The Job Interview

Because you only get one chance

to make a first impression.

Source: http://www.sietoebie.be/soft/category/weekend-cartoon/

Congratulations!You have a great resume, the right

qualifications, and you’ve been given a job interview.

Now what?

Don’t panic!

What are employers looking for?

What are employers looking for? Someone who stands out and who has

the right skill set

but more importantly, someone who

has excellent interpersonal skills. works well with others. will fit in.

Soft skills!

Types of Interviews

Screening InterviewsPhone InterviewsPanel InterviewsGroup InterviewsOne-on-one interviews

Before your interview

Before your interviewPrepare:

Ask questions when they call you. Research the company or organization. Make copies of your resume. Call your references (if you haven’t talked to

them recently) and make clean copies of your reference list.

Practice some interview questions.Plan how to get there, what you will wear,

etc.

The Basic Dos and Don’ts Be prepared! Do bring several copies of your resume. Do arrive a little early, but don’t arrive too

early. 10 minutes early is perfect. Set aside enough time. Don’t apologize for your English! Turn your cell phone off. Check that your cell phone is off. Check again.

Image source: http://blog.bookingbuddy.com/2008/05/southwest-passe.html

Dress appropriately

Dress one step above the job you are applying for.

Too informal makes you look unsuitable. Too formal makes you look over-qualified.

Dress appropriately

Dress neatly and professionally.

Make sure your clothes are clean,

neat, and ironed.

Clothes shouldn’t smell of food

or smoke.

And watch the body language!

What’s that smell?Don’t wear any scented products to

your job interview. No perfume No cologne No aftershave

Going to your interview Know where you are going and who you

are going to meet.

Relax! Shake your hands Deep breathing Voice warm-up

The handshake (if appropriate)

The business handshake: Firm grip

and count 1, 2 (maximum 3) pumps.Maximum of 3 seconds (2 is better!)

Note the eye contact!

Beware of: the limp handshake the damp handshake (aka the dead fish) the finger shake the muscle grip the sandwich handshake (aka the politician’s

handshake)

The interview begins Don’t sit down until

you’re invited! Small talk Company

information

During your interview First impressions are made in the first seven

seconds. Those seven seconds can often determine whether you get the job or not. Smile. Be honest. Participate. Make eye contact. Be positive and confident. Remember personal space. Watch your body language. But don’t look at your watch!

Get the tone and register right!

Source: http://blog.sironaconsulting.com/sironasays/2009/10/my-top-10-funny-job-interview-cartoons.html

Q: How much should you talk?

A: The right amount. But how much is the right amount?

Answer questions fully

but don’t put the interviewer

to sleep!

Be careful with small talk!

Image source: http://www.marshfieldclinic.org/patients/?page=cattails_2008_mayjun_sleepdisorders

What should you say?

You have 2 – 4 seconds to start speaking in response to questions.

Limit your use of fillers.(Remember your water!) Don’t change the topic. Don’t complain. Don’t ramble. Be succinct. Be specific. Be positive.

What kinds of questions will you be asked?

GeneralTechnical Situational / hypotheticalBehaviour-based /

competency-based

General Questions

Tell us why you want to work for our company.

Tell me about yourself. Where were you educated? Tell me about your last job. Strengths and weaknesses Why did you leave your last

job?

Technical Questions

These include questions about your hard skills.

Technical questions may include job-specific questions about your training.Computer skillsMechanical skillsHealth care skills

Situational / hypothetical questions

What would you do if . . . ? Here’s a scenario for you: You are

working alone at night, and . . . . What would you do?

Behaviour-descriptive / Competency-based questions This is the most common kind of

question for higher-level positions. Tell me about a time when you . . .

The interviewer(s) will ask you if you have any questions.

Be prepared! Your questions should besincere and relevant.

The interviewer(s) will indicate when the interview is over. Follow their lead.

At the end of the interview

References

Bring your list of references with you to the interview.

Give it to the interviewer(s) only when they ask for it.

Make sure you have asked and received permission from all your references!

Make sure the contact

information is current.

Remember . . . A job interview is a chance to

show what you can give to the company, not what you want to get from the company.

You are selling something:

If you don’t believe in yourself, neither will your interviewer.

Yourself!

After your interviewThank-you letter

or email

Use spellcheck!The follow-up phone call

Reflection and self-evaluation