Lecture 28

Improving Interview Skills

Successful Job Interview

VI. The Successful Job Interview Group interviews are commonplace to supplement individual interviews. More emphasis is placed today on the behavioral interview in which a candidate is asked how he or she handled a particular problem in the past. Becoming a skilled interviewee requires practice. An effective technique is to videotape the responses and observe the playback. A general guide for performing well in the job interview is to present a positive but accurate picture of yourself. What you can do for the company or employer. Demonstrate how useful you could be for the employer.

Successful Interview Suggestions for having a successful interview follow: 1. Prepare in advance (including memorizing basic facts about oneself). 2. Dress appropriately (match the type of employer). 3. Focus on important job factors (not benefits and vacations). 4. Be prepared for a frank discussion of your strengths and areas for improvement. 5. Do not knock former employers.

6. Ask a few good questions. 7. Let the interviewer introduce the topic of compensation. 8. Smile and exhibit a positive attitude. 9. Emphasize how your skills can benefit the employer. (Get in a skills-benefit statement, a brief explanation of how your skills can benefit the company.) 10. Avoid appearing desperate. (For example, being open to taking any job.) 11. Ask for the job and follow through (with a thank you letter).

Suggestions for Having a Successful Interview

1. Prepare in Advance

2. Dress Appropriately

3. Focus on Important Job Factors

4. Be prepared for a frank discussion of your strengths and areas for improvement

5. Do not Knock Former Employers

6. Ask a Few Good Questions

7. Let the Interviewer Introduce the Topic of Compensation

8. Smile and Exhibit a Positive Attitude

9. Emphasize how your skills can benefit the employer

10. Avoid Appearing Desperate

11. Ask for the Job and Follow Through

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Relevant Educational Experience Summarize your educational experiences as it relates to the position for which you are being interviewed Articulate your pertinent skills and abilities Cite examples of how you have developed and used particular skills Know your personal strengths and weaknesses Discuss your work and co-curricular experiences in detail Talk about your career goals and objectives Know where you want to work Identify any problem areas in your background and be prepared to discuss them Discuss variables you are willing to negotiate (e.g. salary for geographical preference)

Relevant Educational Experience

Summarize your educational experiences as it relates to the position for which you are being interviewed.

Articulate your pertinent skills and abilities

Cite examples of how you have developed and used particular skills

Know your personal strengths and weaknesses

Discuss your work and co-curricular experiences in detail

Talk about your career goals and objectives

Know where you want to work

Identify any problem areas in your background and be prepared to discuss them

Discuss Variables you are Willing to Negotiate

Knowing the Employer or Organization Through your research, you should become familiar with: Type of organization and its function Mission and goals Products or services Divisions and subsidiaries Position description and career paths Sales and earnings (if company is a public, for-profit organization) Size Competitors Location, including international operations Projects New trends in the field

Knowing the Employer or Organization

Type of organization and its function

Mission and goals

Products or Services

Divisions and Subsidiaries

Position Description and Career Paths

Sales and Earnings

Size

Competitors

Location, Including International Operations

Projects

New Trends in the Field

Psychological Testing Psychological and physical testing are two more challenges facing job candidates who have made it through the interview. Psychological (or personnel) testing can help both the employer and job candidate find a mutually satisfactory fit. The good fit is most likely to be found when the tests are accurate and fair, and the candidate answers them accurately. Five types of psychological tests are widely used: 1. Achievement tests sample and measure the applicant’s knowledge and skills. 2. Aptitude tests measure an applicant’s capacity or potential for performing satisfactorily on the job, given sufficient training. 3. Personality tests measure personal traits and characteristics that could be related to job performance. 4. Interest tests measure preferences for engaging in certain job activities. 5. Honesty tests measure tendencies toward telling the truth. Such tests can be in paper and pencil (or computerized) form, or the polygraph.

Psychological Testing

1. Achievement tests

2. Aptitude tests

3. Personality tests

4. Interest tests

5. Honesty tests

Physical Examination B. The Physical Examination and Drug Testing: The physical examination gives some indication of an applicant’s ability to handle a particular job. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991 has increased the importance of the physical exam. A disabled applicant can only be rejected if the workplace poses a threat to his or her safety or the safety of others. A survey showed that pre-employment physicals are associated with fewer post-employment injuries and lowered medical insurance costs. Approximately one-half of employers test applicants for illegal drug use. Some employers test for personality factors associated with drug use.

VIII. Managing the Downside of Conducting a Job Search: The successful job hunter must not be overwhelmed by rejection—persistence leads to success even with average job qualifications. “Every ‘no’ is a step closer to a yes.” Job hunters may also encounter rudeness frequently because so many people apply for desirable jobs. To repeat, the entire job-search process is inefficient but effective. An analysis of 36 studies involving 11,010 job seekers found that individuals who engaged in higher levels of job search behavior were more likely to obtain employment.