Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.Inc.

32nd Annual Gulf Coast 32nd Annual Gulf Coast Regional ConferenceRegional Conference

INTERVIEW TECHNIQUESINTERVIEW TECHNIQUESPresented by:Presented by:

Brother Jermaine V. Jackson, Gulf Coast Brother Jermaine V. Jackson, Gulf Coast Director of Education, Director of Education,

Alpha Sigma SigmaAlpha Sigma Sigma

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF AN INTERVIEW?AN INTERVIEW?

• To provide you and the employer an opportunity to To provide you and the employer an opportunity to determine how well you will fit in with the culture, determine how well you will fit in with the culture, direction, and requirements of the organization.direction, and requirements of the organization.

– For you it is: For you it is:

• an opportunity to convince the employer of your an opportunity to convince the employer of your potential potential

• an opportunity to find out more about the job and the an opportunity to find out more about the job and the company; "Is it right for me?", "Do I want to work company; "Is it right for me?", "Do I want to work with these people?", "Do the conditions/prospects fit with these people?", "Do the conditions/prospects fit in with my career goals?" in with my career goals?"

• an opportunity to expand on the information in your an opportunity to expand on the information in your application form or resume application form or resume

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF AN INTERVIEW?AN INTERVIEW?

• For the employer it is:For the employer it is:– a means to assess your abilities in relation to the a means to assess your abilities in relation to the

requirements of the position. "Have you got what requirements of the position. "Have you got what they want?" they want?"

– an opportunity to discuss your training, an opportunity to discuss your training, experience, knowledge and abilities in more experience, knowledge and abilities in more detail. detail.

– an opportunity to see what drives and motivates an opportunity to see what drives and motivates you and to determine whether you will be able to you and to determine whether you will be able to fit in with both the team and the company as a fit in with both the team and the company as a whole.whole.

PREPARING FOR A PREPARING FOR A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW!SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW!

• To achieve this you must have a well thought out To achieve this you must have a well thought out and effective presentation.and effective presentation.

• This presentation can fall into three areas:This presentation can fall into three areas:

1.1. ResearchResearch

2.2. ApplyApply

3.3. PracticePractice

RESEARCHRESEARCH

• Research is the foundation to an effective and Research is the foundation to an effective and well thought out presentation. well thought out presentation.

• Find out as much as possible about the company, Find out as much as possible about the company, such as:such as:– Company culture: this includes company values, Company culture: this includes company values,

expectations of behavior, dress codes, hours of work, expectations of behavior, dress codes, hours of work, work standards work standards

– Performance management, how performance is Performance management, how performance is assessed and recognized assessed and recognized

– Mission and goals Mission and goals – Products and services Products and services – Demographic of clients Demographic of clients – History History – Size Size

APPLYAPPLY

• The next step is, apply what you have learned The next step is, apply what you have learned from your research, to facilitate your from your research, to facilitate your understanding of the employer to analyze and understanding of the employer to analyze and identify the key qualifications, experiences and identify the key qualifications, experiences and necessary skills to be selected for the job of necessary skills to be selected for the job of choice.choice.

PRACTICEPRACTICE

• The last step is, practice what questions The last step is, practice what questions are likely to be asked during your are likely to be asked during your interview.interview.

• Write out your response to generic or Write out your response to generic or traditional interview questions.traditional interview questions.

• Prepare questions to ask the Prepare questions to ask the interviewer(s). interviewer(s).

DURING THE INTERVIEW?DURING THE INTERVIEW?

• The interviewing process can be scary if you don’t The interviewing process can be scary if you don’t know what to expect.know what to expect.

• Although each interview will differ, they all will Although each interview will differ, they all will share three common characteristics:share three common characteristics:– The Beginning The Beginning – MiddleMiddle– ConclusionConclusion

DURING THE INTERVIEW? DURING THE INTERVIEW?

• The beginning of the interview starts before you even say The beginning of the interview starts before you even say hello.hello.– Before entering the room, choose three words that Before entering the room, choose three words that

describe the impression you would like to make. (i.e., describe the impression you would like to make. (i.e., confident, intelligent and competent). Show those three confident, intelligent and competent). Show those three words in your eyes, body and face. Try to hold on to this words in your eyes, body and face. Try to hold on to this throughout the interview. You can repeat this if you begin throughout the interview. You can repeat this if you begin to feel nervous. to feel nervous.

– The interviewer(s) begin to evaluate you the minute you The interviewer(s) begin to evaluate you the minute you are identified.are identified.

– You are expected to shake the interviewer(s) hand upon You are expected to shake the interviewer(s) hand upon being introduced.being introduced.

