This is part of a series of presentations given by BouncBack St Louis workshop in September 2010.

1. Preparing For An Interview Build Confidence and WOW employers Property of Frank Danzo

2. Agenda Why interviews fail? Interviewers goals? Getting Mentally Prepared Preparation Tools Interview Tools Follow Up 2 Property of Frank Danzo

3. Why Interviews Fail? Poor personal appearance Poor grammar Poor eye-contact Arriving late No enthusiasm Derogatory remarks about past employers Not doing your homework Being too humble Talking too much or too little No follow up after the interview 3 Property of Frank Danzo

4. What Interviewers are trying to conclude? Can you effectively perform the role Focus on achievements Highlight skills Share experiences Demonstrate ability to communicate Flexibility 4 Property of Frank Danzo

5. Are you professionally and personally motivated to succeed? Past accomplishments Why do you want the job? Career ambitions 5 What Interviewers are trying to conclude? Property of Frank Danzo

6. Will you fit it in the organization? Likeability Teamwork Interpersonal 6 What Interviewers are trying to conclude? Property of Frank Danzo

7. Make Sure You Are Mentally Prepared 7 Property of Frank Danzo

8. DO Did vs 8 Property of Frank Danzo

9. Stop talking about what you “DID” for your last employer. Start talking about what you will “DO” for the employer you are interviewing. 9 Property of Frank Danzo

10. Interview Preparation Prior to your interview Write answers to toughest interview questions Write answers to toughest behavioral questions Write out ACCOMPLISHMENT STORIES 10 Property of Frank Danzo

11. When Answering Questions Name Number Title Give the conclusion you want Always Have A Happy Ending 11 Property of Frank Danzo

12. Interview Preparation Exercise Write answers to toughest interview questions What is your biggest weakness? 12 Property of Frank Danzo

13. Accomplishment Stories When you answer questions tell stories. Keeps the listeners attention Easier for others to remember Connects you closer to the question 13 Property of Frank Danzo

14. Accomplishment Stories When you answer questions tell stories in the STAR format. ST – Situation – 2 – 3 sentences A – Action – 4 – 6 sentences R – Results – 1 – 2 sentences Let’s review an example 14 Property of Frank Danzo

15. Accomplishment Stories St – Situation: Maritz had not evolved their Performance Improvement Awards and Fulfillment division services to keep up with the changing times. The company had labor intense processes in place that had brought historical success. Costs to process client business transactions increased over time. A group of key employees were selected to study the processes of the division and make recommendations. A – Action: I was assigned to lead a higher-level group of Executives through a re-engineering effort. There was meshing of teeth during the first meeting that resulted in a number of shouting matches and at times for the potential of fights. To break down the barriers, a number of nerf balls were placed in the center of the conference table during all subsequent meetings. A rule was introduced that team members could not get at each other’s throat and nerf balls could be thrown to release frustration between team members. This was the icebreaker that allowed the team to move forward by realizing the need to cooperate with each other and the need for each department to be a joint effort in identifying feasible solutions. R – Results: The remaining ten weeks of the project resulted in candid discussions and development of 8 creative solutions. Solution recommendations were presented by the team Director to Senior Management of the Awards and Fulfillment division. 7 of the 8 solution recommendations were approved saving $240,000. 15 Property of Frank Danzo

16. Interview Preparation When you get asked to interview Pre-interview worksheet and plan REQUIREMENTS vs QUALIFICATIONS CHEAT SHEET Interview recap 16 Property of Frank Danzo

17. 17 Pre-interview Worksheet Property of Frank Danzo

18. 18 Pre-interview Worksheet Property of Frank Danzo

19. 19 Pre-interview Worksheet Property of Frank Danzo

20. Interview Preparation REQUIREMENTS vs QUALIFICATIONS Let’s review an example 20 Property of Frank Danzo

21. 21 Requirements vs Qualifications

22. 22 Requirements vs Qualifications Property of Frank Danzo

23. Interview Preparation CHEAT SHEET Let’s review an example 23 Property of Frank Danzo

24. 24 Cheat Sheet

25. 25 Cheat Sheet Property of Frank Danzo

26. Interview Preparation Interview recap form Let’s review the form. 26 Property of Frank Danzo

27. 27 Interview Recap Property of Frank Danzo

28. 28 Interview Recap Property of Frank Danzo

29. 29 Follow up Send hand written thank you notes to everyone you interview with or assists with the process Email a summary of why you are the best candidate before the decision date reminding them of your key selling points and your interest in the position Follow any other agreed upon follow up from the interview Property of Frank Danzo

30. Interview Preparation Job offers are not always given to the best candidate but the best…. Prepared Performance Follow through Let this be you!!!! 30 Property of Frank Danzo