BOSTON COLLEGE WORLD-WIDE WEBINARS:
Top 10 Tips to Align,
Define and
Differentiate YOU
for a Successful
Interview
Donna Sullivan ’85
Vice President, General Manager
Transition Solutions
Discussion for Today
You should walk away with Strong understanding of the Interview
 How to prepare Yourself
 What to Expect
 What to Do/Not to Do
 How to follow-up
HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR OPPORTUNITIES
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Top Ten
David Letterman has nothing on the BC
Community!
Let’s get it done!
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What is an Interview?
# 10. – Know what an interview IS!
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What is an Interview?
1. An audition?
2. A history lesson?
3. An effort to find the
most talented person?
….It is a Sales Process for the Best Fit!
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You are the Product
# 9. – Know the Product
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You are the Product
SKILLS
INTERESTS
STRENGTHS
Know What You Are Selling
Know WHO You are Selling To
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We Live in a Soundbite
World
# 8. – Have a 30 Second Commercial
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30 Second Commercials
Overview of YOU – The Product
Keys to Success
 Succinct
 Strength Driven
 Backed by FACT – (Accomplishment)
 Connection to the Company or Organization
Did I mention Succinct??!!
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Example of a 30 Second
Commercial
• My name is Madonna. I am a singer and songwriter.
• My Strengths include the development and
presentation of cutting edge rhythmic and lyrical
music, the selection of highly skilled musicians for
international impact as well as the strong ability to
lead diverse creative and musical groups from all
across the globe.
• Most recently I completed a world wide tour
including over 15 countries and 25 cities playing
more than 50 new and classic songs.
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Product Differentiation
# 7. – Know the WHY YOU
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Product Differentiation
Most Candidates will have same or
similar functional experience…
 Sell more than skill sets – no one
else has your accomplishments!
 Be precise – ACTION and
RESULTS
Give them the Proof with the
Pudding!
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Understand the Interview
Process
# 6. – Know What to Expect
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The Interview Process
Qualifications
Screen
Culture
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Interviews
Screening – Recruiters/Internal
and then….
Qualifications
And then finally…
Culture
Match Your Skills
& Experiences
with Their Needs
Sell Yourself
through
Alignment
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Different Interviewers are
Looking for Different Things
# 5. – Understand Who is Interviewing
You
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Types of Interviewers
Recruiters
Screeners
Functional Heads
Technical Experts
Line Managers
Tactical Focus
Peers
Culture: Behavioral
Subordinates
Culture: Style
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Interviewing Isn’t Natural
# 4. - Practice the Questions to Expect
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Most Frequently Asked
Questions
• Tell me about yourself?
• What are your greatest strengths?
• How much money do you want to make?
• What is a weakness?
• What are your long term/short-term plans?
• Why do you want to leave your current
position
• Why should I hire you?
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Why Behavioral Interviewing?
Interview
Approach
• What are the Technique Differences –
Conventional vs. Behavioral
• Core Competency Reviews
• Critical Factors
• Industry and company specific
• Past Behavior - Indicator of Future Behavior
The questions will all be open ended!
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Examples of Behavioral
Questions

Describe something you’ve done that shows how you pro-actively inform
others about relevant developments

Tell me about a situation where you responded constructively to a
difference of opinion.

Think of a project that required you to lead in the face of persistent
challenge.

Describe your behavior in a situation that was contentious /volatile.

Describe a time when you had to gather info and data in order to
diagnose a problem before taking action. Talk me through your actions.

Tell me about a challenging situation when you earned the trust and
credibility within your team.
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Your Appearance Counts
# 3. - Product Packaging:
First Impressions Matter
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Image
 Dress appropriately
You are a product.
They do NOT have to love you for who you are.
 Movement and Mannerism
Use names & ask for feedback.
 Listen!!
It’s quality of communication – not quantity.
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What does Success
Look like?
# 2. - Interview Do’s/Don’ts
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Keys to SUCCESS!
Answer with the job in mind
Connect to their “pain”
Be succinct – answer directly
Creating a “conversation” rather than an “interrogation”
Being prepared – with questions, research, resume,
notes, and references (when requested)
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Closing the Meeting
• Always ask for next steps
• Ask for timelines
• “Is there anything that concerns you about my candidacy?”
• Send emails to everyone in process – personalized and with
a connection made!
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Keys to Failure!
Going there without your research done
Not being prepared – physically and emotional
(packaging matters!)
Not following the process from beginning to end
Not following up with professionalism
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Set YOUR VALUE
# 1. - Begin the Process at the Highest
Value for YOU and Work Your
Way UP from there
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Keys to Success
• Know the Product - YOU
• Know the Market - THE JOB
• Be Prepared – Research beyond the numbers!
• Understand the process early on.
• Connect with and understand all the Interviewers – not just the
decision maker.
The Best Candidate isn’t always selected – it’s the Candidate
that Sells the Best!! PRACTICE.
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Review and Emphasis
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# 10. – Know what an interview IS!
# 9. – Know the Product
# 8. – Have a 30 Second Commercial
# 7. – Know the WHY YOU
# 6. – Know What to Expect
# 5. – Understand Who is Interviewing You
# 4. - Experience Matters
# 3. - Product Packaging/First Impressions Matter
# 2. - Interview Do’s/Don’ts
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Number 1 Way to Maximize
Success
# 1. - Begin the Process at the Highest
Value for YOU and Work Your Way UP from
there
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Are You Ready?
• Questions?
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Resources
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The Interviewing Cheat Sheet LinkedIn
What to Expect During an HR Interview Forbes
12 Surprising Job Interview Tips Forbes
Book: What I Wish EVERY Job Candidate Knew: 15 Minutes
to a Better Interview by: Russell Tuckerton
• Find it on Amazon here.
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A little about Donna Sullivan
• Transition Solutions is an international outplacement
organization – headquartered in Quincy, MA. We have over
30 years experience helping corporations and organizations
across all industries through change of all kind- acquisitions,
mergers, rightsizing and downsizing
Donna Sullivan ’85
Vice President
Transition Solutions
dsullivan@transitionsolutions.com
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