The document provides guidance on preparing for and excelling at job interviews. It discusses the structure and goals of different types of interviews, common questions interviewers ask and tips for strong answers, questions for candidates to ask, appropriate dress and behavior, and follow up after the interview. The key points are to research the company, anticipate questions based on the job requirements, highlight how your skills meet their needs, ask thoughtful questions, dress and act professionally, and send a thank you note after the interview. Following this advice will help make a great impression and land the job.

1. Capstone Experience
Senior Seminar
Department of Health Promotion and
Human Performance
The Job Interview

2. “Hey, I’ve Got A Job Interview!”
 What’s going to happen during the
interview?
 Who is conducting the interview?
 What is the interview intended to accomplish?
 How long will the interview last?
 Where will the interview be conducted?
 How will I be evaluated?

3. Types of Interviews
One-on-one most often used
 Informal: Interviewer has a general idea of what will be asked,
but after first question, follows conversation trend.
 Structured: Questions will be written out based on job
requirements, and will be asked of every candidate.
 Unstructured: After one or two questions, the interviewer may sit
back and wait for you to make the next move.
Group you will meet with more than one person at a
time
 Teamwork is important. They want to see how effective you are
as part of a group.
 Take it one question at a time
 Answer the person who asked the question. After finish look
around & see if anyone needs further clarification.
 Make eye contact with each member of the group.

4. The Job Interview
 The most crucial thirty- to sixty-minute opportunity you
have in your job seeking efforts.
 The culmination of all your preparation, including
education, and the key to opening the door to your
career.
 Your goals for effective job interviewing:
 Get the job offer
 Land a stimulating & rewarding job
 Interviewer’s goals in effective job interviewing:
 Can you do the job?
 Will you do the job?
 Will you get along with the other employees?

5. Interviewer’s Worst Fear
1. If hired, you’ll be incompetent. Or, you’ll need too
much time to learn the job.
2. You won’t take your work seriously and someone
must constantly check your work.
3. That you’ll be lazy, giving only the minimum effort
and have to be told when to do everything.
4. That you’ll frequently call in sick, arrive late, leave
early and constantly ask for raises.
5. That you’re a quitter and you’ll walk out when they
need you.
6. That you’re a constant complainer, a braggart, or
someone who blames others for your mistakes,
sloppy work, etc.
7. That you’re arrogant, rude, pushy, broody, or moody.
8. That you show no pride in your work or appearance.

6. Interview Strategy
 Have advance knowledge of the company and the
answers to the “Fear Factor” questions.
 Know what the interviewer is asking and trying to
discover about you.
 Be prepared to convince the interviewer you can
accomplish his three goals: 1) you can do the job,
2) you will do the job, 3) you will get along with
other employees.
 Most interviews are pleasant and friendly. Try to
enjoy it.

7. Knock Their Socks Off
 You only have seconds to make your best impression.
 It’s all about connecting; bond with people in order to put
them at ease. You’ll be more socially desirable.
 It starts from the time you first see someone (30 seconds).
 A first impression is an emotional, not a rational reaction.
Make eye contact at least
to 2/3 of the time. Nod
so often.
Smile, even if not in mood.
Fake social generosity.
Be careful about
i.e. disclosing too much.
Check your impulse to use
other person’s name
repeatedly. Never use first
name in interview.
Radiate accessibility.
interest in others.
Match speech cadence to

8. Think Like the Interviewer
What does the manager
want to know? That:
 You are the best person
to accomplish his/her 3
goals.
 You will NOT become
his/her “worst fear”.
 You will make
 the company better,
 the manager’s life easier,
 the manager become more
successful & look better.
What kinds of questions
will the manager ask?
 All interviews are
different.
 However, since most
interviews are routine,
there are some routine
questions you can
expect.
 Areas the manager needs
to know about you
 Education Experience
 General intelligence Skills
 Attitudes Personality

9. Common Questions/ Answers
 Tell me about yourself.
 Highlight your background
as it relates to particular
job.
 In what ways will your
education or training help
you in this position?
 Demonstrate your capacity
to make practical
application of formal
knowledge & training.
 Why did you specialize in
your particular field?
 Solicits clues about basic
value system.
 Tell me about a problem
you solved on your
previous job.
 Provide information that
includes problems you
have handled, actions you
have taken and the results-
premise that past behavior
predicts future behavior.
 Do you prefer to work
alone, or do you to prefer
to work as part of a group?
 Double-edged sword; work
alone could be self starter,
work in group could be
team player. Stress both
attributes.

