Miami University Office of Career Services

Interviewing Techniques & Interviewing Techniques & Professional EtiquetteProfessional Etiquette

Overview:Overview:Types and Styles of InterviewingTypes and Styles of Interviewing

Preparation for InterviewsPreparation for InterviewsThe Interview ItselfThe Interview ItselfInterview EtiquetteInterview Etiquette

Other IssuesOther IssuesAfter the InterviewAfter the Interview

Office of Career Services

Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pmMonday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm

241 Hoyt Hall, Western Campus241 Hoyt Hall, Western Campus529-3831529-3831

www.muohio.edu/careers/www.muohio.edu/careers/

Services & Programs

• See our See our Overview of Services Overview of Services brochure brochure for a full listing of services or check our for a full listing of services or check our Web site: www.muohio.edu/careers/Web site: www.muohio.edu/careers/

• See our printedSee our printed Programs Programs calendar or calendar or check our Web site for a full listing of our check our Web site for a full listing of our programs and workshops.programs and workshops.

New Resources

Vault Online Career Library provides Vault Online Career Library provides access to:access to:Over 80 Vault guidebooksOver 80 Vault guidebooksOver 3,500 company profilesOver 3,500 company profiles

WetFeet is an online service that allows WetFeet is an online service that allows you to research careers, search for jobs, you to research careers, search for jobs, research companies, and prepare for research companies, and prepare for interviews.interviews.

Introduction

• An interview is a goal-oriented exchange An interview is a goal-oriented exchange of information between two or more of information between two or more people.people.

• It provides an opportunity for applicants It provides an opportunity for applicants and employers to mutually evaluate the and employers to mutually evaluate the fitfit between the applicant’s qualifications between the applicant’s qualifications and the position being considered.and the position being considered.

Objectives of the Interview

• Expand on information contained in your Expand on information contained in your resume and supply information not in resume and supply information not in your resume (e.g., personality, oral your resume (e.g., personality, oral communication skills, etc.).communication skills, etc.).

• Gain additional information about the job Gain additional information about the job and organization.and organization.

Employer Concerns in Hiring

• You may lack the necessary skills.You may lack the necessary skills.

• You might leave after only a short time.You might leave after only a short time.

• It could take you too long to master the It could take you too long to master the job.job.

• You may not get along with others.You may not get along with others.

• You might always have to be told what to You might always have to be told what to do next -- lacking initiative.do next -- lacking initiative.

Employer Questions to Get at these Concerns

““What would be an ideal job for you?”What would be an ideal job for you?”

fearfear: The job that they have is not what you : The job that they have is not what you want. Afraid you will take the job want. Afraid you will take the job

and and then leave for something better.then leave for something better.

Employer Questions to Get at these Concerns

““What skills can you bring to this What skills can you bring to this job?”job?”

fearfear: The employer is afraid you really are : The employer is afraid you really are not able to do the work required not able to do the work required

and and wants you to elaborate on your wants you to elaborate on your resume.resume.

Types of Interviews

• Screening InterviewsScreening Interviews– generalgeneral– used to eliminate unqualified candidatesused to eliminate unqualified candidates– short (30-45 minutes)short (30-45 minutes)– on-campus interviewson-campus interviews– phone interviews phone interviews – group interviews (eye contact)group interviews (eye contact)

Types of Interviews, continued...

• Selection InterviewsSelection Interviews– sometimes referred to as “second interview”sometimes referred to as “second interview”– more specific, thoroughmore specific, thorough– designed to identify most qualified designed to identify most qualified

candidatescandidates– could last up to one hour or morecould last up to one hour or more– often on-siteoften on-site– used to actually make a selection decisionused to actually make a selection decision

Styles of Interviewing• DirectiveDirective– Structured, impersonal, more formalStructured, impersonal, more formal– Not much opportunity to elaborateNot much opportunity to elaborate– All candidates asked the same questionsAll candidates asked the same questions

• Non directiveNon directive– Conversational, informalConversational, informal– Interviewee allowed to take more controlInterviewee allowed to take more control– More opportunity to “sell” yourselfMore opportunity to “sell” yourself

Styles of Interviewing, continued...