– Don’t be afraid to extend your hand first, this shows Don’t be afraid to extend your hand first, this shows assertiveness.assertiveness.

– Start with confidenceStart with confidence ( (Interviews can be won or lost in Interviews can be won or lost in the first five minutes). the first five minutes).

DURING THE INTERVIEW? DURING THE INTERVIEW?

• Introducing YourselfIntroducing Yourself– It is useful to have a strong opening line It is useful to have a strong opening line

prepared. prepared. – When saying your name, try to have the pace When saying your name, try to have the pace

and double the volume to ensure that the and double the volume to ensure that the interviewer is able to hear how to pronounce it. interviewer is able to hear how to pronounce it.

– This will make you feel more comfortable. This will make you feel more comfortable. – Smile and talk to, not at, the interviewer. Smile and talk to, not at, the interviewer.

DURING THE INTERVIEW? DURING THE INTERVIEW?

• Building RapportBuilding Rapport– The tone of your voice will impact upon the The tone of your voice will impact upon the

impression that you leave. impression that you leave. – How you speak communicates both negative How you speak communicates both negative

(anxiety, uncertainty, boredom) and positive (anxiety, uncertainty, boredom) and positive (interest, enthusiasm, confidence) emotions. (interest, enthusiasm, confidence) emotions.

– Remember, you applied for the job in the first Remember, you applied for the job in the first place because you thought that you could place because you thought that you could make a positive contribution to the make a positive contribution to the organization “remember you can do the job”. organization “remember you can do the job”.

– Try to remain confident and show your Try to remain confident and show your enthusiasm for the role. enthusiasm for the role.

DURING THE INTERVIEW? DURING THE INTERVIEW?

• Body Language & Non Verbal CommunicationBody Language & Non Verbal Communication– Your body language provides a number of Your body language provides a number of

messages to interviewers. Be confident. messages to interviewers. Be confident. – Wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. Wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. – Keep your gestures, body and face open. Keep your gestures, body and face open. – Lean forward slightly to give the appearance of Lean forward slightly to give the appearance of

confidence and interest confidence and interest – Maintain appropriate eye contact throughout the Maintain appropriate eye contact throughout the

interview. (Do not stare or look away too much. interview. (Do not stare or look away too much. Look at them). Look at them).

– Try to look interested at all times. Try to look interested at all times.

INTERVIEW DO’SINTERVIEW DO’S

• Dress appropriately/ Look neat and clean. Dress appropriately/ Look neat and clean. • Be punctual. Make sure that you are 10 minutes early and if Be punctual. Make sure that you are 10 minutes early and if

you are going to be unavoidably late, call and let them you are going to be unavoidably late, call and let them know. know.

• Express yourself and your views clearly. Express yourself and your views clearly. • Listen carefully to the questions; and answer them clearly Listen carefully to the questions; and answer them clearly

and thoughtfully. and thoughtfully. • Make eye-contact. Remember to talk to the person. Make eye-contact. Remember to talk to the person.

INTERVIEW DO’SINTERVIEW DO’S

• Make sure you fully understand the question and question Make sure you fully understand the question and question any point which you may be doubtful. any point which you may be doubtful.

• If you are being interviewed by a panel, ensure that you If you are being interviewed by a panel, ensure that you direct your answer to the person who asked the question, direct your answer to the person who asked the question, while still including the other interviewers by making brief while still including the other interviewers by making brief eye contact. eye contact.

• Ask questions. Selection is a two way process. They select Ask questions. Selection is a two way process. They select you, but you also select them. . you, but you also select them. .

• Make sure that you always present your skills in a positive Make sure that you always present your skills in a positive light. Even when describing your weaknesses you should light. Even when describing your weaknesses you should always show them what you are doing to rectify it. always show them what you are doing to rectify it.

• Make sure that you have an idea about where your want Make sure that you have an idea about where your want to be in the future and can relate the future goals to your to be in the future and can relate the future goals to your application for the present position. You must be able to application for the present position. You must be able to answer the question "Where do want to be in five years answer the question "Where do want to be in five years time?"time?"

INTERVIEW DON’TS!INTERVIEW DON’TS!

• Don't dress casually. Don't dress casually. • Don't make derogatory remarks about past or present Don't make derogatory remarks about past or present

employers. employers. • Don't fidget or twitch, try to control other nervous Don't fidget or twitch, try to control other nervous

mannerisms. mannerisms. • Conversely, don't sit there like a statue. If you feel Conversely, don't sit there like a statue. If you feel

more comfortable talking with the aid of your hands more comfortable talking with the aid of your hands for emphasis, then use them, but try not to be too for emphasis, then use them, but try not to be too excessive in your gestures. excessive in your gestures.

