Class One

Preparing for Successful Practice Interviews

The goals of this class are:

To understand the Hiram College Practice Interview program

To prepare for a successful videotaped practice interview.

If you will not be on campus during the time of this class, contact me at craigkm@hiram.edu and we will discuss an alternative way to meet this important requirement.

See the "Virtual Interview" instead.

To help you integrate what you’ve read and written about interviews, we have developed a practice interview program for Hiram College students, using local employers, friends of the College, or alums with human resource experience to offer realistic practice in interviewing.

A videotaped practice interview is required for this class. Really, the videotape is not that bad! It gives you a chance to stop fiddling with your hair or saying "You know…" too many times. No one will see it but you…and me!

To schedule your practice interview, contact me at craigkm@hiram.edu when you reach this section of the course. Interviews are typically scheduled once a semester so you will be assigned to a time while other Job Search students and seniors are being interviewed.

Activities:

Prior to your interview, complete the following tasks:

Stop by the Career Center and read about both of our mock employers, Hayden Foods, a diversified business, and the James A. Garfield Rehabilitation Center. Between the two, most common occupations are loosely represented.
Choose a job title for your interview and read the description of that position from our employer notebooks so you will familiar with the requirements of the job.
Next to your name on the interview schedule, please indicate which job title you have chosen. The interviewer will prepare to interview you for that position.
Bring a copy of your resume on resume paper to the Career Center one day before your interview. It will be placed in folder for the interviewer to read prior to your interview.
Anticipate what questions the interviewer might ask, based on your qualifications and the requirements of the position. Prepare to answer them.
Come to the interview dressed professionally as you would to a "real" interview.

· To complete your preparation, do the following activity:

11-25. "Do Your Homework!" – your interview homework, that is!

Choose one employer of the two mock employers – Hayden Foods or the James A. Garfield Rehabilitation Center - and "do your homework". What do you need to know about this organization to go into an interview and where will you find this information?

What questions will you ask when the interviewer asks "What questions do you have for me?" at the end of the interview? List five just in case. Put your "homework" in your portfolio.

Complete your interview and review the videotape with me.

Discuss the feedback from the employer and what changes you will make for your next interview.

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Class Session Twelve