10. Common Questions/ Answers
 What do you know about
our company?
 Use company research.
 Why are you interested in
working for this company?
 Relate your skills to what
you know about the
company.
 How does this position fit
into your future plans?
 Where do you see yourself
in three years?
 Demonstrate ambition,
potential and flexibility.
 In a job, what interests you
most/least?
 Relate to the position
 Describe your best/worst
boss.
 Keep it positive.
 How do others describe
you?
 Personal traits &
characteristics adjectives
 What do you consider your
single most noteworthy
accomplishment in your
last job?

11. Questions
 Give me one good
reason I should hire you.
 What qualifications do
you have for this job?
 If you were hired, what
ideas/talents could you
contribute to this
position?
 What do you consider
your most outstanding
quality?
 What evidence can you
cite that demonstrates
your job effectiveness?
 Give me two good
reasons I should not hire
you.
 What would you most
like to improve about
yourself?
 What could you have
done better on your last
job?
 What can you tell me
that best illustrates your
personal drive and
motivation.

12. Answers
Strengths
 Identify your key strengths
related to job description
 Provide evidence of
strength utilization (as
demonstrated in major
contributions, job success)
 Compare yourself with
peers (co-workers, other
applicants)
Pretend you’re the
employer, what
qualities match job
demands.
Weaknesses - probing
 technical shortcomings
(knowledge & skills to
perform job)
 interpersonal shortcomings
(ability to relate to others)
 personal shortcomings
(personal traits that
influence your
effectiveness)
Weakness control: turn
into positive

13. Your Questions
 Interview is a two-way
process. Prepare
questions.
 Managers want to hear
intelligent, well-thought
questions.
 Company Questions
 What are the plans of
the company for the
future?
 How would someone
with my background fit
into the company plan?
 Company Questions
 Is there a career path?
Or Where can I go from
here, assuming that I
perform the job’s
responsibilities?
 What is the overall
structure of the
department where this
position is located?
 What are some of the
challenges and priorities
of the company?
??

14. Your Questions
 Job Questions
 Were there any
questions I didn’t provide
an adequate answer?
 Is this a new or
replacement job?
 As you think about this
position, what aspects of
this job could be
performed better?
 What do you visualize as
the major opportunity
areas for this position?
 Job Questions
 To whom does this
position report?
 What is the background
of my potential boss?
 What qualifications
does your ideal
candidate need?
 What are the
opportunities for
personal growth? Or If
you were to offer me
this job, where could I
expect to be in 5 years?
??

15. Your Questions
Compensation Issues
 Never ask about salary. The company will discuss
salary when appropriate; usually reserved for the
second interview or when there is a firm offer. When
the offer is made, ask: Is there a sign-on bonus or
commission in addition to salary? How often are the
reviews?
 Benefits questions. Company benefits are often worth
25% to 50% or more of cash salary offered. Ask: When
am I eligible for the plan? Do I have a choice of benefits
available?
 Negotiations. Everything can be negotiated after you
have received an offer. Know the market and request
consideration in terms of salary, benefits and perks.

16. Legal Questions
Item Can be asked Cannot be asked
Age Whether you are above
minimum or maximum age
Age, birth date, birth
certificate, high-school
graduation date
Criminal
Record
Conviction record, if it
relates to ability to do job
Arrest record
Disabilities Anything that relates to
ability to do the job
Anything that does not
relate to ability to do job
Marital/
Family Status
Nothing Anything
National
Origin
Whether candidate can
legally work in the US
Anything
Race, Religion,
Sex
Nothing Anything

17. Tips
 Bathe and use deodorant-antiperspirant before
the interview.
 Bring only essential items to the interview (resume,
references, portfolio, datebook, transcripts of college work,
licenses, etc.). Organize items so can refer to them readily
in interview.
 Know location of office and how to get there. Make a trial
trip getting to the interview.
 Arrive 15 minutes early for actual interview.
 Be pleasant, polite and friendly but businesslike to
everyone you meet, including office staff.
 Check your appearance before going in.
 If you have bad breath, take a breath mint.

