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Work Experience Placement: Interview Preparation

The selection committee will use priority standards indicated on Eligibility / Selection form while reviewing materials of applicants that select Summer 08 preference. Applicants who indicate preference for Fall 08, Spring 09 or Summer 09 sessions will be contacted with follow-up information / requirements. Candidates for Summer 08 who best match placement options will be contacted to finalize an interview time. Use the information below to help you prepare for an interview; this is a resource. We do not expect you to be a pro; we will be working on this more during workshops.

Pre-Interview Activities


Things to think about
  1. Your strengths, abilities, experiences that relate to the placement
  2. The major points you wish to stress in the interview
  3. At least three assets you have that will interest the interviewer


Prepare
  1. Appropriate questions you may ask the interviewer
  2. To project a professional image by dressing appropriately (absolutely no jeans, sweatshirts, t-shirts)
  3. Necessary materials: contact information, address, travel plans, copies of references, resume (if applicable) etc.


Practice with a friend, teacher, or family member; here are a list of potential questions to use for practice
  1. Tell me about yourself. (Include accomplishments and strengths)
  2. What do you consider yourself good at doing?
  3. What are you most proud of?
  4. Tell me about a problem / conflict you have experienced. How did you deal with it and what would you do differently?
  5. Why should you be selected for the work experience placement?
  6. Who or what had the greatest influence in your life?
  7. Please tell me about your plans for the future.
  8. What are your weaknesses? (Describe one thing that you have been working on and how you are or have turned it into a positive attribute or what you have learned from it)


Be aware of the impressions you want to make:

Positive
  1. Researched the organization
  2. Self-Confident & Honest
  3. Good conversational ability
  4. Good general appearance
  5. Ambitious & self-motivated
  6. Good listener & very alert
  7. positive responses
  8. projected responsibility,
  9. understands context of questions


negative
  1. Not prepared, late & no questions
  2. Not enthusiastic, not interested
  3. Weak handshake, was evasive
  4. Fidgeting, slouching & defensive
  5. Never smiled, too much cologne
  6. Only interested in pay & benefits
  7. Projected responsibility
  8. Lacked tact, courtesy & maturity
  9. Interrupted, no eye contact

Interview

  1. Plan your trip and arrival so you are a few minutes early. Let the receptionist know you are present for an interview
  2. Try to relax; this is a time to share about yourself and you are the only person who can be an expert in your-self
  3. Greet the interviewer by a firm handshake and a smile as you introduce yourself
  4. Let the interviewer take the lead and open the discussion
  5. Try to appear relaxed and show interest in what is being said
  6. Ask for clarification if you do not understand the question and feel free to take a minute to think before answering a question.
  7. Answer the questions concisely but fully. Try to be positive, optimistic, confident while being honest and sincere in your responses
  8. Pay attention to your body language, body posture, gestures, & voice
  9. Make sure to ask questions, and finish with a strong statement of continued interest in the position
  10. Leave with a smile, a “thank you,” and a firm handshake

Follow-up Interview

  1. Evaluate the interview: How did it go? Where did you do well? Where could you have improved? You want to get better each time.
  2. You may choose to write a brief letter to the interviewer expressing thanks, appreciation and continued interest.

*As part of the learning, practical experience of the application process, all applicants are encouraged to reflect on their experiences to assess what they could improve upon for the future. Furthermore, candidates will be contacted for follow-up in order to address any questions, concerns, areas of improvement that surfaced during the application process.



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© 2008 Badger Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Inc.

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