Birla institute of technology On-Campus Interviewing Tips

Presented

by
Training and Placement Department, B.I.T.E.C. Lalpur

You have a job interview now what?

Congratulations!! You have sent out your resume and cover letter, been networking and going on informational interviews, and sending out follow-up letters. Your hard work has just paid off and you have an interview scheduled. Now what? How are you going to prepare for it? Should you prepare for it?

A good interview can get you the job

And on the flip side, performing poorly at an interview can lose you the job.
It pays to prepare for your on-campus or off-campus interviews thoroughly just as you would study for a test.

Basic Steps for Interviewing

Review your resume and create a list of 3 references (names, addresses, phone numbers and emails) Research the companies you are interviewing with beforehand Dress professionally Be on time, prepared and professional Focus on your goals, your knowledge of the company, examples of prior leadership roles, etc. Prepare a list of suitable questions Follow up the interview with a thank you note

Review Your Resume

Your resume should be 100% error free that means no spelling or grammatical errors! Your resume should be fully updated prior to the interview. It should be printed on high quality paper, and not photocopied. Always bring extra copies of your resume to the interview.

Create a Reference List

Always bring a reference list with you to an interview. Your references should be professional. The following are acceptable: Past and current managers or supervisors, coworkers, professors, etc. Personal references should include only people you have done either volunteer work or community service with (Religious leaders, volunteer coordinators, committee heads, etc). Inappropriate references include the following: Friends or relatives. References should be formatted in the following fashion: Name of reference Title of reference Place of work for reference Address of work for reference City, State, Zip Code Direct phone number for reference Email address of reference A description of what his or her relationship is to you

Research the Company

Visit the company website prior to your interview. Visit other websites that also provide company profiles. You can always also google the companys name and see what type of information pops up. Jot down some basic information on the company, such as what their basic function is, what sort of services they provide, and what their mission statement focuses on. Why do you need to do this? This will help you create savvy questions to ask the recruiter and will demonstrate to him or her that you are very interested in the position.

Dress for Success

Dress for the interview: For men: suit, tie, no visible body piercing, minimal cologne, polished dress shoes. For women: pant or skirt, suit, moderate make-up, minimal perfume and jewelry, no visible body piercing

Dressing Professionally For Men

To look truly professional, you should wear a suit in a neutral color such as black, navy or gray. In cases of interviewing, khakis and a shirt alone is not acceptable. Your shirt should be a neutral color such as white or pale blue. Your tie should be a complimentary color and should be standard in appearance. That means no cartoon characters, pinup girls, etc. Your socks should match your pants in color. Dress shoes are a must! Take the time to shine them the evening before.

Appropriate Professional Dress Examples:

Inappropriate Interview Attire for Men:

Dressing Professionally for Women

Looking professional at an interview means wearing a skirt or pants ,suit in a neutral color such as navy, black, or gray. Your blouse should be in a complimentary neutral color such as white, cream colored, or light blue. Avoid off the shoulder styles or body skimming tops. Dress shoes of no more than 2 inches high are a must. Make sure they are polished and free of scuffs. Makeup should be natural looking and soft. Jewelry should be minimal.

Appropriate Professional Dress Examples:

Inappropriate Interview Attire for Women:

For Male and Female Candidates:

Make sure you cover up any tattoos with clothing if possible. Take out any extra piercings that you may have, including nose, tongue and lips. Make sure your hair is clean, styled nicely and not in your eyes. Keep mints on hand to ensure fresh breath as needed. Do not chew gum or smoke prior or during the interview. Leave your book bag behind. You want to look like a candidate and not like a student. Invest in a portfolio to carry your resumes and pens in. Turn your cell phone off during the interview.

Be On Time, Prepared and Professional

Part of preparing for an interview takes place the evening beforehand. Take some time out to make sure your clothing is ready and presentable, to double-check your directions to the interview site, and to make special arrangement (babysitting, etc) as needed. Arrive at the interview site 10-15 minutes early. This allows you time to organize your materials, quickly review them, visit the restroom, and check in. Do not arrive at earlier than 15 minutes. Turn off your cell phone upon arrival. Be polite to everyone you meet. The receptionists are often the gate-keepers of an organization and will report any odd or rude behavior to your recruiter.

Get ready for some interview questions!!

There are different types of interview questions: Behavioral-based, Analytical, Strength Focused, Knowledge-based, Challenge, and Who Are You? Be sure to review samples of interview questions and practice what your responses prior to the interview.

Examples of Behavioral-based Questions

What was the toughest work related or school related decision that you have had to make? Give me an example of a conflict you have had with a difficult co-worker, supervisor or teacher. Describe how you handled the conflict and what the outcome of your actions were. Tell me about an experience you have had where you have worked as a member of a team or group? What was your role? What was the outcome?

Examples of Analytical Interview Questions

What are the key elements to being successful in a career? If you were an employer and could only make one job offer, which of your classmates would you hire and why? If you could invite any 5 people living or dead to a dinner party, who would you invite and why?

Examples of Strength Focused Interview Questions

What are your greatest strengths? What would you consider your greatest weakness? Which of your accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction and why? What could you contribute to this position to make it more effective or productive? How do you feel your experiences have prepared you for a leadership role in our company?

