Chapter 9 “Exploring the
Interview Process”
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Topics of Discussion
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Roles in the interview process
Types of interviews
Preparing for an interview
The actual interview
Post interview
Personal appropriateness
Appropriate questions
Section 1 Nature of Interviews
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Roles in the Interview Process
Interviewer
 Set goal
 Develop structure
 Prepare and ask questions
 Control the direction of discussion
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Roles in the Interview Process
Interviewee
 Provide clear, complete, and appropriate
answers
 Think about responses before voicing them
 Gather information
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Types of Interviews
Information-gathering
 Survey interviews
1. Used to gather reactions
 Investigative interviews
1. Used to find out unknown info
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Exit interview
To determine why a person has decided to leave
Types of Interviews
Information-giving
 Performance appraisal
 Counseling interview
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Types of Interviews
Employment
 Importance
1. Single most important factor in landing a job
2. Communication skills and interview
knowledge more important than GPA or
work experience
3. Used to size up whole individuals
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Types of Interviews
Employment
 Building skills
1. Study of employment ads may indicate what
you need to prepare for in an interview
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Types of Interviews
Employment
 Variations
1. Most conducted on-site
2. Most off-site locations are chosen for
convenience
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Section 2 “Understanding the
Interview Process”
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Preparing for an interview
Goals of Interviewer
 Decide what you want the outcome to be
 Decide the approach to take
Goals of the interviewee
 Decide what you want to accomplish
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Preparing for an interview
Determine type of interview
 Choose type that best reaches goal
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Preparing for an interview
Determine structure
 Scheduled interview
1. Standardized questions
2. Answers tend to be limited
3. Follow up on answers may lead off track
4. Devising questions takes skill; interviewing
doesn’t
5. EX: poll
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Preparing for an interview
Determine structure
 Nonscheduled
1. Topic but not standardized
2. Require interviewing skill
3. EX: sales call
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Preparing for an interview
Determine structure
 Moderately scheduled
1. Questions are a guide but not strict
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Preparing for an interview
Research other party
 Information gathering
1. Primary goal is to prepare research
2. Need background on topic and interviewee
3. EX: news report
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Preparing for an interview
Research other party
 Information giving
1. Performance appraisal
2. Need research and data to support
3. Interviewee should know about topic and
interviewer as basis for understanding
critique
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Preparing for an interview
Research other party
 Employment
1. Requires preparation by both parties, but
primarily with interviewee
2. Info available from current employees,
internet, Better Business Bureau
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Preparing for an interview
Research other party
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Employment
1.
When and by whom was company founded
2.
Who runs it now
3.
What is its main line of business
4.
What are recent changes at business
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Who is the competition
6.
How many employees
7.
How does it train
8.
What are the benefits, such as insurance, etc.
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Preparing for an interview
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Research other party
 Employment
1. Primary responsibilities
2. What role would you play
3. What skills are required
4. What training will you get
5. Where can it lead in the future
6. What performance appraisal is there
Preparing for an interview
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Research other party
Employment
Benefits
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Helps decide if the match is good for goals and
skills
Is company stable and ethical
Is it a safe environment
Will it be challenging
Enter interview with confidence
Actual Interview
Opening
 Introduction
 Handshake
 Small talk
 Sets tone for interview
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Actual Interview
Body
 Conversation turns to specific questions
 Both parties speak and listen
 Both answer and ask questions
 Both parties make decision based on info
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Actual Interview
Possible questions
 Open ended
1. Gives freedom in answering
2. “Tell me about yourself”
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Actual Interview
Possible questions
 Closed
1. Seeks specific info
2. “What hours are you available to work”
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Actual Interview
Possible questions
 Highly closed
1. Provides answers from which to choose
2. “Would you prefer to work morning or
evening”
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Actual Interview
Possible questions
 Primary
1. Begins new topic
2. “Tell me about your hobbies”
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Actual Interview
Possible questions
 Secondary
1. Helps understand the answer to primary
2. “Why do you like that hobby”
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Actual Interview
Possible questions
 Leading
1. Suggests the desired answer
2. “You do want to work weekends, right?”
