Employability Skills

1. Employability Skills By Douglas J. Hughes, MEd, CSFA, CSA, CST, CRCST ST320 Concorde Career College How to Ace an Interview

2. Objectives Throughout this lecture, the student will… • gain an understanding of the interview from the employer’s perspective, • learn helpful tips to prepare for interview success, • recognize the importance of the first impression, • discover how to dress for success, • review common interview questions, • prepare answers to common questions in advance of the interview, and • identify how a professional portfolio can help land the job.

3. IntroductionDefining the Interview • “Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude “ • ZigZiglar, Motivational Speaker • “So many people out there have no idea what they want to do for a living, but they think that by going on job interviews they’ll magically figure it out. If you’re not sure, that message comes out loud and clear in the interview.” • Todd Bermont, World-renowned Job Hunting Expert • “Death will be a great relief. No more interviews.” • Katharine Hepburn, Actress

4. IntroductionDefining the Interview • What is it? • Precedes the hiring decision • Follows submission of the application and resume • Used to determine whether or not an individual candidate meets the needs and expectations of the employer • Considered the most useful tool for evaluating candidates

5. IntroductionThe Hiring Process • Consists of 3 Phases • Pre-interview phase • Interview phase • Usually lasts between 15-30 minutes • Post-interview phase

6. The InterviewFrom the Employer’s Perspective • Will the candidate… • Be a good fit? • Interact well with staff and leadership? • Perform duties competently? • Demonstrate desired characteristics? • What characteristics do employers look for?

7. The InterviewFrom the Employer’s Perspective Leadership Organization Critical Thinking Skills Ethics & Integrity Employability Characteristics Teamwork Teachability Technical Competency Communication Skills

8. The InterviewFrom the Employer’s Perspective • The employer is seeking particular… • Skills set • Availability • Level of education or experience • Other qualifications?

9. The InterviewFrom the Employer’s Perspective Interviewers are on the lookout for poor candidates. Therefore be careful not to… Use diminutives to address junior staff/women professionals/their seniors (poor manager of diverse staff) Boast about success (cocky) Put down spouse, partner, or colleagues (ego issues) Describe yourself as a "loners" or "difficult to please" (acknowledged egotist) Have poor table manners (inappropriate) Cut others off before they have finished a thought (impatient) Disregard/poke fun at your administrative staff (not strong team player/disrespectful) • Arrive late or get lost (not prepared) • Bellyache about current job (negative/disloyal) • Describe every accomplishment as a personal feat (loner/non-team player) • Forget to give others credit (quick to blame others/loner) • Speak before processing a question and its implications (careless thinker) • Act is if you know more about your organization than you do (bossy/controlling) • Use the passive voice extensively in conversation (not willing to take charge) • Use profanity (inappropriate)

10. The Key to a Successful Interview: Be Prepared Before anything else, preparation is the key to success. - Alexander Graham Bell

11. Be PreparedTips Before the Interview • Practice! • Learn about the company • Assemble needed materials • Look sharp

12. Be PreparedTips Before the Interview • Practice! • Mock interviews • Career Counselors • Prep for common questions • Flash cards • Record yourself • Recruit friends or family

13. Be PreparedTips Before the Interview • Learn about the company • Start with the job description • Use the internet – do some research • Read the small print • Talk to a current employee • Check latest news • What is the employer looking for specifically? • Get on the phone

14. Be PreparedTips Before the Interview Assemble needed materials… Nice to Haves Cell phone in case of emergency Past employment data Notes about people you have spoken to regarding the job Snack (just in case) Grooming tools (again, just in case) Proof of current employment status ID/legal documents • Must Haves • Resume copies • A pen (and a backup) • A notepad (legal) • References • Questions • Directions and contact information • Full tank of gas/bus money • Breath mints • Folder or briefcase • Portfolio • Copy of job description

15. Be PreparedTips Before the Interview • Look sharp! • Attire must be… • Neat • Clean • Pressed • Coordinating • Professional • Non revealing • Correctly sized • Free from tears or holes

16. Be PreparedTips Before the Interview • Men’s Attire • Suit (solid color - navy or dark grey) • Long sleeve shirt (white or coordinated with the suit) • Belt • Tie • Dark socks, conservative leather shoes • Little or no jewelry • Neat, professional hairstyle • Limit the aftershave • Neatly trimmed nails • Attaché case or briefcase *Traditional suits are best for medical professionals

17. Be PreparedTips Before the Interview • Women’s Attire • Suit (navy, black or dark grey) • The suit skirt should be long enough so you can sit down comfortably • Coordinated blouse • Conservative shoes • Limited jewelry (no dangling earrings or arms full of bracelets) • No jewelry is better than cheap jewelry • Professional hairstyle • Neutral pantyhose • Light make-up and perfume • Neatly manicured clean nails • Attaché case or briefcase

18. Be PreparedTips Before the Interview • What not to wear… • Flip-flops or sneakers • Underwear (bras, bra straps, briefs, boxers, etc.) that is visible • Jeans • Skirts that are too short • Pants that are too low-rise or too tight • Blouses that are too low-cut or too short • Anything trendy • Keep it classic and traditional! • Reminders… • Do not bring gum • Turn your cell phone off • Leave your I-pod at home • No coffee or soda • If you have lots of piercings, leave some of your rings at home (earrings only, is a good rule) • Cover tattoos Source: http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewattire/a/interviewnot.htm

19. Who would you hire? OR In the workforce world one is judged by their appearance,and if one’s appearance is inappropriate and sloppy others may also assume that one’s work is too.

