Career Blog
Preparing for an interview can be a stressful process. If you do, do it right: it could make a huge difference in your performance. Here are a few tips that could help you to ace your next interview.
Anticipate the questions
Go over the job posting word by word and highlight the keywords. Find out the key skills the employer is looking for, then list out your qualities that fit the interviewers’ expectations. Try to integrate these qualities in your answers. Start with the generic, ubiquitous questions such as “Tell me about yourself” and “What skills and abilities do you bring to this job?” Then move on to more specific questions related to the employer and/or the position.
Show enthusiasm
This means much more than simply smiling at the interviewers. It is also important to research the organization’s background, culture, and recent initiatives (creep their media page). Make sure to read their vision and mission statements as well as their career page. Find out some points that interest you and make sure to bring them up at the interview.
Prepare your own questions
Interviews are not only meant for interviewers to ask you questions and find out if you are the right candidate. They are also an opportunity for you to determine if the position in question is the right opportunity for you and if the organization is a good fit for you as a candidate. Asking the right questions is also a great way to demonstrate your knowledge of, and interest in, the field. Make sure to ask 2 or 3 thoughtful questions at the end of your interviews and use this opportunity to learn more about the organization’s culture, expectations, and development plans.
Want to receive expert advice on you to prepare for job interviews? Book an appointment on Interview Preparation and Techniques with the Career Centre Professional Development Coordinator through Career Launch.
A potential co-op employer has finally reached out to you and asked to schedule an interview. But there’s just one catch: it’s virtual… and you never actually had a virtual interview.
The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed not only the way we learn but also the way we work. Instead of the face-to-face interviews we’ve all been accustomed to, we were quickly introduced to virtual interviewing. Virtual interviews are just like in-person interviews: nerve-wracking, anxiety-ridden, and stressful! But they come with the added spice of camera malfunctions, uncontrollable background noises, and the classic internet troubles. Don’t worry, however: here are 3 quick tips to knock that upcoming virtual interview out of the park!
Tip 1: dress to impress
You want to impress your employer? The easiest way to do so is by dressing to impress. Wearing business professional attire will portray professionalism and respect towards the interviewer. In addition, it will help you focus and feel more confident. So just because the employer might not see the bottom half of your body, it is still suggested to at least put on a pair of pants (clarification: actual pants, not the pyjama pants you’ve been wearing all week).
Fun tip: Darker colours stand out better on camera!
Tip 2: own your technology
Technology plays a huge role in the success of a virtual interview and now is the perfect time to take control of it. Master the software in which your interview will be conducted, whether it’s Google Meet, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Skype. There are tons of online resources to help you learn and understand all the functionalities of these platforms. Practicing turning on and off your camera, muting and unmuting yourself, and using the chat function will allow you to take control of the situation in the case of a technological malfunction. And don’t forget to test your internet connection and assure you have all the necessary hardware (this may include a webcam, a headset, or a microphone).
Fun tip: If something does go wrong don’t worry, just be honest, patient and do your best to troubleshoot. We’ve all been there.
Tip 3: be prepared and have fun!
Your next interview might be conducted from home, but you must treat it with the same level of preparedness and confidence as you would with a regular interview. This includes showing up on time and since handshakes are now out of the picture, making sure you can confidently introduce yourself at the start of the meeting. In addition, prepare the questions you have for the employer beforehand and practice making contact with the web camera and not the screen.
Fun tip: This is our new reality, so try to smile, laugh, and enjoy your chat with your potential future employer!
Need some extra practice? Book an appointment for a Mock Interview with the Career Counsellor at the Telfer Career Centre through Career Launch, and get customized advice!
Now go ace that interview!
If you are looking for a job and have not yet been interviewed for a job via Zoom, Teams, Skype, or any kind of video platform, you may be part of a minority. You probably already know the basics, but we wanted to refresh your memory so that you can prepare.
