Topic #5 - Interviewing

THE INTERVIEWING PROCESS

First, relieve the stress the word “interview” can bring and watch this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0RdmhSO-wA

These clips seem outrageous, but if you’ve never interviewed before, you don’t know what to expect. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.

Once you’ve gotten the employer’s interest with your resume and cover letter, there is always an interview. Some people love the interviewing process because they feel they can convey their personality better face-to-face. Some people fear the interview process because they have to answer questions on the spot. Whether it’s a love or a fear, we all get nervous for them and most people will have to perform under the pressure of an interview at some point.

There are phone interviews, face-to-face interviews, and even video conferencing interviews. On all of these interviews, attire is important. Even in a phone interview it is suggested that you dress in proper attire for mental enhancement. What you look like immediately builds on the first impression your cover letter and resume conveyed.

Describe or find a picture of an appropriate interview outfit.

One more thing I wanted to touch on before you do some research on your own is how important Cornerstone is to your future interviews. I had no idea how to explain to anyone, let alone an employer, what my degree meant. Cornerstone taught me how and the interview is where you will have to implement what you are learning. 

What are some tips you have on how to explain what our degree is?

We have an INCREDIBLE career services at UCF. I don’t think people really know how fortunate we are and the resources that are available to us.

--The “Prepare to Interview” page has everything you need to know when preparing for an interview (ironic, right?). The internet is full of information, not all of which is credible.UCF’s website is one that you can rely on for sincere, positive advice. Learn to love this site.

http://www.career.ucf.edu/categories/Students/Undergraduate_Students/Prepare_To_Interview/50_30.aspx

What behaviors and topics should you avoid during an interview? Were you surprised by any of the commonly asked questions? Should you follow-up with an interview? When is the suggested time to follow-up?

--When I was a Freshmen I completed the practice interview and it was one of the most beneficial things I have done while in school. DO THIS BEFORE YOU GRADUATE. To sign up for a practice interview, call 407-823-2361 and request an appointment. Did you call to sign up? This isn't an assignment but I'd love to hear your feedback. Try to get a practice interview set-up this week and let us know how it goes.

You're half way through :) Thank you all for teaching us too!


What to do for your post:

--Complete the Activities above (including pictures of your outfit, etc.  Then complete the Perfect Interview activity: (http://www.perfectinterview.com/ucf/). Share one paragraph explaining what you learned from the experience about your interview skills.

What to do when students post incorrectly

Often students will post as new posts rather than as comments, so I figured I'd develop some help for what to do when that occurs.

First, this is what the blog SHOULD look like, with your initial topic as a new post, and the Cornerstone students responding properly as a comment:

However, often they will add a new post, rather than a comment, and it will get confusing.  Only you, as Capstone students, should be adding new posts.

So you will have to remove their post, and add it back in as a comment in order to keep the blog "clean."  First, copy their post and add it in below the original topic that it relates to as a comment (they typically do this with the introduction posts).  Add some context, so that they know what's happened to their post, such as "added to the comments section for Jane Doe by Jane Moody." 

Then, go into the dashboard by clicking the "B" next to the blog name:  

There is an option in the dashboard to "edit posts."  In that option you can delete a post:

Then your blog should be ready for your next topic.  And MUCH easier for the Cornerstone professor to grade!