Working in the “Real World”: Successful Interviewing Skills

for the Student LeaderNational Conference on Student LeadershipLake Buena Vista, FLMarch 26-28, 2015

Matthew R. Shupp, Ed.D., NCC, DCCAssistant ProfessorDepartment of Counseling & College Student PersonnelShippensburg UniversityShupp, NCSL 2015

Learning Outcomes Understand the purpose of professional interviews. Identify the different types of professional interviews. Obtain important tips on preparing for the professional

interview. Articulate the importance of self-presentation.

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6Step Brothers

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First Things First…

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Your degree/experience adds to your resume.

Your resume gets you the interview.

YOU get you the job.

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What’s the Purpose of the Interview, Anyway?

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The interview is a two way process and you should use the opportunity to: Make sure you want to work for the company/institution. Check that the philosophy/values of the company/institution match your

personal ethics/morals. Find out more about the job, training, career structure etc…

Remember – an interview is not one way traffic! Recruitmentcosts are high and employers want you as much as you want them.

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Types of Interviews Telephone interviews – usually part of the

initial selection process.

Panel interviews – usually three-five people on the panel, but there could be more!

Individual interviews – one on one.

Video interviews – uncommon at entry-level, but not unheard of due to travel and budget constraints.

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Telephone Interviews Usually used as a screening

interview to gain further information before inviting finalists to company/campus for interviews.

Length of time may vary –30 minutes to 1 hour is typical.

Treat the experience with caution – just because you can’t be seen doesn’t mean you are not creating an impression!

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Panel / Search Committee Very common for entry-level positions

Often part of the day-long individual interview process Usually 3-5 people on the panel (could be more, could

be less) representing a variety of offices with varying needs/wants

All will ask questions (usually 6-8 questions)

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Individual Interviews

For a large organization / institution this may be a ‘sifting’ exercise to see if you will go forward to the next stage.

For a smaller employer, the telephone interview may have been the ‘sifting’ exercise.

The focus here is usually building on information from your resume/cover letter.

Be prepared for a day-long process which often includes a presentation.

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Video Interviews – Skype, etc…

Check all technical equipment to make sure everything is working.

Talk to the camera - this way you appear to be looking straight at the interviewers.

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If “walls” could talk, what would they say about you?

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A Word About Social Media...

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Research the company/institution – make sure you have read all the literature they have sent you and that you know about their mission/vision, products, and services.

Use the internet to find out any additional information. Helpful Tip! When taking part in a phone interview, have the literature

(or better yet, the website!) in front of you for quick reference! Network with people who know about the company/institution and don’t be

afraid to use any contacts you may have to get ‘inside information’ on the ‘real’ story of the company/institution.

Have a list of 10-12 questions ready to ask. Make an appointment for a mock interview with your Career Center to

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Interview NervesNerves can help keep you on your toes! But,

you can help yourself by:

Getting a good night’s sleep. Allowing plenty of travel time. Arriving early so you know exactly where

to go – but not too early! Avoiding stimulants like coffee and

cigarettes. Checking your appearance to make sure

everything is as it should be.

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The Day of the BIG Day!… Plan your route and give yourself plenty of time in

case of traffic (i.e. mapquest, “practice drive”). Bring info on your point of contact (name, title, etc.)

Plan your outfit, and remember – first impressions count!

Anticipate questions and practice answers Run through your presentation, paying strict

attention to timing (allow time for Q &A). Bring 10-12 copies of resume…a pen, and a nice

folder to hold essential papers. Bring breath mints!

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Here Comes the ‘Tough Love Dad’ Speech…

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The Key to Any Successful Interview is…Preparation!

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“Early is on time; on time is late; and late is unacceptable.”

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Which Reminds Me…Let’s Chat About “Appropriate” Clothing…

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Why ‘Behavior-Based’ Questions? Why are you applying for this job? What has been your biggest achievement

to date? What are your main strengths? What areas of your professional skills are

you enhancing? Please provide an example of this in action.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? How would your friends describe you in 3

words? Give an example of when you have

managed a team. Give an example of when you made a

decision and the outcome was not what you had expected.

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STAR Format Tell about a Situation, The Tasks that were involved, The Actions you took, and The positive Results.

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TODAY Method Provides the Framework for the types of stories! Teamwork experience Overcoming obstacles Duties of past positions Achievements Your strengths and weaknesses

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Remember: Practice Pays…But Practice Doesn’t Always Make Perfect Get a friend to ask you interview questions and provide

feedback.

Use a tape or video recorder to check for any mannerisms or verbal tics (check for fillers – um, ugh, so, ya’ know, etc…)

Ask your Career Services Center about a resume review, mock interview, etc…

Practice your “elevator speech”

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A Word About Illegal Questions…

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Watch Your Language Avoid speaking too quickly.

Take a few seconds before you answer to give yourself time to collect your thoughts.

If you are not clear about the question then ask for clarification.

If you lose your thread ask for a moment to clarify your thoughts.

Ask if the interviewer needs additional information.

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Watch Your Body Language

Give a firm handshake. Make eye contact with all

members of the search committee.

Smile to show your interest and enthusiasm.

Avoid extravagant hand gestures.

Sit slightly forward to indicate involvement.

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Remember: Do not alienate the interviewer by making he or she work too

hard – it should be a conversation rather than the interviewer drilling for more and more information from you.

Avoid giving ‘yes’ and ‘no’ as answers. It is much more effective if you go on to give examples to illustrate your point.

Don’t just give an answer you think they want to hear. Be honest in what you say and be prepared to back up your ideas and views.

Discuss “transferrable” skill sets.

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Do You Have Any Questions?Yes. Yes You Do.

How would you describe your supervision style? What type of professional development opportunities are available?

What training/support could I expect? What would the key objectives be in the first 3-6 months of the job? How will my performance be measured?

How often am I evaluated? What does this process look like?

Please describe the office environment in which I would be working. What are the challenges your office/company will be facing in the

upcoming year? What are the next steps in the interview process?

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Some Final Thoughts…. Do not ask questions just for the sake of it.

Ask questions of clarification from the company/institution website. i.e. “I noticed on the website that you

recently updated your strategic plan. Could you please describe in more detail bullet point #...pertaining to…”

When should you ask about salary and benefits? What might other benefits include?

And remember….it may be that all your questions have been answered over the course of the interview, but you still need to have one. “What brought you to X institution/company

and what makes you stay?”

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Thank you!

Matthew R. Shupp, Ed.D., NCC, DCCAssistant ProfessorDepartment of Counseling & College Student PersonnelShippensburg University717.477.1676mrshupp@ship.edu

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