This document provides tips and guidance for successful interview skills. It emphasizes the importance of preparation, including researching the company and position, anticipating questions, and practicing answers. Key points covered include making a good first impression, having confidence during the interview, focusing on one's qualifications and accomplishments, and following up after the interview with a thank you note. Behavioral-based interview questions are discussed, with advice to have specific stories and examples ready that illustrate one's skills and experiences using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) format. Common mistakes like lack of preparation, research, or follow-up are also outlined.

1. Successful
Interviewing
Skills

2. First Impressions Count …
O Do You Make The Best Impression You
Can?
O On-Time
O Dress
O Physical Contact
O Eye Contact
O Smile
O Fidgeting

3. Characteristics of a
Successful Interview
O Preparation
O Presentation
O Content

4. Preparation
O Research the Job and company
O Review the Job Requirements
O Know your CV
O Know Where You Are Going (Long-term goal, and if not,
steps on how you will get there)
O Be Prepared to Give Behavioral Based Examples
and arguements
O Anticipate Questions
O Be Prepared to “Sell” Yourself!

5. Preparation
O Visualize Yourself In the Interview
O Have in mind:
O There is no question you cannot answer
O You are well suited to the position
O You will be an asset to the department
O Bring:
O Extra copies of CV
O Paper and pen
O A list of potential questions
O Breath mints 

6. Interview Presentation
O Be Prepared and Responsive For Questions
O Take Time to Organise Your Thoughts (TAKE
NOTES!)
O Make Effective Eye Contact and Smile
O Express Confidence in Your Abilities
O Consider Each Interview An Adventure!
O Be Attentive to Body Language
O No gum
O Watch those pens (no clicky clicky clicky!)

8. Leave The Baggage At The Door
O Shut the Door to Personal Trouble
O Don’t nag about other organizations or
companies!

9. Interview Content
O
O
O
O
O
Listen Carefully to the Question
Understand Behavioral Based Interviewing
Rehearse Your Answers
Sell Yourself!
Silence is Golden, Know When to Stop
Answering
O Tie Your Background to the Position
O Focus on Your Accomplishments
O Turn Weaknesses Into Strengths

10. Common Interview Questions
O Tell me about yourself.
O
The most often asked question in interviews. You need to have a short statement prepared
in your mind. Be careful that it does not sound rehearsed. Limit it to work-related items
unless instructed otherwise. Talk about things you have done and jobs you have held that
relate to the position you are interviewing for.
O What experience do you have in this field?
O
Speak about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for. If you do not have
specific experience, get as close as you can.
O Do you consider yourself successful?
O
You should always answer yes and briefly explain why. A good explanation is that you have
set goals, and you have met some and are on track to achieve the others.
O What do you know about this organization?
O
This question is one reason to do some research on the organization before the interview.
Find out where they have been and where they are going. What are the current issues and
who are the major players?

11. Common Interview Questions
O Why do you want to work for this
organization?
O
This may take some thought and certainly, should be based on the research you have
done on the organization. Sincerity is extremely important here and will easily be sensed.
Relate it to your longterm career goals.
O Why should we hire you?
O
Point out how your assets meet what the organization needs. Do not mention any other
candidates to make a comparison.

What is your greatest strength?

Numerous answers are good, just stay positive. A few good examples: Your ability to
prioritize, Your problem-solving skills, Your ability to work under pressure, Your ability to
focus on projects Your professional expertise, Your leadership skills, Your positive
attitude.

12. Common Interview Questions

Are you a team player ?

You are, of course, a team player. Be sure to have examples ready. Specifics
that show you often perform for the good of the team rather than for yourself
are good evidence of your team attitude. Do not brag; just say it in a matterof-fact tone. This is a key point.
O How do you propose to compensate for
your lack of experience?
O
First, if you have experience that the interviewer does not know about, bring that
up: Then, point out (if true) that you are a hard working quick learner.
O What kind of salary do you need?
O
A loaded question. A nasty little game that you will probably lose if you answer
first. So, do not answer it. Instead, say something like, That is a tough question.
Can you tell me the range for this position? In most cases, the interviewer, taken
off guard, will tell you. If not, say that it can depend on the details of the job. Then
give a wide range.

13. Common Interview Questions
O Do you have any questions for me?
O
If you reply with a simple "No" you are telling the interviewer that you aren't really
interested in the job or the company. You should always prepare a list of
questions to ask the interviewer before going to the interview. Avoid asking about
salary, vacation time, employee benefits, etc. until you have asked a number of
other questions that demonstrate your interest in working for the company.
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
Is this a new position? How long has this position existed?
What type of projects will I be able to assist on?
What is this company's culture?
What are the current problems facing the company (or my department)?
What are the company's long and short term goals?
Describe the work environment.
Describe the opportunities for training and professional development.
Are there opportunities for advancement within the organization?
When can I expect to hear from you?

14. Behavioral Based Interviewing
O Prepare your STAR’S
O Situation or Task
O Action Taken
O Result of Your Action

15. Behavioral Based Questions
O
O
O
O
O
Can You Tell Me About A Time…
Think Specific
Don’t Say “Usually, Always, Or Never”
Say “I”
Be Prepared to Answer the Negative
Question
O Was The Result Positive?
Measurable?
O Don’t Forget To Smile
O Be Concise

16. Question Examples
O Give an example of a goal you reached and tell me
O
O
O
O
O
how you achieved it.
Give an example of a goal you didn't meet and how
you handled it.
Describe a stressful situation at work and how you
handled it.
When you worked on multiple projects how did you
prioritize?
Give an example of how you worked on team.
Have you handled a difficult situation with a coworker? How?

17. Common Mistakes
O Your resume is longer than that of a
25-year old professional.
O Make a right-sized resume. (maximum 1,5 pages)
O You didn’t prepare for the interview.
O You didn’t bring questions.
O No “thank you note”.
O What did you learn in the interview
O You dressed for failure.

18. Common Mistakes
O You don’t know what you want to do.
O Typos in CV and Cover Letter
O You don’t have LinkedIn Profile
O Do an internship.
O You lacked professional courtesy.
O Late for the interview
O Looked away when you shook hands
O Introduced you to a colleague and you didn’t ask what she
does

19. Interview Follow-Up
O Common Interview Mistakes
O Coming Unprepared
O Not Smiling or Showing Enthusiasm
O Negativity
O The Thank You Note
O References

20. General Tips Leading to SUCCESS
O Be yourself, but your confident self
O Natural body languagage
O Natural, honest answers (preparation helps!)
O Your questions should come from actual
interest or concern 

21. Questions &
Answers

22. THANK YOU !!!