The Key to a The Key to a Successful InterviewSuccessful Interview

Phone InterviewsPhone Interviews

While you're actively job searching, While you're actively job searching, it's important to be prepared for a it's important to be prepared for a phone interview on a moment's phone interview on a moment's notice. notice.

You never know when a recruiter or a You never know when a recruiter or a networking contact might call and networking contact might call and ask if you have a few minutes to talk. ask if you have a few minutes to talk.

Be Prepared to InterviewBe Prepared to Interview

Prepare for a phone interview just as Prepare for a phone interview just as you would for a regular interview. you would for a regular interview.

Compile a list of your strengths and Compile a list of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as a list of weaknesses, as well as a list of answers to answers to typical interview questions. .

Plan on being prepared for a phone Plan on being prepared for a phone conversation about your background conversation about your background and skills. and skills.

More Phone Interview TipsMore Phone Interview Tips

If the time isn't convenient, ask if you If the time isn't convenient, ask if you could talk at another time and could talk at another time and suggest some alternatives. suggest some alternatives.

Clear the room - evict the pets, Clear the room - evict the pets, family and friends. Turn off the TV. family and friends. Turn off the TV. Close the door. Close the door.

Unless you're sure your cell phone Unless you're sure your cell phone service is going to be perfect, use a service is going to be perfect, use a landline rather to avoid a dropped landline rather to avoid a dropped call or static on the line. call or static on the line.

Practice InterviewingPractice Interviewing

Talking on the phone isn't as easy as Talking on the phone isn't as easy as it seems.it seems.

Conduct a mock interview and tape Conduct a mock interview and tape record it so you can see how you record it so you can see how you sound. You'll be able to hear your sound. You'll be able to hear your "ums" and "uhs" and "okays" and "ums" and "uhs" and "okays" and you can practice reducing them from you can practice reducing them from your conversational speech. your conversational speech.

Rehearse your answers to those Rehearse your answers to those typical questions you may be asked. typical questions you may be asked.

During the Phone During the Phone InterviewInterview

Don't chew gum, eat, or drink. Don't chew gum, eat, or drink. Do keep a glass of water handy, in Do keep a glass of water handy, in

case you need to wet your mouth. case you need to wet your mouth. Smile. Smiling will project a positive Smile. Smiling will project a positive

image to the listener and will change image to the listener and will change the tone of your voice. the tone of your voice.

Speak slowly and enunciate clearly. Speak slowly and enunciate clearly.

Use the person's title (Mr. or Ms. and Use the person's title (Mr. or Ms. and their last name.) Only use a first their last name.) Only use a first name if they ask you to. name if they ask you to.

Don't interrupt the interviewer. Don't interrupt the interviewer. Take your time - it's perfectly Take your time - it's perfectly

acceptable to take a moment or two acceptable to take a moment or two to collect your thoughts. to collect your thoughts.

Give brief answers. Give brief answers. Remember your goal is to set-up a face-to-Remember your goal is to set-up a face-to-

face interview. After you thank the face interview. After you thank the interviewer ask if it would be possible to interviewer ask if it would be possible to meet in person.meet in person.

After the InterviewAfter the Interview

Take notes about what you were Take notes about what you were asked and how you answered. asked and how you answered.

Remember to say "thank you." Remember to say "thank you." Follow with a Follow with a thank you note which which reiterates your interest in the job.reiterates your interest in the job.

Face-to FaceFace-to FaceInterviewsInterviews

Proper Interview AttireProper Interview Attire

In a conservative business In a conservative business environment appearance DOES environment appearance DOES MATTERMATTER

55% perception base on appearance55% perception base on appearance Employer’s initial impression is made Employer’s initial impression is made

within the first minute of seeing you.within the first minute of seeing you. Always err on the side of Always err on the side of

conservatism (overdressed is better conservatism (overdressed is better and underdressed)and underdressed)

MenMen

Suit: conservative, solid color Suit: conservative, solid color Dark dress socks and shoes Dark dress socks and shoes Little or no jewelry Little or no jewelry Trimmed nails Trimmed nails Shoes shined Shoes shined Clothes presses Clothes presses Button your jacket when you standButton your jacket when you stand

