Employability Skills
How to Ace an Interview
By Douglas J. Hughes, MEd, CSFA, CSA, CST, CRCST
ST320
Concorde Career College
Objectives
Throughout this lecture, the student will…
gain an understanding of the interview from the
employer’s perspective,
learn helpful tips to prepare for interview success,
recognize the importance of the first impression,
discover how to dress for success,
review common interview questions,
prepare answers to common questions in advance of
the interview, and
identify how a professional portfolio can help land the
job.
Introduction
Defining the Interview
“Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your
altitude “
Zig Ziglar, Motivational Speaker
“So many people out there have no idea what they want to
do for a living, but they think that by going on job
interviews they’ll magically figure it out. If you’re not sure,
that message comes out loud and clear in the interview.”
Todd Bermont, World-renowned Job Hunting Expert
“Death will be a great relief. No more interviews.”
Katharine Hepburn, Actress
Introduction
Defining the Interview
What is it?
Precedes the hiring decision
Follows submission of the application and resume
Used to determine whether or not an individual
candidate meets the needs and expectations of
the employer
Considered the most useful tool for evaluating
candidates
Introduction
The Hiring Process
Consists of 3 Phases
Pre-interview phase
Interview phase
Usually lasts between 15-30
minutes
Post-interview phase
The Interview
From the Employer’s Perspective
Will the candidate…
Be a good fit?
Interact well with staff and leadership?
Perform duties competently?
Demonstrate desired characteristics?
What characteristics do employers look for?
The Interview
From the Employer’s Perspective
Leadership
Organization
Critical Thinking Skills
Employability
Characteristics
Ethics & Integrity
Teamwork
Teachability
Technical Competency
Communication Skills
The Interview
From the Employer’s Perspective
The employer is seeking particular…
Skills set
Availability
Level of education or experience
Other qualifications?
The Interview
From the Employer’s Perspective
Interviewers are on the lookout for poor candidates. Therefore
be careful not to…
Arrive late or get lost (not prepared)
Bellyache about current job
(negative/disloyal)
Describe every accomplishment as a
personal feat (loner/non-team player)
Forget to give others credit (quick to
blame others/loner)
Speak before processing a question and
its implications (careless thinker)
Act is if you know more about your
organization than you do
(bossy/controlling)
Use the passive voice extensively in
conversation (not willing to take charge)
Use profanity (inappropriate)
Use diminutives to address junior
staff/women professionals/their seniors
(poor manager of diverse staff)
Boast about success (cocky)
Put down spouse, partner, or colleagues
(ego issues)
Describe yourself as a "loners" or
"difficult to please" (acknowledged
egotist)
Have poor table manners (inappropriate)
Cut others off before they have finished
a thought (impatient)
Disregard/poke fun at your
administrative staff (not strong team
player/disrespectful)
The Key to a Successful
Interview: Be Prepared
Before anything else, preparation is the
key to success.
- Alexander Graham Bell
Be Prepared
Tips Before the Interview
Practice!
Learn about the
company
Assemble needed
materials
Look sharp
Be Prepared
Tips Before the Interview
Practice!
Mock interviews
Career Counselors
Prep for common
questions
Flash cards
Record yourself
Recruit friends or family
Be Prepared
Tips Before the Interview
Learn about the company
Start with the job
description
Use the internet – do
some research
Read the small print
Talk to a current employee
Check latest news
What is the employer
looking for specifically?
Get on the phone
Be Prepared
Tips Before the Interview
Assemble needed materials…
Must Haves
Resume copies
A pen (and a backup)
A notepad (legal)
References
Questions
Directions and contact
information
Full tank of gas/bus money
Breath mints
Folder or briefcase
Portfolio
Copy of job description
Nice to Haves
Cell phone in case of
emergency
Past employment data
Notes about people you have
spoken to regarding the job
Snack (just in case)
Grooming tools (again, just in
case)
Proof of current employment
status
ID/legal documents
Be Prepared
Tips Before the Interview
Look sharp!
