The Job The Job InterviewInterview

What to expectWhat to expect

What to sayWhat to say

What NOT to sayWhat NOT to say

Looking for a job….Looking for a job….

An excruciating experienceAn excruciating experience

Your mood, confidence, self-esteemYour mood, confidence, self-esteem

(and your dinner) depend on it(and your dinner) depend on it

Job interview can influence the hiring Job interview can influence the hiring process as much or more than your process as much or more than your background and experience.background and experience.

Practice, practice, practicePractice, practice, practice

How? (stay tuned….)How? (stay tuned….)

What to doWhat to do

1.1. Look the interviewer in the eyeLook the interviewer in the eye

Shows a real sense of Shows a real sense of confidence,confidence,

self-esteem, controlself-esteem, control

DO NOT stare without blinkingDO NOT stare without blinking

2. Speak fluently2. Speak fluently (you do not have to use fancy(you do not have to use fancy vocabulary…but be understandable)vocabulary…but be understandable)

EliminateEliminate “er”, “uh”, “well”, too many “er”, “uh”, “well”, too many pauses, talking in a weak voicepauses, talking in a weak voice These show that you are unsureThese show that you are unsure of yourself, easily swayed,of yourself, easily swayed, dominated by others dominated by others

3. Voice and body language tell a lot3. Voice and body language tell a lot

Voice –Voice –

enthusiastic, interested, intonationenthusiastic, interested, intonation

pause just before an important pause just before an important pointpoint

use listening noisesuse listening noises

Body language –Body language – lean forward at timeslean forward at times show your passion and enthusiasmshow your passion and enthusiasm nod your head to show younod your head to show you understandunderstand

Facial expressionFacial expression DO NOT be too formal lookingDO NOT be too formal looking Look approachable, friendly, relaxedLook approachable, friendly, relaxed but businesslikebut businesslike Smiling and laughing is OKSmiling and laughing is OK

The Smile FactorThe Smile Factor

Smiling sends a powerful messageSmiling sends a powerful message It shows you are:It shows you are: comfortable, confident, strong,comfortable, confident, strong, in control, reduces tension,in control, reduces tension, non-threatening to others,non-threatening to others, takes the sting out of conflicttakes the sting out of conflict attractiveattractive

The Best First ImpressionThe Best First Impression

An interview is “first impression” timeAn interview is “first impression” time

The interviewer cannot know you The interviewer cannot know you

in-depth in 30 minutesin-depth in 30 minutes

Interviewers are looking for Interviewers are looking for motivationmotivation and and interpersonal skillsinterpersonal skills as well as as well as

job competencyjob competency

Interviewers want to know:Interviewers want to know:

Are you:Are you: enthusiasticenthusiastic about the job about the job competentcompetent to do the job to do the job eagereager to learn to learn ableable to get along with others to get along with others ableable to work independently to work independently ambitiousambitious good track recordgood track record (in other jobs) (in other jobs)

Q & A (content)Q & A (content)

Anticipate what the questions will beAnticipate what the questions will be

Prepare answers to these questionsPrepare answers to these questions

Practice, practice, practicePractice, practice, practice

be prepared to be flexiblebe prepared to be flexible

(not just a memorized answer)(not just a memorized answer)

BeforeBefore the Interview the Interview

ResearchResearch company’s historycompany’s history anything on the company web siteanything on the company web site stock market standing and reportsstock market standing and reports current powerful projectscurrent powerful projects projects planned for the near futureprojects planned for the near future how company relates to the competitionhow company relates to the competition

Dress Code for the InterviewDress Code for the Interview

NO casual dressing (jeans, t-shirts,NO casual dressing (jeans, t-shirts,

sport shoes)sport shoes) NO colorful socks or stockingsNO colorful socks or stockings NO colorful shoesNO colorful shoes Business like (semi-conservative)Business like (semi-conservative)

hair stylehair style Nice brief caseNice brief case

For GentlemenFor Gentlemen

White, blue or grey shirtsWhite, blue or grey shirts TiesTies Black, navy blue or dark brown Black, navy blue or dark brown

slacksslacks

or suitor suit

For LadiesFor Ladies

NEVER wear a skit more than 2 inches NEVER wear a skit more than 2 inches

above knee lengthabove knee length AVOID pastel pink (weak, too AVOID pastel pink (weak, too

emotional)emotional) AVOID magenta (dark red) (too AVOID magenta (dark red) (too

sensual)sensual) AVOID yellow & black worn togetherAVOID yellow & black worn together

