Winging It Is Not a Strategy
True or False. In an interview, it is important NOT to explain how your skills/strengths are relevant to the job you are applying to.
FALSE!
Sending a follow-up thank you email after an interview or networking event is ALWAYS a good idea.
TRUE!
What is the six-letter acronym that we learned about that categorizes people and work environments into six types?
What does each letter of the acronym stand for?
RIASEC
Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, Conventional
Name one benefit of recognizing and celebrating your small wins?
- Can help visualize and evaluate actual progress being made towards your goals
- Builds confidence and motivation
- Maintains positive momentum – helps to stay consistent
- Reinforces positive habits and effort
- Makes larger goals feel possible
In-person visits to a place of business that you are interested in working is always a good idea.
TRUE!
What is a useful organizational tool to use and consistently update when applying to jobs?
Job Tracker spreadsheet
Name one strategy we recently completed in LAUNCH to help you prepare for a networking event or an interview?
- Elevator Pitch
- Writing out talking points for typical interview questions
- Mock interviews with peers
Name a benefit of being able to match your personality type to a compatible work environment?
- improved job satisfaction
- helps increase self-awareness of skills, strengths and where best suited
- reduces risk of burnout or unhappiness
“That wasn’t a big deal.” → “I used the skills I have learned recently and put them into practice" is an example of what?
Reframing a negative thought into a positive one aka Positive self-talk
This type of practice interview, often done with a friend, peer, family member, etc. simulates a real interview setting.
Mock Interview
What formula is this used for:
“In my [experience], I [action], which shows [skill], because [result].”
Creating an elevator pitch for a specific story/experience you want to share with the interviewer
If the interviewer asks you a question that you don't know an immediate answer to, what is an acceptable response to give?
“That’s a great question, let me take a minute to think about it.”
Once we took the assessment to narrow down your RIASEC themes, what information was then made available to us to review/research/learn more about?
- characteristics/personality traits of the themes
- careers that most aligned
- work environments best suited
Reframe this sentence: “If I don’t get this job/internship, I failed.”
“This is just one opportunity. There will be others and I will continue to practice for the next one.”
Employers look for this when you explain how your skills match the job requirements.
Job fit, transferrable skills
Name 3 skills that would be good to share in an interview for most jobs?
Organization
Problem-solving
Accountability
Punctuality
Strong work ethic
Communication
Teamwork
This strategy involves forming professional relationships that can potentially lead to job referrals, trainings and other job-related opportunities.
Networking!
Name one purpose of knowing your RIASEC themes.
Helps to better understand yourself and how you fit into the world
Used to help narrow down ideal occupations (majors/minors, clubs/extracurriculars, internships or hobbies) suited for your personality and interests
Provides a way for you to talk about your own strengths, skills, interests to others
Reframe this sentence: “I’m falling behind in life.”
“I’m moving at my own pace, and that’s okay.”
Name one benefit of using the STAR method during an interview.
- prevents rambling or going off-topic
- organizes answers into clear, structured responses
- increases confidence as it contributes to practicing and preparing ahead of time
- helps highlight important skills that show you are a good fit for the job
What is an elevator pitch? And why is it helpful to have one?
A summary of:
- who you are
- what you currently do
- what your goals are/what are looking for
- what skills you have
Allows you to have ready-to-go language to introduce yourself, highlight your skills and future goals.
When answering an interview question, which method is recommended to tell a story about a specific experience/situation you encountered and how you handled it?
Bonus: Name the specific parts of the method!
STAR Method
Situation, Task, Action, Result
Name one of the websites that can be used to do specific research on occupations?
O*NET database
CareerOneStop
What is the type of thinking that goes along with this type of statement: “If I don’t get this job, I’m a complete failure."
All-or-nothing thinking
Name two typical questions for the interviewee to ask at the end of their job interview.
- What are the next steps in the hiring process?
- How would you describe the work environment here?
- What is your favorite part about working for this company?
- Is there anything I didn't cover that you would have liked me to touch on?
- something specific about the company and/or position