1. Get your technology in working order
Make sure you have:
- a solid internet connection;
- fully charged batteries;
- a working camera;
- a functional microphone;
- all the required apps (properly installed) as well as plugins;
- the right camera angle;
- a friend or family member to rehearse with!
2. Resolve logistic issues beforehand
Avoid:
- clutter, embarrassing, or overly personal items in the background;
- poor lighting;
- background noise;
- any source of physical discomfort;
- clothes with jarring colours or distracting patterns;
- social media, text or email alerts.
3. Rehearse until it becomes natural
Why not:
- write down your talking points and your answers to anticipated questions (video interviews allow you to use notes so take advantage of it);
- rehearse in the shower;
- practice with a peer virtually;
- book a mock interview on Teams with a Career Centre staff through Career Launch.
4. Prepare.
- Write down your talking points in bullet-point form.
- Create a list of questions for your interviewers and make sure to have space for their answers.
- Have a cup of coffee or another beverage to help you keep from fidgeting and to make the interview slightly more convivial.
5. Embrace your mistakes.
Remember:
- No one is perfect at video interviews except robots. And you are not a robot. You are a human.
- Mistakes are not the end of the world; it is your ability to bounce back that matters.
- If you blow an answer, pause, take a deep breath, acknowledge that you find yourself rambling, and simply ask to restart the answer.
- Humility, humour, and humanity are also endearing qualities.
6. Show positivity
Try to maintain:
- a friendly demeanour and a great smile;
- your focus on the camera (and not on your notes);
- a conversational tone (listening is key).
7. Express gratitude
Remember to:
- send each of your interviewers a thank you note within 24 hours after the meeting; acknowledge the time of the person who coordinated the interview;
- reiterate your interest for the position and remind your interviewers the value you bring to the team.
“I have just had an interview for my dream job! What is my next step? What can I do to increase my chance of getting the job?” Many students are unsure of what their next step should be after an interview. A professionnal follow-up email is a great way to establish connection with the interviewers and to get any updates or information regarding the position.
Below are the critical steps to write a professional follow-up email:
Step 1 – Choose the right subject line
A good subject line should be one that gets opened faster than any other emails lying in the recruiters’ inbox. Simply reply to the latest email they sent you. This way, email will get much more attention.
Step 2 – Keep it simple
The body paragraph should be kept simple, so it does not require much time and effort for the readers to understand. Stay straight-forward: avoid being shy or unclear. Thank the recruiters for the interview and their time, reiterate your enthusiasm about the position and invite them to contact you if there are any updates.
Step 3 – Click Send
This can be the hardest step! Many students worry that their follow-up email might bother the recruiters and make them sound too desperate for the job. It is completely ok to feel this way, but it crucial to send the follow-up email when necessary. Do not hesitate to reach out to the recruiters if you need to know about any updates.
Video and Skype interviews are increasingly common in today’s workforce. You have probably been asked to do a Skype interview at least once or twice in your life. If not, you will be asked to do one then sooner or later. With more and more employers using Skype for their first-round interviews, it’s a good idea to take your digital interviewing skills to the next level. Here are five key tips on how to ace your Skype interview:
Tip #1: Do a Trial Run
There is nothing worse than turning on your laptop for a video interview and finding out that your audio is not working, or that your camera is not functioning. To avoid these mishaps, be sure that you have downloaded, installed and tested Skype’s app well before your interview. Do several checks, such as testing your microphone, checking the lighting, setting up the camera so that your face is nicely framed, and figuring out the best room to have your interview.
Tip #2: Practice. Practice. Practice.
Your first few video interviews are bound to feel awkward as you figure out where to look, what to do with your hands, or how loudly to speak. However, it is easy to work out those things ahead of time. Practice with a friend; provide them with a set of questions you expect to be asked and have them run a practice interview with you. Keep in mind how you will appear from the interviewer’s point of view. You will look them in the eye by looking into the camera, not by watching their image on the screen
Tip #3: Dress the Part
Wear the same clothes you would wear if you were going to an in-person interview. Do not give into the temptation to dress up only above the waist. Wearing the complete ensemble will help you stay in the interview mode, especially if you have to stand up.
