NETWORKING & INTERVIEWING SKILLS 101

Phyllis A. Scott

Corporate Recruiter

Geisinger Health System

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NETWORKING KEY POINTS

Why is someone from a healthcare system here?• Research - translational• Clinical Innovations• Biostatistics• Bioinformatics• Insurance Company – GHP• Phenomics Data Analytics

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NETWORKING KEY POINTS

What is Networking? Importance Social Capital Expanding your Social Capital

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NETWORKING

Making connections

Exchanging information, contacts, referrals, good will, or services

Building and cultivating mutually beneficial relationships

Facilitates making you an insider, not an outsider

It is not selling nor using people for your gain

Networking leads to new relationships, new opportunities and greater accomplishments

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NETWORKING

Stat News (www.statnews.com)

“Over the coming decades, many of the most important stories in the world will come out of life sciences. Our mission is to uncover and follow the biggest stories rising out of this sector. Major, untold stories will unfold on our site, as we examine issues and questions that affect every human being. There is simply not enough coverage.” presently of these vital matters. STAT launches now to do

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NETWORKING

Stat News (www.statnews.com)

•In the Lab•Money•Politics•Health

presently of these vital matters. STAT launches now to do

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NETWORKING

• Relationships are catalysts for success

• People do business with/hire those they know, like and trust

• Relationships permit you to serve as a resource/help others succeed

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NETWORKING

Social Capital

 Mutually beneficial relationships build Social Capitalthe network of social connections that exists between people, which enables and encourages mutually advantageous social cooperation

Unlike traditional forms of capital, social capital is not depleted by use; in fact it is depleted by non-use

("use it or lose it")

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NETWORKING

Using Social Capital

• Most job seekers tell a limited number of individuals in their network that they are in a job search 

• Retention of that encounter is short lived and job seekers quickly fall out of sight and out of mind

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NETWORKING

TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS JOB SEEKERS

must stay top of mind remind their network of their search focus post changes, promotions, achievements highlight opportunities being considered facilitate network to provide support  

• Your networks are constantly bombarded with information, and people seeking help

• You need to stand out, rise above the noise and remain top of mind

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NETWORKING

Ultimately,

it’s not about who you know

... but WHO KNOWS YOU!!

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NETWORKING

• Learn dynamics, identify new careers, and establish contacts within your industry

• Get “plugged in” to your academic and professional community

• Accelerate your professional development • Create your referral networks• Facilitate win-win relationships

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NETWORKING

• Learn dynamics, identify new careers, and establish contacts within your industry

1. Professional Society Websites

2. Employer of Choice Websites

3. Academic Department Websites

4. Linked-In Professional Group Discussions and Announcements

5. Attend lectures and presentations

6. U-tube Professional Meetings

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NETWORKING

• Get “plugged in” to your academic and professional community

1. Build professional relationships online 2. Linked In, Twitter, Facebook – and make

sure that you keep your profiles up to date3. Alumni Groups4. Subscribe to professional website updates5. Professional Association Websites6. Professional Association Student

Organizations

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NETWORKING

• Accelerate your professional development 1. Develop strong working relationships with

members of faculty who have contacts within your industry of choice

2. Join Student Chapters of Professional Associations

3. Attend Association Conventions, Meetings, Presentations, Call for Papers

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NETWORKING

• Create your referral networks1. NEW IDEAS, NEW PEOPLE FOR A NEW YEAR

• Join a Student Chapter of a Professional Association, a local civic or service group, Non Profit or even aCampus Service Organization that relates to your field of study or enhances your academics,

• Surround yourself with new people. Infuse your network with fresh relationships and expand your circle of influence,

• If your Academic Advisor, Faculty, or Career Services staff does not know you – run don’t walk to remedy this

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NETWORKING

• Create your referral networks1. ATTEND RECRUITMENT AND ACADEMIC EVENTS OTHER

THAN JUST CAREER FAIRS: • How did you get into your line of work?• What about the profession interested you?• What major changes do you foresee in your industry?• What are the current trends? • What have you found to be the best ways of connecting to other

recruiters/other Professors in this field? • What are the best Graduate Programs in this field?

(Every question delivers an impression about you, so ask questions that make you look smart, informed and concerned.)

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NETWORKING

• Facilitate win-win relationships Offer your assistance for the next event

Serve as host, set up/take down,

Check in attendees etc. Connect your connections Ask how you may help

Focus on building long-term relationships, not an immediate transaction. People who invest the time to forge relationships and build their social capital are those who will ultimate succeed

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INTERVIEWING TIPS

Interview formats1. Phone Screens

2. Traditional One-on-One Interviews

3. Group or Panel Interviews

4. Phone/Video Interviews

Interview Questions Practice Your Answers Develop Your Questions

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INTERVIEWING TIPS

• The phone interview

1. Screens candidates at a low cost/time effective manner

2. 15-30 minutes in length/usually HR or Recruiter

3. Narrows the pool of candidates for in-person interviews

4. Confirms your qualification; checks salary expectations

5. Use a landline, or stay in one place

6. Interview in a quiet space with limited distractions and noise

7. Enunciate and speak clearly. Try smiling as you speak. Your answers will come across more positively

8. Clarify any questions when you are unsure of the meaning.

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INTERVIEWING TIPS

• Traditional in person one to one interview

1. Allows employers to get to know you on an individual level and ask more specific questions

2. These are most often performed by the decision maker, which is potentially your boss and coworkers

3. They're going to be concerned with how well you're going to fit in and you're going to support them in their jobs

4. You need to focus on non-verbal behaviors, like eye contact, tone of voice, and body language. Body language may vary based on the country