(standard colors of “danger”)(standard colors of “danger”)

DO wearDO wear black, navy blue, dark brownblack, navy blue, dark brown matching blouse and jacketmatching blouse and jacket OR white or light blouseOR white or light blouse plain colors…no patternsplain colors…no patterns

Pant suits are OKPant suits are OK

Business suit with skirt OKBusiness suit with skirt OK

Simple, elegant jewelrySimple, elegant jewelry Matching shoes and bagMatching shoes and bag

brief case is better than personal bagbrief case is better than personal bag

Before the interview (cont.)Before the interview (cont.)

Make sure you know the exact Make sure you know the exact location of the interview…and how to location of the interview…and how to get thereget there

Know how much time it will take to Know how much time it will take to get thereget there

Plan to be early…plan when you Plan to be early…plan when you have to start out in order to be earlyhave to start out in order to be early

Rehearse for the interviewRehearse for the interview with a friendwith a friend on videoon video audio recordingaudio recording in the mirrorin the mirror in front of your teddy bear or dogin front of your teddy bear or dog

Have friends surprise you with Have friends surprise you with interview questions as you see them interview questions as you see them on campuson campus

The day before the The day before the interviewinterview

Pack your bagPack your bag pen, pencilpen, pencil small note pad (paper)small note pad (paper) electronic dictionary, data manager, electronic dictionary, data manager, etc.etc. Get cash for the taxiGet cash for the taxi

(Keep it simple)(Keep it simple)

The night before the interviewThe night before the interview DO NOT go out drinking (you can do DO NOT go out drinking (you can do

this later…)this later…)

Talk to a friend on the phone…about Talk to a friend on the phone…about all the positive things about all the positive things about yourself and why you are a winneryourself and why you are a winner

Charge your cell phone batteryCharge your cell phone battery

Get a good night’s rest (sweet Get a good night’s rest (sweet dreams….)dreams….)

The day of the interviewThe day of the interview

Get up earlyGet up early Eat a good breakfastEat a good breakfast Think about how competent you areThink about how competent you are

and how you are a winnerand how you are a winner Check your bag one more timeCheck your bag one more time Put your cell phone in your bag / Put your cell phone in your bag /

pocketpocket Go out the door early….Go out the door early….

At the Interview waiting At the Interview waiting areaarea

When you walk in the doorWhen you walk in the door greet the receptionist / secretarygreet the receptionist / secretary greet all staff members you seegreet all staff members you see

with a smile or “hi” or a nodwith a smile or “hi” or a nod

DO NOT look nervous in front of the DO NOT look nervous in front of the receptionist or other staff membersreceptionist or other staff members

Always look busy and try not to talk Always look busy and try not to talk toto

other candidates in order to focusother candidates in order to focus

(work on you palm pilot, i-station,(work on you palm pilot, i-station,

… …something that looks professional)something that looks professional) DO NOT sit and send text messagesDO NOT sit and send text messages

or talk on your cell phone…this doesor talk on your cell phone…this does

not give a good, professional not give a good, professional

impressionimpression

Make yourself comfortableMake yourself comfortable

DO NOT bring a friend with youDO NOT bring a friend with you

even if the interview is being heldeven if the interview is being held

in an open, public placein an open, public place

(if you can’t do the interview by(if you can’t do the interview by

yourself, it looks weak… and showsyourself, it looks weak… and shows

that you cannot work independentlythat you cannot work independently

and that you are not competent)and that you are not competent)

During the InterviewDuring the Interview Always remember that the interview Always remember that the interview

session is session is two-way communicationtwo-way communication

Know what you want Know what you want

work environment, work culture andwork environment, work culture and

atmosphere you wantatmosphere you want

Know what you can offerKnow what you can offer

your strengths and skillsyour strengths and skills

DO NOT accept any refreshment DO NOT accept any refreshment during the interviewduring the interview

