Job InterviewsSuccessful Strategies for Interviewing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1ucmfPOBV8
Preparing for an Interview Research the company Study yourself to identify how your
qualifications match the job Be ready to provide clear, specific
evidence of your qualifications Plan a professional appearance Plan to arrive several minutes early Practice
Effective Interviewee Behaviors
Look interested — attentive posture and eye contact
Avoid negative mannerisms Be able to avoid answering illegal
questions without offending the interviewer
Effective Interviewee Behaviors
Opening Greet the interviewer by name with a
smile, direct eye contact, a firm handshake
Wait for the interviewer to ask you to be seated
Sit erect and lean forward slightly to convey interest
Effective Interviewee Behaviors
Body of the Interview Explain how your qualifications relate to
the job requirements using specific examples
Ask pertinent questions that communicate intelligence and interest in the company
Allow the interviewer to initiate a discussion of salary and benefits▪ Be prepared to provide a general salary range
for applicants with your qualifications
Effective Interviewee Behaviors
Closing the interview Watch for cues the interview is ending▪ Rise, accept the interviewer’s handshake and
communicate enthusiasm Express appreciation for the interview
and say you are eager to hear from the company
Research the Company
Why? To show your interested Provides an edge over other candidates You may be asked any of the following questions:▪ What do you know about our company?▪ Why do you want to work here?▪ What do you think it takes to be successful in this career?
How? Company websites Contact the company and ask for literature or
details about the position you are applying for Networking
Practice Interviewing
Step 1: Prepare answers to common interview questions
Step 2: Rehearse with a friend or videotape yourself
2 Types of Interview Questions
Traditional Ex. “Tell me about yourself.” Ex. “Do you prefer to work alone or in a
group?” Behavioral
Used to predict future on-the-job behaviors
General Interview Questions Tell me about your recent work experience(s). Why did you leave your previous place of
employment? Why are there gaps in your employment
history? What strengths and weaknesses would you
bring to this position? What is your understanding of this position
and what skills do you bring to the position? What types of job responsibilities do you find
to be most rewarding? Why? What types of job responsibilities do you find
to be most frustrating? Why?
Behavioral Interview Questions Describe a situation in which you were able to use
persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things your way.
Describe a time when you were faced with a stressful situation that demonstrated your coping skills.
Give me an example of a time when you set a goal and were able to meet or achieve it.
Give me a specific example of a time when you had to conform to a policy with which you did not agree.
Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.
Tell me about a time when you had too many things to do and you were required to prioritize your tasks.
Behavioral Interview Questions S-A-R Method
Situation Action Result
Question: Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to
successfully convince someone to see things your way.
Answer using S-A-R Method: Recently my company asked for bids on a phone system for our new
college campus. Two companies came in very close with their bids, and most of my department wanted to go with a vendor that we have used in the past. After I looked over the proposals, it was clear that this was the wrong decision. So, I talked individually with each member of our staff and was able to change their minds and get the best product that would save money and provide the highest quality.
S-A-R Activity
Directions: Select 1question, from the list of behavioral questions, and answer them using the S-A-R method.
Put a circle around the situation, a square around the action and underline the results to distinguish each step of the S-A-R method.
Please answer the questions on a clean sheet of notebook paper.
Illegal Interview Questions National origin and religion Age Disabilities, health conditions, and
physical characteristics not reasonably related to the job
Marital status, spouse’s employment, or dependents
Arrests
Interviewee Questions
What is a typical day like? What type of people would I be working
with and for? What is the turnover rate of people in this
job? How would you describe initial and on-
going training for this position? How do you expect the company to change
in the next ten years? When can I expect to hear from you about
your decision?
Interviewer and IntervieweeQuestions Activity
Directions: Search the internet and find 10 questions (other than the one’s previously listed) an interviewer may ask during an interview.
Directions: Search the internet and find 10 questions (other than the one’s previously listed) an interviewee can ask during an interview.
Appropriate Attire
First impressions Competitive edge Marketing a product You CAN overdress for an interview Dress to fit the job’s culture Classic advice:
“Dress 10 percent better than you ordinarily would”
“Dress for the position you’d like to have, not for the one you do have, so you’ll be seen as promotable.”
“Dress the best your ever going to look in the job you want.”
Appropriate Attire
Attention to detail Clean and polished conservative dress shoes Well-groomed hairstyle Cleaned and trimmed fingernails No body odor, minimal cologne or perfume No visible body piercing Well-brushed teeth and fresh breath No gum, candy, or other objects in your
mouth Minimal jewelry
Tips for Women
Conservative colors: Black Dark Navy Brown/Beige Gray
Skirt length should be a little above the knee Hair should be worn up, out of your face Minimal make-up Lipstick and nail polish in conservative tones
(natural colors) Jewelry
One set of earrings, and no more than two rings
Appropriate Attire
Tips for Men
Conservative colors: Black Dark navy Gray
White long-sleeved button-down dress shirt with a simple tie (that matches suit)
Belt should match shoes Facial hair should be neatly trimmed No jewelry
Appropriate Attire
After the Interview
Take some time to review the interview while it is fresh in your mind Interviewing is a learnable skill, use the
experience to help you in the future Ask yourself:
How could you have better answered the questions?
Where did you succeed? Where did you fail? What will you do differently next time?
After the Interview
A thank-you letter is essential! Get it in the mail the day of or the day after the
interview Avoid excessive enthusiasm Keep your note cordial and brief Thank the interviewer for inviting you to the
interview Say it was a pleasure to meet him or her Mention something you learned during the
interview and assure them of your continued interest in the position - provided you are still at all interested
See handout for more information on what to include in a thank-you letter.
Sources
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/thankyouletters/a/thanktemplate.htm
http://www.quintcareers.com/Quintessential_Careers_Press/Job-Interview-Preparation/