Impressive Interviewing - March 2016
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This document provides tips for preparing for a job interview. It emphasizes the importance of making a good first impression through professional dress and body language. Candidates are advised to research the company thoroughly and anticipate common interview questions. Examples are given of how to structure responses using the STAR method to provide specific, relevant examples. The document also lists inappropriate questions to avoid and stresses sending a timely thank you note after the interview.
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Impressive Interviewing - March 2016
- 3. Notes About Preparation… Every interview is different Each interviewer has their own style You can never be certain…
- 6. You are creating impressions… The way you present yourself makes a statement about how you feel about yourself Nonverbal communication = 85% The impression you make = Your BRAND!
- 7. What to wear? Expected over unexpected To be safe…dress one level above the norm for that job Not just at the interview!
- 9. Other influences Hair Color & Style Tattoos & Body Piercings Facial hair Make-up Fragrance Breath Jewelry Shoes & Socks Clothing Fit Cleanliness Hands/Fingernails Handshake
- 11. Key info you should know Company goals and mission Company history Products and/or services offered Recent changes How YOU fit in to all this!
- 12. How do you get this info? Start with the company website Online searches (Google) Social Media sites Company brochures/flyers Magazines, newspapers, trade journals Talk with employees Schedule an observation/tour/informational interview
- 15. What to bring…
- 16. When you arrive Arrive early… but not too early Be polite and professional with everyone Make eye contact Firm handshake
- 17. Creating a positive impression… 80% of hiring decisions are based on whether they like you and think you will be a good “fit”
- 19. How else can you display “fit”? Energy level Enthusiasm Eye contact Attentiveness Listening skills Speech Promptness Professionalism Genuine/Authentic Humor
- 20. Body Language to Avoid Crossed arms Biting nails Looking off into space Fidgeting Dishonest Disinterested Lacking in confidence *Typically people aren’t even aware…
- 21. Helpful Body Language Good posture Sit attentively Lean a bit forward Maintain eye contact Feet flat on floor Hands in your lap
- 22. Great…. But what do I say??
- 24. Which would you rather…?
- 25. Have an idea how you will answer Naturally and conversationally What CAN you do & what CAN you offer What have you learned and how you overcome challenges Prove it! Speak the truth Expect the unexpected
- 26. Do you care about this job?? These are basic interview questions. If you have not prepared an answer it will be assumed that you do not, in fact, care about the job!
- 27. Tell me about yourself… Provide a brief introduction & career summary Why are you interested in this position/company Tie your response to the needs of the organization
- 29. What are your strengths? Pick a couple and…
- 31. What are your weaknesses? A “Challenge” Do NOT choose something integral to the job Don’t forget to mention HOW YOU HAVE fixed this or CURRENTLY ARE improving on this
- 33. Other Questions…
- 35. Why did you leave your last job? Reduction in workforce Involuntarily separated FOCUS ON: The positives Desired a more challenging position Desire a job that offers people contact
- 37. Behavioral Interviewing Questions Tell me about a time when… Give me an example of… Describe a situation where…
- 38. STAR Method Situation: describe the situation – could be from a past job, a volunteer experience, or any relevant event Task: what was the task that you needed to accomplish Action: describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you. Even if you are discussing a group project, describe what you did Result: What happened? How did the event end? What did you accomplish? What did you learn?
- 40. More questions…
- 41. Why should we choose you?
- 44. Do you have any questions for us? NEVER say… Should come from your natural curiosity Don’t ask questions the website can answer Use this opportunity to share more!
- 45. AVOID these… What sort of perks do you offer? What does your company do? My last boss was a real %$#*! My feet are killing me! I got fired from my last position. I just want a job -- any job!
- 46. Be yourself!! Humor, warmth and personality Show interest and enthusiasm Be flexible/adaptable Lifelong learning Reiterate your interest in the job
Editor's Notes
- You passed the first test! You can assume your application, cover letter & resume have represented you sufficiently to proceed to the next level of your job search.
- Don’t get caught without the necessary tools Interviewing is like baking a cake: it takes time, preparation, and if anything is missing it is easily noticed
- It is not as easy as validating your credentials and impressing the interviewer – you need to set yourself apart! Every interview is different Each interviewer has their own style Some are complex, others are simple Some brief, some will last longer Some in person, some on the phone Perhaps even videoconferencing or skyping You can never be certain who will be the decision maker and what you are going to experience (monty python video) about what type of interview you will have or what questions will be asked It isn’t always the case that the boss is the oldest person in the room…
- The way you present yourself makes a statement about how you feel about yourself 85% of communication is nonverbal – so what you wear is an important part of presentation as well as how you carry yourself, how well groomed you are, if you smile, how you hand shake First thing that people notice about you - clothing Even if you interview very well, your outfit choice could rule you out of their consideration I care about my appearance OR I don’t care about my appearance? I dress for the occasion OR I wear what I want? I spend a lot of money on my clothes OR I don’t spend a lot of money on my clothes? I took my time getting dressed OR I got dressed in a hurry ? I pay attention to details OR I don’t pay attention to details? I care what other people think of me OR I don’t care what other people think of me How quickly do you think someone would be able to determine these things about you? Seconds!
