Chapter 15

Interview Techniques

“All the world’s a stage.”

William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

OBJECTIVES

Demonstrate strategies to implement when invited to interview

Conduct company and job specific research for interview preparation

Prepare a personal commercial to sell skills and tie them to a target job

Identify pre-interview preparation activities including creating an interview portfolio and practice interview questions

Demonstrate how to behave during technology-based interviews

Explain key areas of employee rights and how to respond to discriminatory questions

Describe specific statements and behaviors to exhibit at the close of an interview and job offer

Discuss salary negotiation strategies

OBJECTIVES (cont.)

THE INTERVIEW

More than dressing sharp Advanced preparation Confidence Strategy for before, during and after Goal is to communicate visually and

verbally that you are the right person for this job

THE INVITATION TO INTERVIEW

Most invitations occur via phone or e-mail

Regularly check and respond to phone and e-mail messages

Maintain a professional voice mail message and e-mail address

THE INVITATION TO INTERVIEW

Attempt to identify With whom you will interview How much time is scheduled for the interview How many applicants are being called to

interview Be friendly, respectful, and professional Try to arrange interview at time that puts you

at advantage First and last are most memorable Morning is best

COMPANY SPECIFIC RESEARCH

Conduct research prior to interview Research better prepares you for interview,

increases confidence, and provides greater advantage over other candidates

Sources include: Company web site, brochures, materials Internet search Industry journals Interviews with employees and business

leaders

COMPANY SPECIFIC RESEARCH

Identify as much as you can about The target company Its administrators Department of the target job

Identify if the company is the right fit for you and your career goals

Share specific research information during the interview

THE PERSONAL COMMERCIAL

Personal Commercial: a brief career biography that conveys your career choice, knowledge, skills, strengths, abilities, and experiences that make you uniquely qualified

Sells skills and ties these skills to the target job in a brief two minute statement

Adapt statement to the requirements for each target job

THE PERSONAL COMMERCIAL

Include your interest in your chosen career and activities related to the career

Do not include personal information such as marital status, hobbies, or other private information

Include career objective information Use personal commercial at beginning of

interview Restate at end of interview

THE INTERVIEW PORTFOLIO

Interview Portfolio: small folder containing relevant documents that are taken to an interview

Use business portfolio or paper folder with pockets

Include: copies of resumé, cover letter, reference list, generic application, and personal commercial

Also include a calendar, note paper, a pen, and personal business cards

THE INTERVIEW PORTFOLIO

Keep on your lap Place personal commercial on the top of your

portfolio for easy access Do not read, but glance for information if needed

PRACTICE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Practice answering common interview questions in front of mirror or video camera

Analyze responses Selling skills Projecting professional image Nervous gestures

Use real life examples

PRACTICE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Question Answer Do Not

Tell me about yourself. Use your personal commercial, which was modified to the job description of your target company.

Do not divulge personal information or background information such as where you were born, hobbies, or marital status.

What are your strengths? Make sure your answer includes how your strengths meet the job requirements and how these strengths will be an asset to the company.

Do not include strengths that are not related to the job. Do not include personal information (e.g., “I’m a good mother”).

Tell me about a time you failed. Be honest. Use an example that is not too damaging. Include the lesson learned from your mistake.

Do not exclude the lesson learned from the failure. Do not place blame on why the failure occurred.

Tell me about a time you were successful.

Be honest. Use an example that relates to the job for which you are applying. State if it was a team effort.

Do not take full credit if the success was a team effort.

How do you handle conflict? Be honest. Use an example that is not too damaging. Include the lesson learned from your mistake. Apply what you learned in Chapter 12.

Do not exclude the lesson learned. Do not give specifics on how the conflict occurred.

Would you rather work individually or in a team? Why?

State that you prefer one or the other and state why, but make sure your answer relates to the job requirements.

Do not state that you will not work one way or the other.

Why do you want this job? Your answer should convey career goals and how the job supports your current skills. Include company information.

Do not state money or benefits in your response.

PRACTICE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Question Answer Do Not

How do you deal with stress? Share positive stress reducers as addressed in Chapter 3.

Do not state that stress does not affect you. Do not use negative examples.

Tell me about yourself. Use your personal commercial. Do not provide personal information that could be discriminatory.

What is your greatest weakness? Use a weakness that will not damage your chance of getting the job. Communicate how you are minimizing your weakness or are turning it into a strength (e.g., “I’m a perfectionist, but I don’t allow it to interfere with getting my job done on time”).

Do not state, “I don’t have any.”

Where do you want to be in five years? Share the goals you created in Chapter 1. Do not say you want the interviewer’s job.

Tell me about a time you displayed leadership

Use a specific example, and try to relate the example to the needed job skills.

Do not appear arrogant.

TALK IT OUT

Identify the most difficult questions to answer and formulate appropriate responses that sell your skills

PRE-INTERVIEW PRACTICE

Practice day• Arrive at interview location (company)• Walk to specific interview office (do not go into office)• Note nearest public restroom

Interview attire—clean and professional Thank-you notes Interview portfolio:

• Resumé• Note pad and pen• Reference list• Generic application• Copies of pertinent documents

THE DAY OF THE INTERVIEW

Look in the mirror-check appearance If you smoke, refrain from smoking

prior to the interview Arrive 15 minutes early Go to the restroom and freshen up Turn off phone, throw away gum Enter meeting location 5 minutes

early

• Make every interaction positive• Introduce yourself to the receptionist• Be sincere• Take a seat and relax• Use positive self-talk

From the minute you enter the building, assume your interview has begun

THE DAY OF THE INTERVIEW

THE INTERVIEW

• Communicate confidence• Stand, extend a smile and handshake• Clearly and slowly state your name• Listen carefully to the interviewer’s name• Sit only after being invited to sit• Do not answer your phone

THE INTERVIEW

Body language Watch yours Watch individuals conducting interview Sit up straight, sit back in chair, and relax Be calm but alert

Keep hands folded on lap or ready to take notes

Do not lean on furniture Make eye contact, but don’t stare

THE INTERVIEWWhen Asked a Question

Listen carefully Take a few seconds to think and digest

question Formulate an answer Answers should relate back to the job

qualifications and/or job duties The goal is to convey to interviewer how

your skills will assist the company Keep answers brief, but complete Your job is to sell yourself When possible, inject company information

THE INTERVIEW When Asked a Question (cont.)

“Talk about yourself” = personal commercial

When possible, share job samples When possible, share company

research findings Do not provide personal

information Relate answers back to the target

job

PHONE/TECHNOLOGYINTERVIEWS

First interview may take place over the phone Some prearranged, others are scheduled Consistently answer phone professionally,

keeping interview portfolio accessible Try to be as accommodating as possible During a phone interview:

Be professional and prepared Be concise with communication Be polite

PHONE/TECHNOLOGYINTERVIEWS

Video chat interviews Designated time for connecting Following the phone interview tips Prepare and treat as if a face-to-face

interview Plan ahead-venue, equipment Dress professionally-it is visual Maintain a professional environment-

quiet and appropriate location Speak to the camera-eye contact

INTERVIEW METHODS

One-on-one interviews: involve meeting between applicant and a company rep

Group Interviews: involve several applicants interviewing with each other while being observed by company reps

Panel Interviews: involve applicant meeting with several company employees at the same time

TYPES OF INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Structured interview questions: address job-related issues where each applicant is asked the same question(s)

Unstructured interview questions: a probing, open-ended question designed to identify if candidate can appropriately sell his/her skills

Behavioral interview questions: designed for candidates to share a past work experience to demonstrate qualifications

DISCRIMINATION AND EMPLOYEE RIGHTS

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act Created to protect the rights of employees Prohibits employment discrimination based

on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin Other laws that prohibit pay equity and

discrimination Individuals over 40 years of age Individuals with disabilities Individuals who are pregnant Other areas

DISCRIMINATION AND EMPLOYEE RIGHTS

Employers have a legal obligation to provide every qualified candidate an equal opportunity to interview

Discriminatory questions are illegal If asked illegal or discriminatory questions:

Do not directly answer question Address the issue Protect your rights It is inappropriate to disclose personal information

Avoid making comments referring to: Marital status Children Religion Age Any other area of protected rights

TALK IT OUT

Role-play an interview; during the interview, ask one legal question and one illegal question with confidence but in a non-offensive manner

TOUGH QUESTIONS

Negative work-related experiences Potentially devastating if not handled properly

Fired Poor performance evaluation Poor/no job reference Behaved in a negative manner prior to

leaving old job If not asked, don’t disclose Only exception is if current/former boss has

potential to provide a negative reference Tell interviewer Request another manager or coworker be

contacted

TOUGH QUESTIONS

Be honest State the facts Tell interviewer that you have matured and

realized that you did not handle the situation appropriately

Do not speak poorly of current/previous employer, boss, or coworker

Do not place blame on who was right or wrong

Every experience is a learning experience

CLOSING THE INTERVIEW

At close of interview, you may be asked if you have any questions

Have question (s) prepared Current event Portfolio information Do not ask selfish questions regarding salary,

benefits, vacations, or general company questions

Restate personal commercial Ask for the job

The purpose of the job interview is to sell yourself An interview isn’t successful if you don’t close the

sale

CLOSING THE INTERVIEW

Interviewer will signal that interview is over Hand interviewer your personal business card Secure a business card Shake hands Thank him or her for his or her time Communicate confidence, friendliness, and

professionalism Immediately after leaving the interview, write

the thank-you note Make a positive last impression

AFTER THE INTERVIEW

Deliver thank-you note Congratulate yourself Prior to leaving company property,

make notes Evaluate impression of company

SALARY NEGOTIATION

Should hear back from company Second interview or job offer Reference checks

Call individuals on reference list Interviewer may ask about salary

requirements Sell skills Conduct and compare research to job

posting Start a few thousand dollars higher than your

desired starting salary Consider experience and/or lack of experience If offered unacceptable salary, use silence

PRE-EMPLOYMENT TESTS, SCREENINGS and MEDICAL EXAMS

Pre-employment tests determine Knowledge Skills Abilities

May be online, physical, measurable Must be job related

Common types of screenings: Criminal checks Education verification Driver’s license history Security checks Employment checks Credit checks Reference checks Number and type depend upon relevance to the

job

PRE-EMPLOYMENT TESTS, SCREENINGS and MEDICAL EXAMS

Medical exams Legally, employers can require medical exams only

after a job offer is made Exam must be required for all applicants for same

job Exam must be job-related Common exams include: vision, strength testing,

pre-employment drug tests Cannot be conducted without your permission

PRE-EMPLOYMENT TESTS, SCREENINGS and MEDICAL EXAMS

WHEN YOU’RE NOT OFFERED A JOB

Job search is a full-time job Do not be discouraged Evaluate resumé and cover letter

Typographically or grammatical errors Listed important skills that reflect

needs of job Have someone review cover letter

and résumé Make every experience a learning

experience

Review each step in interview process Grade yourself Pre-interview preparation Interview day appearance Interview answers Ability to interject company

research into answers Maintain a good attitude

WHEN YOU’RE NOT OFFERED A JOB