This document provides guidance on how to prepare for and succeed in a job interview. It discusses researching the company in advance, dressing professionally for the interview, being prepared to discuss strengths and how the candidate's qualifications fit the role. It also covers topics that may come up like how the candidate would handle conflicts or work in a team. The document provides advice on having a clear message for why the company should hire the candidate, answering tough questions, and following up after the interview.

1. Interview to
Win a Job
Offer
Presented to: Lynn Hazan
Chicago Booth President
Lynn Hazan & Associates
Partners www.lhazan.com
October 9, 2012

2. Click here to watch movie clip
Just like the ants in
this humorous
advertisement, we
all need proper
preparation, careful
coordination, a
strong support
system to achieve
our goals.
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

3. The Hemmingway Challenge
Write a story
in only 6 words.
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

4. For Sale. Baby shoes.
Never worn.
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

5. What is the purpose of
the interview?
Let’s brainstorm…
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

6. What is the purpose of an
interview?
The interview is between you, the
interviewer, and the company.
 3 R’s: Resume, Rapport and Relationship
 Determine candidate’s fit for job
 Determine job’s fit for candidate
 Connect with corporate culture
 Progress to next steps to get hired
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

7. Think of it like cooking…
The job descriptions & specs
are like a recipe.
Must be able to chop… Mix ingredients…
Knead for 3 minutes…
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

8. Your resume should not read like a
recipe!
I chopped…
I mixed… Your resume should tell
I kneaded.. about what you made!
I clean up after… Think about results. The process
should be evident.
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

9. The resume The interview
is about the is about the
PAST FUTURE
In hiring, past performance is a good
indicator of future performance.
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

10. How well do you match the job?
 Does your service address a critical need?
 Can you explain what you do easily?
 Do you have a niche in the market?
 Are you the “go to” person?
 Can you make money?
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

11. Do you mirror the Or not?
job specs?
The more duck-like you are,
the better your chances of success!
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

12. Why Should I
Hire YOU?
Write down your answers.
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan &
Associates

13. Unique Positioning Statement
Why employer should hire you
Summary statement for resume
Lead off for a successful interview
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

14. How to Create Your UPS
What makes you unique?
What makes you special? ??
What’s your story? ?
??
? ?
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

15. Elevator Speech
 30-60 second speech
 Reasons why employer should hire you
 What can you bring to the employer?
 Make it interesting!
 Practice! Practice! Practice!
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

16. Try it out: Paired Share
 Why you should hire me?
 Make it interesting!
 Time: 1 minute each
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

17. The Interview
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

18. Before the interview:
Research the company
1. Use the web and social media tools
2. Look for recent articles
3. Check out their competition
4. What is company known for?
5. What is their culture?
How do you fit?
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

19. Interview Protocol
 Have correct directions
 Know title and name of person interviewing you
 Be in professional dress
 Mirror interviewer
 followthe lead
 give and take
 Progressionfrom past
performance to future
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

20. Do’s and Don'ts of Interviewing
Do:
 Arrive on time!
 Bring extra resumes & samples
 Establish rapport
 Demonstrate by work & deed your fit for the job
 Show enthusiasm
 Know the points that you want to make!
 Send thank you note or email within 24 hours
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

21. Do’s and Don’ts of Interviewing
Don’t:
 Oversell yourself
 Undersell yourself
 Be haughty or
arrogant
 Be too casual
 Go to an interview
hungry
It was a mistake for Eric to wear a t-shirt to his job
interview, and it was a bigger mistake to wear that
particular t-shirt.
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

22. Don’t Lie!
Tell the TRUTH about:
 Dates of past employment/graduation
 Money
 Layoffs / breaks in employment
 Budget cuts
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

23. True Life Stories You Won’t Believe!
One candidate…
 asked for food.
 took off shoes.
 was sloppily dressed.
 swore 3x.
 wore perfume so strong,
I almost passed out.
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

24. Tough Questions? Not really
*Real interview questions*
Practice your answers!
 “How do you resolve conflict?”
 “Describe a time when you had to work as part of a team.
What was your role and what was the outcome?”
 “Why should we hire you?”
 “Describe your work ethic.”
 “Do you have any questions for me?”
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

25. Role Playing in the Interview
 May be asked to answer real life questions
 How would you handle…?
 Hypothetical questions / scenarios are on the rise!
 Sell me this pen.
 How many tennis balls could fit into a school bus?
 How many baseballs are sold in Chicago per year?
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

26. Let’s try some.
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27. Frame the Process:
Storytelling at its Best
1. Problem or need
2. Opportunity or challenge
3. Strategies and tactics
4. Results
5. What you did with results
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

28. What was a difficult
scenario you encountered
and how did you handle it?
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

29. Conversation & Dialogue
The interview should be a two-sided conversation.
 Be actively engaged
 Ask probing questions
 Yes/No answers = Conversation Killers
 No Shy Talk
 Be aware of dialog cues / turn-taking
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

30. Beware of bad habits and sloppy
speech!
Pitch, tone, speed, and word choice can eliminate you
from an interview process. It happens!
 Up-talking/Down-talking
 Speaking too fast
 Speaking too slow
 Colloquialisms/Dialects/Jargon
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

31. Beware of bad habits and sloppy
speech!
Examples:
 One candidate started each sentence with
“No…”
 One spoke so fast the interviewer couldn’t
find time to speak
Recently discussed in the New York Times!
“They’re, Like, Way Ahead of the Linguistic Currrrve”
 Douglas Quenqua, New York Times, February 27, 2012
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

32. Video Interviews:
The new phone screen
 Focus on the interview
 Do not check email or look things up while in the call
 Good audio and lighting
 Be aware of things in the background
 Beaware of your
body language!
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

33. Portfolios
 Examples of your work
 Not just for creative
 Work you did as part of a team
 Gives context and tells story of the
project.
 Digital formats may be more useful
 Electronicfiles on a USB key
 VisualCV, About.me, etc.
 blogs (Blogger, Wordpress, Tumblr)
or personal websites
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

34. Wow Project
 Candidates who are
dazzled by a job
opportunity should
“dazzle employers back”
with a “Wow!” project.
 Shows initiative and
capability
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

35. Money, money, money…
 Be prepared to answer questions about salary
 Know salary range for position
 Salary.com, Payscale.com, Monster, Glassdoor
 beware of salary surveys skewed by demographics
 Consider stalling tactics:
 “What range were you considering?”
 “I feel it’s too early to discuss. I’d like to learn more.”
 “I’m flexible and I’d like to hear more.”
 Don’t get defensive
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

36. To sign up for Lynn’s E-jobs, the free,
confidential listserv from Lynn Hazan &
Associates:
Clearly print your name and
email address on the sign up
sheet!
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

37. Proper interviewing technique
CAN help you to win a job offer!
Lynn Hazan
lynn@lhazan.com
www.lhazan.com
312.863.5401
Follow me on Connect with me on
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lynnhazan Lynn Hazan
Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates