Interviewing Workshop McCormick Office of Career Development Objectives • To better understand the interview process: the before, during, and after • To be aware of the appropriate interviewing behaviors • To learn about behavioral interviewing • To practice interviewing skills Goals of the Interview Goals of the Candidate (you): • • • To obtain information about the job/organization. To communicate important information about yourself. To make a positive impression upon the employer. Goals of the Interviewer: • • • To promote the organization and attract the best candidate. To assess if qualifications match the job requirements. To determine candidate fit with the organization and staff. Skills/Qualities Sought by Employers Ability to learn Technical Skills Communication skills Critical thinking Personal management Teamwork Leadership Adaptability Organization Skills Motivation Problem Solving Maturity Professional Judgment NOTE: Know the specific technical skills for your areas of interest! Before the Interview Before the Interview • Research the industry/company • Identify reasons for wanting to work or having interest in that industry/company • Recall situations that show favorable behaviors/actions • Analyze the skills the employer is seeking • Practice answering common interview questions • Prepare questions to ask the employer Company/Industry Research Learn more about the industry Wetfeet.com Vault.com Factiva.com Informational Interviews & Networking Learn about the company Crain’s Business Glassdoor.com Student Evaluations Company Website Dress for the Interview • Business professional dress, unless notified otherwise • Carry a binder/portfolio to contain resumes, personal calendar, pen • Don’t chew gum or bring beverages or food Dress to Impress- Women Navy, gray, and black suits Skirts length should be below the knee Keep accessories to a minimum Make-up should look natural Choose one; handbag or briefcase Dress to Impress- Men Invest in a conservative color Check for proper fit Wear socks that match your trousers Clean your shoes The tie knot should be small During the Interview Interview Structure Pre-Interview Greeting, Introduction, “Small Talk” Information Exchange Interview questions/responses Information sharing about employer Interviewee’s questions Closing Next steps Business card? Pre-Interview & Greeting Pre-Interview • • You're being judged as soon as you arrive Arrive 10-15 minutes early to compose yourself Greeting • • • Know the interviewer’s name and pronunciation Extend a warm greeting and firm handshake Wait to be asked to have a seat Information Exchange • DIRECT: confirms information • Are you able to... • OPEN-ENDED: generates performance data • • • • Tell me about a time when you… How did you… Describe a situation where you… Give me an example of… • WHY QUESTIONS: reveal preferences, motives Tell me about yourself… A dreaded, but very common question. Share information the employer may Importance: not already know First Impression still malleable and present it in Tone of interview a way that connects to the position Provide depth to resume you are seeking. Insight into who you are Direct Questions Direct questions often require only a short answer with minimal elaboration Examples: Are you able to … Are you willing to relocate? Are you willing to travel? Behavioral interviewing “The best predictor of future performance is past performance in similar situations.” Provide specific examples/situations based on actual past behaviors, instead of based on responses to hypothetical questions. Your Response Strategy: The STAR Technique • Situation • Task • Action • Result Tell me about a time when you took initiative? Situation • Task • Action • Result • During my internship last summer, I was responsible for managing various events. I noticed that attendance at these events had dropped by 30% over the past 3 years and wanted to do something to improve these numbers. I designed a new promotional packet to go out to the local community businesses. I also included a rating sheet to collect feedback on our events and organized internal round table discussions to raise awareness of the issue with our employees I was able to incorporate many of the ideas from the community, as well as make the internal systems more efficient and visible. I am proud to report that attendance increased by 18%. About Your Body Language • Be sure to smile • Don’t hurry gestures/movements • Use good posture • Lean forward while listening and answering questions • Make eye contact • Use mirroring Do and Don’t DON’T DO • Convey enthusiasm, confidence, friendliness • Convey maturity and professionalism • Know your nervous body language tendencies and avoid them • • • • Be negative • Use ums/likes • Exaggerate or lie • Have your cell phone turned on • Interrupt the interviewer • Engage in a debate • Use acronyms Be articulate Take time to reflect, if necessary, before answering Be aware of your eye contact Asking Good Questions Prepare questions before the interview They should be thoughtful and relevant Address the position, skills, qualifications, etc… Avoid salary benefits and/or personal topics After the Interview • Write a thank you note to the interviewer within 48 hours • Recall pieces of your interview conversation • Remind them of your applicable skills and experience • Reiterate your interest in the position • Reflect/Process your experience • What did you do well? • What didn’t go so well? • How can you change that in a future interview? • Process your interaction to assess your fit Good Luck! Questions? Pitfalls • Inability to express information clearly • Untidy personal appearance • Lack of genuine interest or enthusiasm • Unwillingness to start at the bottom • Negative attitude • Lack of eye contact • Being late for the interview