This document provides tips and guidelines for effective interviewing. It emphasizes the importance of preparation, including knowing yourself, the organization, and practicing responses. During the interview, remain calm and focused, speak clearly, ask informed questions, and follow up with a thank you note. The interviewer will be evaluating communication skills, self-confidence, willingness to take responsibility, leadership abilities, and more. Answering behavioral questions with specific stories about past experiences that highlight strengths is key. Proper preparation, a positive attitude, and demonstrating fit for the role and organization are essential for interview success.

1. Effective Interviewing
Center for Career and Calling
Seattle Pacific University
May 2013

2. Preparation is the Key to Success
 Know yourself
 Know the organization and the position
 Practice, practice, practice
 Know the time and place – pre-plan
 Dress appropriately
 What to bring

3. More Tips
 Remain calm
 Memorize your resume
 Body language is important
 Speak clearly and articulately
 Elaborate on your responses (when practical)
 Focus consistently on positive, strong points
 Be prepared with pertinent questions

4. Showtime!
 Eye contact/ firm handshake
 Listen actively
 Answer the questions
 Ask informed questions
 Gracefully close – ASK for the JOB!

5. After the Interview
 Evaluate
 Send a thank you note (within 24 hrs.)
 Inquire
 Second interview

6. What is the Interviewer Looking For?
 Ability to communicate/ intelligence
 Self-confidence
 Willingness to accept responsibility
 Initiative/ Leadership/Communications Skills
 Energy level
 Imagination
 Interpersonal skills
 Flexibility/ Ability to handle conflict
 Self-knowledge

7. STORY TELLING:
The Key to Effective Interviewing!
 Situation
 Opportunity (Obstacle)
 ACTION (What did you do?)
 RESULTS (IMPACT!)

8. Tips for Effective
Behavioral Interviewing
 Answer with a behavior-based answer.
 Think through and practice.
 One story can apply to more than one
question.
 It’s OK to take some time to think of a
good example.
 Have a “portfolio” of stories and examples
ready.

9. Standard General Questions:
 Tell me about yourself.
 Why do you want to work here?
 What makes you special?
 What are your 2 greatest strengths and 2
weaknesses?
 Why you (vs. other candidates)?
 What work experiences have you had?

10. Sample Behavioral
Interview Questions
 Discuss a time when you were asked to break a
rule (your integrity was challenged).
 Include how you handled it.
 State the outcome.
 You can even say, ”Looking back, I would probably
do some things differently. i.e., …”
 Tell me about a group project that was difficult.
 Include what was difficult about it.
 Specifically state your individual contribution.
 Don’t forget to include the outcome.

11. More examples…
 Give me an example of a time when you
challenged a policy.
 Tell about a time when you had to meet a
tight deadline.
 Discuss a recent experience when you
had a conflict with a colleague.
 Describe a success you’ve had in the last
week.
 Tell me about a situation where you “blew
it.”