This document provides tips and strategies for acing job interviews, including preparation steps, common interview questions, and best practices for both phone and face-to-face interviews. It emphasizes self-awareness, research, and practice while offering insight into handling difficult or unconventional questions. Additionally, it contains advice for post-interview follow-up and establishing a positive personal brand.

1. Bruce A. Bennett
Career Coach Corner
January 10, 2018
Interviewing Skills
How to Ace Your Interview
brought to you by

2. 2
How to Ace an Interview
Presentation Outline
 Preparation for the interview
 Discuss the interview process
 Q & A examples
 Five toughest question videos
 General Discussion
Goals
 Resume getting you the interview?
 Understand the process
 Prepare
 Know Thyself

3. 3
How to Ace an Interview
Self awareness
 Inventory your skills
 Strength Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath
 SWOT analysis
Preparation
 Select 3 to 5 of your key skills
 Use a STAR to illustrate the skill to interviewer
Practice
 Scripted answers
 Mirror or camera
 Family, friends or pets

4. 4
Interviewing Situations
Prescreen Phone Interview
 Spur of the moment
 Prearranged for a scheduled time
Determines your next step in the process
 Follow up with F2F interview
 Keep your resume on file
F2F Interview
 Job Fairs
 On Campus recruiting
 Company location

5. 5
Phone Screen Interview Preparation
Schedule the time rather then spur of the moment
Locate to a distraction free environment
 No pets, no TV, no Radio, no computer
 Have your cell phone fully charged
Have work history and job description handy
 Relate the job’s and your key skills
Stand during the phone interview
Smile while on the call
Take note of interviewer’s name
Have a few questions ready for the interviewer, e.g.
 Is position new or replacing someone, i.e. budgeted?
 Next steps in the application process
Avoid rambling answers

6. 6
F2F Interviewing Preparation
Research the company and position
 Company website, news, management team, etc.
 Position key words, duties, salary.com, etc.
LinkedIn Research
 Search for interviewer(s) and company
Prepare story examples that illustrate skills and
capabilities
Interview practice with family, friends, etc.
Have work history and reference details
Take several copies of resume
Dress for interview
 Over dress rather than under dress
 Appropriate for position, e.g. Ad Agency

7. 7
F2F Interviewing Process
Arrive on time, but not too early
Friendly greeting to receptionist
Firm handshake
Mirror interviewer
Speaking cadence
Interviewers ask themselves:
 Can u do job
 Will u do the job
 Can I stand u for the job
Staying positive
Avoid chip on shoulder
Eliminate preconceived ideas - too old, not hirable

8. 8
F2F Interviewing Process
Turn on positives, creative, am quick learner,
relationship builder, etc.
Eye contact
Self on shoulder alter ego (good/bad angel)
Humor ok!?!?
Know the corporate culture
Personal branding - Portfolio
Ideal or dream job

9. 9
Standard Questions
Why did you leave your last job?
What did you learn at your last job?
What level of education did you achieve?
What have you been doing since being laid off?
Why were you fired?

10. 10
Behavioral Type Questions
How did you handle a difficult situation with a
supervisor?
Give me an example of how you set goals and
achieve them.
Teamwork is important to the position, give me an
example of your working with a team.
Tell me about how you worked effectively under
pressure.

11. 11
F2F Interviewing Process

12. 12
Oddball Questions
How much does the earth weigh?
What would you expect to pay for the empty lot
next to our company?
How far away is Alpha Centuri?
What animal or tree would you like to be?
Any others?

13. 13
Five Tough Questions Videos
John Heaney offers advice for these tough questions
“Tell me about yourself!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhWq1Q8uGg4&t=2s
“What are your greatest weaknesses?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhTbeeUtWKs&t=3s
“Why should we hire you?”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcoat4ifHoY&feature=related
“Why do you want to work here?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g619eeLPSi0&t=81s
“Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRURxgW4eBE&t=3s
Search Google and YouTube for additional interview Q & A

14. 14
Interviewing Closing Suggestions
Ask questions about the company
 5 year plan, new products/services
 Tour the workplace, next steps
 Next steps or when will you make a decision
Closing statement, elevator speech and how it fits
within the position and company
Express interest in the job, “I want the job!”

15. 15
Post Interview Suggestions
Debrief
Keep a journal of interview questions and your
answers
Rate your answers and learn from interview to
interview
Thank you letter
Follow up with phone call
Lastly, remember the Challenging interview

16. Questions?
Contact Info:
Bruce A. Bennett
Mobile: 815-302-9552
Email: BruceABennett@comcast.net
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/bruceabennett
Career Coach Corner Blog: http://bruce73.wordpress.com/