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Human Resources
Lunch and Learn Series
Session 1: Preparation
TIPS FOR
SUCCESSFUL JOB
INTERVIEWING
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Session 1: Preparation
• Purpose of the interview
• What to expect from the interview
• How to put your best foot forward
Session 2: Interview Questions
• Types of Questions
• Behavioral Interviewing
Session 3: Interview Tips and Open Forum
Potential for additional sessions based on your feedback.
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Tips for Successful Jobs Interviewing

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Session 1
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Selection
Committee
Candidate
1. The interview is one of the most important
phases of the job search process. Your
resume and cover letter are simply tools
to get you to the interviewing stage.
2. The interview is your opportunity to
convince an employer that you are the
right person for the job.
Purpose of the Interview
The Selection Committee’s role is
to evaluate the candidate’s fit for
the position.
The Candidate’s role is to evaluate
the position for fit with their
personality and career goals.
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You will be questioned about:
• your work experience and education as it relates to the
position
• your core competencies as it relates to the position
There will be an opportunity to ask questions of the selection
committee.
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Take the time to prepare in advance and the whole process will be
much more comfortable.
What to Expect During the Interview
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Focus of Effort
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Preparing for the Interview
Job interviews are always stressful - even for job seekers who have gone on
countless interviews. The best way to reduce the stress is to be prepared.
Most applicants are rejected at the application stage of recruitment so, if you
have been invited to an interview, you have already impressed the employer.
So, you can be confident and prepare thoroughly for the interview to give
yourself the best chance.
Focus 50% of your efforts on preparation
• Fine tune your resume and cover letter – tailor
them to the specific position/notice of job
competition
• Mentally prepare yourself for the questions you
may be asked, and what you would like to talk
about
40% during the interview, and 10% after the
interview for follow up.
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• Too many of us miss out on the job we have wanted for so long
because we did not represent our skills and experience to the
best of our abilities.
• These days, you can’t just show up at an interview without doing
your homework first and expect to ace it.
• Make sure that you are as prepared as possible………
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How to Put Your Best Foot Forward
RehearseReviewResearch
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Research the job…
• review the College website
• examine the specific department’s profile
• browse the Strategic Plan
• study the position description or job fact sheet
• read the job posting
You will want to be able to answer the following:
• how did you prepare for today’s interview
• how does the department fit into the plan
• how does the position help the department reach plan goals
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Research
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Review the job description and job posting, write down the skills,
education, competencies and experience that are required for the
job.
Review your education, skills, experience and accomplishments
that are applicable to the job you are applying for.
Create a T graph and on one side list the jobs requirements and on
the other map your skills, experience and accomplishments to
them.
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Human Resources
Review
What is
required?
What do I
have?

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Review
(Continued)
Recall past situations and develop examples that exemplify your
abilities to perform the tasks and responsibilities of the job.
BE SPECIFIC!
Give facts, figures, dates, where, when and how.
Write out the examples. This not only crystallizes and organizes
your thoughts, but logs the details in your mind.

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Rehearse
• Rehearse your answers for the difficult types of questions until you have them
down pat.
• Rehearse your accomplishments until you know them inside out and backwards.
You want to be able to highlight any skill or competency that you think can be
thrown at you.
• Rehearse the interview in your head or with another person. Practicing a mock
interview can:
• boost your confidence
• provide feedback in a low stress environment, and help you realize where your
strengths and weaknesses are
• prepare you to navigate the behavioural based questions
• All the great athletes visualize success before they go and compete. Do the
same, play the interview in your head and see yourself confidently answering all
those questions easily. By the time you actually are interviewing, it will be like an
old hat, as this is at least the fourth time you've gone through it.

12.
QUESTIONS
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