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Actual Interview
Possible questions
 Neutral
1. Implies no specific right or wrong
2. “Would you like to work weekends”
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Actual Interview
Possible questions
 Direct
1. Straight forward, no ambiguity
2. “Can you work Friday evenings”
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Actual Interview
Possible questions
 Indirect
1. Seeks specific info w/o directly asking
2. “What do you usually do Friday evenings”
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Actual Interview
Possible questions
 Factual
1. Seeks info that can be proven
2. “Where do you attend school”
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Actual Interview
Possible questions
 Opinion
1. Asks for judgment
2. “What is your opinion of employees who
steal”
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Actual Interview
Possible questions
 Hypothetical
1. Asks for reaction is a given situation
2. “If you knew someone was stealing from the
company, what would you do”
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Actual Interview
Closing
 Summary of what has occurred
 Gives interviewee chance to correct any
misinformation
 Discuss future action
1. May follow-up call be made
2. When is decision expected
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Post Interview
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Follow-up thank you letter is crucial
Reconnect with interviewer to remind of
strong points
Summarize discussion
Thank him/her for meeting with you
Be warm but professional
Post Interview
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Self Analysis
 Was I prepared
 Did I ask clear questions
 Were responses accurate and complete
 Did I listen carefully
 Did I seem confident
 Would I have hired me
 What would I change next time
Section 3 “Appropriateness in
Interviews”
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Personal Appropriateness
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Dress and Appearance
 Confident posture
 Smiling
 Dressed appropriately
 Neat and clean clothes
 Clean and well groomed
 Calm
 Outgoing and enthusiastic
Personal Appropriateness
Demeanor
1. Friendliness
2. Poise
3. Confidence
4. Verbal skills
5. Body language
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Interviewing Dos and Don’ts
Do
 Look professional
 Make good eye contact
 Be specific
 Be flexible
 Listen carefully
 Be enthusiastic
 Speak clearly and concisely
43  smile
Interviewing Dos and Don’ts
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Don’t
 Chew gum
 Wear too much fragrance
 Wear excessive jewelry
 Lie
 Mumble
 Brag
 Interrupt
 Look at your watch
Common reasons for rejecting
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Poor appearance
Poor diction, grammar, voice
Little enthusiasm, passive, indifferent
Late for interview, disrespectful
Talks too much, rambles
Unable to handle silence
Negative attitude
Couldn’t sell self to employer
Talked about salary
Common reasons for rejecting
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Overbearing, aggressive
Lack of purpose, career goals
Unwilling to start at bottom
Lack of courtesy, proper etiquette
Poor eye contact, extreme nervousness
Lack of poise, confidence
Lack of leadership skills
Condemned previous employer
Didn’t ask for the job
Appropriate Questions
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Interviewee Questions
 What are specific duties
 Can you describe a typical day
 Is this a new or recently vacated position
 Is travel normally involved
 With whom will I be working
 What type of technology skills are needed
 Is special training provided
 Is performance reviewed regularly
 What else can I tell you about my qualifications
 When do you expect to make a decision
Appropriate Questions
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Interviewer Questions
 Tell me about yourself
 Tell about a strength/weakness
 How will qualifications help you do this job
 Why did you leave your last job
 What is most important thing learned from job or school
 What did you like most/least about last job
 What have you done that shows initiative
 Why do you want to work for this company
 Why should we hire you
 When are you available to start
 May we contact your references
 What is your best/worst subject
Laws governing questions
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Can not ask questions that can be used to
discriminate on race, color, religion, sex,
disabilities, marital status, national origin,
age
Illegal questions
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Birthplace, nationality or ancestry
“Pasquale, is that a Spanish name
Gender/marital status
“Is that your maiden name”
Race/color
“Are you considered to be part of minority
group
Illegal Questions
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Religion/holiday observation
“Does your religion prevent you from working
on weekends”
Physical challenges/disabilities
“Do you have any use of your legs”
Health or medical history
“Do you have any pre-existing health
conditions”
Illegal Questions
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Pregnancy/child care
“Do you plan to have children”
Responding to an Unlawful Question
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Simply answer the question
Note that you think it is illegal, but answer
Ask “Why? Is it a factor in my being hired?”
Refuse to answer saying it has no bearing on
ability to do the job
Ask how it relates to job and is it lawful
Redirect the focus
Refuse to answer
End the interview and leave
Considerations on Illegal Questions
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Why was the question asked
How badly do you want the job
How comfortable are you
Your own personal style