Acing The Interview ( Fall 2010)
- 1. Acing the Interview Connecting students to global careers! Paul Hutchinson, Asst. Director phutchin@jhsph.edu Career Services Office 2017 E. Monument St. 410-955-3034
- 2. Why do I have to interview? For the employer… They are trying to gauge whether you will fit into the organization’s culture AND How you can be a part of the solution to any existing problem = replacing or finding a qualified worker! For you… You’re trying you gauge whether this is the best culture for me AND How they see the ideal candidate for the job
- 3. What do employers say they’re looking for? Strong skill sets •Communication Skills •Leadership Skills •Technical Skills •Analytical Skills •Teamwork Skills •Interpersonal Skills •Problem Solving Skills Personality Characteristics •Honesty/Integrity •Flexibility/Adaptability •Work Ethic •Motivation/Initiative •Academic Achievement
- 4. But, what they’re really looking for is… • how will your personality fit in this organization • how interested are you in doing the work • how long do you plan on staying here • can you work in a team setting • can I (or we) count on you to get the job done A conservative estimate is that you will spend at least 2100 hours a year working at an organization and it wants to be sure it knows what it will get out of you
- 5. Interviewing – A conversation about you • If you’ve been called for an interview, then it means at least two things… - you have the minimum qualifications - someone thinks you can do the job • The best types of interviews are the ones where you evolve into a conversation with your interviewer – If you get to this point, hopefully your conversation will begin to center around your passions and interests – If your interview is just question, then answer, question, then answer, it might not be going so well
- 6. Interviewing = Personality Interviews are all about how your personality is going to “fit” into: • an organization’s culture • a team’s group dynamics • a supervisor’s working style • the various personality types The interviewer really is trying to dig at or probe into what type of personality you have so it is best to act as natural as possible to allow your personality to come out
- 7. Preparing for the Interview Prepare so well that you don’t care how well you do Enter the interview with a strong confidence in you The less nervous you can be, the more likely your personality will be natural You will not have a perfect interview – it doesn’t exist Bad interviews are not bad – there are just ones that you can learn from Interviewing is a practiced skill – the more you do it, the better you will get at it
- 8. Common mistakes to avoid • Always be courteous to everyone you meet. The person you shirk in the lobby or the parking garage could be someone of importance! • Start at the beginning. Don’t miss details when completing the application and submitting your resume. Avoid “see resume,” the application is a legal document and should be completed in its entirety. • When interviewing, do not ask the recruiter or manager to refer to your resume. Be ready to restate much of the information provided. • Pay attention to your body language! Don’t stare out the window, pick your fingernails or fold your arms. You come across as uninterested. • Be specific. As you talk, it may be easy to stray onto a different topic. Always remember the original question and be sure you have answered it. • Check, recheck and then have someone else check your resume. Spelling, grammatical and punctuation errors can all send a message to a perspective employer. • Know yourself, know the company, and know what job you are interviewing for!
- 9. Interview process Typically, there are initial, short- term interviews – Called either telephone or screening interviews – Usually will last 20-30 minutes Purpose – Sifting through the masses – Finding the “cream of the crop” – Used to eliminate unqualified candidates
- 10. Telephone/Screening Interview Tips for a good phone interview 1.Be an active listener •Lack of non-verbal cues 1.Show energy and excitement on the phone •SMILE!!!! 1.Express appreciation for the call 2.Avoid verbal tics •No umms, hmms, likes, you knows 1.Have everything in front of you – resume, notes, and calendar. •It ‘s like an open book exam 1.Make sure it’s the right time & place for the call •Find a quiet room 1.Be sure you’re speaking on a land line •Cell phones could get disconnected or distorted
- 11. Case Interviewing •Taken from a real life situation or from your resume •Looking at candidate’s analytical ability •Perception of the big picture •Problem solving logic •Letting the candidate direct the course – choose value •Business Intuition •Results oriented •Intended to… –test a candidate’s ability to handle a problem or opportunity –perform under pressure, –make use of resources and come up with creative solutions Best places for information on case interviewing
- 12. Panel Interview Why organizations like them? •Way for organization to save time and to gain a group consensus •You will not have to interview with each candidate individually and repeat yourself – all parties hear the same answers •Interviewers can ask questions relative to their department, unit, or division How to be successful at time? •Choose the person(s) on the panel who seem to favor you, but... •Don’t ignore the others •this will ultimately be a group decision, and your “friend(s)” on the panel may be able to sway any doubters Usually made up of 3-6 people from the same or various areas of organization ---possibly not always the areas you will be working in!!
