Friday, March 9, 2012

Topic 6 - Interview Skills -

Hi, this is Nathan Sardinas

I presented the first topic for Mentors and introduced myself at that time.I hope you feel you are benefiting from this blog and that we are giving you key pieces of information to help you through the beginning of your journey as an IDS student.

All cornerstone students must complete the Informal Interview assignment at: http://www.perfectinterview.com/ucf

Pretend you are going to interview with Pepsi, you pick the position. In 200 words or less tell me why you picked that position?

1. Research and present 2 facts that you could use for your interview about that company.

2. What questions would you ask them about that position?

3. You should never accept offer the first time offered, why?

4. What should you always bring to an interview?

Respond to all 4 questions in 200 words or less

5. Here are some videos for you to watch that will aid you in interviewing, and help answer questions you may have about how to interview.

6. Tell me in 200 words or less, which video you felt was the best and why?

Interviews do's and don’ts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1ucmfPOBV8

phone interviews how to ace them and get the job
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4hKN6vt6VE&feature=relmfu

How to Communicate Your Strengths in a Job Interview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PapEY2EcoMI&feature=related

How to deal with panel interviews
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPUCGkiqstY

How to talk salary?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9QfOzBAp6s&feature=BFa&list=PL747B2961AEE686C1&lf=results_main

35 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. Laura

    These is just a rough format...pick a job and post what that job is... in 200 words or less tell me about the position and why you chose that position. Then respond to the questions presented 1-4 in 200 words or less for the total 4 questions.

    Also, YOU MUST COMPLETE THIS FIRST...THIS IS A REQUIREMENT FOR CORNERSTONE MENTEES..

    http://www.perfectinterview.com/ucf

    lAST watch the videos and tell us in 200 words or less which one you liked the best and what you found helpful.

    I hope this clarifies things for you...

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  3. If I was interviewing for a posistion with Pepsi, or with any company i would have a fair amount of questions for them. I would ask them if the company has a mission statement. I would ask questions about where the direction of the company is headed going forward. I would also probably ask them what type of work the company provides to the community.

    I think that it is important to not initially accept any offer because it probably makes you come off as to eager or desperate.

    To any interview you should bring your own pen and a notepad. A copy of your resume, printed on professional paper. Always wear business attire, and be clean shaven.

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    1. I like where you were going asking if they had a mission statement, because I really would like to know if Pepsi had one, what it was, and if it had actually changed over time or been a constant phrase since they opened. I understand the desperate expression you used, but portraying that you are eager might not be such a bad thing. Opportunities for the company to know that you are eager or excited to work for them could help them remember your name in the long run. Making it easier to get promotions and etc.

      Delete
    2. Mike
      Nice response...I would recommend bringing several copies of your resume in case they have a panel to present to, as Laura pointed out 5 hard copies of resume is appropriate in most cases.

      Hope this helps

      Delete
  4. I thought that all of the videos were just fine. I think the first one about do's and dont's was perhaps the most valuable. Even though the production values of the video were a tad funny, the overall message they were providing was sound.

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    1. Mark
      You did grasp the idea of what to do and what not to do...you should definitely have a list of questions ready to ask...another important point I think is to google the company your interviewing for so you know about the company...who's who in the company...

      I have been on several interviews where I have been asked what do you know about us...

      The videos were a bit archaeic but they served their purpose.

      Delete
    2. Haha, I also thought the videos were a bit dated, though, as you say, they were a great tool for approach and for what to expect in any of those various circumstances if you were to not have ever experienced them.

      Delete
  5. What is the job? Frontline Coordinator
    Frontline is Greenpeace's hugely successful, face-to-face fundraising and member recruitment program.
    Team members work together outside to reach out to people, talk about the issues and our campaigns, and encourage individuals to get involved as Greenpeace members. New members strengthen Greenpeace, help win our campaigns, and continue legacy of independent funding.

    Research and present 2 facts that you could use for your interview about that company.

    Greenpeace is the largest independent direct-action environmental organization in the world. They do not take money from government or corporations. Their ONLY bottom line is a green and peaceful future.
    Greenpeace takes action for ground-breaking change to protect the environment. They take our message direct to the polluters and politicians. They are steadfast in their principles and put action behind their words.

    What questions would you ask them about that position?

    How would you describe the responsibilities of the position?
    How much travel is expected?
    Is relocation a possibility?
    What are the prospects for growth and advancement?
    How does one advance in the company?
    What do you like about working here?
    What don't you like about working here and what would you change?

    3. You should never accept offer the first time offered, why?
    
When you're initially offered the job, don't automatically accept-even if you're thrilled to have received the offer. Remain composed, and make sure you ask the three following questions during the first call.
    When do you need an answer by?
Always ask how many days you have to make your decision. You should be given at least a 24-hour to think over an offer. This gives you time to think about follow-up negotiating questions. "Also, by asking this question, you're signaling that you may want to discuss the offer, so they'll be expecting your negotiation to come.
    Can I receive a copy of the offer and the benefits package IN WRITING?
In the flurry of excitement candidates forget what the actual offer is. Request a follow-up email with the job title, the annual salary, and a complete copy of the benefits package.
    If I have questions about the benefits package, who should I speak with?


