Employability Skills

By Douglas J. Hughes, MEd, CSFA, CSA, CST, CRCST

ST320Concorde Career College

How to Ace an Interview

Objectives Throughout this lecture, the student will…

gain an understanding of the interview from the employer’s perspective,learn helpful tips to prepare for interview success,recognize the importance of the first impression, discover how to dress for success,review common interview questions,prepare answers to common questions in advance of the interview, and identify how a professional portfolio can help land the job.

IntroductionDefining the Interview

“Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude “Zig Ziglar, Motivational Speaker

“So many people out there have no idea what they want to do for a living, but they think that by going on job interviews they’ll magically figure it out. If you’re not sure, that message comes out loud and clear in the interview.”

Todd Bermont, World-renowned Job Hunting Expert

“Death will be a great relief. No more interviews.”Katharine Hepburn, Actress

IntroductionDefining the Interview

What is it?Precedes the hiring decisionFollows submission of the application and resumeUsed to determine whether or not an individual candidate meets the needs and expectations of the employerConsidered the most useful tool for evaluating candidates

IntroductionThe Hiring Process

Consists of 3 PhasesPre-interview phaseInterview phase

Usually lasts between 15-30 minutes

Post-interview phase

The InterviewFrom the Employer’s Perspective

Will the candidate…Be a good fit?Interact well with staff and leadership?Perform duties competently?Demonstrate desired characteristics?

What characteristics do employers look for?

The InterviewFrom the Employer’s Perspective

Employability Characteristics

Critical Thinking Skills

Teamwork

Communication Skills

Leadership Organization

Teachability

Technical Competency

Ethics & Integrity

The InterviewFrom the Employer’s Perspective

The employer is seeking particular…Skills setAvailabilityLevel of education or experienceOther qualifications?

The InterviewFrom the Employer’s PerspectiveInterviewers are on the lookout for poor candidates. Therefore be careful not to…

Arrive late or get lost (not prepared)Bellyache about current job (negative/disloyal)Describe every accomplishment as a personal feat (loner/non-team player)Forget to give others credit (quick to blame others/loner)Speak before processing a question and its implications (careless thinker)Act is if you know more about your organization than you do (bossy/controlling)Use the passive voice extensively in conversation (not willing to take charge)Use profanity (inappropriate)

Use diminutives to address junior staff/women professionals/their seniors (poor manager of diverse staff)Boast about success (cocky)Put down spouse, partner, or colleagues (ego issues)Describe yourself as a "loners" or "difficult to please" (acknowledged egotist)Have poor table manners (inappropriate)Cut others off before they have finished a thought (impatient)Disregard/poke fun at your administrative staff (not strong team player/disrespectful)

The Key to a Successful Interview: Be Prepared

Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.

- Alexander Graham Bell

Be PreparedTips Before the Interview

Practice!Learn about the companyAssemble needed materialsLook sharp

Be PreparedTips Before the Interview

Practice!Mock interviewsCareer CounselorsPrep for common questionsFlash cardsRecord yourselfRecruit friends or family

Be PreparedTips Before the Interview

Learn about the company

Start with the job descriptionUse the internet – do some research

Read the small print

Talk to a current employeeCheck latest newsWhat is the employer looking for specifically?Get on the phone

Be PreparedTips Before the InterviewAssemble needed materials…

Must HavesResume copiesA pen (and a backup)A notepad (legal)ReferencesQuestionsDirections and contact informationFull tank of gas/bus moneyBreath mintsFolder or briefcasePortfolio Copy of job description

Nice to HavesCell phone in case of emergencyPast employment dataNotes about people you have spoken to regarding the jobSnack (just in case)Grooming tools (again, just in case)Proof of current employment statusID/legal documents

Be PreparedTips Before the Interview

Look sharp!Attire must be…

NeatCleanPressedCoordinatingProfessionalNon revealingCorrectly sizedFree from tears or holes

Be PreparedTips Before the Interview

Men’s AttireSuit (solid color - navy or dark grey)Long sleeve shirt (white or coordinated with the suit)BeltTieDark socks, conservative leather shoesLittle or no jewelryNeat, professional hairstyleLimit the aftershaveNeatly trimmed nailsAttaché case or briefcase

Traditional suits are best for medical professionals

Be PreparedTips Before the Interview

Women’s AttireSuit (navy, black or dark grey)The suit skirt should be long enough so you can sit down comfortablyCoordinated blouseConservative shoesLimited jewelry (no dangling earrings or arms full of bracelets)No jewelry is better than cheap jewelryProfessional hairstyleNeutral pantyhoseLight make-up and perfumeNeatly manicured clean nailsAttaché case or briefcase

Be PreparedTips Before the Interview

What not to wear…Flip-flops or sneakersUnderwear (bras, bra straps, briefs, boxers, etc.) that is visibleJeansSkirts that are too shortPants that are too low-rise or too tightBlouses that are too low-cut or too short Anything trendy

Keep it classic and traditional!

Reminders…Do not bring gumTurn your cell phone offLeave your I-pod at homeNo coffee or sodaIf you have lots of piercings, leave some of your rings at home (earrings only, is a good rule)Cover tattoos

Source: http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewattire/a/interviewnot.htm

Who would you hire?

In the workforce world one is judged by their appearance, and if one’s appearance is inappropriate and sloppy others may also assume that one’s work is too.

