Networking for Interview Success

Tips, Techniques and TakeawaysWritten by: Heather Coleman-Voss, Training FacilitatorEdited by: Ron Marshall, Assistant Training Facilitator

Ferndale Career Center713 East Nine Mile Road

Ferndale, MI 48220248.545.0222

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6/28/11

Hope and Ideas for Metro Detroit Job Seekers - Terry Bean, Motor City Connect

#MIsuccess

Your interview can begin before the employer ever calls you:

• In-Person Networking

• Social Media for Career Success

• Personal Branding

Strategic Interviewing Strategic Interviewing in the Year 2011in the Year 2011

Networking Happens Everywhere

• A wedding• The grocery store• Networking events• Conferences• Workshops• The bus stop• BBQ• Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Quora | Blog Posts | Websites

Sample Business Cardwww.vistaprint.com

Or try http://us.moo.com/partner/freepack

Personal Branding Statement:

(Previously called a ‘motto’ or

‘tagline’)

Choose a title that best

describes you professionally

Use strong, descriptive

Bullet points to describe

who you are professionally.No address is

necessary on your business

card.

Where can your new contact find you? Phone number, professional email address, professional online profiles (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Blog) – consider a two-sided card.

Place your namewhere the font size

Is largest.

The Professional “Tool Kit”: More Than Meets the Eye

Does your portfolio contain the following?: Notepad, two

black pens, 10 copies of each version of your resume

and a pocket for your business cards.

Use the notepad to occasionally take notesduring the interview. This gives you points

to refer to as you ask questions. Writing down what an interviewer says also gives him/her a “positive psychological stroke.”

If you find yourself needingan “eye-contact break,” jot

down a note and exhale. This will help you to calm down

and refocus.

Occasionally, you may find yourself interviewing in a room with no table, or in frontof the interviewer’s desk. In these cases, the portfolio can be used as a prop or a

makeshift “table” – this reduces the stress of feeling too exposed.

Job Interview Tips by @MaggieMistal

Integrating Your Research Ask questions specific to the organization during the interview based

on your research. This shows your interest in the company and fosters conversation between you and the interviewers, which is your goal.

Sample Questions to Ask1. What is your philosophy of customer service?2. What is the organizational vision for the next five years?3. Would you describe the company culture?4. What are your expectations for this position?5. You have been here for X amount of years – what is it

about this organization that keeps you here?6. Are there opportunities for internal promotion?7. What projects are you working on currently?8. Is your organization involved with community-based

projects?9. Would you describe the management style?10. What types of new products or services do you see

yourself offering in the future?

Interview or Meeting?

• By thinking of the interview as a meeting you are placing less importance on the interviewer’s “power.”

• You are a professional and have much to offer - enter the interview with this mindset and reduce your stress level significantly.

• Remember - it’s all about the conversation

Sooo…What the Heck Is Going On Here?

The Job Interview

Importance of Body Language

Body Language, Eye Contact and Mirroring Can you interpret the body language of others? What message are you receiving? What message is

the interviewer giving? Are you mirroring the interviewer? Are you using hand gestures? Is the eye contact natural and sincere?

Facial Expressions Test

Active Listening •Listen to learn•Listen to understand•Listen to succeed•Listen to build relationships

The person that can master the art of proactive listening will master the art of rapport and success.

©2011 Lou Ludwig, Sales and Management Consulting, Success Coach, Speaker, Trainer and Author

 

*Listening is not just waiting to talk. It is actually hearing what the other person

is saying.

Mark Bowden - Body Language

Behavioral Interviewing

Problem: What happened?

Action: How did you handle it?

Result: What was the positive

outcome?

P.A.R. – PROBLEM. ACTION. RESULT.

“Keeper Stories”

1. Study behavioral interview questions

2. Come up with a true work story that fits at least three questions.

3. Type up 10 – 15 of these “keeper stories.”

4. Read them until you are sick to death of them!

Why?

Once you are sick of them…guess what?

You’ve memorized them and no longer have to be stressed about answering interview questions!

What’s Your Story?Jot down four “Keeper Story” ideas for the practice

interview!

1.

2.

3.

4.

Group Break-Out: Mock Interviews

• By rotating through the group, each person will have the opportunity to be interviewed, and serve as part of the “panel.”

• The first person will be interviewed by the rest of the group (use questions provided on the next slide as a guide).

• After completing the five minute interview, the group will give feedback to the “interviewee.”

• The “interviewee” will record the feedback on the scoring sheet provided and return to the panel.

• The next person takes a turn as the “interviewee.”• Continue until each person has been interviewed.

Behavioral Interview Questions for the Interviewer

1. What is your typical way of dealing with conflict?2. Tell me about a time you were able to successfully deal with another person

even when that individual may not have personality liked you?3. Give me an example of a time when something you tried to accomplish failed.4. Tell me about a time when you delegated a project effectively.5. Describe a time when you anticipated potential problems and developed

preventive measures.6. How would you describe yourself in terms of your ability to work as a member

of a team?7. Have you ever had difficulty with a supervisor? How did you resolve the

conflict?8. What personal weakness has caused you the greatest difficulty on the job?9. What kinds of things have you done on the job that were beyond

expectations?10.Describe a time when you were faced with a stressful situation that

demonstrated your coping skills.11.How do you adapt to a wide variety of people, situations and environments?

Give examples.12.How do you handle high-pressure situations?

Moving Forward – Your Action Plan

• Figure out what you want to do!• Start networking• Establish your personal brand • Open your professional social media profiles:

LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter• Order your business cards• Write down your “Keeper Stories”• Practice interviewing with other FCC job seekers

off-site

Get connected to us today:Heather Coleman-Voss• twitter.com/HeatherEColeman• facebook.com/HeatherEColeman• facebook.com/CareerSavvy• linkedIn.com/in/HeatherEColeman• www.leadswag.com

Ron Marshall• twitter.com/Ron_Marshall• facebook.com/ronmarshall• linkedIn.com/in/ronmarshall

Ferndale Career Center• twitter.com/ferndalecareer• facebook.com/ferndalecareercenter• linkedin.com/in/ferndalecareercenter• ferndalecareercenter.wordpress.com• #FerndaleCC

Facebook Group: Career Savvy – A Career, Business and Networking Group