Interviewing Basics

1. Interviewing Basics Career Center for Science and Engineering 50 Lind Hall 207 Church St. SE Minneapolis, MN 55455 Phone: 612-624-4090 Fax: 612-626-0261 Web: www.ccse.umn.edu

2. Agenda • Purpose of the Interview • Interview Preparation • Expectations of the Interview • Interview Follow-up

3. Purpose of an Interview • The purpose of an interview is not to get a job, but a job offer. • The more offers you receive, the stronger your opportunity to choose the position that best fits your goals. • From a company standpoint, an initial interview should answer three basic questions: • Is the candidate ABLE to do the job effectively? • Is the candidate WILLING to put for the effort to be successful in the position? • Is the candidate MANAGABLE?

4. Preparing for the Interview • Research Yourself • How do you want to market your skills and experiences? • Know your resume inside and out: be able to get specific • Research the Organization/Company • Show interest in the specifics of the organization • Learn the basic information of the company • Why are you interested in THAT company?

5. Preparing for the Interview • Review Interview Questions • The more you prepare ahead of time, the less nervous you will be in the interview • Sample/typical questions available in CCSE • Prepare Questions to Ask Interviewer • It is expected candidates will have at least 3 questions prepared • Base questions on information you could still need to know or came across in your research • Interviews are not the appropriate time to discuss salary

6. Preparing for the Interview • Look the Part • The job search is worth investing in a good suit • A conservative suit (navy, black, or grey) is recommended for interviewing • Your competition will dress formally, do not put yourself at a disadvantage • Let the content of the discussion be what the interviewer remembers, not your clothes • Avoid strong fragrances: allergies get bad in small spaces • Avoid big earrings, hair that covers your eyes/face, etc.

7. The Interview Process • Introduction • Ice breaking: making you feel comfortable • First impressions (appearance/manners) formed here • Engage the interviewer; this aspect impacts your success as much as your formal answers • Body of the Interview • The interviewer requesting specific information • You will be evaluated on qualifications, likelihood of success, experience, attitude, work ethic and others • Much like a good story, interview answers are better when they are specific • Be prepared to discuss your short-term and long-term goals • Could include technical and/or behavioral questions

8. Types of Questions • Tell me about yourself… • Keep it professional: avoid personal information • Present, Past, Future… • Motivation/Goal Questions • Why did you choose this major? • Where do you see yourself in 5 years? • Are you a good fit with the organization • Strengths/Weakness/Qualifications/Skills Questions • Rule of 3…back it up with proof (example) • The actual weakness is not the most important part… • The job or position description is your answer key

9. Types of Questions • Behavioral Questions • The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior • Makes hiring decisions legally defensible • Focus on specific times when you have had to use specific skills • Primary interviewing style • “Tell me about a time when…” • STAR Technique • Situation: Describe the situation/setting you were in • Task: Describe a SPECIFIC task when you used the skill(s) identified in the question • Action: What actions did you take to complete the task? • Result: What is the outcome of the task and your actions?

10. Types of Questions • Case Interview Questions • Tests your analytical abilities, organizational skills, poise, ability to deal with ambiguity, and problem solving • Many given in the form of a brain teaser: How many jelly beans fit inside a 747? • Make sure you get the information needed to answer the question • Talk them through your reasoning • There may not be a single correct answer • The purpose is for you to walk the interviewer through your thought process and how you approach a problem

11. Types of Questions • Technical Questions – Trading • Ability to synthesize, act upon information quickly • Understanding of macro relationships: impact of data, relationships between different asset classes & securities • Self-awareness: ability to understand and account for biases, control emotions • Communication/coordination: ability to communicate ideas, work in global teams, gather different viewpoints

12. Types of Questions • Technical Questions – Quantitative Risk Analyst: • Experience with large datasets & Excel, VBA, Matlab, SAS, R/S-plus • Experience developing quantitative models /basic finance & economics knowledge • Exposure to credit/market/operational/business risk • Examples of strong time management and multi tasking skills • Ability to communicate analytical results clearly to non technical groups • Ability to take initiative /work independently on analysis assignments • Ability to effectively grasp and use economic, mathematical and statistical concepts

13. Illegal Questions • Nationality, ancestry, birthplace, etc • Sex or marital status • Race or color • Religion or religious days observed • Physical disabilities • Health or medical history • Pregnancy or child care issues What do you do if asked an illegal question? • Answer in brief and move on • Ignore the question and redirect conversation • Ask about the relevance of the question • Tell them you will not answer if not relevant • If you believe the interviewer is blatantly discriminating against you, you have the right to walk out

14. The Interview Process • Closing • You will be given the opportunity to ask your prepared questions • The interviewer will discuss the next stages in the process • If they do not give you a timeline – ASK • End on a courteous note: thank the interviewer for the opportunity

15. The Second Interview • Similar questions, expect more related to the job • Meet with different types of people in the company • Employees: doing similar work to what you would do • Supervisors: your potential immediate supervisors and hiring managers • Administrators • Human Resource Personnel: discuss benefits

16. Assessing Your Interview • Assess your performance • What went well? • What could you improve on? • What was your overall impression? • Assess your interest • How well do you understand the position/Company • Has your interest increased or decreased? • Do I still consider this a worthy position? • Was I impressed with the people I met? • Do you still want to work for the company? • What did I learn from this interview?

17. Interview Follow-up • Always send a thank-you to the interviewer within 48 hours of the interview • Some people wait for thank-you notes before deciding who to advance to the next stages • Deciding between sending an e-mail or hard copy letter. • Emphasis what you liked about the process/Interview • If there was something you wanted to mention and didn’t, include it in the thank-you letter

18. Questions? Career Center for Science and Engineering 50 Lind Hall 207 Church St. SE Minneapolis, MN 55455 Phone: 612-624-4090 Fax: 612-626-0261 Web: www.ccse.umn.edu