WomenWomen Suite: conservative, Suite: conservative,

solid colorsolid color Moderate dress shoes Moderate dress shoes Minimal accessories Minimal accessories Manicured nails Manicured nails Tan or light stocking Tan or light stocking Clothes presses Clothes presses Don’t wear anything Don’t wear anything

too tight or revealingtoo tight or revealing

EtiquetteEtiquette

Be on time – no exceptionsBe on time – no exceptions If faced with unforeseen If faced with unforeseen

circumstances, call immediately to circumstances, call immediately to apologize, explain, and try to apologize, explain, and try to reschedule (but may not be enough reschedule (but may not be enough to get you the second chance)to get you the second chance)

Treat the receptionist with respectTreat the receptionist with respect Walk with confidenceWalk with confidence Be enthusiastic, eager, and smileBe enthusiastic, eager, and smile

AttitudeAttitude Know your interviewer’s name Know your interviewer’s name

and title before you arriveand title before you arrive Do not address him or her by Do not address him or her by

their first name unless otherwise their first name unless otherwise directed to do sodirected to do so

Don’t sit until you’re invited to, Don’t sit until you’re invited to, and sit up straightand sit up straight

Practice good eye contactPractice good eye contact

The HandshakeThe Handshake

Wait for the interviewer to extend Wait for the interviewer to extend his/her handhis/her hand

Stand up straightStand up straight Make good eye contactMake good eye contact Grasp hand firmlyGrasp hand firmly NO limp handNO limp hand Avoid pumping/loose armAvoid pumping/loose arm

Maintaining a Positive Maintaining a Positive ImpressionImpression

Space - Be assertive but do not invade Space - Be assertive but do not invade interviewer’s spaceinterviewer’s space

Being seated - Remain standing until Being seated - Remain standing until interviewer sits or indicated you may be interviewer sits or indicated you may be seatedseated

Good posture helps you look confident and Good posture helps you look confident and more professionalmore professional

Lean forward in interest, fold hands in your Lean forward in interest, fold hands in your lap, cross legs at the ankles, and tuck lap, cross legs at the ankles, and tuck them slightly under your chairthem slightly under your chair

Be aware of and control nervous habits Be aware of and control nervous habits like foot tappinglike foot tapping

Body LanguageBody Language

Always maintain good Always maintain good eye eye contactcontact

Don’t watch the clock Don’t watch the clock or or your watchyour watch

Smile !Smile !

PREPARATION PREPARATION

Research the CompanyResearch the Company

Research the company thoroughlyResearch the company thoroughly Where do you fit in (skill set)?Where do you fit in (skill set)? Tailor your skills to company’s needs Tailor your skills to company’s needs

(review job description)(review job description) Information you uncover reflects Information you uncover reflects

your interest and enthusiasm in your interest and enthusiasm in positionposition

Establishes a common base of Establishes a common base of knowledge for questionsknowledge for questions

What Do You Need To What Do You Need To Know?Know?

Age of companyAge of company Services or productsServices or products Competitors within the Competitors within the

industryindustry Growth patternGrowth pattern ReputationReputation Divisions and subsidiariesDivisions and subsidiaries Locations/length of time thereLocations/length of time there Size Size Number of employeesNumber of employees Sales/assets/earningsSales/assets/earnings New products or projectsNew products or projects Culture and valuesCulture and values

THE INTERVIEWTHE INTERVIEW

Tell Me About YourselfTell Me About Yourself

Create a 60-second sound byteCreate a 60-second sound byte

IncludeInclude Geographic originsGeographic origins Reason for choosing majorReason for choosing major Educational backgroundEducational background 2 or 3 strengths related to position2 or 3 strengths related to position Specific expertise and accomplishmentsSpecific expertise and accomplishments How you can contribute to companyHow you can contribute to company Identify your career goalsIdentify your career goals Speak clearly and honestly Speak clearly and honestly

What Are Your StrengthsWhat Are Your Strengths

Relate them to the jobRelate them to the job Give examples of Give examples of

where you have where you have demonstrated thesedemonstrated these

How were they How were they developeddeveloped

Identify your mentors Identify your mentors and/or role modelsand/or role models

Write Down Write Down Answers/ScenariosAnswers/Scenarios

Draft written answers to Draft written answers to potential interview questionspotential interview questions

Develop job appropriate Develop job appropriate scenarios based on your scenarios based on your researchresearch– A solution to one of their A solution to one of their

problemsproblems

What are your Weaknesses?What are your Weaknesses?