• Behavioral Behavioral – Employer asks questions designed to elicit Employer asks questions designed to elicit

real examples of past performance in order real examples of past performance in order to gain insights as to whether candidate will to gain insights as to whether candidate will be successful in the position.be successful in the position.

– ““Give me an example of when you…”Give me an example of when you…”– Provide an in-depth response by drawing Provide an in-depth response by drawing

upon your background, experience and upon your background, experience and knowledge of particular issues. Details!knowledge of particular issues. Details!

Preparation for Interviews

• Know YourselfKnow Yourself– Develop a list of points which best reflect Develop a list of points which best reflect

your skills in relation to the job.your skills in relation to the job.– Think of an example of an experience for Think of an example of an experience for

each point that shows evidence that you each point that shows evidence that you have this strength.have this strength.

– Be prepared to relate these to the job.Be prepared to relate these to the job.– Be sure that the job is compatible with Be sure that the job is compatible with

your work values.your work values.

Preparation, continued...• Know the OrganizationKnow the Organization– Research as much as you can so you have knowledge Research as much as you can so you have knowledge

of its products or services, locations, and needs.of its products or services, locations, and needs.

– Use both printed materials and the Internet.Use both printed materials and the Internet.

– Attend any pre-nights offered.Attend any pre-nights offered.

• Know the Job & Career FieldKnow the Job & Career Field– Ask for job description from employer.Ask for job description from employer.

– Understand your career field - research and talk with Understand your career field - research and talk with people in the field.people in the field.

Preparation, continued...• Clearly Define Your GoalsClearly Define Your Goals– Employers look favorably upon candidates Employers look favorably upon candidates

with specific and well-defined goals.with specific and well-defined goals.– Be ready to articulate these to the employer.Be ready to articulate these to the employer.– Graduate school?Graduate school?

• Consider the MatchConsider the Match– How does this position fit in with your long-How does this position fit in with your long-

range goals?range goals?

Preparation, continued...• Anticipate Most Likely QuestionsAnticipate Most Likely Questions– See pages 13 & 15 of See pages 13 & 15 of InterviewingInterviewing guide for sample guide for sample

interview questions.interview questions.– Brainstorm other questions that might be asked for Brainstorm other questions that might be asked for

this kind of position.this kind of position.– Prepare your answers. You may wish to:Prepare your answers. You may wish to:

• write an outlinewrite an outline

• write in full write in full

• practice with friend practice with friend

• tape record answerstape record answers

• videotape answers (mock interview)videotape answers (mock interview)

Preparation, continued...• Anticipate Gaps or ProblemsAnticipate Gaps or Problems– Examples: Low GPA, having little or no related Examples: Low GPA, having little or no related

experience, six years to finish.experience, six years to finish.– Develop strategy to deal with these.Develop strategy to deal with these.– Explain briefly the situation and go on to Explain briefly the situation and go on to

emphasize strengths and positive points.emphasize strengths and positive points.

• Have Questions for the EmployerHave Questions for the Employer– See guide for ideas (never salary/benefits)See guide for ideas (never salary/benefits)– Shows interest and enthusiasmShows interest and enthusiasm

The Interview Itself

Ask yourself: “What reservations Ask yourself: “What reservations would I have hiring me?” would I have hiring me?”

ReassureReassure the employer that you are the employer that you are the right person for the job!the right person for the job!

