UD Career Services is available to UD students and UD Alumni to assist in learning and enhancing knowledge about resumé and cover letter writing, job search strategies, and interviewing skills. Mock interviews are available for students at any time during the year, particularly duringdepartment/major selected dates throughout the academic year. An appointment can be arranged by calling, emailing or visiting the Career Services office.

UD CAREER WEEK 2009; 2/16/09 - 2/20/09

*** Monday, 2/16/09,"Money Matters", presented by Heather Norris of Iowa Student Loan for the Financial Literacy Series.

***Wednesday, 2/18/09,"Life After College", presented by Heather Norris of Iowa Student Loan for the Financial Literacy Series.

***Thursday, 2/19/09, 6:00pm - 8:00pm, Student Reserved Etiquette Dinner

Students to contact UD's Career Services Office to schedule mock interviews and reserve seating for the etiquette dinner by Friday, 2/13/09.

IOWA ADVANTAGE WORKSHOPS FOR 2008 - 2009

The Objective: To prepare the job seeker for the challenge of finding employment and understanding various aspects of change.

UD's Career Services takes pride in its partnership with IWD, UD Students are encouraged to take advantage of the workshops offered by Iowa Workforce Development's (IWD)-Dubuque Office , which is at no cost to students or the public. The workshops offer the following topics related to employment: Coping with Change; Budgets & Finance; Job & Career Options; and Your Successful Job Search .

There is a pre-registration deadline of 4 days before each workshop at the Iowa Workforce Development Office, 590 Iowa Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001. Phone# (563)-556-5800. Students are welcome to contact IWD for the schedule and times of the workshops or contact Dr. Baus to request a copy abaus@dbq.edu or call ext. 3132.

These workshops are also available to students on-campus throughout the academic year.

The Interview Process

Potentional Interview Questions

1. Tell me about yourself.

2. What do you know about our organization?

3. Would you describe a few situations in which your work was criticized?

4. How would you describe your personality?

5. What are your strong points or greatest strengths?

6. What are your weaknesses?

7. What do you look for in a job?

8. Describe what would be an ideal working environment?

9. Describe your ideal supervisor.

10. How would past co-workers describe you?

11. Why do you want to work for us?

12. Why do you think you are the best candidate for this position?

13. Describe a situation where you persuaded someone to do something they did not want to do.

14. How do you handle stress?

15. Do you see yourself as a leader or follower? Why?

16. What are your career goals? Where would you like to be in 5 years? 10 years?

17. How did you choose your summers while in college?

18. If we offer this position to you, what is your salary expectation?

19. Why are you interested in this position?

20. Why did you choose this type of career?

21. How would you describe yourself?

22. What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?

23. Howdo you determine or evaluate success?

24. Provide an example from your past that demonstrates the contribution you could make to our company/firm.

25. Describe the relationshipthat should exist between a supervisor and those supervised.

26. What accomplishment has given you the mostsatisfaction. Why?

27. Describe your most rewarding educational experience.

28. What major problem have you encountered and how did you deal with it?

29. Cite a situation from your past that required you to respond to pressure. How did you deal with it?

30. What are your long-term goals?

Before the Interview
During the Interview
After the Interview

Research Employers

Research The employers
Professional Dress

Disclamer

Before the Interview	-Back to top-
Know Yourself: Make a personal inventory of your workplace skills, knowledge, and personal characteristics. Review the job description to identify the skills, knowledge, and personal characteristics required for the position. Be prepared to relate concrete examples that show you have the skills required of the position. Skills are developed not only during your formal education, but also through employment experiences, co-ops/internships, volunteer experiences, community service, and hobbies.
Know the Employer: Research the employer to determine if you really want to work for them. Also, by researching the employer you can better tailor your interview answers to meet the needs of the employer. You will then be able to ask questions that are pertinent and show that you are prepared and knowledgeable.
Dress for Success: First impressions are usually made within the firstten seconds. Personal appearances and first impressions could determine your success or failure in landing the job. You should look neat and clean, from your clothes to your hair, hands and fingernails. Do not smoke prior to your interview; your breath can be a turn off. Create a professional presence and image!

During the Interview	-Back to top-
Sharing Information: The interview process can be scary if you don't know what to expect. The typical interview will last 30 minutes, although some may be longer.
A typical structure is as follows: *Five minutes-small talk *Fifteen minutes-a mutual discussion of your background and credentials as they relate to the needs of the employer *Five minutes-employer asks you for questions or anything else you want to add *Five minutes-conclusion of interview and determining when the employer will contact you. As you can see, there is not a lot of time to state your case. When you respond to questions or ask your own, your statements should be concise and organized without being too brief. See "What Happens during the Interview".
Interviewing Questions: Interviewing questions fall into two categories: "behavioral" or "traditional". Employers may ask either or both types of questions. Be ready to ask your own questions.