(to avoid spills or food getting on (to avoid spills or food getting on

your clothes)your clothes)

After the InterviewAfter the Interview Thank the interviewer (before you Thank the interviewer (before you

leave the interview room)leave the interview room)

Listen carefully to see if another Listen carefully to see if another interview might be coming upinterview might be coming up

Send a thank you email to the interviewer Send a thank you email to the interviewer (this is also a reminder of who you are…(this is also a reminder of who you are… they need to remember you and they need to remember you and your name)your name)

Interview Questions…and Interview Questions…and answersanswers

Here are some commonly used Here are some commonly used interview questions.interview questions.

Sample answers and explanations let Sample answers and explanations let you know some good ways to you know some good ways to answer…and help change your answer…and help change your thinking to “what they want to hear”thinking to “what they want to hear”

Experience and Experience and Management QuestionsManagement Questions

1. You may be overqualified for 1. You may be overqualified for the position we have to the position we have to

offeroffer Strong companies need strong Strong companies need strong

people. A growing, energetic people. A growing, energetic company is rarely unable to use its company is rarely unable to use its people talents. Emphasize your people talents. Emphasize your interest in a long-term association, interest in a long-term association, point out that the employer will get point out that the employer will get a faster return on investment a faster return on investment because you have more experience because you have more experience than required.than required.

2. What is your management 2. What is your management style?style?

(If you’ve never thought about this, it’s (If you’ve never thought about this, it’s high time you did).high time you did).

““Open door management” is Open door management” is

best….And you get the job done on best….And you get the job done on time or inform your managementtime or inform your management

3. Are you a good manager? 3. Are you a good manager? Give an example. Why do you Give an example. Why do you feel you have top management feel you have top management

potential?potential? Keep your answer achievement and Keep your answer achievement and

task orientedtask oriented Emphasize management skillsEmphasize management skills

planning, organizing, controlling,planning, organizing, controlling,

interpersonal, etc.interpersonal, etc.

4. What do you look for when 4. What do you look for when you hire people?you hire people?

Skills, initiative, adaptabilitySkills, initiative, adaptability

5. Did you ever fire anyone? 5. Did you ever fire anyone? If so, what were the If so, what were the

reasons and how did you reasons and how did you handle it?handle it?

You’ve had experience with this and You’ve had experience with this and it worked out well.it worked out well.

6. What do you see as the 6. What do you see as the most difficult task in being a most difficult task in being a

manager?manager?

Getting things planned and done on time wGetting things planned and done on time within the budgetithin the budget

7. What do your subordinates 7. What do your subordinates think of you?think of you?

Be honest and positive…they can check yoBe honest and positive…they can check your responses easilyur responses easily

8. What is your biggest 8. What is your biggest weakness as a manager?weakness as a manager?

Be honest and end on a positive note:Be honest and end on a positive note: ““I don’t enjoy reprimanding people, so I don’t enjoy reprimanding people, so

I try to begin with something positive I try to begin with something positive first.”first.”

Keep it brief – give an Keep it brief – give an “actions and “actions and results oriented”results oriented” definition definition

9. How long would it take you 9. How long would it take you to make a meaningful to make a meaningful

contribution to our firm?contribution to our firm? Not long at all – you expect only a Not long at all – you expect only a

brief period of adjustment to the brief period of adjustment to the “learning curve”“learning curve”

10. How long would you stay 10. How long would you stay with us?with us?

As long as we both feel I’m As long as we both feel I’m contributing, achieving, growing, etc.contributing, achieving, growing, etc.

General QuestionsGeneral Questions

1. Tell me about you1. Tell me about you

Keep your answer to Keep your answer to one or two one or two minutesminutes

Don’t ramble (get off the topic)Don’t ramble (get off the topic)

Use your resume summary as a base Use your resume summary as a base to startto start

2. What do you know about our 2. What do you know about our company?company?

Do your homework before the Do your homework before the interview!interview!

