Section B · Page 4
The University Daily Kansan
Wednesday, February 7, 2001
Visit our booth at the fair your one stop for fun in the sun this summer!
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Some Features and Benefits That Might Interest You
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For additional information,
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*Contact your local Kansas Army National Guard Representative for additional information
Effective interview skills crucial for students hunting employment
By Patrick Cady
Kansan correspondent
The idea of sitting in front of a stone-faced employer separated by a booming desk could be intimidating to some, but there are ways to conduct a perfect interview.
The University Career and Employment Services is devoted to helping students develop skills necessary to have a successful interview.
"First impressions are often critical in the interviewer's eyes."
Director Gail Rooney said that interviewing for a job was critical because it helped the employer and the applicant find out if they had a good match for a continuing employment relationship.
"It is a two-way street," she said. "They choose you, yet you also choose them."
Some interviewing strategies are universal, when used for speaking to the head of a multinational company or talking to the manager at a grocery store, but some interviews should be approached more formally than others, Rooney said.
Gail Rooney Career Services Director
She said that the most important aspect in training for an interview is preparedness.
"Preparation means you have a good understanding of your skills, qualities and abilities, along with concrete examples of how they might benefit the employer." Rooney said.
"Appearance is very important in the interview," she said. "First impressions are often critical in the interviewer's eaves."
Other aspects of preparation also come into play.
Elizabeth Lehner, Lenexa freshman, has kept this in mind during past interviews.
"I always made sure I dressed professionally when I went in for
an interview," she said. "I don't want I give off the impression that I am a slob."
According to literature available through Career and Employment Services, prospective employers look for strong nonverbal communication. A firm handshake and alert posture during questioning also enter into an interviewer's evaluation.
"It's not just the answers the interviewer hears, it's your attitude and general demeanor during the interview." Rooney said.
Depending on the job, three levels of interviewing may be necessary.
The first level is a general interview, serving mainly as an initial assessment, Rooney said.
Following that, there may be a second, more in depth, interview that might feature multiple interviewers.
"At that point, you need to be thinking about what the company needs and what skills of yours would match their need." Rooney said.
FREQUENTLY ASKED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Rooney said people should realize that $50,000 is not a realistic starting salary when negotiating but knowing that if an employer made a job offer, the applicant could ask for benefits.
As a service to improve interviewing skills, Career and Employment Services, located in the Burge Union, offers mock interviews and career counseling sessions.
She said that the third stage is a negotiation, and the company might make a job offer.
Practice answering questions
Edited by Brandy Straw
INTERVIEW TIDC
Outline specific examples of your work experience, qualifications and strengths.
Attend a video-taped mock interview in your interview clothes for extra practice.
Personal
Tell me about yourself.
Source: University Career and Employment Services
Why did you choose to interview with your organization?
- Describe your ideal job.
- What can you offer us?
- What do you consider to be your greatest strength?
- Define success/failure.
of people? How large?
Have you ever had any failures?
What did you learn from them?
you must prove that
Who are your role models? Why?
■ What three accomplishments are you most proud of?
Who are your role models? Why?
How does your college education or
- Why should we hire you rather than another candidate?
Have you ever spoken to a group
What motivates you most in a job?
What do you know about our organization?
work experience relate to this job
What motivates you most in a job?
Have you ever had difficulty getting along with a former professor/supervisor/co-worker?
How did you handle it?
Where do you want to be in five years? Ten years?
Do your grades accurately reflect your ability? Why or why not?
Do you plan to return to school for further education?
Education
Which elective classes did you like best? Least? Why?
- Why did you choose your major?
- Why did you choose to attend your college or university?
Do you think you received a good education? In what ways?
If you were to start over, what would you change about your education?
Which classes in your major did you like best? Least? Why?
What campus activities did you participate in?
■ Were you financially responsible for any portion of your college education?
What job related skills have you developed?
Experience
Did you work while going to school? What did you do?
What did you learn from these work experiences?
What did you enjoy most about your last employment? Least?
Have you ever quit a job? Why?
Give an example of a time in which
How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work?
you worked under deadline pressure.
you have any volunteer work?
What kind of
Career Goals
Do you prefer to work under super vision or on your own?
What kind of boss do you prefer.
Would you be successful working on a team?
Do you prefer large or small organizations? Why?
What other types of positions are you considering?
How do you feel about working in a structured environment?
Are you able to work on several assignments at once?
How do you feel about traveling?
How do you feel about working overtime?
- How do you feel about traveling?
- How do you feel about the possibility of relocating?
When are you willing to work?
Source: University Career and Employment Services
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Now is the time to plan for next fall. Here are five of 25 reasons to consider a KU MBA:
6. It is designed for students with undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, engineering, journalism computer science, and other nonbusiness fields.
20. You can choose study-abroad programs including Italy, France, and Mexico.
13. College algebra is the only math prerequisite.
9. The median starting salary for 2000 KU MBA grads was $57,690.
Want to know the other 20 reasons? See Dave Collins today at the Career Fair in Allen Fieldhouse or call 864-3050 ext.4
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