Attire must be…
Neat
Clean
Pressed
Coordinating
Professional
Non revealing
Correctly sized
Free from tears or holes
Be Prepared
Tips Before the Interview
Men’s Attire
Suit (solid color - navy or
dark grey)
Long sleeve shirt (white or
coordinated with the suit)
Belt
Tie
Dark socks, conservative
leather shoes
Little or no jewelry
Neat, professional
hairstyle
Limit the aftershave
Neatly trimmed nails
Attaché case or briefcase
Traditional suits are best
for medical professionals
Be Prepared
Tips Before the Interview
Women’s Attire
Suit (navy, black or dark grey)
The suit skirt should be long
enough so you can sit down
comfortably
Coordinated blouse
Conservative shoes
Limited jewelry (no dangling
earrings or arms full of
bracelets)
No jewelry is better than
cheap jewelry
Professional hairstyle
Neutral pantyhose
Light make-up and perfume
Neatly manicured clean nails
Attaché case or briefcase
Be Prepared
Tips Before the Interview
What not to wear…
Flip-flops or sneakers
Underwear (bras, bra
straps, briefs, boxers, etc.)
that is visible
Jeans
Skirts that are too short
Pants that are too low-rise
or too tight
Blouses that are too lowcut or too short
Anything trendy
Reminders…
Do not bring gum
Turn your cell phone off
Leave your I-pod at home
No coffee or soda
If you have lots of
piercings, leave some of
your rings at home
(earrings only, is a good
rule)
Cover tattoos
Keep it classic and
traditional!
Source: http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewattire/a/interviewnot.htm
Who would you hire?
OR
In the workforce world one is judged by their
appearance, and if one’s appearance is
inappropriate and sloppy others may also
assume that one’s work is too.
Interview Attire Continuum
Interview Attire Continuum
Be Prepared
Tips During the Interview
Greet the interviewer, shake
hands, smile and introduce
yourself. Provide copies of your
resume.
Think of the interview as a
conversation, not an
interrogation. The interviewer
may also be nervous.
Be prepared for any type of an
interview. Interviews may be
full of questions or casual
conversation.
Follow the lead of the
interviewer, stay on topic, and
ask for clarification if necessary.
Listen well!
Ask a few questions to let the
employer know you are
enthusiastic and interested in
the company.
Wait for the employer to bring
up the subject of wages, hours,
holidays, etc.
Be attentive to body language
and posture. Don't cross your
arms; maintain casual eye
contact.
Don't make negative comments
about previous employers.
State your interest in the
position and the organization
with enthusiasm.
Politely ask when they will be
making a decision.
Smile, shake hands, and thank
the interviewer for his/her time.
Source: www.thejobstores.com
Be Prepared
Tips During the Interview
Make a good
first
impression!
Make a
positive
lasting
impression
Be Prepared
Tips During the Interview
How to make a good first
impression…
Arrive slightly early
Be prepared!
Participate in the
conversation – be proactive
Listen
Defend your resume
Discuss weaknesses in
resume/experience with
confidence
Ask appropriate questions
Be yourself and let your
personality shine
Remain positive
Thank each interviewer and
use their names
Be Prepared
Tips During the Interview
Additional tips…
Use a moderate tone
Don’t say “um”
Maintain eye contact
No slouching or sitting
casually
Have paperwork and notes
organized
Don’t mention family or
personal life unless it
relates to the job
Use appropriate and
effective body language
SMILE!
Be Prepared
Tips After the Interview
Thank you notes
Hand written preferred by many employers
Write one for each interviewer
Send ASAP
Keep it brief and positive
Recap your attributes
Remind them you are interested
Include contact info
Follow up in a week or so, but don't hound them
Commonly Asked Interview
Questions
Make sure you have thought out and
practiced your answers beforehand
Use flash cards!
