DEPARTMENT OF LABOR &DEPARTMENT OF LABOR &WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENTWORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

RRE - EMPLOYMENT SERVICES ASSESSMENT

Interviewing Skills Interviewing Skills WorkshopWorkshop

Interviewing - What is it?

• A structured meeting between you and an employer.

• Interviewing is a skill- like riding your bike, PRACTICE makes PERFECT

Interviewing is a two-way street

• Employers are attempting to determine if you are an appropriate fit for the job and their culture

• You decide if the environment is right for you.

Types of Interviews Phone: used as an initial screen of candidates or to narrow the

pool of applicants. One-on-One: most common interview style and incorporates you

with the potential employer. Panel or Group: allows many individuals to interview you at once. Meal: used to see how you interact or function in a social setting. Second or On-site Interview: this allows one to get a tour of the

facility, meet the staff, and additional questioning from different employees and/or administration.

Pre-Interview Preparation

Always research position, company, & industry. Know yourself and be able to articulate skills,

strengths, accomplishments, and career goals. Prepare necessary materials (Copies of resume,

references, portfolio/pen, notepad or organizer, breath mints).

Ask for directions and where to park.

Arriving

Be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to arrive at your destination (you may want to conduct a dry run prior to your interview day).

Try to arrive 10-15 minutes early at the site to allow you to park, walk to the interview, use the restroom, or just gather yourself.

Greeting & Introduction

Only 1 chance to make a good 1st impression: Dress appropriately Smile Maintain eye contact Firm handshake Remain poised and

confident

Body Language: What signals are you sending?

Positive Signals Leaning forward = interest Smiling = friendly Nodding = attentive and

alert Eye contact = curious and

focused

Negative Signals Crossed arms = defensive Fidgeting hands or tapping

feet = nervous or bored Lack of eye contact =

untrustworthy Leaning back= discomfort

Types of Interview Questions

Standard / Traditional

targeting your education, work experiences, and career goals

Sample Questions Tell me about yourself? What is your greatest

strength? Weakness? Why did you choose to

interview with us? What did you like most about

your last job? Least? What are your short and long

term career goals?

Types of Interview Questions

Behavioral Questions

• These focus on your actions and/or behaviors in a previous setting.

• Past behavior provides clues to future behavior

Sample Questions Describe a time you had to

make a difficult decision? Tell me about a time you

worked under a deadline? What do you do when a team

member is not pulling his/her weight?

Think about a time you made a mistake. What did you learn from it?

Types of Interview Questions

Inappropriate or unethical questions

• Questions which probe into your private life or personal background

• Questions about your ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disabilities, marital status

Sample Questions How old are you? Do you have children? Do you have a

disability? What religion do you

practice?

Types of Interview Questions

Questions asked by you, the Interviewee

To determine if you are an appropriate fit for the company and position, prepare a list of questions for the interviewer

Sample Questions What type of assignments can

I expect within the first year? What do you like most about

this company? What is the biggest challenge

facing this department right now?

What skills are you looking for in this position?

What is the next course of action?

General Interview Strategies

Be prepared to talk about yourself and your experiences.

Master the art of storytelling. Provide specific and concrete examples of your

results/accomplishments. Remain positive, enthusiastic, poised, and confident

throughout the interview process.

General Interview Strategies

Remember an interview is a formal conversation--avoid filler words like “Um”, “Ah”, & “You know”.

Avoid indecisive phrases like: “I think,” “I guess,” “probably,” or “pretty good”.

Think before speaking. Avoid long verbose answers--limit your response to

1-2 minutes. If you do not hear or understand a question, ask

them to repeat or clarify it for you.

General Interview Strategies

Remain calm, relaxed, and be yourself.

Try to focus on the message you are trying to convey--NOT how well you are doing!

Dressing for Success-Men

Suit-Single or double breasted

Polished shoes Solid white shirt Conservative tie Neatly groomed hair, beard,

and mustache Avoid strong colognes,

earrings, and body piercing

Dressing for Success-Women

Pant or skirt suit Pumps with small to

medium heels Light makeup, perfume,

and jewelry Wear neutral color

hosiery

FOLLOW-UP

Ask good questions.

Thank the interviewer.

Request a business card.

Inquire about next steps in the process.

FOLLOW-UP CONT

Send a thank you note within 24 hours.

Letter may be handwritten or typed; e-mail is also acceptable.

Tailor each one to the individual.

Final Thoughts

Remember that only 15% of the success of an interview is out of your control.

Take some time to reflect… Overall, how well did I do? What went well? What steps can I take next time to improve?

Suggestions Conduct a test run the day before the interview. Practice! Practice! Practice!

Refer to the list of practice interview questions provided in the packet and jot down short answers.

Stand in front of a mirror and rehearse your answers. Schedule an appointment for a mock interview with Career

Services. Get a good night’s sleep and be well rested and alert for the

interview. Remain relaxed and be yourself!

Interviewing Skills Workshop

Congratulations!

You have completed the Interviewing Skills Workshop.