Relate these to your workRelate these to your work Show the positive side of these Show the positive side of these Identify the steps you have taken for Identify the steps you have taken for

improvementimprovement Detail the results and/or time Detail the results and/or time

frames expected frames expected

Questions You May Be Questions You May Be Asked Asked

Describe yourselfDescribe yourself Can you take lots of information, organize it Can you take lots of information, organize it

and present it concisely?and present it concisely? Why should we hire you?Why should we hire you? How will you be able to fit into the culture How will you be able to fit into the culture

of our company? of our company? How would your peers or former employer How would your peers or former employer

describe you?describe you? Tell me what you know about our companyTell me what you know about our company

Speak confidently and stress qualification Speak confidently and stress qualification and experience that apply to the position and experience that apply to the position you are interviewing for.you are interviewing for.

Write Out Questions for the Write Out Questions for the InterviewerInterviewer

Demonstrate your knowledge of the Demonstrate your knowledge of the companycompany

Why is this position available?Why is this position available? Is this a new position?  Is this a new position?  How long has this position existed?How long has this position existed? How many people have held this position How many people have held this position

in the last two years?in the last two years? What do you like about working for this What do you like about working for this

company?company?

What are the current plans for What are the current plans for expansion or cutbacks?expansion or cutbacks?

What kind of turnover rate does the What kind of turnover rate does the company have?company have?

How financially sound is this company?How financially sound is this company? What projects and assignments will I What projects and assignments will I

be working on?be working on? Who would be my supervisor?  To Who would be my supervisor?  To

whom would I report?whom would I report? Will I receive any formal training?Will I receive any formal training? Can you describe a typical day for Can you describe a typical day for

someone in this position?someone in this position?

If you are being interviewed If you are being interviewed by the person who you will by the person who you will

directly report to?directly report to? What are the day-to-day What are the day-to-day

expectations and responsibilities expectations and responsibilities of this position?of this position?

How will my responsibilities and How will my responsibilities and performance be measures?performance be measures?

Can you describe the company’s Can you describe the company’s culture?culture?

Can you describe your Can you describe your management stylemanagement style

Practice Your “Soft Skills”Practice Your “Soft Skills”

Greet people with a firm handshakeGreet people with a firm handshake Stand up to meet peopleStand up to meet people Keep your guard up during lunch or Keep your guard up during lunch or

dinnerdinner Practice your dining etiquettePractice your dining etiquette Remember “please” and “thank you”Remember “please” and “thank you” Be good at chatting and small talkBe good at chatting and small talk

What to Bring to an What to Bring to an InterviewInterview

Several copies of your Several copies of your resumeresume

Your portfolio, if applicableYour portfolio, if applicable New notebook and a nice New notebook and a nice

penpen Leather folder or portfolio Leather folder or portfolio Names, addresses, and Names, addresses, and

phone numbers of phone numbers of referencesreferences

Illegal TopicsIllegal Topics

Topics to avoid includeTopics to avoid include– Nationality/raceNationality/race– Marital statusMarital status– ReligionReligion– AffiliationsAffiliations– Disability or medical historyDisability or medical history– Pregnancy, birth control, child Pregnancy, birth control, child

carecare– AgeAge

Details Needed for Follow-Details Needed for Follow-upup

Ask for their business cardAsk for their business card Use interviewer’s nameUse interviewer’s name Send a short thank you note within Send a short thank you note within

24 hours24 hours Remind them of key points from the Remind them of key points from the

interviewinterview Emphasize your interestEmphasize your interest

Follow-up the InterviewFollow-up the Interview

Send a short thank you note Send a short thank you note within 24 hourswithin 24 hours

Remind them of key points Remind them of key points from the interviewfrom the interview

Emphasize your interestEmphasize your interest State when you expect the State when you expect the

next contact to benext contact to be

Evaluate/RetrainEvaluate/Retrain

How did you do overall?How did you do overall? What were your strengths?What were your strengths? What needs improvement?What needs improvement? Develop a follow-up chart for trackingDevelop a follow-up chart for tracking