The Job Interview
Successful Interview Strategies
June 2005
The Job Interview 
Why are interviews necessary?
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Interviews remain the most popular method of
assessment for selection. You are unlikely to get
a job without being interviewed as part of the
selection process.
Interviews:
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give both candidate and employer a chance to meet
face to face
allow you to question them as well as vice versa
The Job Interview 
There are different types of interviews:
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Competency Based Interviews
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Focus on particular areas of competence which are
important to a job.
Are clearly related to the job in question.
The questions will relate to particular abilities or styles,
for example: “Tell me about the time when you had to
meet a tight deadline. How did you cope? What was
the outcome?”
You will need to come up with lots of examples of
situations, from your work experience, leisure activities
or home life.
The Job Interview 
Biographical Interviews
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The most traditional format.
Focus on the kind of information for example:
- Work experience
- Educational background
- Leisure interests
- Aspirations
Look at what you have done in the past
Sometimes the link between the questions and
the job you’re applying for may not be
apparent.
The Job Interview 
Situational Interviews
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Questions ask you to imagine yourself in a
given hypothetical situation and ask what you
would do.
The situations may be taken directly from the
job in question or may be more general.
Getting the Interview 
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Before you can get an interview you
must first submit a resume.
Follow Up Quickly on All Resumes
You Send
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Follow up within three to five business
days. You can follow up by phone, or by
email if replying to a blind ad or the ad
specifies no calls.
Resume Follow Up 
When following up by phone, try saying
something like, "Hi, my name is ______ and I
submitted my resume for your ______
opening. I'm extremely interested in this
opportunity, and I just wanted to touch base
with you on how I can benefit your
operation…"
Resume Follow Up 
If you are following up by email, your message
should be brief. Here's an example:
Dear Name (or "Hiring Manager" if name is unknown):
I recently applied for your ______ opening, and I just wanted
to follow up to make sure my resume was received. My
strong background in ______, ______ and ______ appears
to be an excellent match to the qualifications you are
seeking, and I am very interested in your opportunity. I
realize you may not yet be at the interview stage, but I am
more than happy to answer any preliminary questions you
may have, and I can be reached at ______. Thank you for
your time and kind consideration.
Sincerely,
How do I Select the Interview
Candidates-
I look at the job as a complete circle made up of
technical requirements and interpersonal skills.
I select candidates to interview based on the
completeness of their circles.
Meaning what portion of the posted job circle do they
possess, and what will it take to complete their circles.
Candidate Selection 
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Did you know that you interview everyday?
As you perform your day-to-day tasks
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You
You
You
You
display
display
display
display
your technical skill level
your ability to problem solve
your interpersonal skills
how you handle conflicts
I usually start by asking my team
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Who stands out in a group?
Who are the top performers?
The Job Interview 
What I look for –
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Knowing the technical requirements of the
job, I look for skills/skill sets that match.
I look for people skills/behaviors that
compliment the existing team.
I look for a solid foundation to build upon, a
foundation that’s adaptable.
Preparing for the Interview 
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Well, your resume worked and now you have an
appointment for the all important job interview. You
have done your homework. You are confident that
you can answer anything the interviewer throws at
you. Finally the big day arrives and the final important
choice must be made. What should you wear?
It is no secret that how you look has everything to do
with the first impression you make. A first impression
is made in the first 27 seconds. If you are too formal
in your appearance, you might give the impression of
being rigid and stuffy. If you are too casual, you may
send the signal that you do not take the interview or
the job very seriously.
Preparing for the Interview 
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Begin by talking to employees of your potential new
employer and find out what the dress code is and
how seriously management takes it. If you can't find
out this information, you should choose clothing that
is professional in the impression it gives.
If you do not already own clothing that will work on an
interview, you should go to a store where you can get
good advice from the sales person. Be prepared to
have the clothes tailored. No human being
completely fits in clothes that are off the rack. To
make the best impression the clothes must be altered
to fit and accent your best features.
