Preparing For A Job Interview

Student Employment Workshop at 105 Gibson Centre

This afternoon, I was invited to conduct a workshop on How to Prepare for a Job Interview to a group of secondary and university students at 105 Gibson Centre. I promised that I would put my power point notes on my blog for the participants. Here they are:

Students taking part in an activity

A successful  career involves a number of ingredients such as hard working, working smart, setting goals  for 1 yr, 2 yr, 5 to ten years ( if you are planning to build a career) so you can track the progress whether you are achieving your goals or not.  Setting achievable short term goals helps you to move along and eventually enable you to reach your long term goals. You will also need a plan of actions to achieve your goals.

Nowadays, some of the important qualities companies are looking for in their potential employees are:

•          Communication skills  -Very important!

•          Good command of written/ oral skills

•           Speak with confidence

Equally as important, when  fresh graduates are looking for their first professional job upon graduation, they will also need:

•          Mentors and support network

•          Relevant experiences

•          References

•          Understanding of work cultures and values

Getting Some  Help on Resume Editing

In my career as a school administrator and recently as a Human Resources Manager, I have discovered that many young people do not have much work experience upon graduation. Many have spent their university summer months either traveling back to their home country or studying summer school; few actually got summer employment relevant to their field of studies.

Experience is important!!

  Please try you best to accumulate relevant job experience by:

•          Volunteering

•          researching government programs that help young people to summer jobs

•          Personal Network

•          Part time work

•          Co-op program

Employers are looking for people who are:

Confident, positive attitude, passionate about their work, with team work spirit

Steps for Finding a Job

•          Learn what kinds of jobs you want

•          Research your companies

•          Be Prepared with the following:

•          Covering Letter

•          Resume

•          Interview

Interview Blunders -  3 biggest mistakes people do during interviews:

•          Dress  inappropriately

•          Talk badly about previous job or boss

•          Appears disinterested

After you sent out numerous application letters and resume, finally you got an interview! Congratulations, if you've got an interview,  some experts says:

You have  50% chance of getting the job!

Therefore do everything in your power to prepare yourself for the interview as if you are preparing for your most important final exam.

Learn about the company 

•          Research the company

•          Know the products

•          Know the organization structure

•          Knowledge is power

Dress appropriately

•          Jeans are not for all occasions!

•          Dress according to position applied

•          At least 2 Days before the interview date:

•          Pick out your interview outfit

•          Shoes, socks – ready

•          Make sure you have good grooming – good hair cut / neat and clean trimmed nails

•          Check out location of interview and make a test run

Job  Interview – Creating a Positive Impression

•          Don’t be late1!!!

•          Arrive 15 -20 minutes earlier

•          Check  hair, teeth, finger nails – cut  & clean

•          Use Deodorant,  Moisturizer/ lip palm

•          Avoid bad breath; use mouth wash or breath mints

Interview – Manners are important!

•          Good manners = consideration

•          Remember to shake hands, firm hand shake!!!

•          Smile!!

•          Say good morning, afternoon, thank you, please etc.

•          Sit  only when asked

Maintain Eye contact During the interview

•          Listen to questions carefully

•          Not afraid to ask for clarification

•          Positive attitude

•          Demonstrate confidence

Job Interview – Some Frequently Asked Questions

•          Tell me about yourself.

•          Tell me about your experience and qualifications.

•          Why are you applying for this job?

•          Why are you the best person for this job?

•          What are your strengths?

•          Describe your weakness.

•          What are the things that motivate you?

•          What do you do in your spare time?

•          What are your hobbies?

•          What do you like the most/ least in your school?

•          What were some of the most difficult problems you have had in your school or volunteer work?

•          How did you solve them?

Interview - Situational Questions

•          You are helping a customer who is getting verbally abusive with you. What would you do?

•          You are working on a team and you are having a problem with another worker? What would you do to solve this problem?

Where to find jobs?

•          School / University

•          Guidance offices, bulletins around campus

•          Community / local newspapers

•          Local supermarkets, McDonald’s, Tim Horton’s, YMCA

•          Parks and Recreation 

•          Canada Services Centre – local offices and websites

•          Student Summer Employment Program

Networking is important when you are looking for jobs. You could expand your contacts by volunteering in your: 

•          School / Church/  Workplace / Community

•          Talk to everyone you meet

•          Make connections

•          Learn how to do Small talk with your supervisors/  teachers/ professors ( Watch for my blog on this topic soon)

•          Make friends with your colleagues/ secretary

•          Attend workshops / Job fairs

•          Be careful of internet advertisement and interview location

After the interview

•          Make notes of the interview and especially the questions you did not answer well.  Have a notebook to write them down so that you could learn from your mistakes to improve your future interviews.

•          Follow up with:

•          Phone call, Email or  thank you note

Be faithful to God

•          Ask God to help you

•          pray  and ask God to give you wisdom to show you the way and open doors

•          Be faithful in your service

•          Put God first and Don’t forget to Tithe

Government Programs that help young people to find their first jopbs:

•          Mitacs-Enterprise Internship

•          Canada Summer Job

•          Employment Agencies

If you have any questions, please don`t hesitant to send them to me via the comment box and I will try my best to answer them.

All the best in you job hunting! 

R.T.
Markham, Ontario