Effective Interviewing Skills
Presenting Yourself in Person To Get
The Job Offer!
Copyright © 2007 All Rights Reserved
Douglas W. Bush, M.A. http://www.douglaswbush.com

Effective Interviewing Skills
Purpose
To provide you with the knowledge, skills and tools
to build a level of comfort and confidence in presenting
yourself effectively during an employment/job interview
to get the job offer!
Copyright © 2007 All Rights Reserved
Douglas W. Bush, M.A.

Effective Interviewing Skills
Objectives
Within the next two and a two hours you will learn:
 the type of job interview most companies use and why
 steps in the job interview process
 who your interviewers are like to be and their role
 skills for effective interviewing
 what the interviewers are looking for
 recommends model for answering questions
 how to prepare for questions asked
 the key to a successful job interview
 tips on building confidence and reducing anxiety
Copyright © 2007 All Rights Reserved
Douglas W. Bush, M.A.

Type of Interview
- Behavioral Method
 Developed based upon a “critical incident”
method of job analysis
 Questions are asked to elicit behaviors used in the past,
or that might be used in the future.
 Predict future success based upon past performance
or potential.
Purpose:
- Identify key strengths and areas for development.
- Make a recommendation for hire or not.
Copyright © 2007 All Rights Reserved
Douglas W. Bush, M.A.

Steps in the Interview Process
 Introductions
 Questions and Answers
 Closing
 Follow up
 Approximately 1 to 1-1/2 hours
Copyright © 2007 All Rights Reserved
Douglas W. Bush, M.A.

Interviewers
 Who are they?
 What is their role?
 Where will they conduct the interview?
 Why more than one interviewer?
 How are they trained?
 When will they notify me?
Copyright © 2007 All Rights Reserved
Douglas W. Bush, M.A.

Skills for Interviewing Effectively
Be prepared to:
 Listen
 Speak
 Project
 Present
 Convince
 Influence
Copyright © 2007 All Rights Reserved
Douglas W. Bush, M.A.

Interviewers Are Looking For…
Evidence of your levels of:
 Job Knowledge
 Skills
 Abilities
 Personal Characteristics
Copyright © 2007 All Rights Reserved
Douglas W. Bush, M.A.

How do the Interviewers Evaluate Me?
The Rating Scale
- 1 to 5 point rating scale, where 1 is the lowest and 5 is the highest
- “1” is reflective of “little or none of the skill being demonstrated”
- “5” indicates a “great amount” of the skill being demonstrated
Individual Skill Ratings
The interviewers assign:
- an individual rating for each skill being evaluated.
- an overall rating.
Copyright © 2007 All Rights Reserved
Douglas W. Bush, M.A.

Answering Questions
S
Step 1: Describe the situation
A
Step 2: Describe the action
R
Step 3: Describe the result
O
Step 4: Describe the outcome
Copyright © 2007 All Rights Reserved
Douglas W. Bush, M.A.

Listening and Responding
Listen carefully:
• to ensure your understanding by:
-summarizing
-paraphrasing
-asking to have the question repeated
• for what is being asked:
-who, what, when, where, why, how
-describe
-explain
- to identify what skill area the question best fits
Copyright © 2007 All Rights Reserved
Douglas W. Bush, M.A.

Answering Questions Asked
Answer by demonstrating:
 that you possess the skill.
 the frequency with which you have used the skill.
 the outcome of when you used the skill in the past.
Copyright © 2007 All Rights Reserved
Douglas W. Bush, M.A.

Answering Questions Asked
Describe:
 a recent work-related example of when you
used the skill:
 what was the situation?
 where did the situation occur?
 when did it happen?
 who was involved?
 why did the situation occur?
 … etc.
Copyright © 2007 All Rights Reserved
Douglas W. Bush, M.A.

Answering Questions Asked
Most importantly, state clearly:
 what action YOU took to respond to and
correct the situation?
Summarize by demonstrating:
 that you have used the skill in the past with
positive results.
 that it was a result of your special skills, abilities, or
personal characteristics.
 how you would welcome the challenge of using the
skill in the position you’re interviewing for.
Copyright © 2007 All Rights Reserved
Douglas W. Bush, M.A.

Practice, Practice, Practice
Copyright © 2007 All Rights Reserved
Douglas W. Bush, M.A.

Practice, Practice, Practice
Use the
“Interview Preparation Worksheet”
Provided
Copyright © 2007 All Rights Reserved
Douglas W. Bush, M.A.

Key To Your Success…
Distinguish yourself!
 Communicate a strong
understanding of the job.
 Express how your strengths
not only meet, but exceed,
requirements even in a worst
case scenario.
 Demonstrate how you will
add value to the organization.
Copyright © 2007 All Rights Reserved
Douglas W. Bush, M.A.

Building your confidence…
Tips:
 Talk about your best points and speak with
confidence!
 DO use words that show you have faith in yourself.
 DO answer the interviewers’ concerns.
 DON’T put yourself down with negative statements.
 DON’T use weak words.
Copyright © 2007 All Rights Reserved
Douglas W. Bush, M.A.

Overcoming Anxiety
Practice, Practice, Practice
Copyright © 2007 All Rights Reserved
Douglas W. Bush, M.A.

Questions To Ask Or Not?
Remember:
 Ask questions of the interviewers that support that
you have the knowledge, skills, abilities, and
personal qualities to meet the demands of the job.
 Avoid asking questions related to how you will
benefit from getting the job.
Copyright © 2007 All Rights Reserved
Douglas W. Bush, M.A.

Summary and Questions?
Copyright © 2007 All Rights Reserved
Douglas W. Bush, M.A.