Advanced
Interviewing
Beyond the Basics!
3 Main Reasons Why An
Interview Goes Wrong
You can’t articulate yourself ad communicate
why you are the perfect person for the job
Your unprepared so you can’t give the right
answer to the behavioral interview questions
Your too nervous… You can’t control your
nerves and you lose control during the interview
Prepare for Interview!!
Professional outfit
Research
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The principal products or services
Their types of customers
Their parent companies, type of ownership
Their announced future plans
Their mission
No Research
Bad Interview
Performance
Practice Interviewing

Friends, record (video and audio), mock interview
Have money
Know where it’s located & arrive 15 minutes early
Does Dress Matter?
What About Attitude?
Dressing For Success
First-round candidates are quickly eliminated by
inappropriate dress
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3 seconds to determine whether they like you or want
to do business with you
Appearance translates to performance
Companies may have relaxed the internal
company dress code…
Interviews still follow the conservative standard
Attitude is EVERYTHING
The key element to successful interviewing
can be summed up in one word:
ATTITUDE!
Have a “Can Do” Attitude.
10%
40%
25%
25%
Attitude
Appearance
Communication
Job Qualifications
Attitude!
Incorporate into your interview
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“Positive attitude"
“Excellence"
“Striving to be my best"
Show by your stories and examples
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Show when, where and how you have put forth
extra effort above and beyond the call of duty
Show how you beat a deadline, how you excelled in a
project, or how you made a difference by going the extra
mile
Structure of an
Interview
Introductions

Develop rapport - Exchange
basic information
Body of the Interview
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Acquisition of specific information
Close
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Re-emphasize your specific
qualities and skills
Ask questions - Obtain
information
Thank you letter
Introductions
How
important
is
this?
Very important
toinexpect
•What
Walk
self-assured
•What
Be to
confident
do
•
First impressions
avoid
•What
Thistosets
up the remaining of the
interview (can’t be undone)
Interview Types
Initial/Screening
Personal and Informal
Personal and Formal
Progressive
Group
Initial/Screening: Phone
Phone interviews are used to narrow the
pool of applicants
Group or one-on-one
Reminders:
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Don't smoke, chew gum, eat, or drink
Keep a glass of water handy, in case you need to wet your mouth
Smile
Speak slowly and clearly
Don't interrupt the interviewer
Take your time - it's perfectly acceptable to take a moment before
answering
Prepare in advance - put your information in front of you
Initial/Screening: Skype
Personal and Informal:
Personal and Informal
One-on-one with only one person
 Can take place anywhere

Personal and Formal:
Personal and Formal
One-on-one with only one person
 Strict time frame
 Set questions

Progressive
Progressive Interview (on-site)
Meet with 2 or more individuals
 Try to make a contact and not to carry on
the same conversation

Group
Group/Panel/Committee Interview
Most intimidating
 Engage each person and focus on the
person asking the question
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Behavioral-Based
Interviewing
Concept - Past will predict the future
There are no “Correct” answers
General Categories
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Academics/Co-curricular
Strengths/Weaknesses/ Abilities
Maturity
Work and Volunteer Experience
Goals
Projects
Computer Skills
Answering Questions
S. T. A. R.
S – Situation
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The name of the project, company, class
T – Task
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What was the task at hand - your role
A – Action
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What did you do?
R – Result
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How did it turn out? Quantify
Paint a
Picture
Tell me about yourself?
Why should we hire you?
Why should we hire you?
How do you
want to be
remembered?
Nonverbals
What you say is not nearly as
important as how you say it!
Top 5 Nonverbals
 Eye
Contact
 Facial Expressions
 Posture
 Gestures
 Space
To Ask or Not to Ask?
Always ask questions in the closing
Areas to ask about:
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Training programs, supervision
Company culture (…why do you like working here?)
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If you could describe your company’s culture in 3 words, what
would you say?
Explain the history of this position (new/retirement/fire)
Describe what my first day, week, and month will look like
Describe the ideal candidate for this position
Timeline for the hiring process, next steps
To Ask or Not to Ask?
Salary:
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Never appropriate until interviewer brings it up
Research industry to understand approximate amount
Wait until offer of employment BEFORE negotiating
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When looking at salary, remember everything that is
included:
 Benefits
 Health (medical, dental, eye)
 Retirement/Stock shares
 Vacation time
 Professional Development
 Other perks (gym membership/childcare)
After the Interview
Write a Thank You
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Send the same day as the interview or within a very
short time frame
Email vs Mail
Typed or Hand Written
Call?
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Ask in closing of interview
No sooner than 1 week
Waiting….
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Can be brutal but keep applying elsewhere
Mock Interview
By Going To:
https://csufresno.optimalresume.com
Reminder….
Everything you do online is not secret
Stay professional at ALL times
Social Media Sites Email Addresses Voicemail Messages
Questions?
/fscareers
/fscareers
Office Hours
Monday - Friday 8am to 5pm
Thomas Building, Room 103
559.278.2381
www.fresnostate.edu/careers
@fs_careers