behavioral interviewing skills 2005

8/8/2019 Behavioral Interviewing Skills 2005

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1X551 Grimm Spring 2005

X551 Career Management

Sharpening Your BehavioralInterviewing Skills

March 26, 2005


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222x551 Grimm Spring 2005

Todays Objectives

You will be better able to:

Complete the necessary pre-interview research &preparation

Deliver an attention getting 90 secondintroduction

Answer behavioral questions confidently withpowerful C-A-R responses

Deal with tough questions directly


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Todays Agenda

Research & Preparation

Interviewing Wisdom

Skill Practice

Summary / Wrap-up


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Research & Preparation


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Research & Preparation: CompanyBackground

History, Size, Growth Rate

Profitability

Lines of Business: Products/Services

Financial Performance / Investor Relations

Senior Management Players

Company Culture

Organizational Structure

Major Competition

Current News e.g., M&A, downsizing


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Research & Preparation: IndustryTrends

Segmentation of Industry

Historic/Recent Trends

Top Quartile Companies

Job Growth/Current Recruiting Demand

Compensation Practices

Characteristics of Candidates


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Research & Preparation: Sources

1. Company Website

2. Annual Reports

3. 10K, 10Q Reports

4. Quarterly Statements

5. Position Description

6. Experience the product / service

7. News Releases

8. Hoovers, Nelsons (fee based)


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Research & Preparation:C-A-R Responses

GCS recommends you prepare a C-A-Rresponse for every selection criteria,even if they dont ask about thatparticular skill.


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Context Explain the circumstances forthe example

Actions What did you do toaccomplish the results?

Result describe the outcome of youractions


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Q: Give an example of when you had to persuadeothers to your point of view.

PoorA: I was part of the negotiating team for my

department when we negotiated our last contract.Let me tell you the bargaining on this one was

tough; no one wanted to give an inch. But in theend we got them to agree to most of ourdemands.


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Better

C: I was part of the negotiating team for my department. Thesupplier wanted a large increase of 8%

A: Listened carefully to the suppliers needs

A: Collected data to support my argument on why 8% wasunreasonable

A: Presented analytical data to support our position for only a 4%versus 8% increase

A: Worked with management to change requirements, so lesscostly to supplier

R: The final agreement was for only a 5% increase, saving us$500,000. I learned the importance of listening to supplier,collection of data, and managements support for the plan.


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Other C-A-R Tips

1. Be careful of incomplete C-A-Rs

2. Be careful of false C-A-Rs such as:-Vague Statements (My overtime was about

average)

-Opinions (I think the key to effective

leadership is)-Theoretical statements (The next time I face

this challenge, I will)


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Interview Wisdom


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Interview Wisdom

1. You Never Get a Second Chance to Make aFirst Impression

2. Practice, Practice, Practice3. Just answer the questionthen wait for the

next question

4. Do your homework; preparation counts and

can differentiate you from the competition5. Come prepared with thoughtful questions


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Interview Wisdom

6. #1 complaint from job interviewers is lack ofunderstanding of the company for whichcandidates are interviewing

7. Eliminate verbal pauses

8. Follow-up

9. Respond to questions in 2 parts: a) answer thequestion directly, and b) relate your responseback to the position description


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Interview Wisdom

10. When you walk out, you should know exactlywhat and when the next step is

11. Suggest over and over what is common among

your skill set, experience, and interests and theposition requirements

12. Or put another way, it is far easier for you tocomprehend the job requirements than forthem to understand the complexities of you

13. Expect multiple hoops & hurdles


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Interview Wisdom

14. Dont be caught off guard byinappropriate questions; decide how you

will answer them e.g., What year did yougraduate? Do you have a family? Whatdoes your mother/father do?

15. Answer tough questions directly andconcisely; for example


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Interview Wisdom

Tough questions

Why are you leaving your present job?

What are your weaknesses?

Tell me about a failure of yours

Give me an example of some tough feedbackyouve received

How long do you plan to stay with us? Why should we hire you?

What is/was your base salary?


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Interview Wisdom

16. Summarize what you bring to the table

and how it fits with the positionrequirements

17.Youre the only person who will find you

the next job


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Skill Practice


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Skill Practice: Instructions

To improve our ability to deliver anattention getting 90 secondintroduction, answer behavioralquestions confidently w/ C-A-Rresponses, deal with tough questions

directly, and conclude with a crispsummary of what I can do for you


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1. 10 teams of approximately 6 each

2. 6 rotations 13 15 minutes each

3. Each rotation includes skill practice & critique

4. Candidates should clarify the interviewsituation e.g., portfolio management

5. Skill practice includes:

90 Second IntroductionBehavior interviewing e.g. C-A-R responses

Tough questions

Summary comments


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5. Teams take panel interview approach, startingwith tell me about yourself to why do youbelieve we should hire you

6. Candidates not allowed to respond duringcritiqueonly listen & take notes

7. Appoint a timekeeper to stay on track

8. One team member to facilitatefeedback/critique

9. Return promptly by 11:30 a.m.


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Summary / Wrap-up

Mock Interviews 4/11 & 4/12; schedule viaOncourse

Schedule 1 on 1 career counseling asappropriate

Continue to develop Portfolio

Dick McCracken joining us again next week


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behavioral interviewing skills 2005

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