Tip #4: Prepare Your Environment
Make sure that the room you choose to have your interview in does not have too many distractions and too much noise. A cluttered background may distract your interviewers and can send the wrong idea of your organizational skills. You want to have a clean, neutral and simple background, that not only looks professional, but it also makes sure that the interviewer focuses on you and only you.
Tip #5: Stay Present
Pay special attention to what’s going on during a Skype interview. Giving listening sounds, like “hm,” or “yes” will reassure the other party that the technology is functioning correctly and that you are, indeed, listening. In addition, pay attention to your body language: sit up straight, make eye contact, lean forward, and nod so the interviewers can see that you are engaged.
In conclusion, when it comes to Skype interview, planning is key. It will save you a ton of stress and help you perform better. Want to receive more information or practice? The Telfer Career Centre staff can help! Book an appointment for Skype interview tips on the Career Launch website, or drop by at DMS 1100 on Thursdays for a 30-minute drop-in session with a Career Centre staff.
Source : www.job-hunt.org/IT-job-search/skype-job-interview.shtml
As you evolve at the Telfer School of Management and enter the business world, slowly but surely, you will have to abide by a “professional attire” dress code, either for an interview or for a networking event. As the business world and technologies have evolved considerably over the last few decades, the idea of a “professional attire” has transformed. It is worth going over and debunking some myths surrounding this concept that are making things overly restrictive and complicated.
Myth no. 1: Matching Is a Must.
Although matching pantsuits and skirt suits are still considered as staples of a professional wardrobe, they may make you feel a little bit too formal or stuffy, if not costume-ish. Fortunately, you have another fantastic option: dressy separates, i.e. a pair of slacks or a dress/skirt with a blazer of a different colour. Examples: a wine shift dress with a black blazer; navy slacks with a charcoal jacket; a charcoal pencil skirt with a cream blazer, etc.
Tip: Don’t try to wear two separates of the “same” colour together as a suit; if you do separates, make sure their colours are different enough. And yes, mixing navy and black is okay. ;0)
Myth no. 2: Black Is Always the Way to Go.
If you are on the market for a new suit (or your very first one!), and are considering black, you may want to think twice before you make such an investment. Although black is a conservative colour and conveys authority, it can actually look harsh on a lot of people. If you feel that black makes you look washed out, try another dark neutral such as charcoal or navy, or even mouse gray, olive green or steel blue if you are very fair.
Tip: Black pantsuits and skirt suits should be reserved for very specific, formal occasions (like funerals, galas and weddings).
Myth no. 3: Tailoring Is for Hems Only.
An ill-fitting suit or garment looks unprofessional, no matter how fancy or expensive they can be. And chances are that even the best-fitting blazer, jacket, skirt or slacks you can find will still not fit you 100%. The good news is that seamstresses and tailors can do so much more than just shortening hemlines: they can make a myriad of alterations to transform a garment from “OK” or “seemingly borrowed” to “WOW!”
Tip: If tailoring services are not included with your purchase, prepare to spend anywhere between $10 and $35 per piece for a perfect fit that will make you feel like a million bucks.
Myth no. 4: Professional Attire Can Make You Feel Uncomfortable and Weird… And That’s OK.
If you’re not feeling it, you won’t fool anyone. If a “professional” garment does not instantly boost your confidence, it is simply not for you. Find out what works for you: not all male bankers wear pinstripe suits, and not all female accountants wear stuffy tweed jackets with strings of pearls. Not all men are comfortable in a Prince of Wales check suit, and not all women are comfortable in high heels and a pencil skirt. Take time to become familiar with what suits you, and trust your instincts.
Remember: Professional attire is something that you own and, most importantly, wear: it should not wear you.
Myth no. 5: Personal Touches Are a Big “No No”.
Abiding by a “professional attire” dress code does not mean refraining from expressing your personality. Incorporating vintage jewelry, coloured (closed toe) pumps, patterned socks, a ruffled top or a bright necktie is entirely OK, as long as they are tasteful and that the overall ensemble says: “I’m ready. I’m smart. I’m competent.”
