The Art of InterviewingThe Art of InterviewingJason Ratliff

BYU Career Placement Services

What is an Interview?What is an Interview?

A goal-oriented exchange of information between two people

It enables both parties to gauge the degree of fit between the candidate’s goals

and the employer/School’s needs

What Happens in an Interview?What Happens in an Interview?

Employer/Schools evaluatesCompetence to do the jobPotential to contribute Ability to mesh with team’s characteristics

Candidate evaluatesMatch between work and interestsDegree of challenge and responsibilityPotential for growthAmiability of the environment

ProfessionalismProfessionalism

Be cleanBe dressed to impressBe on timeBe prepared to share copies of resume,

cover letters, and referencesBe ready with questions

Types of InterviewsTypes of Interviews

ConversationalBehavioralStressCase or Situational

FormatsFormats

Screening Selectionone-on-one marathonrotational group (w/ peers)panel/committee meals/receptionsassessment

Answering Interview QuestionsAnswering Interview Questions

Identify the skill sought by the questionThink of a relevant situation from your

own experiencesTell a storyRelate it back to the positionSeek feedback or ask your own question

ExerciseExercise

First Question: Tell me about yourself

Second Question: Tell me about a time when you faced a tight deadline and, at the last minute, your plans fell through. How did you respond? What was the outcome and what did you learn?

Third Question: a) What are your strengths? b) What are your weaknesses?

Preparing for InterviewsPreparing for Interviews

Know the other party (60%):What do they do?How are they organized?Where does the job fit into the bigger picture?Who are the players?What do they want in a candidate?

Preparing for InterviewsPreparing for Interviews

Know yourself (30%):What will I gain by getting this job?What do I bring that they need?How would they recognize and reward it?

Know the process (10%):How comfortable am I talking about myself?Do I hear what the other person is saying?Am I aware of the impression I make?

What to ResearchWhat to Research

The FieldDifferent branchesVarious career pathsMajor playersCurrent trends

Questions you could ask!◦ How is your company viewed in the industry?◦ Where direction do see the industry going in the next ten

years?

What to ResearchWhat to ResearchThe Job

Basic responsibilitiesSpecific (not generic) requirementsIts role in relation to the unit or divisionReporting linesHow success is evaluated

Questions you could ask!◦ How is success evaluated in this role?◦ How is this role viewed by colleagues through out the

company?

What to ResearchWhat to ResearchThe Employer

Mission statementPhilosophyHistoryOrganizational schemeRecent performanceS.W.O.T. analysis

Questions you could ask!◦ What professional development opportunities are available to

new professionals?◦ How does your mission and philosophy effect the everyday

work that you do?

QuestionsQuestions

Buhler, Buhler, Anyone ….Buhler, Buhler, Anyone ….