Interview Tips & Follow-Up

1. Interview Tips & Follow-Up Sherry Pfaff-Doody Ayers Basement Systems

2. Interview Tips & Follow-Up • Focus on maintaining a professional image-before, during and after! • Credibility/LinkedIn/Online Presence • Attitude • Interview Prep • Interview Follow-Up

3. Waiting for that call or email? • What email address do they have for you? • Is it appropriate? • Hotmama10@gmail.com • Sherry.Doody@yahoo.com • Phone number • Is it current? • Phone etiquette • Do you have an appropriate voicemail set up? • Who is answering your phone and how are they answering? • Prep your family who may be answering your phone • Seems simple, but these things could be deal breakers!

4. Focus on Maintaining a Professional Image • There are things you may be doing (or not doing) that are affecting your job search • Always appear polished • Don’t air your financial matters • Always assume potential employers or connections are watching • Avoid looking desperate • “I’ll take anything” • “I’ve applied for 200 jobs” • Don’t show up at every event

5. Focus on Maintaining a Professional Image • Social Media Rule of Thumb • Assume everyone can see everything! • Don’t advertise every interview you have • Employers will find out-that is not a good thing for you • Avoid making offensive comments • Every time you post something, ask yourself, “is this controversial?” to make your decision • Don’t complain about people-exes, companies that rejected you, etc. • Be unbiased • “But, its my right…” • Solution…

7. Credibility • LinkedIn- Recommendations and Endorsements • “Someone asked me to recommend them, should I?” • Would you put your reputation on the line? • “How about endorsements?” • What if someone called you and asked you about that endorsement?

8. Attitude • Get past the “this is who I am, take it or leave it” mentality • Avoid negativity • Negativity=drama=unproductive worker • Avoid being negative • Avoid surrounding yourself with negativity • DON’T complain about employers (or anyone for that matter!) • Although it may be difficult, don’t be negative after rejections • Learn from experience & make improvements • Don’t place blame on employers/accountability

9. Interview Preparation • Research • Company • Goals, history, mission/vision • Interviewer(s) • Position • 50 Most Frequently Asked Questions • Read them • Prepare answers • “What have you been doing since your last job?” • “Why did you go through this training program?” • And don’t say, “Because Michigan Works paid for it”

10. Interviewing • What to take to the interview: • Resume-extra copies • Portfolio • Nicely presented • Job description • Note pad and ink pens • Questions-at least 5 • Confidence and a good attitude

11. Interview Mistakes to Avoid • Showing up late • Discussing personal problems or family • Talking about pay • Only do this AFTER you have been offered the job • Arguing or getting defensive • Don’t interrupt the interviewer • Inflating the truth/trying to sound like you are an expert at everything

12. Interview Attire • Dress properly • Clean, professional clothing • Including undershirts • Not too revealing • Avoid too much jewelry & cologne/perfume • (But do wear deodorant) • Make sure your hair is dry • Finish dressing before you arrive on company premises

13. Appropriate Attire

14. Inappropriate Attire

15. After the Interview • Reflect on what you did well and what you can improve on • Send a “thank you” note within 24 hours • Send to all interviewers • And receptionist too • Make a follow up call • Don’t be annoying • But don’t skip this step • There is a fine line • Remember, it’s a small world!

16. Contact Sherry Pfaff-Doody sdoody@AyersBasementSystems.com -Sherry Pfaff-Doody -Michigan Career Educator and Employer Alliance @Sherrydoody @MCEEATweets