- 13. Mealtime/Social Setting Interview Used as method to assess performance in a social situation Tips for successful social interview •Take cues from the interviewer –Discuss topics via the interview – if talking travel, talk travel not job responsibilities •Your manners should be impeccable •Have a pleasant and open attitude •Thank the interviewer for the food •Don’t talk about matters that are too personal, or ask personal questions •Order manageable foods, e.g. avoid red sauce –Check your teeth in the restroom •Do not drink (if you do drink in this setting keep to a minimum), smoke or use profanity –Candidates often get too relaxed and begin “letting their guard down”
- 14. Image – the 1st impression 60% is the... way you look (are dressed) 30% is the… way you physically present yourself (body language) what you have to say10% is … Women’s Image Wardrobe •Wear a skirt and jacket (matched or unmatched) or a dress and jacket in plain style •Wear fashionable shoes, preferably heeled, and always tights or stockings •Make up should be discreet and carefully applied •Avoid dangly earrings, clanking bracelets and floppy scarves •If you have loops on your dress/skirt, wear a belt Men’s Image Wardrobe •It is generally wise to wear a dark suit and a lighter shirt and a dark tie (avoid garish patterns and bow ties) •Wear black shoes and never suede, must be polished
- 15. Positive Body Language 1. Enter a room confidently and look pleased to be there 2. Smile!!!! – Show enthusiasm 3. Firm handshake – NO vice-like grip or dead fish hand 4. Sit back in your seat and place your feet firmly on the floor 5. Body spacing - Do not stand too near someone – about three feet away is acceptable 6. Sit upright and lean forward slightly 7. Speak clearly 8. Control your tempo – don’t speak too fast or too slow
- 16. Interview Questions With any interview, there are the “asked questions” and there are the “questions-behind-the-questions”. Questions are usually open-ended and used to probe deeper into you as a person. Questions are not usually asked to make you look bad or perform badly during the interview.
- 17. Commonly Asked Interview Questions Tell me a little about yourself.
- 18. Commonly Asked Interview Questions What do you see yourself doing five years from now?
- 19. Commonly Asked Interview Questions Name two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction and why?
- 20. Commonly Asked Interview Questions How do you think a friend, classmate, or professor, who knows you well would describe you?
- 21. Commonly Asked Interview Questions Tell me what you know about our organization?
- 22. Commonly Asked Interview Questions When presented with a variety of tasks, how do you prioritize your activities?
- 23. Commonly Asked Interview Questions If you had the luxury of creating the ideal work environment, what would it look like to you?
- 24. Commonly Asked Interview Questions Why should I hire you?
- 25. Interview Questions & QBQ Tell me a little about yourself. QBQ = How do you view yourself? What do you see yourself doing five years from now? QBQ = How committed are you? What two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction? Why? QBQ = What do you value? How do you think a friend, classmate, or professor, who knows you well would describe you? QBQ = What is your personality type? Tell me what you know about our organization? QBQ = Did you do your homework on us? When presented with a variety of tasks, how do you prioritize your activities? QBQ = How do you work? What is your work process? If you had the luxury of creating the ideal work environment, what would it look like to you? QBQ = How do you like to work with others? Why should I hire you? QBQ = Explain to me why you are qualified for this position?
- 26. Behavioral Interview Questions Behavioral questions are used to show how previous behavior can predict future performance You will be asked to describe problem-solving skills, adaptability, leadership, conflict resolution, multitasking, or stress management There are no wrong answers to these questions. The key here is to be specific. Tip: Don’t get caught up in the story!!
- 27. Sample Behavioral Interview Questions Describe to me an example of an important goal you had set and tell me about your progress in reaching it.
- 28. Sample Behavioral Interview Questions Give an example of a time when you could not participate in a discussion or could not finish a task because you did not have enough information.
- 29. Sample Behavioral Interview Questions Tell me about a time when you had to use you spoken communications skills in order to get a point across that was important to you.
- 30. Sample Behavioral Interview Questions Give me an example of a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get the job done.
- 31. Sample Behavioral Interview Questions Describe the most significant written document, report, or presentation that you've completed.
