Human Resources

Lunch and Learn Series

Session 1: Preparation

TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL JOB

INTERVIEWING

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Session 1: Preparation

• Purpose of the interview

• What to expect from the interview

• How to put your best foot forward

Session 2: Interview Questions

• Types of Questions

• Behavioral Interviewing

Session 3: Interview Tips and Open Forum

Potential for additional sessions based on your feedback.

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Tips for Successful Jobs Interviewing

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Session 1

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Selection

Committee Candidate

1. The interview is one of the most important

phases of the job search process. Your

resume and cover letter are simply tools

to get you to the interviewing stage.

2. The interview is your opportunity to

convince an employer that you are the

right person for the job.

Purpose of the Interview

The Selection Committee’s role is

to evaluate the candidate’s fit for

the position.

The Candidate’s role is to evaluate

the position for fit with their

personality and career goals.

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You will be questioned about:

• your work experience and education as it relates to the position

• your core competencies as it relates to the position

There will be an opportunity to ask questions of the selection committee.

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Take the time to prepare in advance and the whole process will be

much more comfortable.

What to Expect During the Interview

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Focus of Effort

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Preparing for the Interview

Job interviews are always stressful - even for job seekers who have gone on

countless interviews. The best way to reduce the stress is to be prepared.

Most applicants are rejected at the application stage of recruitment so, if you

have been invited to an interview, you have already impressed the employer.

So, you can be confident and prepare thoroughly for the interview to give

yourself the best chance.

Focus 50% of your efforts on preparation • Fine tune your resume and cover letter – tailor

them to the specific position/notice of job

competition

• Mentally prepare yourself for the questions you

may be asked, and what you would like to talk

about

40% during the interview, and 10% after the

interview for follow up.

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• Too many of us miss out on the job we have wanted for so long because we did not represent our skills and experience to the best of our abilities.

• These days, you can’t just show up at an interview without doing your homework first and expect to ace it.

• Make sure that you are as prepared as possible………

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How to Put Your Best Foot Forward

Rehearse Review Research

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Research the job… • review the College website

• examine the specific department’s profile

• browse the Strategic Plan

• study the position description or job fact sheet

• read the job posting

You will want to be able to answer the following: • how did you prepare for today’s interview

• how does the department fit into the plan

• how does the position help the department reach plan goals

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Research

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Review the job description and job posting, write down the skills,

education, competencies and experience that are required for the

job.

Review your education, skills, experience and accomplishments

that are applicable to the job you are applying for.

Create a T graph and on one side list the jobs requirements and on

the other map your skills, experience and accomplishments to

them.

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Review

What is required?

What do I have?

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Review (Continued)

Recall past situations and develop examples that exemplify your

abilities to perform the tasks and responsibilities of the job.

BE SPECIFIC!

Give facts, figures, dates, where, when and how.

Write out the examples. This not only crystallizes and organizes

your thoughts, but logs the details in your mind.

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Rehearse

• Rehearse your answers for the difficult types of questions until you have them

down pat.

• Rehearse your accomplishments until you know them inside out and backwards.

You want to be able to highlight any skill or competency that you think can be

thrown at you.

• Rehearse the interview in your head or with another person. Practicing a mock

interview can:

• boost your confidence

• provide feedback in a low stress environment, and help you realize where your

strengths and weaknesses are

• prepare you to navigate the behavioural based questions

• All the great athletes visualize success before they go and compete. Do the

same, play the interview in your head and see yourself confidently answering all

those questions easily. By the time you actually are interviewing, it will be like an

old hat, as this is at least the fourth time you've gone through it.

QUESTIONS

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