Professional Behavior and Communication Development Course 2-page summary/reflection of class

Finance 250

Professional Behavior and Communication Development

Professor Troy Kane

Week Four Agenda

➢ Guest Speaker

➢ Resume Workshop

➢ Job Fair Behaviors

➢ Successful Interviewing

➢ Thank You Notes

Resume Workshop

Job Fairs Behavior

Job Fairs

✓ Obtain a list of participating employers before the fair.

✓ Research key employers.

✓ Visit targeted employers first (before lines form).

✓ Have hard copies of resumes to give as requested.

✓ Talk to a firm representative 1:1. Give your personal elevator speech.

✓ Request business cards. Follow up with an email ASAP.

✓ Later, when submitting a resume and cover letter, reference the names of associates you met at the fair.

✓ Take care to not carry an excessive number of employer giveaways, but accept, if offered, key employers brochures or giveaways.

✓ State that you would appreciate an interview.

✓ Ask about next steps.

Bad Job Fair Behavior

‒ Using cell phones on the Job Fair floor.

‒ Talking with an employer without any knowledge of the firm.

‒ Cutting in line.

‒ Being dismissive of junior exhibitors.

‒ Misrepresenting your qualification, grades, career interests.

Successful Interviewing

Interview Tips

✓ Prepare and Practice.

✓ Know who you are seeing if you can and find their LinkedIn Profile.

✓ Turn your phone OFF!

✓ Respond truthfully.

✓ Be passionate and be positive.

✓ Smile!

✓ Stay on task.

✓ Don’t be overconfident.

✓ Dress conservatively.

✓ No smoking before or overdo cologne/perfume.

• Be aware that you may be asked technical questions on things that you studied at DePaul. Anticipate what those technical questions may be based on the company or job.

• ANSWER THE QUESTIONS! Use one of your "Greatest Hits" to answer questions. Tell your story with enthusiasm. Find the right balance between enough but not too much detail.

• Ask questions to confirm your interest o What skills make an ideal candidate for this job? o How would you describe the culture of the company? o How does the company give back to the community? o What will be expected of me in the first 90 days. o How would you describe the leadership style of the company? o What training and develop opportunities exist? o Does the firm reimburse grad school tuition? o What is the most important project to achieve in the next 60 days? o What’s the biggest problem facing the team today, and how can I help? o What do you most enjoy about working for this firm?

Interview Questions

• Don't be late.

• Don’t arrive with food or drink (other than a small water bottle).

• Don't be demeaning to associates/admin assistants -- they may very well have input in the hiring decision.

• Don't ask, "what does your company do?".

• Don’t answer questions with just “Yes” or “No”.

• Don't ask what the job pays (in an initial interview).

• Sell yourself. Make the discussion about the company's agenda, not yours.

• Don't ask when you can expect a promotion. Instead, ask, "what does success looks like in this role?"

• Don't ask, "tell me more about the recent controversy about the company in the news", or "what about the bad reviews in Glassdoor?".

What NOT to do in an Interview

• “I’m intelligent.” This is one of those words you want others to say about you, not what you want to say about yourself. Intelligence is judgmental. INSTEAD use words like logical, quantitative, fast learner or big-picture thinker. These sound more factual than judgmental.

• “I’m likable.” Same issues as with intelligent. It’s hard to find supporting examples of why you’re likable without sounding desperate. INSTEAD use words like team player, outgoing, enthusiastic or caring and back them up with examples of how you pitched in or organized the office party.

• “I’m successful.” It’s like saying that you are rich and good looking. Let your resume tell what you did successfully.

• I’m obsessive.” Can have a negative connotation. INSTEAD use focused, detailed oriented or dedicated. Be ready to back these up with your “Greatest Hits”.

• “I’m humble.” And proud of it? The more you explain, the more you lose trust. INSTEAD state the facts and let the interviewer come to a conclusion.

What NOT to Say in an Interview

Closing an Interview

• Are there any other questions that I can answer for you today?

• At the end of the interview, don't ask, "do I get the job?". Instead ask about the next steps in the hiring process.

• How would you prefer me to follow up?

• Last question. What was your best moment so far at XYZ Inc.? (Ends with a feel good story by the interviewer and you get that halo effect.)

Using Filler Words So, Um, You Know, How Do You, Like, Stop Using Filler Words?

(Usually occurs when we are trying to think of the next thing to say)

• Stop it through:

✓ Awareness. Record yourself and listen.

✓ Relax. Take a deep breath when finishing a thought.

✓ Substitute silence for verbal fillers.

✓ Be prepared. (People use fillers when they are not prepared.)

✓ Be passionate. (When people are passionate, the words just flow.)

✓ Become comfortable with silence. Pause and think before you speak.

✓ Repeat or paraphrase the question. This gives you some time to develop an answer.

✓ Practice! Ask the mock interviewer about how frequently you used fillers.

*From the NY Times and InterviewStream

Phone Interviews • Most often done as an exploratory: often done when you’ve missed the

standard interview cycle.

• Treat your phone interview like an in-person interview.

• Practice, don't just wing it.

• Prepare, prepare, prepare! Elevator speech.

• Have your resume and the job description handy.

• Find a quiet place to take the call. Warn your roommates ahead of time that you are expecting an interview call.

• Talk slowly, clearly and be upbeat.

• Smile as you talk -- your voice will naturally sound more positive and engaged.

• Thank the interviewer for their time, remind her/him of our qualifications and why you can add value to her/his organization.

• Ask about the next steps.

Thank You Notes

Thank You Letters

• Cover Letters describes the past - your accomplishments, your schooling, your experience.

• Thank You Letters emphasize your future - be grateful for the interview, reference your skills and uniqueness.

• Email immediately after the interview.

• Hand write a short thank you note with in a few days.

• Make reference to something said/shared in the interview (ensures that the interviewer remembers you).

• Close with an expression of wanting to get the job and reinforce what value you can add.

• See Pollak #87.