- 32. Illegal Questions & Asking Questions Illegal Questions Most employers are familiar with the laws regarding what questions they can ask and what they can not ask. If you feel a question is inappropriate, don’t get upset and refuse to answer. –Ask the question “Can you tell me how that pertains to the job” in a polite and respective way Asking Questions You should have questions prepared. It is your chance to interview the interviewer Don’t ask questions that can be readily found on the company website Ask questions that will directly affect you or shows your interest in the companies success
Editor's Notes
- #3: If you’ve been called for an interview: you have the minimum qualifications someone thinks you can do the job Employer’s perspective -What does the interviewer have to determine? Will you fit into the corporate culture? Can you be counted on? Can you do the job? SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEWING TACTICS Develop accomplishment stories – highlight challenges and results Create dynamic professional resume with bullets from the accomplishments Intellectual and Image Preparation –Competitive Intelligence, Appearance, Effective Communication Conducting the Interview – Concise skill summary, Conversational versus Inquisitional Thank you letters to all interviewers – opportunity to highlight skills
- #9: Examples of people that were rude to the receptionist, cut the director off in the garage, rude to a former employee. Some recruiters will not consider or refer your application if it is incomplete; other necessary info that is not included on a resume. The recruiter/manager can read. It is a matter of having you express clearly and convincingly your abilities. Examples of lady picking nails, scab, cuticles. Applicants too relaxed, uninterested in the interview. Always come back to the topic and do not stray too long in making a side point– it must be relevant. For certain jobs, this may eliminate you as a candidate all together, i.e. a secretary, coordinator, writer, editor, etc. This last one sounds ridiculous. But if you know yourself there is no need to be worried; you can talk easily about what you know, your interests, and your abilities. It is important to know about the organization, its goals and mission. Never interview when you have not read the job description and highlighted areas to talk about.
- #12: Case Study Interview McKinsey & Co. - http://www.mckinsey.com/careers/how_do_i_apply/how_to_do_well_in_the_interview.aspx Bain & Co. - http://www.bain.com/bainweb/Join_Bain/case_interviews.asp Vault - http://careerlib.vault.com/cb/careerlib/careerlib_main.jsp?cl_page=68
- #13: Group interview conducted by three or more; panelists may come from different departments; ask questions relative to their work and the job
- #14: Lunch or dinner interview Dining with potential boss and/or co-workers; used to assess your social skills
- #15: Image Tips for All: Keep it conservative Do not wear cologne or perfume It feels like a uniform because it is a uniform Be aware of all details (the shine on your shoes, nail polish chips, etc.)
- #26: Commonly Asked Interview Questions Personal questions (objective) Tell me a little about yourself. Tell me how has your degree helped you (in preparation for your career)? Why are you interested in a career in _______? Why did you choose the career for which you are preparing? What do you see yourself doing five years from now? How do you plan to achieve your career goals? What do you consider to be your greatest strength? Weakness? How do you think a friend, classmate, or professor, who knows you well would describe you? What two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction? Why? Homework questions (research) Tell me what you know about our organization? What aspects of our organization are appealing to you? What criteria do you use to evaluate the organization for which you want o work? In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to our organization? Work process questions When presented with a variety of tasks, how do you prioritize your activities? This position requires a great deal of organization and attention to detail. Please describe a situation in which you have organized a project. Work with others questions If you had the luxury of creating the ideal work environment, what would it look like to you? Describe a time when you came in conflict with someone and how did you handle it? Qualification questions Why did you decide to seek a position with our organization? Why should I hire you? Behavioral Interview Questions Give an example of a time when you could not participate in a discussion or could not finish a task because you did not have enough information. Give an example of a time when you had to be relatively quick in coming to a decision. Tell me about a time when you had to use you spoken communications skills in order to get a point across that was important to you. Give me an example of a time when you user you fact-finding skills to gain information needed to solve a problem; then tell me how you analyzed the information and come to a decision. Give me an example of an important goal you had set and tell me about your progress in reaching it. Describe the most significant written document, report, or presentation that you've completed. Give me an example of a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get the job done. Describe a time when you felt was necessary to modify or change your actions in order to respond to the needs of another person. What did you do in a project or class to contribute toward a teamwork environment? Be specific. Questions to Ask During an Interview Prepare a list of well-researched questions to ask the interviewer. Keep in mind that your questions should reflect the amount of research you have done rather than your lack of research. The questions below are guidelines; create and adapt questions to meet your individual needs and interview situation. Which parts of the job are most challenging? What do you enjoy most about your job? Least? What activities are routinely performed in this job? What other departments/divisions do you interact with the most? How much travel is involved and to where? How are new product teams formed? Where will the position be located? Will relocation be required in the future? To where? What is the length of the training program/period? What is the average time to move within a particular career path?