Typical Interview• Opening remarksOpening remarks– Informal “chit chat” to put you at easeInformal “chit chat” to put you at ease

• Questions by the interviewerQuestions by the interviewer– Open-ended questionsOpen-ended questions– Behavior-based questionsBehavior-based questions

• Questions by the intervieweeQuestions by the interviewee– Here is where you gain the edgeHere is where you gain the edge

• Closing remarksClosing remarks– Controlled by the interviewerControlled by the interviewer

Suggestions for Answering Questions

• Be honest (but focus on positive qualities).Be honest (but focus on positive qualities).• Listen carefully to questions.Listen carefully to questions.• Don’t be afraid of some silence.Don’t be afraid of some silence.• Be positive about former co-workers and Be positive about former co-workers and

supervisors.supervisors.• Be prepared to discuss salary (only if they Be prepared to discuss salary (only if they

bring it up).bring it up).• Be careful with open-ended questions.Be careful with open-ended questions.• Be ready for behavioral questions.Be ready for behavioral questions.

Responding to Questions• S.T.A.R. Method:S.T.A.R. Method: S = S = SSituationituation

T = T = TTasks Involvedasks Involved

A = A = AAction Takenction Taken

R = R = RResultsesults

• S.T.A.R Method:S.T.A.R Method: Describe a pertinent Describe a pertinent SSituation, along with the ituation, along with the TTasks you were asks you were involved in, the involved in, the AActions you took, and the ctions you took, and the RResults achieved.esults achieved.

Responding to Questions

Question:Question: “Give me an example of a “Give me an example of a time when you had to deal with a time when you had to deal with a difficult client or customer.”difficult client or customer.”

Response:Response: Use STAR Use STAR

(see example in workshop handout)(see example in workshop handout)

Nonverbal Communication• Must be congruent with spoken messageMust be congruent with spoken message

• Specific nonverbalsSpecific nonverbals– Eye contactEye contact– Facial expressionFacial expression– Tone of voice, inflection, volume, speedTone of voice, inflection, volume, speed– HandshakeHandshake– Posture (standing & sitting), hands, feetPosture (standing & sitting), hands, feet– Non-wordsNon-words

Expressing Interest or Enthusiasm

• Think of interview as a positive learning Think of interview as a positive learning experience.experience.

• Ask good questions.Ask good questions.

• Be punctual. Be punctual.

• Note interviewer’s name.Note interviewer’s name.

• Bring resume, transcript, reference list, Bring resume, transcript, reference list, and, if appropriate, a portfolio.and, if appropriate, a portfolio.

What to Wear• Dress professionally and conservatively, Dress professionally and conservatively,

unless advised to the contrary by the unless advised to the contrary by the employer.employer.

• Suit is the basic element for men and Suit is the basic element for men and women.women.

• For men, ties are a must.For men, ties are a must.

• Avoid Avoid distractingdistracting jewelry, nail polish, make- jewelry, nail polish, make-up, cologne, or perfume.up, cologne, or perfume.

• Don’t forget to have polished shoes.Don’t forget to have polished shoes.

Handling Illegal Questions• Various federal, state, and local laws regulate the Various federal, state, and local laws regulate the

questions a prospective employer can ask you.questions a prospective employer can ask you.

• An employer’s questions -- whether on the job An employer’s questions -- whether on the job application, in the interview, or during the testing application, in the interview, or during the testing process -- must be related to the job you are process -- must be related to the job you are seeking.seeking.

• Read Appendix D “How to Handle Improper or Read Appendix D “How to Handle Improper or Illegal Interview Questions.”Illegal Interview Questions.”

Concluding the Interview

• Reiterate your interest and your key Reiterate your interest and your key skills. skills.

• Be specific - ASK FOR THE JOB!Be specific - ASK FOR THE JOB!

• Request a business card.Request a business card.

• Ask about when you can expect to Ask about when you can expect to receive further word on your status (if receive further word on your status (if they have not already told you).they have not already told you).

After the Interview

• Write down notes about the job and Write down notes about the job and employer.employer.

• Evaluate your performance.Evaluate your performance.

• Send interviewer a short thank-you letter.Send interviewer a short thank-you letter.

• If receive second interview, prepare (see If receive second interview, prepare (see InterviewingInterviewing guide). guide).