Job InterviewsSuccessful Strategies for Interviewing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1ucmfPOBV8

Preparing for an Interview Research the company Study yourself to identify how your

qualifications match the job Be ready to provide clear, specific

evidence of your qualifications Plan a professional appearance Plan to arrive several minutes early Practice

Effective Interviewee Behaviors

Look interested — attentive posture and eye contact

Avoid negative mannerisms Be able to avoid answering illegal

questions without offending the interviewer

Effective Interviewee Behaviors

Opening Greet the interviewer by name with a

smile, direct eye contact, a firm handshake

Wait for the interviewer to ask you to be seated

Sit erect and lean forward slightly to convey interest

Effective Interviewee Behaviors

Body of the Interview Explain how your qualifications relate to

the job requirements using specific examples

Ask pertinent questions that communicate intelligence and interest in the company

Allow the interviewer to initiate a discussion of salary and benefits▪ Be prepared to provide a general salary range

for applicants with your qualifications

Effective Interviewee Behaviors

Closing the interview Watch for cues the interview is ending▪ Rise, accept the interviewer’s handshake and

communicate enthusiasm Express appreciation for the interview

and say you are eager to hear from the company

Research the Company

Why? To show your interested Provides an edge over other candidates You may be asked any of the following questions:▪ What do you know about our company?▪ Why do you want to work here?▪ What do you think it takes to be successful in this career?

How? Company websites Contact the company and ask for literature or

details about the position you are applying for Networking

Practice Interviewing

Step 1: Prepare answers to common interview questions

Step 2: Rehearse with a friend or videotape yourself

2 Types of Interview Questions

Traditional Ex. “Tell me about yourself.” Ex. “Do you prefer to work alone or in a

group?” Behavioral

Used to predict future on-the-job behaviors

General Interview Questions Tell me about your recent work experience(s). Why did you leave your previous place of

employment? Why are there gaps in your employment

history? What strengths and weaknesses would you

bring to this position? What is your understanding of this position

and what skills do you bring to the position? What types of job responsibilities do you find

to be most rewarding? Why? What types of job responsibilities do you find

to be most frustrating? Why?

Behavioral Interview Questions Describe a situation in which you were able to use

persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things your way.

Describe a time when you were faced with a stressful situation that demonstrated your coping skills.

Give me an example of a time when you set a goal and were able to meet or achieve it.

Give me a specific example of a time when you had to conform to a policy with which you did not agree.

Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.

Tell me about a time when you had too many things to do and you were required to prioritize your tasks.

Behavioral Interview Questions S-A-R Method

Situation Action Result

Question: Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to

successfully convince someone to see things your way.

Answer using S-A-R Method: Recently my company asked for bids on a phone system for our new

college campus. Two companies came in very close with their bids, and most of my department wanted to go with a vendor that we have used in the past. After I looked over the proposals, it was clear that this was the wrong decision. So, I talked individually with each member of our staff and was able to change their minds and get the best product that would save money and provide the highest quality.

S-A-R Activity

Directions: Select 1question, from the list of behavioral questions, and answer them using the S-A-R method.

Put a circle around the situation, a square around the action and underline the results to distinguish each step of the S-A-R method.

Please answer the questions on a clean sheet of notebook paper.

Illegal Interview Questions National origin and religion Age Disabilities, health conditions, and

physical characteristics not reasonably related to the job

Marital status, spouse’s employment, or dependents

Arrests

Interviewee Questions

What is a typical day like? What type of people would I be working

with and for? What is the turnover rate of people in this

job? How would you describe initial and on-

going training for this position? How do you expect the company to change

in the next ten years? When can I expect to hear from you about

your decision?

Interviewer and IntervieweeQuestions Activity

Directions: Search the internet and find 10 questions (other than the one’s previously listed) an interviewer may ask during an interview.

Directions: Search the internet and find 10 questions (other than the one’s previously listed) an interviewee can ask during an interview.

Appropriate Attire

First impressions Competitive edge Marketing a product You CAN overdress for an interview Dress to fit the job’s culture Classic advice:

“Dress 10 percent better than you ordinarily would”

“Dress for the position you’d like to have, not for the one you do have, so you’ll be seen as promotable.”

“Dress the best your ever going to look in the job you want.”

Appropriate Attire

Attention to detail Clean and polished conservative dress shoes Well-groomed hairstyle Cleaned and trimmed fingernails No body odor, minimal cologne or perfume No visible body piercing Well-brushed teeth and fresh breath No gum, candy, or other objects in your

mouth Minimal jewelry

Tips for Women

Conservative colors: Black Dark Navy Brown/Beige Gray

Skirt length should be a little above the knee Hair should be worn up, out of your face Minimal make-up Lipstick and nail polish in conservative tones

(natural colors) Jewelry

One set of earrings, and no more than two rings

Appropriate Attire

Tips for Men

Conservative colors: Black Dark navy Gray

White long-sleeved button-down dress shirt with a simple tie (that matches suit)

Belt should match shoes Facial hair should be neatly trimmed No jewelry

Appropriate Attire

After the Interview

Take some time to review the interview while it is fresh in your mind Interviewing is a learnable skill, use the

experience to help you in the future Ask yourself:

How could you have better answered the questions?

Where did you succeed? Where did you fail? What will you do differently next time?

After the Interview

A thank-you letter is essential! Get it in the mail the day of or the day after the

interview Avoid excessive enthusiasm Keep your note cordial and brief Thank the interviewer for inviting you to the

interview Say it was a pleasure to meet him or her Mention something you learned during the

interview and assure them of your continued interest in the position - provided you are still at all interested

See handout for more information on what to include in a thank-you letter.

Sources

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/thankyouletters/a/thanktemplate.htm

http://www.quintcareers.com/Quintessential_Careers_Press/Job-Interview-Preparation/