Friday, February 4, 2011

TPE Interviewing 101

Interviewing 101

We have participated in career placement venues for the last eight years, both as a candidate and as an employer. We have put together a list of suggestions to help you have a successful experience from beginning to end. We encourage you to get the opinions of your mentors and colleagues, and utilize the preparation resources provided through “The Placement Exchange.” Good luck in finding the perfect fit!

Jayme Uden and Laura Isdell
Department of Student Housing
University of Kansas

Interview Preparation
• Consider what the deal-breakers are for you. What are the most important factors both personally and professionally in your next position (i.e. location, supervision, salary, partner policy, institutional values, institutional size)?
• Prepare for the types of questions you are going to get asked. Be prepared with examples and sample stories to illustrate points. Ex: What are your strengths and challenges?
• Research the institution and the city for each position for which you are interviewing. Prepare questions in advance that you would help you make a decision about fit.
• Take advantage of candidate session that will give you a tour of the placement center and give you an idea of what to expect. If you cannot attend one of the sessions, then make your own time to check out the candidate workroom, restrooms, candidate waiting area, and locations for food.
• Bring your own interview schedule, but also have the placement center print a schedule each day to make sure that your schedule is correct.
• Plan ahead for what you are going to bring with you to the placement center each day (i.e. institutional research and folders, thank you notes, writing utensils and paper, snacks and water, breath mints, business cards).

Looking the Part
• It is okay to show your personal style in your outfit, but remember that it is a professional interview. (if bright colors are your thing, then wear them as a part of your professional look.
• Wear comfortable, well-polished, shoes; you will be walking a lot.
• Try on your wardrobe before traveling to placement to make sure you feel comfortable and look professional. Get others’ feedback on your looks.
• Have interchangeable outfits or shoes for easier packing. Ex: have multiple ties/shirts for one suit.
• If you are going to the NASPA conference after TPE, remember that you will see potential employers there so continue to dress and act professionally.
• Consider how you will carry any personal items or interview materials with you to placement (portfolio, messenger bag, etc.).

Interview Day
• Be rested and well-groomed for every interview day.
• Don’t forget your personal items and interview materials.
• Plan ahead for travel time. You do not want to be late to an interview.
• Check your mailbox at the start, middle, and end of the day and more often if time allows.
• Complete any thank you notes/emails before leaving the placement center each day.
• Take notes after each interview; reflect on your impressions, additional questions, or areas you want to follow-up on.
• Make sure that your cellphone or any other electronic devices are off or on silent mode.

Placement Center
• The placement center is a big open space with hundreds of interviews occurring simultaneously. Be prepared for noise and visual distractions. It is important to maintain eye contact and focus on questions being asked.
• Take advantage of candidate workroom to do research, rest, get a beverage, eat snacks, and prepare for upcoming interviews.
• Be thoughtful about your conversations during the entire conference—even if you think you’re just comparing information with a colleague. You never know who is at the table next to you at a restaurant hearing what you have to say about that department or institution. You will need to be “on” as professional during the entire process. Share your personal reflections privately in a less open space.
• It is likely that you might interview with two institutions who’s tables are adjacent. It’s also possible the institution you just interviewed with may interview a fellow colleague right after you. That’s the reality of a placement procession; do not feel awkward about it.
• Be cognizant of the time frame of the interview. You want to be punctual to the interview. You also want to be able to provide comprehensive responses within the time allotted.
• Not all institutions conduct second-round interviews.

After Placement
• Review all interviews and institutions and rank order your list so you can put more energy and efforts into your most desired positions.
• While you “interviewed” with institutions at The Placement Exchange, to be an official candidate for a position, most schools will require that you apply formally through the human resources website. Ask when you need to have that step completed.
• Budget time after the conference to complete necessary application materials and communicate with potential employers.
• If you would not accept a position, the professional response is to take that institution off your list and formally remove yourself from their candidate pool.

No comments:

Post a Comment