Interviewing Skills
Goals for Interview

Introduce & Sell Yourself




Sell the Job


Who are you?
Skills and Strengths
Unique Marketable Qualities
Interviewer’s Responsibility
Never Walk Away Empty-Handed

Next Steps
Interviews

Types of Interviews



Screening or Selection Interviews
Behavioral
Styles of Interviews



Directed
Nondirective
Stress
Preparation is Vital!



Analyze Yourself
Resume
Do your homework




Field
Organizations
School/program
What will they evaluate?
Stages of an Interview
Structured Much Like a Speech

Intro


Body of Interview


Questions
Closing


Candidate & Job
Reiterate Interest & Fit
Follow-up

Thank You Note; Assessment/Revision
Important Interview Elements
Verbal Message
Appearance
Non-Verbal Message
Questions
Follow-up
Verbal Message
How You Define Yourself
•
Your Skills & Experience
Reiterate Resume with Examples
•
Your Interests & Goals
Why This Job? Why This Company? Why Now?
•
Your Personality
Flexible? Communicative? Pleasant? Team Player?
Verbal Message
•
Understand What They Want
Flexibility, Quick Learner, Motivated, Team-player
•
Find Skills That Fit The Job
Travel, Tutoring, Class Projects, Peer Training,
Volunteering, Working on Campus/in Class
•
Prepare As You Would For Speech
Identify Key Ideas, Support Ideas with Examples, Adapt to
Audience, End Strongly
•
Use Speech Skills
Be Concise, Listen Closely & Answer Question Asked,
Pace Yourself, Reflect Enthusiasm, Strong Voice
Verbal Message
Personality Cues







Show Courtesy to Interviewer
 Not: “What can you do for me?”
Don’t Rely on Yes/No Answers
Be Careful of “Know it All Complex”
Positive, Not Cynical
Show Tolerance and Flexibility
Broad Interests
Low Pressure Personality Type
Verbal Message
Work Habit Cues






Speak Well of Others
Show Initiative
Ability to Take Criticism
Moral Standards (Don’t Lie)
Willing to “Pay Your Dues”
Team Player
Appearance
First Impressions = Lasting Impressions

Dress for Dream Job






Inspires confidence; shows professionalism, and
interest!
Better to Over-dress than Under-dress
Men: Solid or Pinstripe Suits with Tie
Women: Suit or Jacket with Dress
Avoid Synthetics
Avoid Excessive Jewelry, Cologne, Short
Skirts or Deep Necklines
Appropriate Interview Attire

Men
 Suits/Shirts
 Ties
 Shoes/Socks
 Jewelry
 Hair/Facial Hair
 Nails

Women
 Suits/Blouses
 Skirt length
 Shoes/hosiery
 Jewelry
 Hair
 Nails
Purse/Portfolio/Briefcase
Non-Verbal Message
Body Language Speaks Volumes







Firm Handshake, Eye Contact, Smile
Don’t Sit Until Invited
Eye Contact
Be Mindful of Hands and Facial Signals
Mirror Interviewer (subtly)
Look Enthusiastic!
Take Your Time
Non-Verbal Message

Body Movement





Don’t Cross Arms—use gestures instead
Sit up Straight---Lean Forward
Use an Appropriate Sitting Position
Consider Spatial Use & Seating Arrangement
Vocal Usage


Sound Energetic & Enthusiastic
Reduce the Use of Filled Pauses
Interview Questions

Types
 Credential
 Experience
 Opinion
 Dumb
 Behavioral
 Legal
Questions







Why do you want to work here?
What kind of experience do you have for this job?
Tell me more about your last job.
What did you dislike/Why are you leaving last
job?
What are your strengths?
What are your weaknesses?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Questions

Why do you want to work here?
Research Company
* outstanding firm with reputable history (proof)
* recent projects are similar to interests (give example)
* recommended by a contact
* size of company, corporate “culture”, values
Not just looking for a paycheck--enjoy your work,
proud of your profession and looking for a
company that shares these values.
Questions

What kind of experience do you have for this job?
Use characteristics in vacancy announcement
Use interviewer’s intro to company/job
ASK what projects you would be assigned to
* Pull skills from previous jobs--even if unrelated
(leadership, time management, work ethic)
* Pull examples from academic work
(related project? Technical knowledge
demonstrated?)
Questions

Tell me more about your last job.
2-3 Key Points
* What were your responsibilities
* Challenges you overcame
* What did you enjoy about it
* Draw it back to current opportunity
NEVER talk poorly of past
experience/boss/company
The world is smaller than you think.
Questions


What did you dislike about your last job?
Why are you leaving?
* Short and positive answer.
* Looking to apply different skills.
* Looking to make greater contribution.
* Opportunity was too great to ignore.
Questions

What are your strengths?
Isolate high points from background
* Time Management & Planning
* Natural Curiosity & Desire to Learn
* Strong Communication Skills
* Work Ethic
* Love Challenge--Finding Solutions
* Working with Diverse Teams
Questions

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Be honest--to a degree
Leave the door open for “the right opportunity”
Show desire to be team player & grow
Dangerous Answer: “In your seat!”
Questions For Them
Always have a question prepared.






Why is this vacancy available?
Who will I report to? What specific projects will I
work on? Who will I work with from day-to-day?
What is the management style of my supervisor?
When did you join the company? What do you
like best/like least about firm?
Describe the company’s culture? Are there many
young people? What does the office look like
at 6:00 pm?
Is there potential for growth?
Questions For Them






What has the growth pattern of the
company been like over the past few years?
How often are evaluations given?
Is there a written job description for position?
How many individuals are being considered for
the position?
What are the next steps? Is there a timeline for
the decision?
Is there anything that concerns you about me?
(GUTSY)
DO NOT INQUIRE ABOUT SALARY
Follow-up





Confirm when they will be in contact
Reiterate interest in job
“Look forward to hearing from you.”
Get business card for everyone at interview
Send thank you note PROMPTLY.





Shows interest!
Allows chance to follow-up on issue
Handwritten--more personal
Typed--more polished
Complete a Self-Assessment
Other Hints




Arrive Early!
Introductions—More than a Hello
Name Usage—Follow lead
Listen and Observe Office





Laughter?
Many vacant desks?
A pleasant environment?
Ask to meet predecessor or former intern.
Thank Interviewers at close of interview