Tip: If your gut tells you that an outfit or garment would be inappropriate for a meeting with the Prime Minister, then it probably does not fit the “professional attire” dress code.
I hope this article will make it easier for you to choose professional attire in the future. Remember: for any event where you need to display confidence and ease, such as an interview or networking event, preparation is key. Don’t wait until the last minute to decide how you will dress: find options, ask for opinions and take full-length photos to get a better perspective.
As Telfer students, you are at a crucial stage of your life: one during which you can experiment, grow, and of course, make mistakes. The good news is that your years at Telfer are also the perfect time for you to learn from those mistakes and to break those bad habits that could eventually become detrimental to your career. Here are five bad habits that many students are unaware of… and a few tips on how to break them.
Bad habit no 1: Showing up late and/or unprepared
If you tend to arrive disheveled, late or unprepared to your appointments, classes and meetings, be aware that this behaviour is likely to be read as a sign of indifference and disrespect. Your classmates, service providers and professors may only seem slightly annoyed by your carelessness, but your future manager and colleagues will not tolerate it.
What to do: Start early. As soon as you set an appointment or a meeting, make sure to i) write down what you need to prepare (documents, personal information, questions, research, etc.); ii) set a reminder (or several ones) on your cellphone. If you don’t know what to prepare for a particular appointment or meeting, just ask the person in charge! Inquiring in advance is a sign of consideration.
“Opportunity does not waste time
with those who are unprepared.”
– Idowu Koyenikan
Bad habit no 2: Blaming others (or your circumstances, or the environment) for your mistakes
Nobody expects you to be perfect. We ALL forget, procrastinate and underperform, sometimes. And our first reaction, when that happens, is to protect our ego. This defense mechanism, if you don’t learn to suppress it, will only make you appear immature and ill-prepared for the professional world.
What to do: Be honest with yourself: reflect on what happened, and try to figure out how you could have done things differently to reach a different outcome. Remember: Recognizing one’s mistakes is not a sign of incompetence or weakness: it shows humility, maturity, and, most of all, the ability to grow. And this is what success is built on.
“Mistakes are always forgivable
if one has the courage to admit them.”
– Bruce Lee
Bad habit no 3: Not expressing gratitude
As a Telfer student, you receive the coaching, encouragement, endorsement, feedback, guidance, and teachings of many individuals. Some of them are paid to offer you such support, and some of them are not. But whether you feel gratitude towards them or not is irrelevant: being ungrateful towards the very people who contribute to your success is inconsiderate and rude.
What to do: Make gratitude your default setting. Showing sincere appreciation to your classmates, colleagues, interviewers, professors, supervisors, and service providers is more than a sign of good manners: it is a clever (and economical!) way to create a lasting, positive impression in the minds of others. Studies have shown that the expression of gratitude, whether deserved or not, is as beneficial for the giver as it is for the receiver, as it invariably generates a positive response. Hence, a short “thank you” email will NEVER hurt.
“Gratitude is a currency that we can mint for ourselves,
and spend without fear of bankruptcy.”
– Fred De Witt Van Amburgh
Bad habit no 4: Doing what is expected of you, and nothing more
If performing one’s duties diligently is the natural way to impress an employer when starting a job, sticking religiously to one’s job description without ever going the extra mile is not necessarily the best way to leave a lasting mark. In fact, by waiting passively to receive instructions from your boss, you are actively hurting your chances to receive a good reference in the future.
What to do: Once you feel comfortable in your role, start paying more attention to what your immediate colleagues and supervisors are working on. You may have been hired to perform a specific set of tasks, but that does not mean that you should abstain from doing other things. Ask your manager if your assistance is needed elsewhere, and see if there are unattended projects waiting to be tackled. If you were looking for a way to demonstrate your “creativity”, “initiative” “leadership” (you guessed it, to build a solid resumé), this is your opportunity.
