Job Interview Training
Instructor:
Tim Devaney
HEAD START Of Greater Dallas, Inc.
3954 Gannon Lane
Dallas, Texas 75237-2919
Job Interview Training
Preparation
Resume
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Heading include: education, experience,
goals
Be truthful
Have it proof read by several people
Use bullets
Job Interview Training
Preparation
Letters of recommendation
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Must be from qualified people
Prepare a draft
Job Interview Training
Preparation
Research
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Talk to as many people as you can who
have worked the job
Get the names of key people at the
location (if you know the location) and
inquire about them
Job Interview Training
Preparation
Research
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Go online and find out all you can about
the organization and the job
Get a copy of the job description if
possible (Call HR and ask)
Job Interview Training
Preparation
Research
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Every organization has a political
structure (and possibly substructures).
Be very sensitive to politics.
Job Interview Training
The Interview
First Impressions
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Dress for the part (Halo effect)
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Hair
Conservative clothes
Very little jewelry
Posture
Smile
(no large purse or brief case)
Job Interview Training
The Interview
First Impressions
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Greet interviewers professionally
A note pad is acceptable
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Names of interviewers
Help you organize your thoughts
Have notes from your homework
Job Interview Training
The Interview
Being mentally prepared
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The problem solving questions (usually the majority of the
interview)
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Repeat the questions, such as “What you are asking is …” or
reword the question
These questions must be answered
Draw from the job description as to the types of problems
Ask for clarification if necessary
The more information you give the better, but do not repeat
yourself
Remember you do not work in a vacuum – refer to others as
resources for solving problems
Refer to policies and procedures
Job Interview Training
The Interview
Being mentally prepared
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The personal question (at least one question of this sort
is usually asked: “What are your career goals?”; “What
do you see as your deficiencies?”; etc.)
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These questions do not require elaborate answers.
For the highly threatening type of question, think in terms of
“ying & yang”, opposite sides of the same coin.
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shy, quiet … considerate of others
critical … high standards, very interested
opinionated … very verbal, expressive
pushy, dominating … involved, goal oriented
Express any negative aspect in a positive fashion
Job Interview Training
Who are you selling?
Extrovert
Enthusiasm is inside
Thinks before talking
Focused on thoughts
Needs to be drawn out
One-on-one
Prefers written communications
Introvert
Often thinks out loud
Comfortable in groups
Talks of people and things
Responds quickly
Energy and enthusiasm
Job Interview Training
Who are you selling?
Sensing
Likes evidence
Practical and realistic
Relies on direct experience
Likes clear plan of action
Keeps things specific
Intuition
Likes broad issues (theories)
Into future challenges
Relies on insight and
imagination
Likes the novel or unusual
Into general concepts
Job Interview Training
Who are you selling?
Thinking
Prefers brief and concise
Lists pros and cons
Intellectually critical and
objective
Likes impersonal reasoning
Emotions are another piece of
information
Feeling
Uses values to reach
conclusions
Likes harmony with others
Enjoys pleasing others
Influenced by likes and dislikes
Avoids the unpleasant
Job Interview Training
Who are you selling?
Judging
Likes to follow a plan
Seeks closure
May not notice new things
Strong need to make a decision
Likes structure and schedules
Perceptive
Likes flexibility
Leaves things open for last
minute changes
Postpones unpleasant tasks
Interested in what is new
Adapts well to changes
Job Interview Training
Who are you selling?
•Once you see what your personality has,
do you see what it doesn’t have?
•What will it take to become a “whole”
person?
•Skills and understanding can fill in gaps of
personality.