MODULE

Career Preparation

LESSON

The 3 “P”s to Acing an Interview: Prepare, Practice, Perform!

Think and Discuss

List and describe some non-verbal communication skills necessary for success in an interview.

What are some ways in which you can prepare for a job interview?

Key Words

• Interview

• Non-Verbal Communication

• Verbal Communication

• Characteristics

• Non-Negotiable

• Negotiable

Interview Pre-Quiz

1. What are some examples of non-verbal communication in an interview? (Circle all that apply) a. “UM”s and “UH”s when answering a question b. Nervous hand gestures c. Rapidly blinking your eyes d. Staring at the wall instead of the interviewers e. Bouncing your feet on the floor f. Sitting straight g. Rapidly responding to questions h. What you wear

2. People who are extremely skilled at interviewing seldom need to prepare for an interview. True False

3. At an interview, you should be prepared to ask questions of the interviewer. True False

4. How important is it to research a company before you interview with that company? a. Not very important b. Somewhat important c. Extremely important

5. First impressions are not typically important to interviewers, because they realize that first impressions change. True False

Anecdote 1

“I have had the opportunity to interview candidates for positions in the offices in which I’ve worked. One of the surprising things I noticed as an interviewer is how many of the candidates acted in the interview like they were simply not interested in the position I was hiring for! They told me that they weren’t interested in a variety of ways, both verbally and nonverbally. Some candidates told me with their words, by not having an answer to the question, “Why are you interested in this position?” Others told me with their body language, slouching in their chairs, not wanting to say much to me and looking very much like they desperately wished they could be anywhere but in the interview. Interviewing several candidates like this in a row can make for a pretty upsetting day, as I start to wonder why I am wasting time interviewing people who don’t want the job they applied for.”

- Career Counselor

Two morals to this story:

1. Only apply for positions that interest you.

2. Communicate to the employer your interest and enthusiasm for the position in the interview.

These two things alone will make a big difference in your ability to make a positive impression on the interviewer and enhance your job search success.

Anecdote 1 – Think About It

1. Do you believe that people might interview for jobs that they don’t want? If so, why?

2. How can you communicate your genuine interest in a job both verbally and nonverbally during the interview?

Anecdote 2“Interviewing for a new job can be both exciting and horrifying. I have been involved with many interesting interview scenarios over the years, some good and some bad. One common thread runs through them all: if you are prepared, you will feel more confident about the experience but it is impossible to be 100% prepared. Confusing? It should be. That is really the purpose of a good interview. You should have to think on your feet and deal with the unexpected. Isn’t that how everyday life on the job is? Of course! So the sooner a person realizes that preparation is critical to success and, at the same time, understands that complete preparation is impossible, then that person will also realize that success in interviewing can occur without perfection. Yes, you can make mistakes in an interview. You don’t have to have all the answers and be the world’s foremost authority on every aspect of the company that is interviewing you. Here is my point: practice as much as you can. Sharpen your fundamental interviewing skills and strengthen your résumé. That’s all employers can ask of you! If you have interviewing etiquette and a strong résumé, you will go far! You will also be amazed at how your confidence builds as your résumé grows. Just understand that you will be faced with a situation that is embarrassing, confusing, frustrating, and even maddening! But how you handle those times will set you apart from other candidates.” 

- Career Counselor

Anecdote 2 – Think About It

1. How should a candidate handle an unexpected situation in an interview? How would this demonstrate behaviors that will help the person handle unexpected situations on the job?

2. Can a candidate prepare for the unexpected and unpredictable? If so, how?

3. Have you ever experienced the connection between preparation and confidence described by the career counselor? What happened?

DOs:

1. Have a firm handshake.

2. Make eye contact with your interviewer(s). If there are multiple interviewers, make eye contact with all of them, not just the one who asked a question.

3. Sit up straight with feet flat on the floor.

4. Dress professionally.

5. Be polite and courteous to everyone you meet.

6. Have a positive attitude.

7. Smile.

8. Keep your hands on your lap, and limit your gestures.

9. Be relaxed and confident.

10. Humor is a powerful tool in an interview. Be sure your humor is moderate and above all, appropriate.

DON’Ts:

1. Don’t lie or tell untruths. If you don’t know an answer, say you don’t know. Interviewers will pick up on dishonesty instantly.

2. Don’t complain.

3. Don’t be rude or sullen.

4. Don’t act like the job is yours or that they owe you the job.

5. Don’t act stiff or robotic but don’t be jittery either.

6. Avoid the “UM”s and “UH”s as much as possible.

7. Avoid rapid responses.

8. Many of us have nervous ticks. Do a pre-interview with a friend or family member. They will tell you what your nervous ticks are, if you have any.

Video Link

RPC – Think About It

1. If you were Hannah, what judgments would you make about Alex’s ability to do the job (whatever it might be) based on scene one?

2. What did you notice that Alex did right in the last scene?

Record your responses to the following questions:

1. List and describe some non-verbal communication skills necessary for success in an interview.

2. What are some ways in which you can prepare for a job interview?

Final Thoughts:

One of the worst mistakes a candidate can make is to go into an interview unprepared. An unprepared interviewee is a signal to the interviewer that the interviewee is not really interested in the job. Candidates should perform the “must have-gonna give” exercise before every interview in order to be better able to articulate how they meet the qualifications of the job. This exercise will help candidates know what to emphasize in the interview, namely how they meet the qualifications the employer is looking for, and what experience they have that will allow them to perform the duties successfully.

“The 3 “P”s to Acing an Interview: Prepare, Practice, Perform!”– Situational Judgment

Questions

1. Natasha is preparing for an interview with a local pet shop. She has never worked for a pet shop, but she loves animals. What relevant information from Natasha’s life below can she discuss in the interview that will help the shop manager understand that Natasha has experience with animals, even though she has never worked for a pet shop?

a. She has owned and cared for 3 dogs and 3 cats.b. She volunteered for her local animal shelter last summer.c. She is a member of the Anti-Cruelty Society for Animals.d. Her uncle owns a horse ranch in Colorado and she feeds the horses

when she visits.e. All of the Above

2. Jack is preparing for an interview with a manager of a large downtown hotel. Jack hopes to get the job as a head chef for parties and social events. What should Jack NOT do in order to prepare for this interview?

a. Practice answering sample questions in front of a mirror.b. Create a menu of all of his specialties and present it to the manager as

if he or she were a customer who might order his food creations.c. Cook some samples of his best food items and bring them to the

interview in a cooler—and offer the samples if the interview is going well.

d. Bring a binder of testimonials and references from past customers who have eaten and enjoyed his meals.

e. Think of stories of how his past bosses have damaged his reputation. Plan to tell these stories to the manager so he or she is warned and doesn’t do the same thing.

3. Carla is preparing for an interview and realizes that she doesn’t have one of the preferred qualifications for the job. What should she do?

a. Think of what qualifications she does have that are similar.b. Think of excuses for why she doesn’t have the qualification.c. Plan to talk about her lack of the qualification as soon as the interview

starts.d. Act like she does have the qualification even though she doesn’t.e. None of the Above