Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Interviewing Tips
and Techniques
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Know your purpose:
Scholarship
College
Job
Get everything ready:
Plan to arrive ALONE and 5-10 minutes early.
Check your route to make sure you plan for high
traffic volume during busy times.
Take money for any potential toll roads or
parking fees.
Take extra copies of your resume, application
and other portfolio items including a blue or
black pen.
Bring at least 3 letters of recommendation from
teachers, coaches, counselors, administrators
avoid letters from family and friends.
Take your drivers license.
Carry your papers in a nice portfolio, never fold
or bend them to fit in a purse.
Research the company or school and be able to
describe what you know about the job or
program for which you are applying.
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Manners and Speaking Habits (continued):
Do not sit until invited to do so.
Speak with confidence.
Speak slowly and enunciate clearly, do not mumble
or slur your responses.
Use proper grammar, avoid slang and non-words
such as um, uh or ok.
Listen carefully to what the interviewer says.
Give thought to your answers.
Avoid taking drinks or food into the
interview.
Avoid chewing gum or having a mint in
your mouth.
Do not smoke, even if it is offered to you.
Be bubbly and enthusiastic but do not go overboard.
Have a positive, can-do attitude.
Participate in the conversation, and avoid one-word
yes or no responses.
Thank the interviewer as you leave for speaking with
you.
Send a follow-up thank you letter.
Afterwards, write down as much as
you can remember about the interview
(such as the questions you were asked) as soon as
you can in order to help you the next time.
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Lets look at some typical questions you
might be asked for a job interview:
Tell us about yourself. Provide a brief background of
your professional and educational experiences.
What one word best describes you and why?
What are your major strengths and weaknesses?
Describe your greatest challenge to date. What lessons
did you learn?
What are you going to do for this company that
someone else could not do?
What do you know about this company?
What skills do you possess that are relevant to this
position?
How do you feel about working overtime?
When will you graduate?
In which activities and organizations are you involved?
What types of leadership roles have you had?
What school courses have prepared you for this job?
Do you have any volunteer or community service
experience you would like to tell us about?
What are your immediate career goals? What are your
long-range career goals? (Interviewers may ask various
questions pertaining to this question.)
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Tell us about a project you have successfully completed
and how you got the work done.
What is the most difficult challenge you have faced in
your life and how did you handle it?
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Our company requires mandatory drug testing. How do
you feel about this?
How do you build relationships with others?
What specific or unique contributions do you believe you
can bring to our organization?
What high school, church or community activity has
given you the most satisfaction and why?
What one class, teacher, book or experience has
changed the way you think? How?
What have you learned from someone who is very
different from you?
Why did you select our company?
What motivates you to do a good job?
Did you ever have a disagreement with your boss or
another co-worker? Describe what happened and how
you handled it.
Tell me about your most current or last job.
Did/do you enjoy school? What did/do you like the
most? Least?
What extracurricular activities did/do you participate in
(include sports)?
Last year how many days of work and/or school did you
miss? How many times were you late?
What do you do to relax after work or school?
Have you ever been fired from a
job?
Tell me about your favorite
accomplishment.
How are you unique?
How do you handle stress?
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Can you tell me about a goal you set for yourself?
Tell me about a time when you broke the rules.
Please tell me a time when you showed initiative at work (or
school).
Describe a time when you had to work with a difficult person.
Describe your ability to deal with conflict.
If you were doing the hiring for this position, what qualities
would you be looking for?
How would your former boss or teacher describe you?
If there was one area that you would want to improve upon
what would that be?
Give me a specific time when you were confronted with a
policy that you did not agree with and how did you handle it?
How do you determine priorities in scheduling your time?
Give some examples.
What is the biggest mistake you ever made?
Why did you decide to become___________?
Tell me what you think this job will entail.
Why should I hire you instead of someone more qualified or
with more experience?
What salary or wage are you looking for?
What will your manager say when you give notice that you
are leaving?
In school what courses did you enjoy the most? Which ones
were most difficult?
Tell me what you would do if one supervisor told you to do
one thing and another supervisor told you not to do it or to
do something else.
Who did you ask to serve as your references and why did you
select them?
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Would you rather be in charge of a project or work as part
of the team? Why?
What are 3 things you look for when considering a new
job?
Please tell me about a time when you had to motivate a
coworker or peer.
What skills or requirements do you think are needed for
this job?
Why is customer service so important in businesses today?
Tell me about the toughest boss you have ever worked for.
Why do you want to leave your current job or why did you
leave your last job?
Do you plan to continue your education?
What salary were you paid on your last job?
Are you at your best when you are working alone or in a
group?
Tell me how you keep a positive attitude when the job gets
stressful?
Tell me about a time when you were disappointed and how
you resolved it.
Can you tell me about a time when a supervisor (or
teacher) was not pleased with your work, how did you
resolve the situation?
Describe a problem you faced and how you solved that
problem.
Describe a difficult decision you had to make.
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Tell me about a time when you were swamped with work
and how you handled it.
What quality or attribute do you think will contribute the
most to career success?
Which is more importantcreativity or efficiency? Why?
What kinds of things in school or work have you done that
went beyond your expectations?
Give me an example of a time when you had to go beyond
the call of duty to get a job done.
Describe a time when you had to deal with someone who
did not like you. How did you handle it?
What is the most competitive work or school situation you
have experienced? How did you handle it? What was the
result?
Tell me about a time when you failed.
Tell me about a project you worked on.
Okay, you have one minute to convince me that you are the
best person for this job. Begin.
Provide an example of how you can be a team player?
How would you describe your leadership skills?
What 2 or 3 things are most important for you in a job?
By providing examples, convince me you can adapt to a
wide variety of people, situations, and environment.
