Tutorial 7 - Term 2
- 1. COMM 202: Career Fundamentals T24 & T25 with Samyta Rai
- 2. Today’s Agenda: 1. Employment Interview 2. Interview Q&A 3. Final Messages 4. Action Items
- 3. Course Timeline Week 12 (today) Week 13 Week 14 • Final Tutorial: Interview Questions • What’s due (optional for bonus marks): Interview Stream by Apr 2nd@ 11:59PM • Final Lecture: Offer Negotiations *Friday lecture is cancelled, attend a Tuesday or Wednesday section* • Employment Interviews: Tues, Apr 3rd or Wed, Apr 4th or Thurs, Apr 5th • What’s due: Informational Interview Report by Apr 20th@ 11:59PM on Turnitin
- 5. Sign up for a timeslot on COOL Ø You should have access to the timeslots on COOL by now Ø If you need to change your interview time, do it within COOL Failure to book a time before Nov 22nd at 11:59PM will be automatically assigned a time, and get 25% deducted from interview mark.
- 6. What to expect 20% of Grade When: Apr 3rd, 4th, 5th Mandatory items to print: Resume (PRINT) Cover Letter (PRINT) Job Posting (PRINT) Optional items: Padfolio (keep it simple) Pen Research notes *We have a seating area to put your bags, but do so at your own risk* No printouts of the mandatory items = Automatic 0
- 7. What to expect Be EARLY! – Ideally by about 10 minutes. If you’re not there by your scheduled interview time, you will receive an automatic 0! • Check in with the ”reception” in Birmingham (It is the student’s responsibility to find the check-in desk. There will be signs everywhere so it will be very obvious) • Interview will be exactly 20 minutes with one BCC coach/external consultant/COMM 202 TA (15 minutes interview time + 5 minutes feedback) • Make sure you have your PRINTED documents (resume, cover letter, job posting)
- 8. Ways to Automatically Fail Ø Inappropriate physical contact Ø Inappropriate questions Ø Late for interview Ø Missing documents (resume, cover letter and job posing)
- 9. Dress Code: Business Formal *We’ve seen students wear fancy sneakers - this is NOT acceptable
- 10. Interview Q & A 3
- 11. What’s the point? • Most common question you’ll get asked during an interview • Can be asked in several different ways • “Tell me about yourself” • “Who is ____?” • “Walk me through your resume” • PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE! (with Interview Stream) Question 1: Tell me about yourself? • Keep it between 90 - 120 sec • Brand yourself – give them something to remember you by • Sound natural – don’t sound like you’re reading off a script • Skills & accomplishments – briefly touch on these aspects • Show your passion & authenticity • Provide a well-rounded picture of who you are as a person
- 12. Telling YOUR Story A common theme to try: The Beginning The Spark Growing Interest The Future Why Are You Here? Introduction Realization that this is the right career for you Your formula and how it has helped lead you to this role Where do you see yourself in the future (in 5 years, in 10 years, etc.) How this position ties into it all GOAL: Tell them a story that no one else can replicate and impress them in the first 2 minutes
- 13. Samyta’s Story Worked at McDonald’s as a Manager throughout high school and was more curious about the business world Lead me to apply to the Sauder School of Business Discovered I have a passion for numbers and working with others Lead me to want to pursue Accounting and HR where I plan on getting my CPA Hoping to add my passion, expertise and knowledge to this firm through this position Teaching COMM 202 India Fundraiser Life formula (values) Leadership YWiB UBC Leading with Confidence HR classes Growth Moving cities Internships UBC
- 14. Grading Rubric: Tell Me About Yourself • Remember to tailor your TMAY to the job • This is one of my least favourite questions, and it will take you time to come up with a TMAY that you’re happy with! Keep working at it
- 15. Activity Time! 1. Grab a partner and swap TMAY stories 2. Allocate 2.5 minutes for story-telling & 1 min feedback 3. Goal is to convey the story’s elements in a logical way and experiment with finding your formula
- 16. What’s the point? • A way to see if you really know yourself • Can be asked in several different ways (listen carefully) • “What can you bring to the table?” • “Why should I pick you over other candidates?” • “What would your colleagues/friends say about you?” Question 2: What are your strengths? • Keep it around 90 sec • Mention 2 – 3 (but prep 4 – 5 just in case) • Provide a bit of proof but don’t go too much into detail • Tactfully relevant to the job you’re applying for (look at the job description!)
