Interviewing Lecture PDF

Interviewing Presented by Career Management Services  Overview Preparing for an Interview What Hiring Managers look for Basic Types of Interviews Common Questions Questions to ask Questions not to ask Salary Negotiation Closing the Interview Af...

Interviewing Presented by Career Management Services  Overview Preparing for an Interview What Hiring Managers look for Basic Types of Interviews Common Questions Questions to ask Questions not to ask Salary Negotiation Closing the Interview After the Interview  Preparing for an Interview Research the company and position you are interviewing for. Go over interview questions with friends and family, or participate in mock interviews. Prepare interview clothing and accessories Have resumes, applications and other requested materials available and ready Plan your route, and allow time to find the exact location. Arrive 10-15 minutes early and expect to wait Review your resume and relate your interview to the experiences you present on it If you are running late, not able to make the appointment, or do not have the requested materials, give the employer as much notice as possible. Professional Dress  Professional Dress Suits should fit well and be conservative color and style Wear appropriate shoes and accessories Hair should be well-groomed Makeup and jewelry should be conservative and should not draw attention Tattoos and piercings should be concealed Additional Tips Practice, practice, practice your answers and your delivery. Ask others to critique you. If you have access to a video recorder, tape a mock interview so you can see your nonverbal communication. Think about questions you need to ask. Write them down to jog your memory.  What Do Hiring Managers Look for? Professionalism Appropriate dress, submission of materials requested, punctuality, addressing issues professionally. Concise answers Give examples from your work, school, or volunteer experiences. Be positive even when describing negative situations. Non-verbal positive feedback Seem interested, comfortable, and relaxed when answering questions. Knowledge and interest Convey your knowledge and interest in the company, industry, and position Ability to fill their need Uncover their needs and ideal candidate to answer questions and give appropriate examples  Phone Interview Frequently used as the first interview or as a screening interview Prepare to receive the phone call - prepare your greeting, voicemail, and others that might answer the phone. Find a quiet room, and have notepad and pen available. Be prepared to speak about your background & qualifications Speak clearly, sound positive and upbeat Prepare questions about the position Inquire about next step in interview process  Two Basic Styles of Interviews Traditional Behavioral Broad based questions about work Probe through specific questions ethic and skills based on past behaviors Hiring decision based more on Looking for truthful answers of your communication skills and past experiences to assess future general qualifications behavior Typically looking for positive In depth answers that describe the answers and overall positive situation, discuss the actions you persona took, relate the outcomes, and specify what you learned from it. Other Types of Interviews: Phone, Performance, Situational, Panel, etc  Behavioral Will be conducted by a Human Resource representative or professional interviewer. Based on objective past results and behaviors Probing questions on your situation, so must be a very honest example Typically have a predetermined set of characteristics/skills they are looking for  Common Questions Tell me about yourself. (Don’t ramble. Stay focused on those things about yourself that make you best qualified for the job.) What are your strengths? (Make sure you know what they are before you get to the interview. Make a list.) What are your weaknesses? (Careful of this one. What you say can and will be held against you.)  Common Questions Professional statement Motivating factors Knowledge of the company (Most/Least) and or position Success (What is it, examples, Short term, long term goals how to achieve) Strengths/Weaknesses Why you want the job Description of yourself (your Why should you be hired perspective/others)  Approach to Questions Situation or Task Describe a specific situation or task that you needed to accomplish. Be as detailed as possible for the interviewer to understand. Action you Took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you. Avoid detailing others actions or lack there of even if you are discussing a group project or effort. Results you achieved Describe what happened? How did the event end? What did you accomplish? What did you learn? If possible, provide quantitative results.  Example Answers Prepare about 10-12 examples/stories that fall into each of these categories: 1. High accomplishments 2. A time you had to overcome an obstacle/ disagreement  Positive result  Negative result 3. A negative experience with a coworker/customer/employer 4. A difficult decision **Draw from your recent experiences in class projects, voluntary organizations, extracurricular activities, work experiences, etc. **Improvising your Answers** Might be able to be unprepared through essays and presentations, but do not risk an employer sensing that you know nothing or made no attempt to learn more about their organization.  Q Give me an example of a problem you encountered. How did you approach it. What was the outcome? STAR response – S: Describe the situation – T: Explain the task/problem that arose – A: What action did you take? – R: What was the result or outcome? – What did you learn from this experience?  Questions to Ask Typical daily/weekly tasks Expectations for a person in this position Work environment Criteria for evaluation Other positions and/or departments interaction Opportunities for advancement What does the training program entail  Questions not to ask Make sure your questions are not focused on anything else but the company and the job itself. Do not bring up the following topics in the first interview: Salary/benefits Background checks Social events Vacation  Salary Negotiation Never make the first move….Salary is what you earn, not what you deserve Know your market and your limitations – Salary.com, NACE salary survey, etc When questioned on requirements, have a set range in mind Question the typical salary of the position  Closing the Interview Ask if there is anything in your background that might not qualify you for the position. Overcome any objections. Assure understanding of interview process, and when you should hear back from employer. Should you contact them if you do not hear back. Thank them for their time and opportunity to meet with them.  What to Do After the Interview Send a thank you letter to each interviewer immediately following the interview. Thank them for their time, re-state your interest in the company or, follow up on some of your strengths that you feel make you the best candidate. Send by email is common and appropriate in most circumstances today. To stand out from the crowd, send a hand written thank you note. Follow up with a phone call or email if you do not hear anything in the expected time frame. Check on the status of the position. Never show frustration, there may be future opportunities that are better suited to you.  Summary – You know yourself and what you have to offer. – You know you and the position are a match. – You know the organization’s history and the benefits you would bring to it. – You have prepared a professional resume. – You’ve practiced, practiced, practiced your delivery. – You’ve selected appropriate attire.  Summary You know answers to probable questions, including behavioral-based questions. You’ve practiced your smile, eye contact, and firm handshake. You’ve made it to the interview site on time. This organization couldn’t live without you For any questions, please contact: Dona Gaynor Director of Career Management Services [email protected] Delicia Lewis Assistant Director of Career Management Services [email protected]