Preparing for the Interview 
The following ideas can never be
neglected:
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Look clean and neat. Make sure that your hair is
done appropriately. Women - do not wear wild
hairdo's Men - get a trim of head and facial hair.
Do not wear a perfume or cologne as many
people are allergic. Bathing with a good quality
bath soap will leave a light scent. You will be
nervous and a gentle scent can mask the
perspiring you may be doing. An unscented
antiperspirant can be used.
Cover any tattoos and avoid gaudy jewelry.
Definitely limit pierced jewelry to ears only. Do not
wear nose or tongue jewelry.
Preparing for the Interview 
MEN
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Wear a suit or sport jacket with color coordinated
trousers.
The color should be neutral or dark - blue, black or
gray is best.
Wear a tie - even if you will never wear one after
you get the job.
Shoes should be leather - clean and polished black is best.
Make sure your nails are trimmed and that they
are clean.
Preparing for the Interview 
WOMEN
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Wear a classic suit or a simple dress with a jacket.
This is not a time to be provocative or sexy. Some
appropriate colors are navy blue, black, dark
green, dark red, burgundy, or gray.
Dress in a higher style then the position calls for
but do not attempt to out dress everyone there.
Avoid wearing clothes that are tight, revealing or
trendy. It may be the very latest fashion but it will
not impress the interviewer.
Fingernails should be trimmed to a length that
doesn't leave an observer wondering how you
keep from stabbing yourself. The polish should be
closer to a color your mom might wear than to a
color that your kid sister would go for.
The Job Interview 
Usually the interview starts with –
“Tell me about yourself”
The toughest question in the Interview
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Your answer can make are break you as a
candidate.
“Tell me about yourself” –
The toughest question in the Interview
When you, as a job seeker, are asked the most
common, and toughest, interview question,
"Tell me about yourself," your answer can make or
break you as a candidate. Usually job seekers will
respond with their "30 second commercial," and then
elaborate on their background.
Most social psychologists recognize four basic
personality styles: Analytical, Amiable, Expressive,
and Driver. Usually, each of us exhibits personality
characteristics unique to one of the styles. However,
we also possess characteristics to a lesser degree in
the other styles.
Here are the characteristics that are most commonly
associated with each of the styles:
Analytical:
Positive Traits: Precise, Methodical, Organized, Rational, Detail
Oriented
Negative Traits: Critical, Formal, Uncertain, Judgmental, Picky
Amiable:
Positive Traits: Cooperative, Dependable, Warm, Listener, Negotiator
Negative Traits: Undisciplined, Dependent, Submissive, Overly Cautious,
Conforming
Expressive:
Positive Traits: Enthusiastic, Persuasive, Outgoing, Positive,
Communicator
Negative Traits: Ego Centered, Emotional, Exploitive, Opinionated,
Reacting
Driver:
Positive Traits: Persistent, Independent, Decision Maker, Effective,
Strong Willed
Negative Traits: Aggressive, Strict, Intense, Relentless, Rigid
Personality Styles Gaining an in-depth understanding of your personality
style has enormous value in your career as well as
your personal life.
Once you have learned about your own style and have
studied the other styles. You can determine the styles
of others; you can often identify styles by observing a
person's demeanor, conversation, body language,
appearance, and possessions.
Personality style examples:
Analytical Style: Financial Manager (or
programmers, engineers, and accountants). They like
systems and procedures. They are slow to make
decisions because they will analyze things to death—
but their decisions are usually very sound. They prefer
working independently and are usually not very good
in team environments, but they are also dependable.
They buy cars with good resale value and great gas
mileage. They are conservative dressers. At the party,
they want to know why so much money was spent on
Michelob when we could have purchased Busch.
They come to the party with their laptops.
Personality style examples:
Amiable Style: Human Resources Manager. Very
people-focused. They are dependable, loyal and
easygoing; very compassionate. They will give you the
shirt off their backs and the last nickel in their pockets.