Interview Questions
Tell me about yourself…
May be similar to your 30second commercial
http://www.youtube.com/wat
ch?v=ttX6ItyPr8A
90-second version
http://www.youtube.com/wat
ch?v=7OEZSfdn6Jc
Interview Questions
What is your greatest Weakness?
Evaluate pitfalls
http://www.youtube.co
m/watch?v=YTRojxZBeR8
&feature=relmfu
Interview Questions
Why should we hire you?
Sell yourself!
Know the job description
Understand the employer’s needs
Identify what you have to offer
http://www.youtube.com/watch
?src_vid=YTRojxZBeR8&annotatio
n_id=annotation_613912&featur
e=iv&v=kcoat4ifHoY
Interview Questions
Why do you want to work here?
What is your value to the company
What are your motivations
What does the employer want to hear?
Do your homework and research the
employer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
ZHrG0MaNrGo&feature=iv&annotati
on_id=annotation_108969
Interview Questions
Where do you see yourself in five years?
What are your goals and
aspirations?
What does the interviewer want to
know, really?
http://www.youtube.com/watch
?src_vid=ZHrG0MaNrGo&annota
tion_id=annotation_454078&feat
ure=iv&v=xCGbE_xBNYc
Interview Questions
Other common questions…
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Why did you leave your last job?
What do you know about the
company/facility/hospital/department?
What relevant experience do you have?
What would your previous coworkers say
about you if they were here?
How well do you work under pressure?
What is your greatest strength?
What issues have you had with a previous
supervisor or boss?
Interview Questions
The final question…
Do you have any
questions for us?
Let’s evaluate
appropriate
questions that
you should be
prepared to ask
the interviewer.
Professional Portfolio
The portfolio defined
"A professional portfolio is simply a collection of physical
evidence that helps document and describe your professional
accomplishments. Portfolios can be very useful in encouraging
your systematic collection of evidence of professional
development over time and in promoting reflection about your
professional growth."
Leo Lambert, Stacey LaneTice, & Patricia Featherston,
University Teaching: A Guide for Graduate Students.
Syracuse University Press, 1996, p. 147
Professional Portfolio
Why keep a portfolio?
To assist in identifying
career goals
To outline your professional
background
To highlight your specific
skills and accomplishments
To communicate and
sample your professional
experience
To expand on your resume
with fuller, richer, and
deeper content
Professional Portfolio
What to include
Academic work
Research
Teaching
Leadership
Volunteer/community service
Publications
Conference participation/CEUs
Work experience
Clinical case logs
Performance reviews
Recognitions and awards
Certifications/credentials
HIPAA training certificate
CPR
Letters of recommendation from
employers/hospital staff/physicians
Professional Portfolio
Preferred method of presentation
Leather or vinyl
Spiral bound or hole
punched
Good quality paper and
printing
Organized with
tabs/dividers
May be enhanced with an
on-line portfolio or
website
May be printed in book
form
Professional Portfolio
Portfolio help…
Geared toward nursing, but may be adapted for any
healthcare provider: http://www.nursinginformatics.com/Oermann.pdf
Florida State University:
http://www.career.fsu.edu/img/pdf/guides/Portfolio%20Prep
aration.pdf
Hints: http://jobmob.co.il/blog/work-portfolios/
California University of Pennsylvania:
http://www.calu.edu/currentstudents/files/ProfessionalPortfolios.pdf
Student Resources
Additional interview helps…
Comprehensive Interview Information:
http://www.calu.edu/current-students/career-services/careerresources/quick-tips/interviews-and-portfolios/index.htm
A word on body language: http://www.calu.edu/currentstudents/career-services/files/InterviewsBodyofEvidence.pdf
State of Washington:
http://www.wa.gov/esd/guides/jobsearch/strategy/interview_infor
mational.htm
About.com: http://jobsearch.about.com/lr/interviewing/64624/2/
Interview Does and Don’ts:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1ucmfPOBV8
Colorado State University:
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/consumer/09151.pdf