Spend some time online researching Spend some time online researching the company. Find out as much as the company. Find out as much as you can, including:you can, including:

Products, size, income, reputation, Products, size, income, reputation, image, management talent, people, image, management talent, people, skills, history and philosophyskills, history and philosophy

Project an informed interestProject an informed interest Let the interviewer tell you about theLet the interviewer tell you about the companycompany

3. Why do you want to work for 3. Why do you want to work for us?us?

Don’tDon’t talk about talk about what you wantwhat you want Talk about Talk about their needstheir needs

You would like to be part of a specific You would like to be part of a specific company projectcompany project

You would like to solve a company You would like to solve a company problemproblem

You can make a definite contribution You can make a definite contribution to specific company goalsto specific company goals

4. What would you do for us? 4. What would you do for us? What can you do for us that What can you do for us that

someone else can’t?someone else can’t?

Relate past experiences that show you’ve Relate past experiences that show you’ve had success in solving previous employer had success in solving previous employer problem(s) that may be similar to those of problem(s) that may be similar to those of the prospective employer.the prospective employer.

5. What about the job offered 5. What about the job offered do you find the most do you find the most

attractive? Least attractive?attractive? Least attractive?

List three or more attractive factors List three or more attractive factors and only one minor unattractive and only one minor unattractive factorfactor

6. Why should we hire you?6. Why should we hire you?

Because of your knowledge, Because of your knowledge, experience, abilities and skillsexperience, abilities and skills

7. What do you look for in a 7. What do you look for in a job?job?

An opportunity to use your skills, to An opportunity to use your skills, to perform and be recognizedperform and be recognized

8. Please give me your 8. Please give me your definition of a (…specific definition of a (…specific

position)position) Be prepared to define this position as Be prepared to define this position as

they might see it in this companythey might see it in this company

Your Work Habits and StyleYour Work Habits and Style

1. If I spoke with your previous 1. If I spoke with your previous boss, what would she/he say boss, what would she/he say are your greatest strengths are your greatest strengths

and weaknesses?and weaknesses? Emphasize skills Emphasize skills Don’t be overly negative about your Don’t be overly negative about your

weaknessesweaknesses Lack of a skill is an area for Lack of a skill is an area for

improvement…not a weaknessimprovement…not a weakness

2. Can you work under 2. Can you work under pressures, deadlines, etc?pressures, deadlines, etc?

Yes, it’s a way of life in businessYes, it’s a way of life in business

3. How have you changed the 3. How have you changed the nature of your job?nature of your job?

Improved it…of courseImproved it…of course

4. Do you prefer staff or line 4. Do you prefer staff or line work? Why?work? Why?

Depends on the job and its Depends on the job and its challengeschallenges

5. In your present position, 5. In your present position, what problems have you what problems have you

identified that had previously identified that had previously been overlooked?been overlooked?

Keep it brief and don’t brag or Keep it brief and don’t brag or become arrogantbecome arrogant

6. Don’t you feel you might be 6. Don’t you feel you might be better off in a different size better off in a different size company? Different type company? Different type

company?company?

Depends on the job…Depends on the job…

elaborate slightlyelaborate slightly

7. How do you resolve conflict 7. How do you resolve conflict on a project team?on a project team?

First you discuss the issues privatelyFirst you discuss the issues privately

8. What was the most difficult 8. What was the most difficult decision you ever had to decision you ever had to

make?make?

Try to relate your response to the prospectiTry to relate your response to the prospective employment situationve employment situation

For more sample questionsFor more sample questions

Look for Look for “ “101 Interview Questions”101 Interview Questions”

webhardwebhard STUDYBOARDSTUDYBOARD PEPE InterviewsInterviews

Good Luck with your Good Luck with your interviewinterview

AssignmentAssignment Be prepared to practice job interviewingBe prepared to practice job interviewing in class.in class. Discussion in pairs using the Q & ADiscussion in pairs using the Q & A on this powerpointon this powerpoint

Your team’s company will interview the teachYour team’s company will interview the teacher for a job with your company er for a job with your company