- Go for the expected over unexpected Don’t worry about being overdressed Dress for the job you want If you want to work in a professional environment, dress professionally Most traditional are suits This is important even after you get the job! Dress for the position you want, not the one you have – appear ready (in dress and actions) Once you are hired, ask about dress code
- Handshake Hair color/style – neat, well groomed, don’t get it cut within the week of interview Tattoos – cover them Body piercings – simple earrings only Facial hair – neat and clean Make-up Fragrance – hold back, use sparily Accessories – jewelry – remove extra – women: 1-2 rings, 1 necklace, simple earrings mean: keep jewelry very simple – bracelet's tend to be distracting Shoes - polish Socks Clothing Fit – avoid clothing that is too short, tight, revealing, flashy or distracting, choose solid colors (you want focus on you, not clothes) Cleanliness – breath, body scent Grooming Hands/Fingernails – neat and clean Carry only one bag (like a briefcase or portfolio) To narrow down candidates Find the right person or in other words… They are looking for a reason to eliminate you as a prospect Why take a chance on anything that might diminish your chances of having a successful interview?
- Why? Helps determine your compatibility with the company You can target your skills & what you present in the interview Reduces your anxiety
- Company goals and mission Products and/or services offered Recent changes: changes such as new technology, products, expansions or mergers Will increase your confidence and keep you from walking blind into an interview Research can truly set you apart from the competition
- Know the company Do your research – start with the company website Company literature Online searches Public library Articles from magazines, newspapers, trade journals Talk with employees Schedule an observation – meet the receptionist (sometimes this person is a key decision maker)
- Mock interviews/video taping yourself are great ways to see what you didn’t know you were doing/saying
- And the questions start…
- Have an idea how you will answer questions Respond as naturally and conversationally as possible Emphasize what you CAN do & what you CAN offer Focus on what you have learned and how you overcome challenges Prove it! Give examples - Where when how and with what outcome Speak the truth – do not lie or over exaggerate Expect the unexpected
- Not an invitation to ramble on – don’t need a biography and don’t just recite your resume – approximately 1 minute long Provide a brief introduction Use attributes that are key to the position Provide a career summary Must support your job objective Must be compelling Current experience Tie your response to the needs of the organization Don’t assume they will connect all the dots Make them understand how your experiences are transferrable to the position You could end with: is there any other particular aspect of my background that would be relevant to you?
- Focus on… Your motivation Your interest The value you can bring to the company
- Save talk about benefits and perks for the negotiation stage -- that is, after you've gotten a job offer -- or until the interviewer raises the issue. Believe it or not, recruiters and hiring managers say they get asked this question all the time. Before you go into your job interview, research what the company does, and come up with some specific ways you can help it do whatever it does better. Complaining about your last job only reflects badly on you. Even if you're telling the truth, it makes you look like a complainer and poor sport (exactly the type of person no one wants to work with). It's great to talk about challenges you faced, but the focus should be on the positive results you achieved. Complaining about physical discomfort will be perceived as negativity -- or as you making excuses for not performing well in the interview. (An HR manager in Silicon Valley tells of a candidate who complained of a headache caused by "partying too hard last night." Needless to say, this candidate didn't get the job.) You never want to lie in a job interview -- but there are more graceful ways to explain that you were fired. "My boss and I had very different ideas about what our department should be focusing on, and it soon became clear that I'd be happier in a new role -- like this one." Keep the focus on what you learned from the past, and bring the focus back to why the job you're interviewing for is the right one for you. This may very well be true, but desperation is not appealing. The interviewer needs to know that you want the particular job you're interviewing for -- and that you're a great fit for it. If you really don't know the answer to an interview question about you or your background, try "I'll find out and get back to you by the end of the day." But if the question is about what you'd do in a hypothetical workplace situation -- or is an off-the-wall or brainteaser question such as "How many golf balls would it take to fill this room?" -- your response should show your thought process. Go ahead and think aloud: "First, I'd have to determine the volume of the room. Then I'd have to subtract the volume of the furniture.…" And so on.
- Name the job you interviewed for and date of the interview Remind them of who you are – reference something you talked about in the interview Compliment Offer to give them more info or come in for another interview Thank them for considering you Neat, clean, no mistakes (grammar, spelling, punctuation)