- 17. Grading Rubric: What are your strengths? • Look for a blend of qualitative and quantitative traits (refer to your skills matrix and/or StrengthsFinder if you need to)
- 18. What’s the point? • A way for the interviewer to see if you are able to identify weaknesses and have a plan in place to improve them • Assess self-awareness and spot red flags Question 3: What are your weaknesses? • Keep it between 90 - 120 sec • Mention 1 (but prep 2 - 3 just in case) • Best to give an example • Talk about your weaknesses that would not hugely impair you from doing the job you are applying for
- 19. PSA!!!!! Avoid clichés “I work too much” “I’m such a perfectionist” Flipping strengths into weaknesses “I’m TOO detail-oriented”
- 20. Grading Rubric: What are your weaknesses?
- 21. What’s the point? • To test if you have the necessary skills/experiences for the job • To look for your thought process in given situations Question 3: “Tell me about a time when…” • Keep it around 2 mins • Demonstrates the skill with the right answer • Doesn’t re-use the same experience too many times • Clear and concise Review Skills Matrix Examine Job Posting
- 22. What’s the point? • To test if you have the necessary skills/experiences for the job • To look for your thought process in given situations Question 3: “Tell me about a time when…” • Keep it around 2 mins • Demonstrates the skill with the right answer • Doesn’t re-use the same experience too many times • Clear and concise Review Skills Matrix Examine Job Posting
- 23. Use the STARL Format! S T A R L What position and where were you? What was the challenge you faced? What did YOU do and HOW did you solve the problem? What was the accomplishment and the impact? Link back to the job and why the story is relevant! Another PSA: BE SUCCINCT. Some interviewers will cut you off.
- 24. What’s the point? • Could be industry/job specific... or a surprise! • Random questions that you cannot prepare for • To test how you react under pressure & deal with uncertainty • To see how you think your way through a problem Question 5: Wild Card Questions • Tell them what you are going to do, do it, and then tell them what you just did • If it’s a joke question, take it easy and be personable • Stay professional • Don’t panic!
- 25. Questions that we’ve been asked!
- 26. Grading Rubric: Wild Card Questions
- 27. Last part: “Do you have any questions?” Always prepare at least 2 questions! • Avoid asking questions that can easily be found on Google • Do not asking something that has already been addressed in the interview – unless it’s a specific follow-up questions • Always safe to get them talking about themselves – maybe ask something directly related to their job/industry • Example: “What specific traits and qualities do you look for in a successful candidate?” • Another example: “What do you think about the xyz trends in the industry? Do you think they’re just a fad?” *Expected in the employment interviews next week!
- 28. Closing the Interview Ø Thank them for their time Ø Reiterate your interest Ø End with a FIRM handshake (No Floppy Fish!) Ø Ask how you can best follow up Ø Use their name
- 29. Closing the Interview Ø Send an email or handwritten card Ø Reference the interview – something you want to emphasize or something unsaid that you want them to know Ø Reiterate your interest in the position Ø Thank them for the opportunity Ø Reference an answer or insight they gave you during the question period Ø If you interviewed with multiple people, make sure the follow-up is personalized to each person * Remember the 24 hour rule! ****On the day of the mock interviews: We will give you ‘fake’ thank-you cards AFTER your interview. DO NOT expect this in real life! DO NOT send a real email to your mock interviewer
- 30. General Tips • Listen to they’re asking Stay alert, don’t be afraid to ask them to clarify • Answer the question Do not beat around the bush • Take your time if you need to “That’s a good question – may I have a quick minute to collect my thoughts?” • Smile & keep up the energy – they’re human too J They want you to do well, so show your personality! • Use a spreadsheet to write down your answers, practice with your friends, utilize Interview Stream • Interview ends when the interviewer says “thank you” and wraps it up. Mock interview ends when you send in your thank-you card!
- 31. Final Messages 4
- 33. Action items for next week: 1. Prep and show up for the employment interview 2. Interview Stream (optional): due Apr 2nd @ 11:59pm 3. Informational Interview: due Apr 20th @ 11:59PM on Turnitin 4. Student Experience Survery: due Apr 2nd https://bit.ly/2GGzZAC 5. Next Week: Final Lecture! **Friday lecture is cancelled, please attend Tuesday or Wednesday
- 34. 1. Email: comm202.7@sauder.ubc.ca 2. Tutorials: Approach me before or after tutorial 3. Office hours: Sign up on COOL How to get in touch with me:
- 35. Thanks! Any questions? Have a great day!