Interview Techniques, questions and preparations for it.
- 2. Interviewing - What is it? • An interview is a structured conversation where one participant asks questions, and the other provides answers. In common parlance, the word "interview" refers to a one-on-one conversation between an interviewer and an interviewee. • Interviewing is a skill- like riding your bike, PRACTICE makes PERFECT
- 3. Interviewing is a two-way street • Employers are attempting to determine if you are an appropriate fit for the job and their culture • You decide if the environment is right for you.
- 4. Types of Interviews ● Phone: used as an initial screen of candidates or to narrow the pool of applicants. ● One-on-One: most common interview style and incorporates you with the potential employer. ● Panel or Group: allows many individuals to interview you at once. ● Meal: used to see how you interact or function in a social setting. ● Second or On-site Interview: this allows one to get a tour of the facility, meet the staff, and additional questioning from different employees and/or administration.
- 5. Pre-Interview Preparation ● Always research position, company, & industry. ● Know yourself and be able to articulate skills, strengths, accomplishments, and career goals. ● Prepare necessary materials (Copies of resume, references, portfolio/pen, notepad or organizer, breath mints). ● Ask for directions and where to park.
- 6. Arriving ● Be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to arrive at your destination (you may want to conduct a dry run prior to your interview day). ● Try to arrive 10-15 minutes early at the site to allow you to park, walk to the interview, use the restroom, or just gather yourself.
- 7. Greeting & Introduction ● Only 1 chance to make a good 1st impression: ● Dress appropriately ● Smile ● Maintain eye contact ● Firm handshake ● Remain poised and confident
- 8. Body Language: What signals are you sending? Positive Signals ● Leaning forward = interest ● Smiling = friendly ● Nodding = attentive and alert ● Eye contact = curious and focused Negative Signals ● Crossed arms = defensive ● Fidgeting hands or tapping feet = nervous or bored ● Lack of eye contact = untrustworthy ● Leaning back= discomfort
- 9. Types of Interview Questions Standard / Traditional targeting your education, work experiences, and career goals Sample Questions ● Tell me about yourself? ● What is your greatest strength? Weakness? ● Why did you choose to interview with us? ● What did you like most about your last job? Least? ● What are your short and long term career goals?
- 10. Types of Interview Questions Behavioral Questions • These focus on your actions and/or behaviors in a previous setting. • Past behavior provides clues to future behavior Sample Questions ● Describe a time you had to make a difficult decision? ● Tell me about a time you worked under a deadline? ● What do you do when a team member is not pulling his/her weight? ● Think about a time you made a mistake. What did you learn from it?
- 11. Types of Interview Questions Inappropriate or unethical questions • Questions which probe into your private life or personal background • Questions about your ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disabilities, marital status Sample Questions ● How old are you? ● Do you have children? ● Do you have a disability? ● What religion do you practice?
- 12. Types of Interview Questions Questions asked by you, the Interviewee To determine if you are an appropriate fit for the company and position, prepare a list of questions for the interviewer Sample Questions ● What type of assignments can I expect within the first year? ● What do you like most about this company? ● What is the biggest challenge facing this department right now? ● What skills are you looking for in this position? ● What is the next course of action?
- 13. General Interview Strategies ● Be prepared to talk about yourself and your experiences. ● Master the art of storytelling. ● Provide specific and concrete examples of your results/accomplishments. ● Remain positive, enthusiastic, poised, and confident throughout the interview process.
- 14. General Interview Strategies ● Remember an interview is a formal conversation--avoid filler words like “Um”, “Ah”, & “You know”. ● Avoid indecisive phrases like: “I think,” “I guess,” “probably,” or “pretty good”. ● Think before speaking. ● Avoid long verbose answers--limit your response to 1-2 minutes. ● If you do not hear or understand a question, ask them to repeat or clarify it for you.
- 15. General Interview Strategies ● Remain calm, relaxed, and be yourself. ● Try to focus on the message you are trying to convey--NOT how well you are doing!
- 16. Dressing for Success-Men ● Polished shoes ● Solid white shirt ● Conservative tie ● Neatly groomed hair, beard, and mustache ● Avoid strong colognes, earrings, and body piercing
- 18. FOLLOW-UP ● Ask good questions. ● Thank the interviewer. ● Request a business card. ● Inquire about next steps in the process.
- 19. FOLLOW-UP CONT ● Send a thank you note within 24 hours. ● Letter may be handwritten or typed; e-mail is also acceptable. ● Tailor each one to the individual.
- 21. Final Thoughts ● Remember that only 15% of the success of an interview is out of your control. ● Take some time to reflect… ● Overall, how well did I do? ● What went well? ● What steps can I take next time to improve?
- 22. Suggestions ● Conduct a test run the day before the interview. ● Practice! Practice! Practice! ● Refer to the list of practice interview questions provided in the packet and jot down short answers. ● Stand in front of a mirror and rehearse your answers. ● Schedule an appointment for a mock interview with Career Services. ● Get a good night’s sleep and be well rested and alert for the interview. ● Remain relaxed and be yourself!
- 23. Thank You!