    4. What should you always bring to an interview?
    Five copies of your resume – even if you have submitted your resume electronically, it is still important to bring along hard copies. In the event that you find yourself in a panel interviewed you will want enough copies to go around.
    Questions – almost all hiring managers will end the interview by asking if the candidate has any questions – prepare a list in advance. The questions should be thought provoking and relevant.
    Portfolio – Be sure to bring along representations of your best work. This applies to almost all jobs.
    Attitude – never underestimate the power of your attitude

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    1. Laura,

      Really great information here! I especially liked your reasoning on why not to accept an offer day of. keeping composure is certainly one of the main things anyone should do when in the interview process. I also greatly appreciated your ideas on what to bring to an interview.

      Delete
    2. Laura
      Great response, I also like the suggestion of bringing 5 resumes in case your in front of a panel..

      The other point you displayed very nicely is knowing something about the company your interviewing with...very important...a who's who of the job

      great response

      Delete
    3. Laura

      Yes, always get something in writing when discussing salary or benefits. It shocks me sometimes at how many people take what they are told at face value and believe it to be the gospel, only to be shocked later down the road when someone didn't keep their word or that circumstances have changed.

      Great post.

      Delete
    4. Always, always, always get every detail of a job offer in writing, if you want those details to be respected. Otherwise, you have little recourse if you start the job and notice that the insurance premium that they told you would be covered actually isn't, or that the relocation stipend they mentioned suddenly shrinks. (Even just an E-mail outlining what's been agreed to is fine. Or you can send your own summary, asking them to write back with confirmation. Just get it in writing on both sides.)

      Delete
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    6. Laura

      Very informative post. I thought your section regarding the acceptance of a job very interesting. It's essentially reverse psychology. You're there because you want the job and they're the stick holding the cheese just out of reach. Not showing an abundance of jubilation after the initial offer reverses the roles. Make them want you, not the other way around.

      Delete
    7. This is a very good point about benefits and salary. It is usually pretty easy to know that you are receiving the salary that you agreed upon, but benefits are easily something that they could "change" later on without letting you know or potentially just bend them here and there when you aren't necessarily paying attention. These things easily can be overlooked at times and could really in the long run mean whether or not it is a company you really do want to be spending your time working for. I am glad this was discussed.

      Delete
  6. Laura-I totally agree with you on what to bring to an interview. Definitely important to bring hard copies of your resume whether you will need them or not! And attitude is extremely important. Giving off good vibes to the employer will definitely be helpful. Research the employer and learn as much as you can to prepare for what ever is in store! Great post!
    -Ashley

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  7. Position: Entertainment Marketing Director

    Last year Pepsi was the largest corporate sponsor of The X Factor. This obvious competition for market share with Coke, in this specific sector of entertainment, has given Pepsi an opportunity to attract new or lost customers who are loyal watchers of American Idol, a Coke advertiser. Pepsi has, year after year, lost the cola war with Coke, though its other brands such as Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Tropicana, etc., are strong and are becoming more of Pepsi’s focus in the “this is better for you” categories. In 2011 Pepsi lost 8% of its soft drink consumers in the US while its competitor, Coke, only saw a decline of 2% is its soft drink consumption.

    Should I be given the opportunity to accept this position, in which direction is Pepsi looking to travel with respect to its marketing and advertising in the entertainment sector? Specifically, as the entertainment industry is publically one of the most outspoken sectors regarding health trends and physical fitness, how is it that you can reasonably expect to turn around your soft drink branding in a notoriously hostile market for unhealthy habits? Pepsi’s market share is strong and growing in its non-cola brands. Emphasis should be placed in those non-cola areas of the entertainment industry rather than constantly trying to re-brand a soda, which ultimately sells itself to a specific market demographic.

    Salary negotiation can be stressful. You want the job but you don’t want to under sell yourself. Taking the first offer tells the prospective employer a number of things about what you’re wiling to do. Namely, you’re wiling to take whatever they offer regardless of what the job may entail. You’re also setting yourself up to bid against your own job in the future. Your salary will be dictated, not earned.

    In any interview you should have a copy of your resume, something with which to write on for note taking purposes, depending on what type of interview you may be engaged in, and, of course, you must dress the part.

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  8. The videos were all beginner guides to various forms of interviewing. Though I did not feel as though one was better than another, I felt that the Interview do's and dont's video was the most relevant as the vast majority of individuals will be interviewed in a personal capacity such as the interview style displayed in that video.

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    1. Jason
      Very informative post...you made some great points, in particular about selling yourself short and being able to renegotiate down the road.

      Very helpful to all those in the job arena

      Delete
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  10. The videos were all a nice with rudimentary information, a little dated and did not present a very modern take. I came to the working world in a time when these sort of pointers were enough. This class has enlightened me that there is a new order to the process.