18. Professional Dressing
Dress Up even if Casual Environment
For women
 Wear a suit, skirt and tailored
jacket, dress with sleeves, or
dress with jacket in conservative
style, color and fabric. Be
feminine, but business-like. Do
not dress sensually unless sex
appeal is part of the job.
 Hair in conservative style; nails
manicured, short to mid-length,
clear or light color polish.
 Keep make-up and accessories
to minimum; less is more.
For men
 Wear a suit, blue or gray, in
conservative style. Blazer,
slacks and shirt with collar but
w/o tie are acceptable in few
instances. Freshly pressed.
 Shirts solid color; ties
conservative.
 Eliminate earrings, flashy
jewelry or strong after-shave.
 Conservative style hair, beard.
 Dress style shoes, polished
and repaired.

19. Non-verbal
 Always offer your hand; use a firm, but not
crushing handshake.
 Use eye contact without staring; avoiding contact is a
sign of deception, disinterest, or lack of confidence.
 If a place of sitting is not indicated, choose a chair
closest to the interviewer.
 Sit relaxed, but do not slouch. Leaning slightly forward
shows interest, but do not lean on desk or knees.
 Use hands naturally to emphasize a point; do not cover
mouth, hold your head or twist hands.

20. Summary
Deadly Interview Mistakes
1. Arrives late for the interview.
2. Indicates he is late because the directions he was
given were not good.
3. Looks disheveled and inappropriately dressed.
4. Slouches in his seat.
5. Does not maintain good eye contact with
interviewer.
6. Assumes he will find out about the company in the
interview. Asks interviewer “What do you do here?”
7. Does not link what he can do with the needs of the
employer.
8. Brags about how great he is , but cites no evidence.

21. Summary
Deadly Interview Mistakes
9. Responses have no clear focus, seem disorganized
and rambling.
10. Is low-key; does not project enthusiasm nor appear to
want the job; what are you going to do for me
attitude.
11. Answers most questions with short “yes” and “no”.
12. Appears desperate for a job – any job.
13. Calls the interviewer by his first name repeatedly or
uses the wrong name.
14. Badmouths his former boss and the company.
15. Gives memorized responses and forgets parts.
16. Asks “How am I doing? Are you going to hire me?”

22. After the Interview
 Review & analyze your performance. Take notes,
modify any items to improve your next interview.
 Send a thank you note to the manager immediately
after the interview. Don’t put this off!
 Make a return visit or a telephone call two or three
days after your interview.
 Reintroduce yourself and remind which job you interviewed
for.
 Add any additional thoughts you may not have covered
when interviewed.
 Emphasize your strengths for the job.
 Find out if a hiring decision has been made. If decision has
been made and you’re not it, ask for suggestions for
creating a better impression.
 Thank the interviewer for speaking to you & for his time.

23. 100 Marion Street
Liberty, MO 64068
816-792-2000
March 17, 2010
Dr. Richard Lambert, Recruiter
One World Center
2000 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10281
Dear Dr. Lambert:
Thank you so much for meeting with me to review and discuss my skills for the exercise
specialist position. I enjoyed learning more about your company and plans for the future.
The position sounds very interesting, particularly since it would be an opportunity for me to use
my skills in designing sound individual exercise prescriptions and administering safe, specific
activity programs. I am eager to develop and deliver exercise programs to your clients.
Dr. Lambert, I want this job. I can quickly become a member of your team if you’ll give me a
chance. If I may, let me call you in a few days to see if you have reached a decision favorable to
both of us. I look forward to talking with you. Thank you again for your consideration.
Sincerely,
(written signature)
Cynthia L. Smith