They are good listeners and value team players that
do not "rock the boat." They are usually conformists
and followers—rarely leaders. They avoid conflict and
are not good decision makers. They drive four-door
sedans or mini-vans to take the kids to sporting
events. They usually clean up after the party is over.
Personality style examples:
Expressive Style: Sales Manager. Very outgoing and
enthusiastic, with a high energy level. They are also
great idea generators, but usually do not have the
ability to see the idea through to completion. Very
opinionated and egotistical. Money motivated. They
can be good communicators. They prefer to direct and
control rather then ask and listen. They drive red
convertibles with great stereos; to heck with the gas
mileage. They come up with the idea for a company
party, but never help clean up. They are on their way
to another party.
Personality style examples:
Driver: Corporate CEO. Intelligent, intense, focused,
relentless. They thrive on the thrill of the challenge and
the internal motivation to succeed. Money is only a
measure of success; it is not the driving factor. They
are results/performance oriented. They have
compassion for the truly disadvantaged, but absolutely
no patience or tolerance for the lazy or whiners. They
drive prestige cars, not because the car attracts
attention, but because it was a wise investment. They
want to know why we had a party; what were the
benefits of the party, and did we invite the banker?
Interview examples using the different personality styles:
You will be interviewing with the human resource
manager, the finance manager, the sales manager,
and the CEO. The first question each of them will ask
you is: "Tell me about yourself?" How should you
respond? Remember; focus on the needs of the
people in the organization. Here are just a few
examples of how to respond to that question:
"Tell me about yourself?"
"Tell me about yourself?"
Response to Finance Manager: "I have been
successful in my career by making well-thought-out
decisions based on careful analysis of all factors. I
approach problems with logic and sound reasoning. I
would enjoy working with you in developing the
appropriate systems and procedures to make our two
departments function efficiently together."
"Tell me about yourself?"
Response to Human Resource Manager: "My
career has been characterized by my ability to work
well with diverse teams. I seek out opportunities to
involve others in the decision-making process. This
collaboration and communication is what has enabled
me to achieve success in my department. People are
the most valuable resource of any organization."
"Tell me about yourself?"
Response to Sales Manager: "Throughout my
career I have always adhered to the principle that
everyone in the organization must be sales-focused.
My department is always trained in customer service,
providing outstanding support to the sales team and
to our customers. Without sales, the rest of use would
not have a job. I look forward to helping you drive
sales in any way possible."
"Tell me about yourself?"
Response to CEO: "I have achieved success in my
career because I have been focused on the bottom
line. I have always sought out innovative solutions to
challenging problems to maximize profitability.
Regardless of the task or challenge, I always
established benchmarks of performance and
standards of excellence. I have never sought to
maintain the "status quo." An organization that does
not change and grow will die. I would enjoy working
with you to help define new market opportunities in
order to achieve the organization's goals."
Response summary In each instance, the response is to the "needs of the
individual." It is almost guaranteed that, when you
respond appropriately to the diverse needs of the
different managers, you will become the standard by
which all of the other candidates will be measured.
The challenge is for you to learn about your
personality and leadership style, learn about the styles
of others, and learn how to think on your feet when
responding to questions. Whether you are seeking a
job or you are gainfully employed, by understanding
the needs of others you will become a more valuable
person, employee, manager and leader.
After you have the job 
Even after you are successful in getting the job, you should
continue to pay attention to your wardrobe. Interviewing for that
first job is only the beginning in the role clothing will play in your
career.
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You should regularly add pieces made of high quality, long
wearing fabrics. It is best to buy separates that you can mix and
match with the pieces that you already own. Each piece you buy
adds to the variety of looks you can achieve. You may ask why
this is important? The reason is that even after you have the job
you sought, you might like to be considered for advancement
and promotion. The impression you leave on the job every day
will be added to your performance when the boss looks around
for someone to promote.