5. Dress the part. You want them to see you as a potential coworker

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INTERVIEWING TIPS

• Group or Panel Interviews1. Allows the employer to save time and also get multiple opinions

2. Each individual on the panel will have a different perspective

3. Try to understand how their position relates to the one to which you are applying

4. Body language is still important

5. Make your introductions count, make eye contact and use their names, include quieter people in the conversation by asking their opinion Remember, they're evaluating your interaction, so be sure to listen and engage where appropriate

6. You will want to make eye contact again with everyone at some point in the conversation

7. Finally, ask for business cards from everyone on the panel for proper follow up

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INTERVIEWING TIPS

• Phone video interview1. Allows the employer to cut down on travel and cost

2. Follow the same advice as the traditional on-site interview

3. Test run the equipment well before the interview

4. Arrive early so you can make any adjustments to lighting or appearance prior to the interview or coming online

5. Use the selfie mode so you know how you appear

6. Make sure your environment looks clean, professional, and there are no immediate distractions in the area

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INTERVIEWING TIPS

• Behavioral Questions1. The concept is to use your past behavior to predict

your future behavior

2. It will often take the form of, tell me about a time, or give me an example, to allow you to draw upon your past experiences to show your skills and knowledge

3. For example, tell me about a time when you had to meet a deadline, and you didn't meet expectations. Or, give me an example of a time when you innovated on a project.

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INTERVIEWING TIPS

• SAR METHOD

• You will score the highest on behavioral questions if your answers follow Situation – Action – Results (SAR)

• Describe the situation, explain your actions, and state the results.

• Tell me about a time when you managed a project with team members from other departments and faced a challenge

• .

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INTERVIEWING TIPS• Situation:

1. When I was with my former company I managed a project that involved representatives from sales, marketing and an outside agency.

2. Our goal was to increase the market share for one of our existing products.

• Action:

1. So I used the project plan that I built into a spreadsheet that listed all the tasks and the time frame for when those tasks were due.

2. And I also listed the people who were responsible for each task.

3. And then, I set up semi-weekly meetings for the project team to review all action items that were due.

4. There was one member of the sales team that was constantly late with his projects.

5. So I scheduled a one on one meeting with him to determine what was preventing him from completing his projects on time.

6. And I also explained to him that the whole project was going to fall behind if he kept missing his due dates.

7. And as it turns out, we were near the end of the quarter and he was behind on his sales quota. So he was focusing all of his attention on sales.

8. I asked if there was anything I can do to help you , or if there's someone else in the sales department who could assist. Now in the end there was a sales administrator who actually helped him complete his project.

• Result: 1. We were able to develop an effective action plan which resulted in an increase of market share by 20%on this product

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INTERVIEWING TIPS

• Case or Situational Questions1. The purpose is to evaluate your problem solving

and analytical abilities.

2. It will often take the form of, how would you, or what would you do? Your answer shows how you would approach a problem, or a work situation, and allows them to see how you think on your feet

3. For example, how would you change our website? Or, what would you do if you had an angry client?

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INTERVIEWING TIPS

•Resume Based Questions1. The purpose is to gain more information on

experiences you have highlighted and confirm the depth of your skills and knowledge.

2. They'll ask you direct questions from your resume. So you'll need to be able to expand on it in detail.

3. For example, you mentioned in your resume that you have HTML experience. Can you tell me where you've used this?

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INTERVIEWING TIPS

Practice, Practice, Practice

• Practicing for the interview helps you feel confident not stressed out about what you're going to say

• You'll want to mirror an actual interview as closely as possible

• Set up a space that is conducive to interviews

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INTERVIEWING TIPS

• Dress the part, and have a friend or family member play the part of the interviewer.

• You may also create flashcards that will allow you to shuffle them and be comfortable answering in any order.

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INTERVIEWING TIPS

Your Turn To Ask Questions

1. You'll want to make sure that it is the right organization and role for you.

2. Asking questions confirms your interest in the company, and may be used to make you stand out in the interview process.

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INTERVIEWING TIPS

• Ask about the organization. Demonstrates interest

• Ask about the history of the position. Gains insight into the organization and the potential for advancement

• Ask about the job responsibilities. Gain understanding of the position

• Ask about the expectations of the position. See how you'll be evaluated

• Finally, ask what the next steps are in the process. This is important so you know when to follow up

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INTERVIEWING TIPS

• Bizarre Questions1. Brainteasers. For instance, how many airplanes are in the

sky right now? The goal of the interviewer is not to get the right answer from you, but to see how you think through the situation.

2. Testing your knowledge and skills. For instance, if you were interviewing for a sales position, someone might say to you, sell me this pen.

3. Questioning fit. For instance, if you were a tree, what would you be? In an entrepreneurial setting you may want to be fast growing like bamboo. But in a conservative banking environment you may want to be a solid hardwood tree like an oak.

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NETWORKING AND INTERVIEWING

It is not so much Who you Know,

but WHO KNOWS YOU!

Get Connected, Stay Connected, REPEAT

You get one chance to make a good impression – prepare for interviews

NETWORKING & INTERVIEWING SKILLS 101

Phyllis A. Scott

Corporate Recruiter

Geisinger Health System

pascott@geisinger.edu