Examples of Knowledge-based Interview Questions

Have you visited our website? What do you know about our organization? How does this position fit into your career plans or goals? Why do you want to work here? What is it about our organization that interests you? How does your experience and education apply to this position?

Examples of Challenge Interview Questions

Tell me about a stressful situation and how you handled it. Tell me about a time you made an error on the job, how you handled it, and what you learned from it. Tell me about a job/task that you did not find challenging. How did you keep yourself motivated? What personal performance standards do you set for yourself? What have done if you found yourself falling short?

Examples of Who Are You? Interview Questions

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? If I could contact a former supervisor, how would he or she describe you as an employee? Describe yourself in 5 words or phrases. Why should I hire you over the other candidates also being considered for this position? If you could change one thing about yourself, what would that be and why?

Characteristics of Effective Salesmanship

Something worth selling(ie good product) Confidence in their product and themselves Clear Communicators

Assertivenot Passive
Positive Appearance Capable of Bragging about their Product

Purpose of a Resume Candidate

Convey Information about
Credentials and Interests to: Create a Favorable Impression

Recruiter
Provide a Source of Information

about the Candidate to:

Make a Decision

A good Resume should Aid a Recruiter to make a Positive Decision to take you to the next Step

Standard Resume Content

Content
Education Background Professional Background Research Summary Awards/Affiliations Publications Presentations

What is the Underlying Message?

Experience Skills, Technical Fit Accomplishments, Values Productivity Communication skills

Personal skills
Associations

Personal Interests
References

Research, Project and Presentations

Research & Project: Number Topics What is the Underlying Message?

Productivity
Range of skills Quality Independence, Collaboration

Journal
Number of authors

Presentations

Communication
Professional engagement

Awards and Other Differentiators

What is the Underlying Message?
Awards
Fellowships International Assignments Accountability, Communication Class Standing Global Perspective, Collaboration Importance of Research Teamwork

Patents
Collaborations Leadership In Associations Job Experience Responsibilities Athletics, Hobbies, Arts

Communication, Responsibility
Industrial Perspective Maturity, Focus Teamwork, Personal depth

References

Pick True Advocates of your skills Pick Diverse References if possible

Dont over or under estimate your Advisors Input

Your never know Who will Give a Recommendation

Resume Take Aways

Have a Vision to develop the content of your Resume Early in your Career Build in the Extras that Differentiate your Resume

Does a Picture of You Jump off the Page in <60 seconds?

Dont Clutter your Resume with Lots of Words/Text Use Bullets Ask Yourself, Does Your Resume Sell You?

Campus Interview

Common Recruiter Questions

Some Interviewers may follow a specific script, but most Questions are primarily intended to get Candidates to Talk

Some Typical Questions:

What is the most significant result from your research? What are some of the biggest challenges did you overcome?

Can you illustrate any examples of resolving Conflict?

What kind of job are you looking for?

What event in your life are you the most proud of?
What are examples of your teamwork skills?
What other things would you like to tell me about you?

An Interview is not a Test, It is a Sales Encounter Know in Advance What your Message Is

Preparation for Interviews

Be Prepared to Establish a Rapport with InterviewerYoull

feel better and will set the tone

Have a 10 minute concise description of Research: Why it is Important? Your Contribution? Vision for next Step?

Know your Professional skills, what you have done to develop them?
Know what is your Career objective Cover any assets that were not discussed

Ask questions about the company(use Web sites or

Information sessions) Consider Using a Document to step through the Information You wish to convey to the Recruiter.

Things to Keep in Mind

A Campus interview is not a test, not an interrogation. Its a Sales encounter and you are the salesman. Interviewer needs to take notesdont be rattled by that What can an Interviewer reasonably judge in 45 minutes?

Technical content(Somewhat)Will get that other ways

Values-Fit(Easily Captured), eg:
Concise Communication Energy Level Self Awareness Passion for Science Confidence Presence, Leadership Skills Accountability Skill Fit

Illegal Interview Questions

Sometimes an employer will ask you an illegal interview question. These questions are illegal because they have discriminatory implications. For the most part, these slipups are accidental due to a simple recruiter error. If you are asked an illegal question or one you suspect is illegal, then simply ask the recruiter to clarify the question. If he or she continues to press for an answer without restating the question, say I would answer that question, but I need a bit more information. How does that relate to the position I am applying for?

Examples of Illegal Interview Questions

Are you married? Are you dating anyone right now? Do you have any children? Are you planning on having any children? Are you pregnant? How old are you? Whats your heritage? What country are you from? Are you a member of a minority group? Are you religious? Do you have any disabilities?

Questions to ask the recruiter at the end of your interview:

What are the characteristics of your most successful hires? What is the typical career path for this position in your organization? What is a typical day like in this position? Is there a mentoring program available for new hires? What is the next step in the hiring process?

Close with the Recruiter

Thank the recruiter for interviewing you, smile and shake hands again. Take or ask for the recruiters business card and company literature. Thank the receptionist on your way out the door.

After the interview:

Send a thank you note to the recruiter within 2 days. Touch upon some of the conversation you had with the recruiter during your interview and reiterate why you would be a good candidate for the company. Include another copy of your resume with the thank you letter. Follow up on any promises made within 2 days, such as transcripts, clippings, writing samples, web site links, etc.

THANK YOU