INTERVIEW STRATEGIES

Rutgers University Career ServicesCareer and Interview Center/Busch

Campus Centerhttp://careerservices.rutgers.edu

WHAT WE WILL COVER TODAY

Purpose of Interviews Types of Interviews Preparing for the Interview Interview Structure Typical Questions Next Steps

PURPOSE OF INTERVIEW(Employer Perspective)

Do you have the skills to do the job? Will you fit into the organization’s

culture? Are you motivated to do the job? Will you stay?

PURPOSE OF INTERVIEW(Candidate Perspective)

Learn about the organization Determine if you fit into the culture Get the job offer

INTERVIEW TYPES Screening/Human Resources Behavioral Group Phone/Video

PRIOR TO THE INTERVIEW Research: find out what is

happening in your career field and the particular company you will be interviewing with

Preparation: identify what you have to offer the company and prepare for common interview questions

RESEARCHOrganization: Organization website, literature, and Kilmer Library Services, products, locations, divisions and competitors Recent news, new product launches, mergers Organization strengths

Trends in the Profession: Career publications, professional organizations and

networking

Other Tools: www.rileyguide.com/The Rutgers Online Career Library

PREPARATION Selling Points Character Traits Practice Interviewing

SELLING POINTS Technical skills, advanced training Management/supervision Awards Customer service Advanced coursework Special projects Internships Volunteer, community service, activities

CHARACTER TRAITS Team Player Adaptable Good judgement Quick thinker Ethical Leadership Communication: verbal & written Attention to detail

NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION Attire/appearance Hand shake/Eye contact/Posture Hand gestures

PRACTICE INTERVIEWING Mock Interview Interview Stream, Virtual Mock

Interview Career Services Guide (practice

quest.) Career Resource Center

Publications

INTERVIEW PROCESS Warm up - Rapport Building Questions/Dialog Questions from interviewee Wrap-up Follow-up

WARM-UP How about this weather? How about that Rutgers football

team? How are your classes going?

QUESTIONS/DIALOGUETraditional: Traditional interview questions focus on your

educational background, work experience, activities, skills, etc.

Behavioral: Behavioral interviews focus on specific past

behaviors, “Describe a time when..” Past behavior is the best predictor of future

performance

TRADITIONAL QUESTIONS Tell me about yourself. Why did you choose Rutgers? Where do you see yourself in five

years? Why did you choose this profession? Why should I hire you? What do you know about us? What is your biggest weakness?

BEHAVIORAL QUESTIONS Describe a major problem you have faced and how

you dealt with it.

Describe a situation where 10 different things had to get done at once and how you handled it.

Use the P.A.R. system (Problem-Action-Result) in answering these types of questions

QUESTIONS FROM INTERVIEWEE

What kind of assignments might I expect in the first six months?

What skills are important for someone in this position?

How would you describe the ideal candidate for this position?

What do you like most about working for the company?

INTERVIEW WRAP-UP Express interest in the position Clarify next steps Get business card Send thank you letter

NEXT STEPS Make an appointment at any

Career Services office to conduct a Mock Interview (option to be video-taped)

Use Interview Stream, Virtual Mock Interview – self assessment