. There are other options such as internships or year-long service opportunities, as well.
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Ask yourself these quesions. Think of examples and skills that relate to the position your are applying for.
- How does my educational background relate to the job or field I am pursuing?
- What are my definitions of leadership, teamwork, success and failure?
- How do I solve a problem or resolve conflict?
- What motivates me?
- What are my strengths and weaknesses?
- What are my short and long term life and career goals?
- Remember to have questions prepared to ask your potential employer. It not only shows interest and initiative but also allows you to get to know the company. The interview is not just about the employer deciding whether you are a qualified candidate; you are also deciding whether the company matches your values and skills.
Consider
- The guidelines used to evaluate employee's performance.
- The professional environment.
- The qualities that make someone successful in this position.
Thank you for completing the Interviewing Tutorial. If you have any other questions before your mock interview, stop by the CRC Library or send an e-mail to mockinterview@crc.ufl.edu
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