Successful Interviewing
Strategies that will help you answer the really tough questions.
Learning Outcomes
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Purpose of Interview
Types of Interviews
Prepare for Interview
STAR Technique
Invitation to Interview
Interview Process
Types of Interview Questions
Seal the Deal
Concluding the Interview
Tough Competition
Purpose of the Interview
 Sell yourself
 Find out more about the
organization
 Determine good fit for you
and the employer
 Provides the opportunity for
two-way communication
Types of Interviews
1.)
Screening
 Telephone/Video
2.)
Selection
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Individual
Panel/Committee
Group
Performance/Presentation
Lunch/Dinner
Selection Interviews
 Interview with hiring manager or department lead
rather than HR Recruiter
 Usually held at company /organization location
 Frequently is a series of interviews (multiple
interactions with panels and/or individuals)
 May include lunch or dinner
RememberYou are being evaluated throughout the entire process!
Invitation to Interview
 Missed the call
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Professional voice message
Accurate message taking
Timely Response
 Ask what to expect
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Interview schedule
Interview process and format
Interviewers or committee members
(Request titles and correct spelling
of names)
What Employers Really
Want to Know
The 3 Underlying Questions
1) What are you like?
2) Can you perform the responsibilities of the job?
3) Will you fit with the organization/team?
Overcome Nervousness
 Prepare for the interview!
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A large majority of graduates stumble through their first 2-3
interviews
 Why are practice interviews so valuable?
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Receive constructive feedback
See yourself (body language, expression, nervous habits)
Listen to yourself (catch phrases, speech patterns,
effective communication of message)
Company and Position Research
 Know:
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Organization
Services, size, locations,
culture, mission,
customer/client base
Position description
Responsibilities, job tasks,
qualifications
 Resources:
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Company website
Company information sessions
Career Insider
Develop/Enhance Your
Professional Image
Attend to your appearance and carefully select your wardrobe
Make a Great Impression
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Be on time
Leave cell phone in the car
Be positive and enthusiastic
Have a firm handshake
Demonstrate strong nonverbal communication
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Eye contact, posture, smile and
voice quality
Non-Verbal Communication
 More than half of what we try to
communicate is received nonverbally
 Understand what your body
language is communicating
about you
 Pay attention to your interviewer’s
body language, but don’t over
analyze
Types of Interview Questions
 Open-ended:
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“Tell me about yourself”
“What do you expect to be doing
in 5 years?”
 Qualifications:
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Summary of academic and
experiential background relevant
to the position
 Proven successes:
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GPA, leadership, initiatives taken,
projects completed
 Off-beat:
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Don’t get rattled by these
types of questions
“If you were an animal, what
kind would you be and why?”
Types of Interview Questions
 Case Study / Hypothetical
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Requires you to analyze and
develop problem solving strategy
on the spot
“What would you do if …”
 Opinion
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Be honest, professional, and
positive
“What are your strengths?”
“What is your greatest weakness?”
 Behavioral
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Past behavior = future behavior
“Tell me about a time when…”
Use the STAR method to answer
STAR Method
 Situation or Task
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Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you
needed to accomplish. You must describe a specific event or
situation, giving enough detail for the interviewer to understand.
 Action you took
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Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on
you.
 Results you achieved
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What happened? How did the event end? What did you
accomplish? What did you learn?
Some Questions to Ask
 “What are the three most important attributes for success
in this position?”
 “What are the opportunities for growth and advancement
for this position?”
 “What opportunities exist for professional development?”
 “When can I expect to hear from you regarding your hiring
decision?”
Illegal Questions
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Age/date of birth
Marital status
Parental status
National origin
Religion
Mental health
issues
 Race/ethnicity
 Arrest history
 Impairments or
disabilities
irrelevant to the
position
What is the Proper Response?
 Examine the interviewer’s intent:
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Ignorance/Innocence: answer in brief or address perceived concern.
Blatant discrimination: you have the right to terminate the interview.
Recommendations
 Don’t bring up salary, but be prepared if you are
asked about it
 Don’t accept an offer on the spot
 Consider the full compensation package when
deciding on a job offer
 When you accept a position, employers generally
expect that you have made a 2 year commitment
 Getting the job is the first step on your career ladder
– the first year on the job can make or break you
Closing the Interview
 Ask about the next step
 Reiterate your interest in the position
 Make sure to request business cards while at the
interview
 Thank the interviewer(s) and shake hands
Interview Nuances
 Employers may search your online profiles prior
to the interview
 On the spot assessments may be used
 All interviewers are different
 Don’t give up on the interview – it’s not over
until it’s over!
 Don’t make assumptions
Interview Thank You Letter
 Send one to every person that interviewed you
 An opportunity to reiterate your interest in the
position
 Should be sent within 24 hours of interview
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Mailed, emailed, typed or handwritten
 Tailor your thank you letter to the interview
experience
 Focus on elements that were indicated as high
interest during the interview
Standout Resumes
Do!
 Respond timely to all employer
communications
 Review your strengths and be
able to provide examples
 Refined research on company
and position
 Purchase appropriate interview
attire
Don’t!
 Try to wing it
 Create a poor impression
 Forget the importance of nonverbal communication
 Be negative, insincere or
desperate
 Fail to acquire names and
titles of those interviewing you
Connect with Us!
Call 407.823.2361 or Visit www.career.ucf.edu