7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
SECTION OPENER / CLOSER
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Section 7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
How to create the right first
impression by displaying a good
attitude and communicating
effectively
continued
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
Effective responses to typical
and tough interview questions
Strategies for managing
interview stress
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
Your ability to project a positive
first impression is essential for
achieving success in your career
and personal life.
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
KEY TERMS
body language
role-playing
problem solving
stress
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
At the Top of the List: Attitude
Many employers look for the right
attitude in a potential employee.
Let your smile and enthusiasm project
your positive attitude.
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
Body Talk
Body language is the gestures,
posture, and eye contact you use to
send messages.
Eye contact, for example, shows that
you’re paying attention.
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
Body Talk
A firm handshake signals selfconfidence.
Nodding your head shows that you are
thinking, while biting your nails may
suggest that you’re too nervous to
handle the job.
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
Body Talk
Good manners count.
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
Speaking for Success
Interview success depends not only on
what you say but also on how you say it.
Use standard English and show the
communication skills that employers
look for.
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
Typical Questions
Questions you should be ready to
answer include:
What goals have you set for yourself?
What do think are your greatest
strengths? Your greatest weaknesses?
Why did you apply to our company?
continued
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
Typical Questions
Why would you be right for this job?
Where do you see yourself in five
years?
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
Typical Questions
Honesty is the best policy.
If you don’t understand a question, ask
the interviewer to clarify it.
Interviewers prefer specific answers that
show you think clearly.
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
Tough Questions
Sometimes an interviewer will ask tough
questions to see how you react under
pressure.
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
Tough Questions
Tough questions you might encounter
include:
How can the company be assured that
you’ll give us your best effort?
What qualities do you have that offset
your lack of experience?
continued
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
Tough Questions
Are you going to move to a better job
as soon as you’re finished here?
Why should I hire you?
Why should I trust you?
How would you describe your
relationship with your current
employer?
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
Tough Questions
When you are asked tough questions,
stay calm and don’t get defensive.
Turn tough questions around to focus on
your skills.
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
Tough Questions
If a panel of several people interviews
you, stay calm and address one
question at a time.
There is often no right answer to tough
questions. It’s how you answer that
counts.
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
Tough Questions
Questions you should be prepared to
ask include:
What are the employee benefits?
Does the company pay for training?
What is the potential for growth in this
company?
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
Standing in the Spotlight
Role-playing is acting out a role in a
make-believe situation.
Some interviewers use role-playing as a
chance to evaluate your skills.
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
Standing in the Spotlight
Problem solving means using thinking
skills to find solutions to problems, such
as theoretical problems posed by an
interviewer.
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
Standing in the Spotlight
Some interviewers expect you to do all
the talking; they only ask vague
questions such as, “Tell me about
yourself.”
This type of interview sounds casual, but
it can prove very difficult.
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
Standing in the Spotlight
Prepare a brief mental outline of what
points you will cover in case your
interview is unstructured.
Highlight your qualifications, including
your relevant skills, experience, and
personal qualities.
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
Standing in the Spotlight
Make sure to mention why you would
like to work for the company.
This is where your company research
will come in handy.
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
Can They Ask That?
An interviewer does not have the right to
ask you about:
children or child care,
age,
disabilities,
citizenship,
continued
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
Can They Ask That?
lawsuits against you, or
AIDS or HIV status.
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
Can They Ask That?
If an interviewer asks you a question
that isn’t job-related, you might say,
“I assure you that this area is not a
problem. Let me tell you about the skills
I have that fit this job.”
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
The Stress Factor
Stress is the emotional and physical
tension that is body’s natural response
to conflict.
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
The Stress Factor
If you feel great stress in an interview,
stop trying so hard—relax and be
yourself.
The worst thing that can happen is that
you don’t get the job. There are other
jobs.
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
Wrapping it Up
At the end of the interview, you may be
offered the job on the spot.
If you aren’t, thank the interviewer and
ask when they hope to make a decision.
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview:
It’s Show
Time
Graphic
Organizer
Interviewing Skills
BEFORE
DURING
AFTER
Prepare yourself
Arrive on time
Attitude
Body language
Confidence
Thank-you note
Follow up
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
SECTION 7.2 REVIEW
Key Concept Checkpoint
Comprehension
1. Why is a positive attitude essential to
succeeding in the workplace?
continued
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
SECTION 7.2 REVIEW
Key Concept Checkpoint
Comprehension
2. Where in the job market do you see
yourself in five years?
continued
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
SECTION 7.2 REVIEW
Key Concept Checkpoint
Comprehension
3. Why do you think employers ask
tough questions?
4. How do you control interview stress?
continued
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
SECTION 7.2 REVIEW
Key Concept Checkpoint
Critical Thinking
5. Why should you ask questions at the
end of an interview?
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work
7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
SECTION OPENER / CLOSER
INSERT BOOK COVER ART
End of Section 7.2
During an Interview: It’s Show Time
Chapter 7 • Interviewing
Succeeding in the World of Work