After the Interview	-Back to top-
Thank You Letter: Send a thank you letter to the employer no later thanone day following the interview. If you are interested in pursuing employment with the company, confirm your interest and reiterate your strengths. If you are not interested in employment, thank the employer for the interview and indicate that you would like to be removed from consideration for the position. If two weeks has elapsed since your first interview, and the employer has not made contact, a telephone call is appropriate.
Evaluate the Interview: What did your learn from the interview that can help during your next interview? Is there any additional research or preparation you need to do for your next interview? Were there any follow-up instructions, given by the recruiter, that need to be completed?
Second Interview: Normally first interviews do not extend an offer for immediate hire. Their job is to screen candidates for future interviews. They must review your qualifications with the hiring managers and usually they will schedule a second interview. These interviews generally take place at the employment site.
The Offer: If you are extended a job offer, you will need to assess it thoroughly. If you need more time to make a decision, ask for an extension. If you decide to accept the offer, immediately notify other employers who may be waiting for your decision. If you decide not to accept the offer, immediately contact the employer and inform them.

Research Employers	-Back to top-
Researching Employers for Successful Interviews Why do research on employers?
You're able to determine if you really want to work for the employer. You can better tailor your cover letter, resume, and your interview answers to meet the needs of the employer. When it is your turn to ask questions, you can ask questions that are pertinent, and show that you are prepared and knowledgeable about the organization.
What should you know about employers? (Ask questions during the interview about any of the following information you are unable to find or are still unclear about.)
Expectations of the position Work hours Career paths offered Company size Opportunities for promotion History of development Job security Quality of the training program Long term income potential Product/services/markets Opportunities for creativity Market share/competitors Principal sites of the employer Recent changes within organization Overall reputation Strategic plans Financial status of employer -present and trend over the years
Generally, salary and benefit packages are not discussed until the employer brings them up or a job offer is made. Researching this beforehand gives you an opportunity to determine salary ranges and compare other employer packages for similar positions.

Professional Dress	-Back to top-
Dressing for Interviews
While the college campus may be the perfect place in which to exhibit your flair for the latest in fashion style, the interview is not the place to do so. With very few unusual exceptions (apologies to Apple Computer), jeans, t-shirts, and sweatshirts are out. Unfortunately, many college grads are under prepared when it comes to proper interview dress. They feel they can "get by" with what is already in their wardrobe, which is usually not the case. This is not to say that you need to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe. Go for quality over quantity. One or two well-chosen business suits will serve you all the way to the first day on the job and beyond. For now, no one will fault you for wearing the same sharp outfit each time you interview.
Men and Women
Conservative two-piece business suit (solid dark blue, black or gray is best) Conservative long-sleeved shirt/blouse (white is best, pastel is next best) Clean, polished conservative shoes Well-groomed hairstyle Clean, trimmed fingernails Minimal cologne or perfume Empty pockets--no bulges or tinkling coins No gum, candy or cigarettes Light briefcase or portfolio case No visible body piercing (nose rings, eyebrow rings, etc.)
Men
Necktie should be silk with a conservative pattern How to Tie a Necktie Dark shoes (black lace-ups are best) Dark socks (black is best) Get a haircut; short hair always fares best in interviews No beards Mustaches are a possible negative, but if you must, make sure it is neat and trimmed No rings other than wedding ring or college ring No earrings (if you normally wear one, take it out)
Women
Always wear a suit (skirt or pants) with a jacket; no dresses No high heels Conservative hosiery at or near skin color (and no runs!) Conservative blackpurse,butpreferably a briefcase instead If you wear nail polish (not required), use clear or a conservative color Minimal use of makeup (it should not be too noticeable) No more than one ring on each hand " One set of earrings only

Disclaimer For Students	-Back to top-
Disclaimer Please read carefully.
Career Services at University of Dubuque maintains this web site as a service to University of Dubuque students for their career development and employment-seeking efforts. These services are provided to registered students and alumni only. The presence of job and/or internship announcements on this web site does not indicate an endorsement or recommendation from the University of Dubuque nor Career Services. Students should take responsibility for all necessary precautions when interviewing for, or accepting these positions, and students are solely responsible for obtaining necessary information concerning the employer. This web site also contains links to other web sites not under the control of the University or Career Services, and we are not responsible for the contents of any linked site. These links are provided as a convenience. University of Dubuque and Career Services assumes no liability for acts or omissions by third parties or for material supplied by them. Students who discover any misuse or abuse of this web site are encouraged to report the matter to Career Services as soon as possible.