Students

Interviewing

The interview process can be scary if you do not know what to expect. The interview is a screening process where you and the employer get an opportunity to evaluate yourself and potential employer/employee. The two (2) basic types of interviews follow:

Traditional Interview – uses broad based questions such as “tell me about yourself” and where do you see yourself the next five (5) years.

Structure of an interview:

Opening –
Lasts about 5 minutes. This begins when the interviewer greets you and is usually followed by small talk in an effort to relax you.

Company Sell – (optional)
Lasts about 5 minutes. This is designed to provide information about the company or organization. The responsibilities of the position are discussed during this part of the interview.

Candidate Sell –
Lasts 15 – 30 minutes. This is where you “Sell yourself”. Describe your abilities, skills and contributions that you can make to the organization.

Closing –
Lasts 5 minutes. This is when the interviewer asks if you have any questions. ALWAYS have questions. (See interview questions you can ask). Also, during the time, ask about the next step in the interviewing process. Remember to thank the interviewer for their time. Get a business card and send a thank you note within 48 hours.

For more information:

• Attend one of our interviewing workshops
• Make an appointment with a staff member to conduct a mock interview

Behavioral Interview

The purpose is to gain evidence or examples of a specific competency or skill set you possess. It is based on the premise that the best way to predict future behavior is to determine and evaluate past behavior.

Behavioral questions can be identified by phrases like “tell me about a time”, “describe a situation when you”, and “give me an example of a specific situation when you.”

For more information:

• Attend one of our interviewing workshops

• Make an appointment with a staff member

Career Development Plan for College Students


Freshman

• If you have not identified a major, talk with professors and career services staff about your interests

• Read about careers in the Career Services Resource laboratory

• Schedule a career assessment/self inventory test to determine the best career based on your personal interests and skills.

• Identify skills and interests

• Join extracurricular organizations (Student Government Association, Greek.) Be sure to include major-specific organizations (i.e., journalism club, accounting club, engineering, etc.)

• Come to the fall and spring Career fairs to identify companies for potential internships and co-ops

• Create a resume with a career services staff member

• Register with ecamusrecruiter.com/nsu and upload your completed resume

• Begin searching for a major-specific internship for the upcoming summer

Sophomore

• Decide on a major if you have not done so yet.

• Come to the fall and spring Career fairs to identify companies for potential internships and co-ops.

• Talk with professionals about careers of interest to you

• Visit the Career Services office and explore and apply for potential internships and co-op positions

• Research different career options for your major and discuss with a career services staff member

• Participate in career services “mock interview” given by various business and industry representatives and the career services staff

• Update your resume on ecampusrecruiter.com/nsu

• Join extracurricular organizations and consider taking on a leadership role or becoming an officer.
  
  Junior

• Come to the fall and spring Career fairs to identify companies for potential internships and co-ops.

• Talk with employers about careers of interest to you

• Visit the Career Services office and explore and apply for potential internships and co-op positions

• Research different career options for your major and discuss with a career services staff member

• Participate in career services “mock interviews” given by various business and industry representatives and the career services staff

• Update your resume on ecampusrecruiter.com/nsu

• Attend job search workshops and seminars

• Join extracurricular organizations and consider taking on a leadership role or becoming an officer.

Senior

• Update and put the finishing touches to your resume on ecampusrecruiter.com/nsu

• Participate in on-campus interviews

• Come to the fall and spring Career fairs to identify companies for potential full-time employment

• Visit the Career Services office to develop job leads and strategies for getting hired

• Continue to participate in career services “mock interviews” given by various business and industry representatives and the career services staff

• Attend job search workshops and seminars

• Join extracurricular organizations and consider taking on a leadership role or becoming an officer.

DO NOT STOP UNTIL YOU ARE HIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

How to Prepare for a Career Fair

• Prepare a resume – a “self promotional” document that demonstrates to a potential employer your experience and what you have accomplished. (Refer to “Resume Writing Tips” and “Sample Resume”.) Your strategy should be to emphasize the experience and skills that a particular employer is looking for. Your resume is also an example of your communication and organizational skills.

• Dress professionally.

• Get a list of registered companies/agencies scheduled to attend from the Career Services office located in rooms 306/311 Mills E. Godwin Student Center.

• Determine organizations you are interested in obtaining information about or possible employment and visit their booths first.

• Prepare and practice a monologue (refer to Job Fair Tips and Icebreakers”) until you are comfortable and it sounds conversational and unrehearsed.

• Practice your best handshake, smile and eye contact.

• REMEMBER, EVERY organization, agency, etc. has a potential position in your major; however, it is up to you to do the research and determine how your skills and interests match their needs.


Good luck and remember your actions today will affect the outcome of your tomorrow.
 

Job Fair Tips and Icebreakers


Career/job fairs are an excellent opportunity to meet several potential employers that may help determine your career path. It is an opportunity to get information about opportunities within your majors and identify whether a company offers internship and cooperative education experiences. Below are some tips that will make the experience a pleasant one and tip the odds in your favor!

1. Dress conservatively LADIES: Suit, skirt and blouse or dress, dress shoes, no sandals. MEN: Suit, slacks and jacket and nice shirt, no sneakers.

2. Approach employer stations and introduce yourself.

3. Utilize open-ended questions (see ice breakers below).

4. Have sufficient copies of your resume to distribute.

5. Relax, have a good time. While serious, this is one of the less formal environments where you can interact one-on-one with recruiters. Recruiters realize you are nervous and make allowances.

SAMPLE “ICE BREAKING” QUESTIONS TO ASK


1. Hello, my name is __________. I am a _________major. What internship, coop or career opportunities exist with your agency/corporation?
2. I am (state your class, majoring in) researching career options. What opportunities within your organization exist for someone in my major?


Extend your hand and say:


I am very interested in speaking with you further. May I have your business card and contact you later? Or

Thank you for your time Mr./Ms._____, May I leave my resume with you and accept one of your business cards to follow up in the future?

Remember, Just follow the above guidelines and MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Career Services Office, 306 Mills E. Godwin Student Center