1. Chapter 8
Interviewing for a
Job and Résumé
Writing
“You never get a second chance
to make a good first impression.”
– American Proverb
2. Preparing for an interview
Know yourself - Build a dossier or
personal inventory
Personal Work History
Education
Self-Assessment
3. What is a dossier and what is
contained in it?
Background on your
previous
employment
Where you have
gone to school and
what skills you have
acquired
Your strengths and
weaknesses - and
how they relate to
the job you are
seeking
4. Personal work history
Every employer
Name
Address
Telephone number
Dates of employment
Each job
Specific Duties
Specific Skills
Promotions, awards, or recognition you received
5. Writing a Résumé
This is a formal version of your
personal inventory
Contains
Identification
Your objective or job goal
Education and training
Work history
Personal data
Reference statement
8. Objective
Focus of Résumé
Part time work?
Unpaid volunteer?
Scholarship?
College acceptance?
How might you write your objective?
9. Education and training
While in high school, it goes at the top
Later on at the bottom
Usually when you will graduate
GPA - if for acceptance or impressive
Training - what might relate to the job or be
impressive
What might you list?
10. Work history
Information on each job
Name, location of business , and dates of
employment
Responsibilities on job
If you have never had a paid position, what
could you include?
18. Typical Questions
Why do you want to work for us?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
What would you like to be doing in five
years (or upon graduation?)
What is your grade point average?
What have been your favorite and least
favorite courses?
Were your extracurricular activities worth
your time?
Why should I hire you?
What’s your proudest accomplishment?
19. Make Positive Points
Puff balls–easy questions that give opening
to talk like, “Tell me about yourself.”
Pauses–Another chance to show initiative
Bridges–transition from one answer to
another or a chance to make a point
Add “sparklers”
–illustrates your point
20. Rehearse Tough Questions
Why should I hire you?
Where do you see yourself in five
years?
Why do you want
to work here?
21. Take Your Time
Think before you answer.
Be sure to address the
issue.
You can ask for time to
think if needed.
You can ask for
clarification–paraphrase
question.
22. Inappropriate Questions
Ask yourself, “Does it have something to
do with the job or position for which I am
interviewing?”
Examples of inappropriate questions:
What is your political party?
Do you go to church regularly?
Do you drink?
What is your sexual orientation?
What is your IQ?
Do you have a girlfriend/boyfriend?
How much do you weigh?
23. How to handle inappropriate
questions
Try to tackle the real concern
Answer briefly and move on
How would you handle, “Do you have
a boyfriend or girlfriend?”
What other questions could be difficult
for you?
24. Questions to Ask the
Interviewer
Clarify responsibilities.
Who would be my
supervisor?
How many nights
would I close?
(Don’t imply that you don’t
want to work too hard.)
How soon will you make
a decision?
25. Interview Check List
Be alert, energetic, and
aware of body language.
Pay attention to names,
specific information.
Begin and end with
shaking the interviewer’s
hand.
Dress appropriately.
What do you think are
common mistakes in dress?
26. Interview Check List
Get there on time!
A day or two ahead, confirm
time and check for how long
to plan on the interview.
Ask if you should bring
anything like a portfolio.
Arrive at least 15 minutes
early.
Go by yourself.
Any waiting time you can use
to check appearance and
read company literature.
27. Interview Check List
Do I have résumé?
Three references?
Know how long to get
there?
Interviewer’s name?
Turned off electronic
devices?
Thanked interviewer?
28. Recalling the Facts
In addition to jobs, where might you experience an
interview?
What is most important consideration in organizing your
résumé?
What is included in special skills?
How do you determine what to wear to the interview?
When should you arrive for the interview?
What is the strongest nonverbal communication?
What should you do before the interview?
What are sparklers and why do you use them?
Do you have to answer all questions?
How important is it to speed through answers?
Look Back on Page 226