1. SUNY Brockport Presentation
Preparing to Interview
Greg Weishaar
Recruiting Manager
Solü Technology Partners
October 30, 2012

2. My Background
 17 years business experience – spanning food
service, telecom, IT, & biotech
 10+ years of recruiting – corporate & agency
 BSBA & MBA with HR concentrations
 PHR, CDR, CIR, CCNA certifications

3. No Brainers:
 Dress for success - always wear a business suit
 Be Punctual - actually arrive 15m early
 Do your Research - Know the company (company
website, annual report, Hoovers, et al) and if possible
the person interviewing you (Google is a powerful tool)
 Bring your own questions - make them thoughtful and
directed
 No gum chewing, swearing, slang
 Make eye contact
 Don't lie/embelish

4. Tips:
 Practice with a friend - take it seriously, don't be afraid
to make a mistake - this is the time
 Practice in the mirror - how do you look? does it sound
rehearsed?
 Interview for a job you don't really want to become
accustomed to the situation
 Don't badmouth an employer or an ex-boss
 Interview follow up is a lost art - snail mail or email (try
to get contact info for anyone you meet with)
 Keep your answers short and to the point (but not too
short).

5. Tips cont’d:
 Answer THE question asked - take a moment to think
about the question and address it, not what you want to
say
 Take advantage of your Co-op office, career center
and alumni office - onsite interviews, resume services,
job fairs
 Network, network, network - alumni assoc, prof org
(SHRM, NYSCPA), local job groups (August), charities
(UnitedWay), friends and family, online (LinkedIN,
MySpace, FaceBook)
 Save the comp/benefits talk for the 2nd visit

6. Career Services @ Brockport
 Located in Rakov Center (Bldg 23)
 Drop-in hours are 12p to 2p, M-F. Call 395 2159 for
appointments. Our semester hours are 8 am to 5 pm,
M-F.
 Services include: resume writing, on-campus interview
program, job fairs, lunch & learns, career workshops

7. Pre-Employment Contingencies:
 Drug Test - should be obvious
 Credit Check - if you haven't already done
so, start building a credit profile and keep it
clean
 DMV Check
 Pre-Employment Physical
 Background Check - don't burn bridges
 Application - ensure accuracy and
completeness

8. Other Considerations
 Is your resume prepared? Accurate?
Appropriate for the job?
 Do you have three references ready?
 Do you have all data necessary to complete
the application? (Addresses, phone #s, SSN,
dates of employment, etc.)
 Did you express interest in the job? (Closing
statement)

9. Q&A
 Your turn…

10. Role Play:
 Tell me about a deadline you missed, how you handled
it, and what the outcome was.
 How did you decide on the major you chose? Upon
reflection how satisfied are you with your choice?
 What professional goals have you set for yourself?
How do you intend to achieve them?
 What does a job need to have to give you satisfaction?
 Looking back at your college experience what have
you learned about your strengths? Weaknesses?
 What differentiates you from your peers? How will you
use these skills on the job?