Sometimes it is easy to get in over your head. Describe a
time when you had to ask for assistance on a project or
assignment.
Give an example of when you had to work with someone
who was difficult to get along with. Why was this person
difficult? How did you handle that person?
Give 2 examples of things youve done in previous work or
school that demonstrate your willingness to work hard.
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Have questions ready to ask the employer
at the end of the interview:
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Meets Minimal Standards Points Does Not Meet Stand- Points
ards
Overall appearance is fair- 3-4 Overall appearance is 1-2
ly neat. Greeting is appro- not professional. No
priate, but casual (uses handshake or greeting.
hi). Weak handshake.
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Lets look at some typical questions you
might be asked during a college or
scholarship interview:
Personal Characteristics / Skills / Strengths:
Tell me about yourself.
What is your strongest personal asset?
What are your strengths and weaknesses as a student?
Name 3 strengths that you have and why you consider
these strengths.
What would one of your friends/teachers/supervisors
say about you?
What would a supervisor or professor tell me are your
strengths?
Academic Experiences/Performance:
Why did you major in _________?
Why did you choose to attend ___________ College/
University?
When did you choose to enter this occupational field and
why?
How did you make the decision to apply to our program?
What other programs did you consider?
How has your high school background prepared you for
our program?
What courses have you enjoyed the most?
What courses have been most difficult for you?
What satisfaction have you gained from your studies?
Tell me about a research project you have completed.
Do you feel your academic record accurately reflects
your abilities and potential?
Do you feel you have worked to your full potential?
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How would you rate yourself in the following areas?
1. Reading and Comprehension
2. Analytical Skills
3. Communication oral and written, listening
What didnt you like about your high school?
Tell me about a teacher or supervisor that you didnt like
and why.
Why would you be an asset to our department? How
would you be able to contribute to our program?
What skills and experiences do you feel have prepared
you for admission to this program?
Why should we consider you for our program instead of
several other equally qualified candidates?
How many programs have you applied to besides our
institution/program?
What will you do if you are not accepted into our
program?
What skills or abilities do you hope to strengthen
through our program?
Extracurricular Activities:
What extracurricular activity has been most satisfying to
you?
What is the most significant contribution you have made
to your school?
What activities do you enjoy most outside of the
classroom?
Do you have any hobbies or outside interests?
Tell me about any volunteer or community service
experiences in which you have participated.
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Weaknesses:
What challenges do you think you might face in college?
What would you say is an area in which you need
improvement?
What would you change about yourself and why?
Goals:
What has motivated you to pursue this academic field?
What are your short-term and long-term goals?
Why do you want a graduate degree in ___________?
How do you see this program fitting into your career
goals?
Tell me about a goal you have set for yourself and how
you have achieved it or intend to achieve it.
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Tell me about a mistake you made and how you handled
it.
Define teamwork (or success quality fairness).
What was the last book you read or movie you saw?
How will you make the world a better place?
If you could have dinner with someone (living or dead),
who would that person be?
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Questions Applicants Might Ask an Interviewer:
Asking questions not only helps you as a candidate
determine the fit of the program with your desired
academic and career objectives, but it also communicates to
the selection committee the extent of your interest in their
program:
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Interview Mistakes to Avoid
Taking a cell phone call or text during
the interview.
Bringing an uninvited friend or
family member with you.
Not showing up for the interview.
Showing up late and unprepared.
Having a negative attitude.
Not knowing what the company does or why you
want to work for the company.
Not knowing what the job entails.
Being overly concerned with wages, paid vaca-
tions, sick days and benefits.
Complaining about your former job, former boss,
or former co-workers.
Not asking questions.
Bringing food or beverages into an interview.
Using crude language.
Assuming that because you got an interview you
also got the job.
Dressing too casually for an interview.
Not listening, giving evasive answers.
Interrupting, arguing with the
interviewer.
Exaggerating about your abili-
ties, skills or accomplishments.
Showing a lack of interest in the
position.
Getting your parents involved.
Poor verbal/written skills.
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What documents will you need?
Cover Letter (or Letter of Application)
Opening paragraph:
Explain the reason for the letter and/or identify
the position youre seeking.
Mention how you learned of the position
(newspaper, career placement center, name of
contact).
Middle paragraph:
Demonstrate knowledge and interest in the
organization.
Address your ability to contribute to the
employer's needs.
Give examples of your relevant qualifications,
accomplishments, and skills. Refer the reader to
the rsum for details (can be included in any
paragraph if placement is logical).
Closing paragraph
End with an action statement - a request for a
personal interview.
If youre inquiring about possible employment
(not advertised), take the initiative.
Mention that youll call to arrange an interview at
the employer's convenience.
Express your thanks.
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For more information on helpful cover letter and resume tips, visit
https://www.themuse.com/advice/43-resume-tips-that-will-help-you-
get-hired
https://indiana.kuder.com/landing-page?ReturnURL=/home/
dashboard
Special thanks for contributions from Mr. Johnathan Grismore and the
Business Professionals of America student organization.
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Resume
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Follow-up Thank You Letter
Send a short thank you note to the interviewer.
References
Select 3 people who can give you a recommendation.
Application Tips
You may be filling out an application online or may have to
complete it by hand.
****
For more information, please see College & Career Transition Coordinator
Mrs. Dana Nelson, Extended Experiences Coordinator Mrs. Adelpha Twyman,
or any of the Business and Entrepreneurial Leadership Program staff:
Mr. Gil Speer (department chair), BPA Advisor Mr. Johnathan Grismore, Mrs. Kerri Lines,
Mr. Jason Donkersloot, Internship Coordinator Mrs. Diann Vernon
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