Job Interviews Module Twenty Nine McGraw-Hill/Irwin Copyright © 2014 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Learning Objectives LO 29-1 Apply strategies for job interviews. LO 29-2 Know details for consideration before job interviews. LO 29-3 Know techniques for practice before job interviews. LO 29-4 Apply strategies for traditional interview question responses. LO 29-1 Apply strategies for job interviews. LO 29-2 Know details for consideration before job interviews. LO 29-3 Know techniques for practice before job interviews. LO 29-4 Apply strategies for traditional interview question responses.

Learning Objectives LO 29-5 Apply strategies for salary and benefits negotiations. LO 29-6 Apply strategies for behavioral and situational interview preparation. LO 29-7 Apply strategies for phone and video interview preparation. LO 29-5 Apply strategies for salary and benefits negotiations. LO 29-6 Apply strategies for behavioral and situational interview preparation. LO 29-7 Apply strategies for phone and video interview preparation.

Job Interviews Today many employers expect you to: Be more aggressive. Follow instructions to the letter. Participate in many interviews. Have one or more interviews by phone, computer, or video. Take one or more tests, including drug and aptitude tests. As the 21st century job market becomes even more competitive, many employers are expecting potential employees to show perseverance when applying for a job. In some cases, job applicants are being asked to demonstrate the kinds of skills they will need for the job, such as being able to follow directions accurately and completely. Bear the concepts here in mind as you prepare for your next job interview.

Why do I need an interview strategy? What about yourself do you want the interviewer to know? What disadvantages or weaknesses do you need to minimize? What do you need to know about the job and the organization to decide whether to accept this job if it is offered to you? Preparation is the key to developing a good interview strategy. Start by thinking about what you want the interviewer to know about you. Use your research about the job and organization to anticipate questions you might be asked and how you might answer those questions.

What details should I think about? What to wear In general, dress conservatively. What to bring to the interview Bring extra copies of your résumé. Bring copies of your work or a portfolio Bring the names, addresses, and phone numbers of references Consider all interview details, including what to wear, what to bring, and what to write down during the interview. 29-6

What details should I think about? What to write down The name of the interviewer. What the interviewer liked about you and any negative points. Answers to your questions. When you’ll hear from the company. Some interviewers say that they respond negatively to applicants who take notes during the interview. However, if you have several interviews back-to-back or if you know your memory is terrible, do take brief notes during the interview. That’s better than forgetting which company said you’d be on the road every other week and which interviewer asked that you get in touch with him or her

What details should I think about? How to get there Do a practice run to gauge traffic and parking. Arrive at the interview 15 minutes early. Double-check your appearance before the interview. Do a practice run before the interview. Where possible, choose the same day of the week and approximate time so you’ll know what traffic to expect. Plan on arriving at least 15 but no more than 30 minutes early so you can double check your appearance. 29-8

Should I practice before the interview? How to act Be professional, but also be yourself—be your best self. Review your accomplishments to get a firm sense of your self-worth. If the interview involves eating or drinking, be conservative. Practice how you will act during the interview. Be professional, but be yourself—be your best self. Some colleges and universities have a placement office where students can participate in mock interviews, but you can also ask friends to help.

Should I practice before the interview? Opening Get to know the interviewer. Listen for information that could be useful later in the interview. Think about what you will do in each of the three parts of the interview—the opening, body, and conclusion.

Should I practice before the interview? Body Highlight your qualifications for the job. Watch time; get key points in. Conclusion Close with an assertive, positive statement. Expect questions that allow you to showcase your strong points and questions that probe any weaknesses evident from your résumé. (You were neither in school nor working last fall. What were you doing?) Normally, the interviewer will also try to sell you on the company and give you an opportunity to raise questions. Be aware of time so you can make sure to get in your key points and questions

Stress Interviews Stress interview deliberately puts the applicant under stress If you get questions that put you on the defensive, rephrase them in less inflammatory terms, if necessary, and then treat them as requests for information. A stress interview deliberately puts the applicant under stress. If the stress is physical (e.g., you’re given a chair where the light is in your eyes), be assertive: Move to another chair or tell the interviewer that the behavior bothers you.

The Communication Behaviors of Successful Interviewees As Figure 29.1 shows, successful applicants use different communication behaviors than do unsuccessful applicants.

How should I answer traditional interview questions? Tell me about yourself. “What makes you think you’re qualified to work for this company?” “What two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction?” “Why do you want to work for us?” “What college courses did you like best? Least?” Interviewers may ask any number of questions, but these are among the more common. For a more complete list, see Module 29. Consider your answers to these questions, and think about how you might use you-attitude and positive emphasis to explain the benefits of hiring you.

How should I answer traditional interview questions? “Why are your grades so low?” “Where do you see yourself in five years?” “What are your interests outside of work?” “What have you done to learn about this company?” “What are your strengths?” Weaknesses? The following questions frequently come up at interviews. Do some unpressured thinking before the interview so you’ll be able to come up with answers that are responsive, honest, and paint a good picture of you. Choose answers that fit your qualifications and your interview strategy.

Poor Responses to Behavioral Interview Questions See Figures 29.2 and 29.3 for examples of the ways recruiters evaluate answers.

Good Responses to Interview Questions See Figures 29.2 and 29.3 for examples of the ways recruiters evaluate answers.

Negotiating Salary and Benefits The best time to negotiate is after you have a job offer. Prepare by finding out the going rate Seek a win-win situation What is a fair package, including benefits, for what you can offer? Be prepared to reject offers. Once you’re on the job, learn to “sell yourself” when seeking a raise. Network to keep track of what your skills and experience are worth in the marketplace; update your résumé at least once a year. Stay abreast of changes in the marketplace, including the effects of globalization on jobs in your field.

How can I prepare for behavioral and situational interviews? Behavioral interviews ask the applicant to describe actual behaviors, rather than plans or general principles. Situational interviews put you in a situation that allows the interviewer to see whether you have the qualities the company is seeking. Think about skills you’ve used that could transfer to other jobs. Learn as much as you can about the culture of the company you hope to join.

Behavioral Interview Questions Figure 29.4 lists common behavioral interview questions.

How can I prepare for phone or video interviews? Tape yourself so you can make any adjustments in pronunciation and voice qualities. Interviewers may ask any number of questions, but these are among the more common. For a more complete list, see Module 29. Consider your answers to these questions, and think about how you might use you-attitude and positive emphasis to explain the benefits of hiring you.

How can I prepare for phone or video interviews? Practice short answers to questions. After giving a short answer in the interview, say, “Would you like more information?” Try to schedule phone interviews for home, not work, and for a time when things will be quiet. If a company wants to interview you on the spot, accept only if the timing is good. If it isn’t, say so: “We just sat down to dinner. Could you call back in 30 minutes?” Then get your information about the company, ask the kids to be quiet, and get your thoughts in order.

How can I prepare for phone or video interviews? To prepare for a video interview. Practice your answers. Tape the interview as many times as necessary to get a tape that presents you at your best. Be specific. Since the employer can’t ask follow-up questions, you need to be detailed about how your credentials could help the employer. Interviewers may ask any number of questions, but these are among the more common. For a more complete list, see Module 29. Consider your answers to these questions, and think about how you might use you-attitude and positive emphasis to explain the benefits of hiring you.