Tips and Techniques for successful interviewing in the business environment.

1. Interviewing Best Practices &
Dressing for the Workplace
Facilitator: Nena B. Abdul-Wakeel, Corporate Leader & Entrepreneur
Montgomery County Commission For Women Career Re-Entry Series
Tuesday, September 26, 2017, Rockville Library, Rockville, MD
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2. About Nena B. Abdul-Wakeel
 Motivational speaker, coach, actress,
entrepreneur, software engineer, technology
consultant, facilitator, corporate leader,
community volunteer and mother.
 Over 20 years of leadership experience in the
corporate world, most recently with
CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield.
 Recent adventures include Podcasting,
Blogging – “Ms. Nena B. Show” and Acting.
 Contact: nabdulwa@gmail.com or
host@msnenabshow.com
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3. Preparing for the Interview
Confirming
Interview
Confirming Interview
Details - Date, Time
(length of time),
Place, who are the
interviewers
Review Job
Posting
Review the Job
Posting/Description
(Helpful hint: Save
the job posting when
applying for the
job.)
Know about the
Company
Know basic
information about
the company.
Check Website and
Social Media Pages
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4. Your Personal Presentation Preparation
 You personal appearance makes the first impression.
 Be well rested
 Plan your attire; cleaned and ironed
 Eat and drink before; avoid foods that you may be sensitive to.
 Be well groomed
 Personal Hygiene
 Clean/shined shoes
 Avoid strong perfumes/colognes
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5. Tell me about yourself
 Be brief ( 1-2 minutes)
 What should you include? Make sure it’s relevant:
 Highlight number of years experience.
 Recent accomplishments
 Share three or four of the personal qualities, skills and/or areas of expertise which
would help you to excel in the job
 End with a personal piece of information, like a hobby or interest. Relate it to a
skill or trait you would use on the job.
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6. Tell me about yourself. Write it down.
I am a _______________________________________.
I have over __ years experience in __________________________. I
excel at ________________. I recently ______________________ that
required (what skills) . I also enjoy (personal
hobby or interest) which has helped to gain (skill or
knowledge) .
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7. Common Interview Questions
1. Can you tell me about yourself?
2. What interest you about this job opening?
3. What do you know about our company?
4. Why are you no longer with your last job?
5. Why should we hire you for this job?
6. What are you greatest
strengths/weaknesses?
7. What is your greatest achievement?
8. Where do you see yourself in five years
9. What salary range are you looking for?
10. What questions do you have for me?
Be prepared to answer. Be Confident.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND
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8. Do you have any questions?
 Asking questions indicate interest and that you are not just
desperate for any job.
 Suggested questions:
 Typical work hours; Is there a ever a need for weekend or holiday work.
 Size of Team; Is the team all located together; How do they typically
communication
 Is this a new position or a replacement; What is the typical workday for
a person in this role.
 How to you on-board someone in this role, and orient them to your
systems and processes?
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under
CC BY-NC-ND
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9. Interviewing Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
 Be prepared. Come prepared with as much
information about the company and industry as
possible. Prepare questions of your own. Good job
candidates want to know that the company to which
they are applying is a good personal fit as well.
 Be confident. Begin introductions with a firm but not
overpowering handshake. No one likes having their
hand put in a vice.
 Be engaging. Make eye contact often—a must. It
shows confidence and connects you with the
interview. Remember the interviewer's name, and use
it during the interview to stay engaged.
 Be careful. Think before you speak! This might be
the only chance you get to convince a prospective
employer that you are the right person for the job.
Your answers during the interview are as important as
the image you cast.
 Be outgoing. Don't underestimate the power of a
personal connection. If you can connect with your
interviewer in a personal way, they may think you
would be an enjoyable person to have in the office or
on the team.
Don’ts
 Don't be late. Arrive 15 minutes early to allow time for
possible delay and use the extra time to freshen up for
the interview if you have arrived early.
 Don't be pushy about salary. Don't place a large emphasis
on salary. The salary will only be discussed if and when
the employer is sold on you as a candidate.
 Don't talk too much. Answer questions fluently and
concisely, but give interviewers the opportunity to
interrupt as needed.
 Don't exaggerate. Stick to the abilities you have, not
those you wish you had. Be honest about your experience,
emphasizing the positive, yet sticking with the truth.
 Don't over or underdress. You should determine
beforehand if you should wear a business suit, or if a more
business casual look is appropriate.
Excerpt from Ace the Interview: Top 5 Do’s and Don’ts, CollegeGrad.com
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10. Business Professional Do’s & Don’ts
Ladies
Do wear …
 Business suits
 Skirts: the length should hit just above the knee or below
 Slacks: neatly pressed, nothing too tight
 Blouses: Dressy styles or button-down shirts paired with a
cardigan
 Dresses: worn alone, or with a suit jacket or blazer
 Shoes: closed-toe, polished, scuff-free
 Jewelry: tasteful, not overdone
Don’t wear …
 Anything too short, too revealing, too tight or too sheer
 Blouses that are sleeveless or low-cut
 Casual khaki pants (neutral or khaki-colored dress slacks
are OK)
 Open-toed or overly casual shoes, or those with
extremely high heels
Men
Do wear …
 Button-up dress shirt (always well-pressed)
 Neck-tie of the appropriate length (tie should touch the
top of your belt)
 Tasteful suit jacket
 Dress slacks (clean and pressed)
 Polished dress shoes
Don’t wear …
 Short-sleeve button-up shirts with a tie
 Casual pants (cargos, Dockers)
 Casual leather shoes
 Wrinkled or soiled clothing
 White socks
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11. Business Casual Do’s & Don’ts
Ladies
Do wear …
 Casual pants, including cropped pants and capris that hit
around mid-calf
 Skirts and dresses in more casual styles in an appropriate
length
 Button-up shirts, blouses or sweaters
 Open-toed shoes, including dress sandals
Don’t wear …
 T-shirts
 Jeans, including colored styles
 Shorts, even longer styles that hit right at the knee
 Beach wear or street wear shoes, like flip-flops or
sneakers
 Casual sundresses (a light cardigan or jacket over a
sleeveless piece is an easy fix)
Men
Do wear …
 Button-up or polo-style dress shirts
 Casual pants (clean and neatly pressed)
 Sweaters
 Casual (and clean) leather shoes
Don’t wear …
 T-shirts
 Jeans or cargo pants
 Tennis shoes or sandals
 Soiled or wrinkled clothes
 Pants without a belt
 Untucked shirts
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