OR

Interview Attire Continuum

Interview Attire Continuum

Be PreparedTips During the Interview

Greet the interviewer, shake hands, smile and introduce yourself. Provide copies of your resume.Think of the interview as a conversation, not an interrogation. The interviewer may also be nervous.Be prepared for any type of an interview. Interviews may be full of questions or casual conversation.Follow the lead of the interviewer, stay on topic, and ask for clarification if necessary. Listen well!Ask a few questions to let the employer know you are enthusiastic and interested in the company.

Wait for the employer to bring up the subject of wages, hours, holidays, etc.Be attentive to body language and posture. Don't cross your arms; maintain casual eye contact.Don't make negative comments about previous employers.State your interest in the position and the organization with enthusiasm.Politely ask when they will be making a decision.Smile, shake hands, and thank the interviewer for his/her time.

Source: www.thejobstores.com

Be PreparedTips During the Interview

Make a good first impression!Make a positive lasting impression

Be PreparedTips During the Interview

How to make a good first impression…

Arrive slightly earlyBe prepared!Participate in the conversation – be proactiveListenDefend your resumeDiscuss weaknesses in resume/experience with confidenceAsk appropriate questionsBe yourself and let your personality shineRemain positiveThank each interviewer and use their names

Be PreparedTips During the Interview

Additional tips…Use a moderate toneDon’t say “um”Maintain eye contactNo slouching or sitting casuallyHave paperwork and notes organizedDon’t mention family or personal life unless it relates to the jobUse appropriate and effective body languageSMILE!

Be PreparedTips After the Interview

Thank you notesHand written preferred by many employersWrite one for each interviewerSend ASAPKeep it brief and positiveRecap your attributesRemind them you are interestedInclude contact info

Follow up in a week or so, but don't hound them

Commonly Asked Interview Questions

Make sure you have thought out and practiced your answers beforehand

Use flash cards!

Interview QuestionsTell me about yourself…

May be similar to your 30-second commercial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttX6ItyPr8A

90-second versionhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OEZSfdn6Jc

Interview QuestionsWhat is your greatest Weakness?

Evaluate pitfallshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTRojxZBeR8&feature=relmfu

Interview QuestionsWhy should we hire you?

Sell yourself!Know the job descriptionUnderstand the employer’s needsIdentify what you have to offerhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?src_vid=YTRojxZBeR8&annotation_id=annotation_613912&feature=iv&v=kcoat4ifHoY

Interview QuestionsWhy do you want to work here?

What is your value to the companyWhat are your motivations

What does the employer want to hear?Do your homework and research the employerhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHrG0MaNrGo&feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_108969

Interview QuestionsWhere do you see yourself in five years?

What are your goals and aspirations?What does the interviewer want to know, really?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?src_vid=ZHrG0MaNrGo&annotation_id=annotation_454078&feature=iv&v=xCGbE_xBNYc

Interview QuestionsOther common questions…

1. Why did you leave your last job?2. What do you know about the

company/facility/hospital/department?3. What relevant experience do you have?4. What would your previous coworkers say about

you if they were here?5. How well do you work under pressure?6. What is your greatest strength?7. What issues have you had with a previous

supervisor or boss?

Interview QuestionsThe final question…

Do you have any questions for us?

Let’s evaluate appropriate questions that you should be prepared to ask the interviewer.

Professional PortfolioThe portfolio defined

"A professional portfolio is simply a collection of physical evidence that helps document and describe your professional accomplishments. Portfolios can be very useful in encouraging your systematic collection of evidence of professional development over time and in promoting reflection about your professional growth."

Leo Lambert, Stacey LaneTice, & Patricia Featherston,University Teaching: A Guide for Graduate Students.Syracuse University Press, 1996, p. 147

Professional PortfolioWhy keep a portfolio?

To assist in identifying career goalsTo outline your professional backgroundTo highlight your specific skills and accomplishmentsTo communicate and sample your professional experienceTo expand on your resume with fuller, richer, and deeper content

Professional PortfolioWhat to include

Academic workResearchTeachingLeadershipVolunteer/community servicePublicationsConference participation/CEUsWork experienceClinical case logsPerformance reviewsRecognitions and awardsCertifications/credentialsHIPAA training certificateCPRLetters of recommendation from employers/hospital staff/physicians

Professional PortfolioPreferred method of presentation

Leather or vinyl Spiral bound or hole punchedGood quality paper and printingOrganized with tabs/dividersMay be enhanced with an on-line portfolio or websiteMay be printed in book form

Professional PortfolioPortfolio help…

Geared toward nursing, but may be adapted for any healthcare provider: http://www.nursing-informatics.com/Oermann.pdfFlorida State University: http://www.career.fsu.edu/img/pdf/guides/Portfolio%20Preparation.pdfHints: http://jobmob.co.il/blog/work-portfolios/California University of Pennsylvania: http://www.calu.edu/current-students/files/ProfessionalPortfolios.pdf

Student ResourcesAdditional interview helps…

Comprehensive Interview Information: http://www.calu.edu/current-students/career-services/career-resources/quick-tips/interviews-and-portfolios/index.htmA word on body language: http://www.calu.edu/current-students/career-services/files/InterviewsBodyofEvidence.pdfState of Washington: http://www.wa.gov/esd/guides/jobsearch/strategy/interview_informational.htmAbout.com: http://jobsearch.about.com/lr/interviewing/64624/2/Interview Does and Don’ts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1ucmfPOBV8Colorado State University: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/consumer/09151.pdf