Before the Interview
Should you tailor your resume to a job?
Example: If the job requires working with children, you can include bullet points about what you did for babysitting.
What should you bring to an interview?
Copies of resume
A portfolio (if you have it)
Pen
Notepad/folder
Questions that are written down
Contact information of who you are interviewing in case anything happens.
It depends. If there is quick turnaround for the next steps in the interview, write an email.
If there is more time and you have good handwriting, you can do a hardcopy thank you.
What kind of interview is typically the first in a series of interviewing?
Phone interview
Pen! It is more difficult for the information to be changed if in pen, rather than pencil.
Should you interview for a position that you are not interested in?
It depends. It can be a good opportunity to practice your interviewing skills. The interview could lead to a different position that is a good fit for you.
Why is it important to ask the employer pre-planned questions at the interview?
It demonstrates preparedness and interest in the job. The interview is also an opportunity to get more information and see if it is a good fit for you.
What do you do if you did not get the names and contact information of everyone who interviewed you?
-Contact the HR department - state the position you interviewed for, your interview date/time.
-Ask the person whose contact information you have to forward your thank you to the appropriate individual(s).
What is a behavioral-based question?
It is a question that asks about specific situations. It helps an employer learn about your past performance that they can compare to the specific skills needed for the position.
Example: Give an example of a time you set a goal and were able to achieve it.
What happens if you do not complete the required hiring paperwork for a new job?
It can impact getting paid or even possibly keeping the job.
Review their website, look at the company's LinkedIn webpage. It is helpful to look up the individual who is interviewing you (LinkedIn, etc.).
Write down key information - mission, values, current projects/news.
What should you do if you cannot attend an interview?
Contact the employer as soon as possible!
Being legitimately sick (such as COVID or a stomach bug), your car breaks down, etc.
Not wanting to attend or forgetting about the interview are not valid reasons. It is important to be respectful of people's time.
What should you say in a thank you note?
Definitely thank them for their time.
State your interest in the job.
Make it personal and friendly.
What should you do when an employer asks about your weakness?
Be honest and discuss a real work-related weakness or past experience that would not negative impact performance for the job you are interviewing for.
Talk about something that you do to improve a task/skill. End on a positive note and show how you seek to grow.
True / False: A Z-3 is an IRS (federal tax dept) that you complete for your employer to determine how much should be withheld from your paycheck for federal income taxes.
False! The form is a W-4.
What should you do if you do not have the needed clothing for an interview?
If in high school - ask your teacher or staff member for assistance.
If you are out of high school - SCSD can still assist, OCC has a clothing closet, and community groups often have resources. Ask for help - there are people who want to help!
What kind of body language is good for an interview?
Upright posture, direct eye contact, smile, etc.
You don't like how you answered a question. What can you do to address this after the interview?
How do you prefer for different questions they might ask in an interview - especially for the given position?
Review the job description and develop an answer/example for each item.
Example - If the job involves event planning, write down a couple of examples of when you planned an event. If you don't have experience with that, share an example of skills that support event planning (organization, teamwork, etc.)
True/False - An I-9 form is a federal document that you need to fill out to verify your identity and employment authorization for a job.
True. It requires identification. Refer to the I-9 form for guidance in what this requires.
How do you prepare for a Zoom/video interview?
Wear professional clothing - head-to-toe. If you have PJ pants on, they might see them.
Find a place with a secure internet connect. Also make sure that the background is neat and tidy, in quiet space.
Interviewing on a laptop is preferred, as phone can more easily tip over, etc.
What does it mean that a company is looking for the candidate to be a "cultural fit" for the organization?
A common cultural fit definition is that it refers to how well an employee matches with the culture of an organisation and how well an organisation matches with the culture of an employee. Culture, in this instance, comprises values, attitudes and behaviours that shape how employees and employers do things at work.
What do you do when you haven't heard back from the employer?
Follow up with an email or phone call. If they gave you a timeframe they would get back to you, wait until after then to follow up.
You are asked a behavioral question - how you handled something in the past. What should you include in your answer?
(i.e. What things will help you explain everything that happened and what you did in that situation)
-PROBLEM - Describe the situation you faced.
-ACTION - What did you do to fit the problem.
-RESULT - What was the outcome.
What do you do if you don't understand the benefits paperwork (retirement plans, health insurance, etc.)?
Meet with the HR department for more information.