“Folks who never do any more than they get paid for,
never get paid for any more than they do.”
– Elbert Hubbard
Bad habit no 5: Being negative
Some of your loved ones mays have told you this repeatedly in the past: “Surround yourself with positive people.” And they were right: No one needs energy vampires who feed on gossip and drama. Avoiding them is one thing. Not becoming one of them is another. If you tend to rely on rants and rumors to get the attention of your colleagues, or if you often focus on the not-so-great aspect of everything, be careful: your negativity might become your worst professional enemy.
What to do: Embody your ideal
Before you speak, ask yourself if what you’re about to say is kind, useful and uplifting. If it’s not, you may want to reformulate. Cultivate positive thinking and dialogue in every aspect of your life, and positive things (and people) will manifest themselves.
“Be the attitude you want to be around.”
– Tim DeTellis
Every once in a while, we all need to press “Pause” in order to see if we are on the right track. I hope these lines have inspired you to reflect on who you want to become as professionals and to adjust your attitude, if need be, in order to achieve the very best version of yourselves.
A very wise hiring manager once told me this: “Not asking any questions during an interview is shooting oneself in the foot. As a recruiter, I see it as a lack of preparation and/or interest. Either way, for the candidate, it’s the end of the road.” If recruiters can deduct valuable information from your answers to their questions, they can, and will inevitably, deduct just as much information from your questions.
As the word suggests, an “interview” is a two-way street: just as the recruiters have to ask questions to see if you are the right candidate, you are entitled – and expected – to ask questions yourself to see if the position is right for you. Here is a collection of questions that will help you make a better decision (and a better impression) during the recruitment process.
Ask about the employer’s expectations
Asking specific questions about the employer’s expectations is a good way to demonstrate clearly your interest in the position and your desire to succeed.
- What assets/qualities have made my predecessors successful?
- Which criteria will you use to evaluate my performance?
- What kind of learning/training goals are expected of me during the first six months?
Remember: TAKE NOTES. These questions can often lead to valuable nuggets of information that do not appear in the job description.
Ask about the corporate culture
By inquiring about the work environment, you send a powerful message: You know what suits you, and you want to make sure that you will be happy in your role and excel at your job.
- How would you describe the work atmosphere in three words?
- What do you like best about working for this company/organization?
- What is the busiest/most challenging period of the year, and why?
Remember: Think also about what YOU want. You are, to some extent, interviewing a potential employer. Take this opportunity to gain insight into what values are held in high regard and to see if they match yours.
Ask about the company/organization’s evolution
Showing a genuine curiosity about the organization by asking specific questions proves that you have done your research and that you are a serious contender.
- What are the biggest challenges/opportunities facing the company/organization right now?
- Who do you consider your top competitor, and why?
- How has the company changed over the last few years?
Remember: BE THOUGHTFUL. Avoid asking questions that could be easily answered with a bit of research. First, review the company/organization’s website. Take the time to go through its mission statement, values, “Career” and “Media” sections, and strategic plan. Then, prepare your questions in light of what you have learned.
***
A few golden rules
- ACTIVELY LISTEN to the answers, and TAKE NOTES.
- ADJUST your list of questions as the interview goes.
- TAKE REAL INTEREST in your interviewers’ points of view, projects and work. We all love to talk about ourselves. Give them that opportunity, and make them feel heard and validated, so that your interview ends on a high note. This will help you be more MEMORABLE.
As you can see, these questions go far beyond the obvious “When should I expect hearing from you?” I hope these tips will help you create a unique list of insightful questions that will not only wow your interviewers, but also guide you in your decision-making process.
IMPORTANT: Naturally, the questions provided above are only suggestions. You should always use your own judgment to determine if a question is appropriate and relevant or not. For example, if the employer focuses on its advancement opportunities in its job posting, it may be smart to inquire about them during your interview.
Interviews for your dream job, whether a co-op placement, an internship, or a full-time position, can be stressful, to say the least. Many interviews happen face-to-face, but along your career path, you may very well come across an interview via telephone.