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  11. If I were to interview with Pepsi I would most likely be trying for an executive or supervisor position. My skills are better suited to oversee production and help structure business. I feel that I would be too overqualified for any other position position, especially entry-level. I excel at pulling everyone together to make a full functional team that gets things done promptly and effectively.

    ~Rachel Tobier

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  12. 1. Two facts that I could research and present to Bioware would be a deep understanding of all titles that the company has come out with and the history of the company itself.

    2. The questions that I would ask include the following: What is the beginning position as a producer? What would my daily tasks include? What is the average salary? Would I have stock options?

    3. I would not accept the position right away if offered. I want to appear to be a valuable commodity among competitors. This would ensure greater benefits.

    4. When going to an interview, I would always dress in clothes that seem both professional and related to the position and/or company, if possible. A copy of my resume and a thumb drive of a few examples of my work would also be included. A notepad would also assist greatly.

    ~Rachel Tobier

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  13. I found that the video on discussing salary was extremely beneficial. That was an issue that I was very concerned about because it had never come up before in any interview I have been in. I was not sure of the right way to answer this question if it was brought up. In all the positions that I had previously applied for, the wages were fixed and only increased by excellent performance and time. Before an interview, I now will always check up on starting salaries on my level of position required before attending. I will never go underneath the state minimum wage however.

    ~Rachel Tobier

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    1. Aikage

      Your point about responding to salary issues was very important and is a concern to anyone in that position. I also thought that video handled the topic nicely even thought they are not the latest videos out there they do make a point.

      Delete
  14. Position: Advertising

    Pepsi has a history of using artist for their advertisements; you can see this in their ads from the 1950s where they used sophisticated illustrations to change Pepsi’s image. I would love to bring back that feeling and level of artistry to their ads today.

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  15. What questions would you ask about this position?

    For this position the only question I can think of is about how much control would I have over projects. Would I have to follow someone else’s ideas strictly or would I have more freedom to come up with my own ideas.

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  16. You should never accept an offer the first time, why?

    I think you shouldn’t accept an offer the first time for multiple reasons. I think one of the biggest reasons is, because you don’t know how much they are want to pay you compared to how much they will pay. So by not accepting the first offer it gives you more info for the next offer, by knowing already that they are willing to pay x amount. Another reason you shouldn’t accept an offer the first time is because it can make you look desperate.

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  17. You present a very good point mikebee about the "how much they will pay." There are many companies that start with an offer lower just to try to save the company money. As we all know money is one of the biggest reasons most people take/ or stay at jobs. As much as we like to say we want to do what we love, if they don't pay enough to keep food on the table, the you eventually have to move on. So it might pay off to not accept the offer the first time, but I wouldn't press my chances and keep declining until there are no offers left on the table.

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    1. MikeBee

      You did present a great point, how much will they pay, I have found that you need to research that pay scale for that position and have a figure in mind, if there are more than one candidate, I would accept the offer if it was close to what I was looking to recieve, because the other candidate may have a different figure in mind.. The point is it must be what you can live with, and what the competition is at that time.

      Delete
  18. Mark, it seems like you are very prepared for the professional world. It is a good idea to invest in a nice leather binder that can hold your notepad, pen, resume, and portfolio. First impressions are very important on interviews!

    Laura, you have great questions. It can also be helpful to ask the other employees at the company what they think of their environment. It is not a company you are working for it is the people. The other employees can give you first hand experience.

    Jason, I love the position you chose! I would choose the same. Pepsi has been known for marketing with music. Some of their most popular commercials have major celebrities in them such as Britney Spears and Mariah Carey. I love you recognized that the X Factor would be a good target market for them.

    Rachel, I love you said you dress professional as well as relating your clothing to the job. It shows that you did your research and are ready to fit in with their environment.

    MikeBee, Advertising is an exciting market to get into! A big company like Pepsi spends so much money on advertising. The creative possibilities are endless!

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  19. What questions would you ask them about that position?
    I feel asking questions about your potential job is very important during an interview. It also shows the employer that you are actually interested in the position's details versus just the money. Questions I would ask: What are my daily responsibilities? What should be my main focus and/or goal(s)? Is the potential to grow and room for development in your company?

    Devin McGhee

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  20. 3. You should never accept offer the first time offered, why?
    You should never accept the offer the first time it is offered for many reasons. One, many companies try to low-ball you. If they can keep your salary as cheap as possible, they will. Therefore, when they offer you, they usually offer you the bare minimum. Over the years, I have learned it is okay to ask for more. Therefore, you need to know your worth. You can't ask for some ridiculous salary, when you do not have that much to offer or bring to the table.

    Devin McGhee

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  21. What should you always bring to an interview?

    1. A smile.
    2. Be present in mind and body.
    3. A copy of your resume.
    4. Any additional material the interviewer has asked to accompany your resume.
    5. Questions you may have about the company and/or your potential position.

    Devin McGhee

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