Acing the Interview 1 Acing the Interview (MAR 2013)
“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” (Michael Jordan) • You may interview a number of times before you successfully get a job. • If you pay attention to details and prepare properly for the interview, chances are that you will be more successful! 2 Acing the Interview (MAR 2013)
What is an Interview? An interview is a meeting between two or more people to elicit facts about the interviewee. It is a conversation between two people to elicit facts about each other. Interviewer: Interviewee: • Checks qualifications • Describes experiences • Gathers information not and skills in resume • Checks out the company • Performs in interview • Evaluates the employer • Your fit with the company • Your motivation • Evaluates you 3 Acing the Interview (MAR 2013)
Types of Interviews Phone Interviews • screening tool to narrow the pool of candidates for one-on-one interview • minimizing the cost of bringing in out of town candidates Group Interviews • Two or more candidates and two or more interviewers • Give information to several candidates in a time saving and economical manner • Observe how the candidates interact and communicate with each other Panel Interviews • Conducted by two or more members of a hiring committee • Indicative of a company that values teamwork and relies on decision by committee • Used to speed up the hiring process One-on-One Interviews • Meet with one person to speak about your qualifications and how you might benefit the company 4 Acing the Interview (MAR 2013)
Preparing for the Interview • Preparing for an interview can seem like a daunting task. • Being well prepared will demonstrate that you are thorough and willing to take the steps necessary to get the job done. • Be prepared to answer questions concerning the company and its industry; do your homework! • Understand the exact position you are interviewing for so that you can research typical duties and responsibilities as well as salary range. 5 Acing the Interview (MAR 2013)
Research the Employer • Familiarize yourself with the company's annual reports and the company websites • Know which job they called you for and reread the job description • Know key information about the company • Search the internet • Talk with current employees • Talk to vendors or customers 6 Acing the Interview (MAR 2013)
Telling Your Story Your Resume told WHAT you did; The Interview tells HOW you did it • Be prepared to sell yourself to show how you did what you stated in your resume • Create a monologue that sells your professional abilities • Prepare yourself for that “ Tell me a little about yourself ” question • Create a “30 - second commercial” 7 Acing the Interview (MAR 2013)
“30 - Second Commercial” Use the following template to create your own 30-second commercial: GREETING: Hello, my name is ___________________. EXPERIENCE and EXPERTISE: I have ___ years of experience in the ______________________industry with expertise in___________________ and _______________________. STRENGTHS: My strengths are __________________and ____________________________. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: I have been recognized for ____________________. JOB SEARCH STRATEGY: I am interested in expanding my experience into____________________________________. 8 8 Acing the Interview (MAR 2013)
Interview Questions and Answers • Practicing helps with organization, focus, and sincerity • Answer the questions naturally and sincerely • May feel and appear more confident, organized and focused. • Be aware of illegal questions • Contact Dept of Human Rights or local employment office 9 Acing the Interview (MAR 2013)
Don't prepare answers Prepare stories • Employers are interested in your experiences in the workplace. • Develop stories to highlight your experiences. 10 10 Acing the Interview (MAR 2013)
On PAR • Listen for questions that begin with phrases: • “Tell we about the time when…” • “Describe a situation in which you …” • Make sure your answers are on PAR! • Highlight your experience by showing: Problem: What was the situation and specific problem that had to be addressed? Action: What specific skills/tools did you use to address the task? Result: What was the result of your behavior? 11 Acing the Interview (MAR 2013)
Prepare Your Own Questions • You are judged on your thinking skills • Prepare 5-10 questions for the interviewer (revise based on your research) • Stay away from salary and benefits questions until an offer is made, unless the interviewer brings it up 12 Acing the Interview (MAR 2013)
Dress for Success • You only get one chance to make a first impression • Look professional, confident, and competent • Wear the appropriate dress for the employer • When in doubt, better to be over-dressed than under-dressed 13 Acing the Interview (MAR 2013)
Prior Preparation • Rehearse route to interview prior to interview • Be on time - 15 minutes early • Bring note pad and pen to interview • Have copy of resume and know what it says 14 Acing the Interview (MAR 2013)
Be Aware of Body Language • Your actions, manner, and appearance add up to your body language • Body language gives off non-verbal information about yourself • May make the difference in a pool of excellent candidates • Applies to phone interviews as well 15 Acing the Interview (MAR 2013)
The Handshake • Whole, firm handshake • No two handed shake • Use same method for both men and women • Practice, Practice, Practice! 16 Acing the Interview (MAR 2013)
Eye Contact • Most powerful tool of non-verbal communication • Can be used by interviewers to judge enthusiasm, sincerity, and for possible inconsistencies in responses • Look directly at interviewer, but don’t stare • Look at the panel interviewer asking the question, but do not discard the remaining panel members 17 Acing the Interview (MAR 2013)
Posture • Indicates level of interest • Can help you listen and make you look more interested • Sit erect and lean forward while interviewer is talking • Knees together and feet flat, back straight 18 Acing the Interview (MAR 2013)
Use Natural Gestures • Use normal hand gestures if you do so while talking • Don’t go overboard with hand gestures • Be aware of nervous habits • Rehearse in a mirror • May clasp your hands loosely in your lap or place them on top of the table or on the arms of your chair 19 Acing the Interview (MAR 2013)
Be an Active Listener • Block out all distractions • Concentrate on what the Interviewer is saying • If you are unsure of a question, paraphrase the question, ask for confirmation before proceeding 20 Acing the Interview (MAR 2013)
Articulate! • Speak clearly and at a natural pace • Compose your answer, pause, breath and answer the question • Make your answers sound natural and not like they are being read from a script • Rehearse your responses to increase confidence in your answers • Stay away from acronyms and the use of jargon 21 Acing the Interview (MAR 2013)
Interviewer’s Body Language • Indicator of the interviewer’s level of interest/engagement • Adjust your responses based upon interviewer’s body language 22 Acing the Interview (MAR 2013)
Ending the Interview Gracefully • First impression is important, but last impression tends to linger • Watch your body language o Keep head up o Smile o Maintain eye contact • Ask for business card • Make your notes immediately after • Consider what you still want to say 23 Acing the Interview (MAR 2013)
Practice Interview Questions and Answers • Handout 1 lists 20 interview questions and answers • Answer each one first; then read the suggested answer 24 Acing the Interview (MAR 2013)
Thank You Notes • A professional MUST • Used notes made after the interview • Send it by email or snail mail • An opportunity to give additional information and your interest in the position • Contact references 25 Acing the Interview (MAR 2013)
Analyze Your Performance Not every interview is successful, but every interview is a chance to improve! Handout 2 contains helpful resources and corresponding links. 26 Acing the Interview (MAR 2013)
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