• Don't interrupt the interviewer before they have Don't interrupt the interviewer before they have finished asking you a question and never finish their finished asking you a question and never finish their sentences for them. sentences for them.

INTERVIEW DON’TS!INTERVIEW DON’TS!

• Don't Lie. If you have to lie about what you Don't Lie. If you have to lie about what you are like or your abilities in order to obtain are like or your abilities in order to obtain the job, you are likely to find yourself in a the job, you are likely to find yourself in a position that you don't really like and position that you don't really like and probably one in which you will have probably one in which you will have problems fulfilling successfully. problems fulfilling successfully.

• Don't talk about salary, holidays or bonuses Don't talk about salary, holidays or bonuses unless they bring them up. unless they bring them up.

• Don't answer questions with a simple "yes" Don't answer questions with a simple "yes" or "no". Make sure that you explain your or "no". Make sure that you explain your reasoning fully. reasoning fully.

• Don't wear too much perfume or aftershave. Don't wear too much perfume or aftershave.

TEN RULES OF TEN RULES OF INTERVIEWINGINTERVIEWING

• To assist with your interview process, keep the following ten To assist with your interview process, keep the following ten rules in mind:rules in mind:

1.1. Keep your answers brief and concise.Keep your answers brief and concise.2.2. Include concrete, quantifiable data.Include concrete, quantifiable data.3.3. Repeat your key strengths three times.Repeat your key strengths three times.4.4. Prepare five or more success storiesPrepare five or more success stories5.5. Put yourself on their team.Put yourself on their team.6.6. Image is often as important as content.Image is often as important as content.7.7. Ask questions.Ask questions.8.8. Maintain a conversational flow.Maintain a conversational flow.9.9. Research the company, product lines and Research the company, product lines and

competitors.competitors. 10.10. Keep an interview journalKeep an interview journal

TYPES of QUESTIONS ASKED BY TYPES of QUESTIONS ASKED BY EMPLOYERS?EMPLOYERS?

• Behaviorally Based QuestionsBehaviorally Based Questions

• Situational Questions or HypotheticalSituational Questions or Hypothetical

• Open Ended QuestionsOpen Ended Questions

• PersonalPersonal

• EducationEducation

• ExperienceExperience

• Career GoalsCareer Goals

QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD NOTNOT ASK?ASK?

• Avoiding asking questions that are answered in Avoiding asking questions that are answered in the employment brochure or application packet.the employment brochure or application packet.

• Don’t bring up salary or benefits in the initial Don’t bring up salary or benefits in the initial interview.interview.

• Avoid asking any personal or questions that will Avoid asking any personal or questions that will put the interviewer on the defense.put the interviewer on the defense.

• Don’t ask questions that have already been Don’t ask questions that have already been answered during the interview.answered during the interview.

QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK?ASK?

• Ask specific questions about the position.Ask specific questions about the position.• Try to find out as much as possible about Try to find out as much as possible about

qualities and skills the interviewer is looking for in qualities and skills the interviewer is looking for in a job candidates.a job candidates.

• Ask questions concerning advancement and Ask questions concerning advancement and promotion paths available.promotion paths available.

• It is appropriate to ask specific questions about It is appropriate to ask specific questions about the company’s training program, only if it is not the company’s training program, only if it is not mentioned in the application packet.mentioned in the application packet.

• Ask questions about location and travel required.Ask questions about location and travel required.

THE RULES of APPEARANCE!THE RULES of APPEARANCE!

• What every-well dressed professional What every-well dressed professional MAN should know: should know:– There is no such thing as a short-sleeve dress There is no such thing as a short-sleeve dress

shirtshirt– On a single-breasted suit or sport coat, always On a single-breasted suit or sport coat, always

leave the bottom button unbuttoned.leave the bottom button unbuttoned.– The tip of your tie should reach the middle of The tip of your tie should reach the middle of

your belt buckle.your belt buckle.– Always match your shoes and belt.Always match your shoes and belt.– Clean and polished conservative dress shoes Clean and polished conservative dress shoes – Well-groomed hairstyle Well-groomed hairstyle – Cleaned and trimmed fingernails Cleaned and trimmed fingernails

THE RULES of APPEARANCE!THE RULES of APPEARANCE!

– Minimal cologne or perfume Minimal cologne or perfume – No visible body piercing beyond No visible body piercing beyond

conservative ear piercing for women conservative ear piercing for women – Well-brushed teeth and fresh breath Well-brushed teeth and fresh breath – No gum, candy, or other objects in your No gum, candy, or other objects in your

mouth mouth – Minimal jewelry Minimal jewelry – No body odorNo body odor

ANY QUESTIONS?ANY QUESTIONS?