Chapter 13

Interviewing Skills

Interviewing is Important

- Don’t prepare– Dress

inappropriately– Poor communication

skills– Too much

communication

– Talk too much – Don’t talk enough– Fuzzy facts– Give the wrong

answer– Badmouthing past

employers– Forget to follow up

Top 10 Interviewing Blunders

Prepare for the Employment Interview

Research the company– Business magazines, annual report, company

web pages, advertisements, company facility

– Increase changes of a good first impression

– Determine if the company is a good fit for you

Prepare for theEmployment Interview

Update your paperwork– Most recent employment and education

– Bring a copy to the interview

– Personalize a letter of application prior to interview

Interview Questions

Anticipating questions is one of the most important steps

Commonly Asked Job Interview Questions– Why do you want to work for our company?– What are your future career plans?– Tell me something about yourself.– Why did you choose this particular field of work?– What is the key to success in this job?

Interview Questions

Behavior-based questions– Past performance is a good indicator of

future behavior– Applicants should:

Describe a past situationActions takenResults achieved

Interview Questions

PAR stories– Problem/Purpose you encountered

– Action(s) you took to overcome problem/purpose

– Result(s) you achieved in concrete terms

Interview Questions

Illegal questions– Employer’s questions must relate to the job for which

you’re applying.– Questions about the following have the potential to be

asked in an illegal manner:National origin, disabilities, arrest recordMarital/family status, age, rageReligion, physical attributes, military background

Interview Questions

– Ways to respond to illegal questionsAnswer the question

Refuse to answer the question

Consider why the employer is asking the question; respond to your perception of employer’s intent

Participate in Your Interview

Time for success– Note time, place of interview and name of

interviewer– Consider traveling to interview site ahead of time– Arrive early– Be courteous to everyone you encounter– Be prepared to complete and application form– Bring a portfolio with evidence of

accomplishments

Participate in Your Interview

Dress for success– Attire is determined for the job for which you’re applying– Guidelines for interview dress:

Clean and well-pressed clothesClean-shaven or neatly trimmed hairConceal piercings and tattoosSubtle fragrances onlyClean nailsDon’t smoke prior or chew gum duringTurn off your cell phone

Participate in Your Interview

Respond for success– Be honest and give complete answers– Be positive about yourself and past experiences– Avoid one or two word responses– Give concrete examples– Paraphrase the question to avoid misunderstanding– Limit responses to 30 seconds – Emphasize what you have to offer the company

Participate in Your Interview

– Respond positively to questions about weaknesses– Nonverbal communication

Sit up and lean forward Make eye contact and smile Avoid crossed arms and legs Use head nods and attentive facial expressions

– Ask questions and show interest in the company– Avoid questions about salary, vacation – Express thanks and find out when a decision will be

made

Follow-up After Your Interview

Fewer than 10% of applicants send a thank you letter

May be the most important letter you write Provides another contact with the employer Sets you apart from those who didn’t send one Should take place within 24 hours after the interview

Follow-up After Your Interview

Follow-up letter format– Content should:

State your appreciationExplain what you liked about the positionSound enthusiastic about working for the

company

– Each contact you make is an opportunity

Phone Interviews

80% of job interviews are won or lost in he first five minutes of conversation

Tips for interviewing over the phone:– Select an appropriate voice mail message– Call back

Return the call immediatelyPrompt response indicates your seriousness

about the job

Phone Interviews

– Choose the right environment Quiet surrounding with no distractions

– Stay focused and listen Use paraphrases or clarifying questions

– Practice for the interview– Pay attention to both speech and body language

Speak slowly, clearly and distinctly It’s okay to request a few moments to think Don’t eat, drink, smoke, chew bun Let your body language communicate strength and poise

Phone Interviews

– End of a positive noteThank interviewer for the opportunityAsk when you can expect to receive

notification– Send thanks

Follow-up thank you letter just as you would for an in-person interview