20. Interview Attire Continuum

21. Interview Attire Continuum

22. Be PreparedTips During the Interview • Greet the interviewer, shake hands, smile and introduce yourself. Provide copies of your resume. • Think of the interview as a conversation, not an interrogation. The interviewer may also be nervous. • Be prepared for any type of an interview. Interviews may be full of questions or casual conversation. • Follow the lead of the interviewer, stay on topic, and ask for clarification if necessary. Listen well! • Ask a few questions to let the employer know you are enthusiastic and interested in the company. • Wait for the employer to bring up the subject of wages, hours, holidays, etc. • Be attentive to body language and posture. Don't cross your arms; maintain casual eye contact. • Don't make negative comments about previous employers. • State your interest in the position and the organization with enthusiasm. • Politely ask when they will be making a decision. • Smile, shake hands, and thank the interviewer for his/her time. Source: www.thejobstores.com

23. Be PreparedTips During the Interview • Make a good first impression! • Make a positive lasting impression

24. Be PreparedTips During the Interview • How to make a good first impression… • Arrive slightly early • Be prepared! • Participate in the conversation – be proactive • Listen • Defend your resume • Discuss weaknesses in resume/experience with confidence • Ask appropriate questions • Be yourself and let your personality shine • Remain positive • Thank each interviewer and use their names

25. Be PreparedTips During the Interview • Additional tips… • Use a moderate tone • Don’t say “um” • Maintain eye contact • No slouching or sitting casually • Have paperwork and notes organized • Don’t mention family or personal life unless it relates to the job • Use appropriate and effective body language • SMILE!

26. Be PreparedTips After the Interview • Thank you notes • Hand written preferred by many employers • Write one for each interviewer • Send ASAP • Keep it brief and positive • Recap your attributes • Remind them you are interested • Include contact info • Follow up in a week or so, but don't hound them

27. Commonly Asked Interview Questions Make sure you have thought out and practiced your answers beforehand Use flash cards!

28. Interview QuestionsTell me about yourself… • May be similar to your 30-second commercial • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttX6ItyPr8A • 90-second version • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OEZSfdn6Jc

29. Interview QuestionsWhat is your greatest Weakness? • Evaluate pitfalls • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTRojxZBeR8&feature=relmfu

30. Interview QuestionsWhy should we hire you? • Sell yourself! • Know the job description • Understand the employer’s needs • Identify what you have to offer • http://www.youtube.com/watch?src_vid=YTRojxZBeR8&annotation_id=annotation_613912&feature=iv&v=kcoat4ifHoY

31. Interview QuestionsWhy do you want to work here? • What is your value to the company • What are your motivations • What does the employer want to hear? • Do your homework and research the employer • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHrG0MaNrGo&feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_108969

32. Interview QuestionsWhere do you see yourself in five years? • What are your goals and aspirations? • What does the interviewer want to know, really? • http://www.youtube.com/watch?src_vid=ZHrG0MaNrGo&annotation_id=annotation_454078&feature=iv&v=xCGbE_xBNYc

33. Interview QuestionsOther common questions… • Why did you leave your last job? • What do you know about the company/facility/hospital/department? • What relevant experience do you have? • What would your previous coworkers say about you if they were here? • How well do you work under pressure? • What is your greatest strength? • What issues have you had with a previous supervisor or boss?

34. Interview QuestionsThe final question… • Do you have any questions for us? • Let’s evaluate appropriate questions that you should be prepared to ask the interviewer.

35. Professional PortfolioThe portfolio defined • "A professional portfolio is simply a collection of physical evidence that helps document and describe your professional accomplishments. Portfolios can be very useful in encouraging your systematic collection of evidence of professional development over time and in promoting reflection about your professional growth." • Leo Lambert, Stacey LaneTice, & Patricia Featherston,University Teaching: A Guide for Graduate Students.Syracuse University Press, 1996, p. 147

36. Professional PortfolioWhy keep a portfolio? • To assist in identifying career goals • To outline your professional background • To highlight your specific skills and accomplishments • To communicate and sample your professional experience • To expand on your resume with fuller, richer, and deeper content

37. Professional PortfolioWhat to include • Academic work • Research • Teaching • Leadership • Volunteer/community service • Publications • Conference participation/CEUs • Work experience • Clinical case logs • Performance reviews • Recognitions and awards • Certifications/credentials • HIPAA training certificate • CPR • Letters of recommendation from employers/hospital staff/physicians

38. Professional PortfolioPreferred method of presentation • Leather or vinyl • Spiral bound or hole punched • Good quality paper and printing • Organized with tabs/dividers • May be enhanced with an on-line portfolio or website • May be printed in book form

39. Professional PortfolioPortfolio help… • Geared toward nursing, but may be adapted for any healthcare provider: http://www.nursing-informatics.com/Oermann.pdf • Florida State University: http://www.career.fsu.edu/img/pdf/guides/Portfolio%20Preparation.pdf • Hints:http://jobmob.co.il/blog/work-portfolios/ • California University of Pennsylvania: http://www.calu.edu/current-students/files/ProfessionalPortfolios.pdf

40. Student ResourcesAdditional interview helps… • Comprehensive Interview Information: http://www.calu.edu/current-students/career-services/career-resources/quick-tips/interviews-and-portfolios/index.htm • A word on body language: http://www.calu.edu/current-students/career-services/files/InterviewsBodyofEvidence.pdf • State of Washington: http://www.wa.gov/esd/guides/jobsearch/strategy/interview_informational.htm • About.com: http://jobsearch.about.com/lr/interviewing/64624/2/ • Interview Does and Don’ts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1ucmfPOBV8 • Colorado State University: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/consumer/09151.pdf