Employers are often conducting phone interviews as part of their initial pre-screening stage. Phone interviews are often seen as less intimidating than in-person interviews, because your body language and professional attire are not considered. However, there are other things you should consider when talking to an employer on the phone: your enthusiasm while answering questions; your genuine interest for the job and the company, etc.
In this article, I’m providing you with some tips on how to ace your next phone interview and increase your chances of receiving an invitation to attend a second interview.
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Focus and Eliminate Distractions
Make sure you are in a quiet area where you are able to talk privately with minimal distractions. This will help you eliminate any potential background noise the employer could notice. If you’re doing your phone interview from home, I would recommend sitting down at a table or a proper desk during the call. I tend to lose my focus and train of thought when surrounded by distractions. It is therefore important for me to set up a “work” environment before the scheduled phone call.
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Prepare Brief Notes
Just as for an in-person interview, you should gather some thoughts and write down a few points for the common questions that you anticipate. The difference with a phone interview though is that you can have your notes in front of you as a reference. Although this may alleviate your stress, do not write down an entire script for each question, as you might not sound genuine when you read it verbatim.
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Listen Carefully
Especially during phone interviews, it is common to listen only to the first part of a question and to overlook what is being asked overall. Many jump to conclusions too early and start answering questions too quickly, without taking a 10-15 second pause to gather their thoughts and focus on how to highlight their abilities/experiences with regard to the needs of the organization. Sometimes it is also difficult to gauge when to stop talking during a phone call, as a long, awkward pause may arise while the interviewer is jotting down notes.
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Follow-up
Many people overlook this crucial last step of the interview process, and it can sometimes determine if you move on to the next stage of the hiring process or if you are eliminated from the pool of candidates. Even though you did not meet the interviewers in person, it is still very important to follow up with them via email, within 48 hours, thanking them for their time and for the consideration.
Through these tips, I hope you will feel more comfortable when your next phone interview happens! Best of luck in all of your future interviews!
Some of us have heard of ghosting in the dating context. It is quite a vague concept. While some people consider it to be when someone stops communicating with you, regardless if you two have gone on a date yet or not, some consider ghosting to be only when a person stops answering your text messages post-date (probably because he or she is too afraid to be confrontational about not being interested anymore).
However, in the HR world, ghosting can mean something else: when a recruiter stops responding to you after you have done multiple interviews.
Professional recruiters say that ghosting is becoming more and more of a problem. The people applying to jobs and being ghosted aren’t happy either and consider this ghosting quite rude and unprofessional. When a person puts time and effort into applying for a job, preparing for an interview, attending the interview (and sometimes even attending multiple interviews!), is it unreasonable to expect at least a brief email stating that the company has selected another candidate?
Some companies have policies in place about this: they contact everyone who got an interview, even the unsuccessful candidates. However, things happen, managers can mess up, and sometimes, someone doesn’t hear back. Whether this is the case or not, you should always follow‑up after an interview to thank the employer for the opportunity. Read more about that here.
If the recruiter doesn’t reply back, wait it out. I would recommend waiting a few weeks before sending a follow-up email. Some people also recommend calling and getting straight to the point, something along the lines of: “Hi, this is so-and-so calling about the interview I had a while back for the so-and-so position. I haven’t heard back, and I was wondering what was the status of the job application”. You should get your answer right there.
However, there is also a situation where a manager completely stops responding and begins to ignore calls and emails. I won’t go into detail: there are numerous personal stories from hurt and dissatisfied job hunters. Some say that a passive-aggressive email is best (see Jane Turkewitz’s suggested email), however, my personal recommendation is to give it 8 weeks (unless you are positive it will take longer) from the interview date, and then to simply assume that the company has chosen someone else. Not only did they miss out on someone as amazing and educated as you, but they also did it in such an unprofessional and rude way that left a sour taste in your mouth. Would you want to work for such a company? Hold your head high and apply to more jobs. You dodged a bullet.