DEVELOPING EFFECTIVE INTERVIEW SKILLS Presented by Kevin George

What not to do!  Interview 1 Interview  Interview 2 Interview

You Got the Interview!  You have an interview…..so remember –  You only get an interview if the interviewer thinks you can do the job  You are in total control of the information you give about yourself.  Be prepared…may have a group interview or individual  What is the interviewers objective ?  Can you do the job ?  Will you do the job ?  Will you ‘fit in’ ?  What is your objective ?

Objectives  Their Objectives:  an opportunity to assess you and determine your  suitability for the job  a means of assessing your abilities/skills/interest and motivation  Your Objective:  To tell them Why you should get the job?

Phases of the Interview  “Settling In” - relaxing small talk  “Business” - obtaining information about the applicant  “Over to you” - providing information to the applicant; Q’s invited  “Closure” - Interviewer thanks candidate and explains the next move

Preparation  15 minutes early gives you time to…….  Find location May have a lot of people around so you need to look for them at the Conference  Relax & freshen up etc.  Read additional information  Have plenty of resumes with you to give each person if needed  Have job description in front of you and know who you will be meeting with if possible  Take in the atmosphere Many people walking by and busy

Having a Great Interview  Seven Steps to a Great Interview:  Step 1: Do Your Homework  Step 2: Build Confidence  Step 3: Make a Great 1st Impression  Step 4: Establish Credibility  Step 5: Answer Questions  Step 6: Ask Questions  Step 7 : Follow-up after the interview

What Interviewers Look For  Confidence  Credibility  Competence  Step 1: Do Your Homework  Research Web…Google it  Ask Around  Check it Out  Have questions from research that you don’t know or are curious about

Build Confidence  Step 2: Build Confidence  Why interviews make us nervous? (F.E.A.R., ‘what if’ worries, judgments)  A Little Anxiety is a GOOD Thing Preparation Focus Heightened Performance  Overcoming Interview Anxiety (Preparation! & Practice!)Competence  Develop Rapport: BE POSITIVE! Make it a conversation…not an interrogation Free Flowing conversation Use transitions to talk about your qualifications Confidence not cockiness

Make a Great First Impression  Step 3: Make a Great First Impression  You Never Get a Second Chance to Make a First Impression  Interviews may be won / lost in the first few minutes  What hurts you  Your appearance is all wrong Men: Dark Suit, Collared Shirt, Tie, Dress shoes, Dress socks Women: Business Suit or Proper Dress Avoid too much perfume/cologne Women keep makeup natural/minimum  An obvious lack of confidence  Nothing much to say  Lack of job / employer knowledge

Make a Great First Impression  Proper etiquette and posture  Introduce self and offer your hand in introduction  Fact: Body language, including voice, accounts for much of a person’s first impression  Non-verbal communication  Channels of non-verbal communication  Eye contact  Facial Expressions Be conscious of your expressions (may not know…we can tell you) Don’t want confused or mildly hysterical look when interviewing  Body Posture/Gestures Stand, walk & sit tall Send signal of confidence/power Don’t slouch or cross arms  Touching

What not to do!  Interview 3 Interview  Interview 4 Interview  Interview 5 Interview

The Impression  Impressions are made by:  Handshake  How you sit Lean forward (shows interest)  Eye contact Look around during group interview  Smile  How you talk: Umm…Uh…Like….Well…. Hand over mouth when speaking  Reinforce what you are saying – examples  Be positive about previous work experiences  Under-utilized Non-Verbal  Communication Techniques LISTENING ! SILENCE

Establish Credibility  Step 4: Establish Credibility  Expertise and/or Trust  3 Credibility Factors:  Words, Voice, Appearance  It’s ok to pause during questions especially for problem solving or situational questions

Types of Questions  Specific  what subjects are you taking? Factual Reply  Technical  If you don’t know the answer try to use the but technique  Hypothetical test your speed and clarity of thought  Open  these encourage you to expand  Closed  invite a yes or no answer, but expand where relevant  Reflective  enable you to deepen your response

Types of Questions cont’d  Aggressive “Stress”  Used to challenge and test you. An Interviewer will simulate in some way the difficulties of a job Stay cool, answer politely  Weaknesses  Interviewers are influenced more byunfavorable than favorable Pick a slight example and detail your campaign to eliminate the weakness.  “Incident”  Interviewers will sometimes take incidents `in your life and ask howyou planned them. Give reasonably detailed answer

Answering Questions  Step 5: Answering Questions  RESPOND, don’t REACT Don’t make excuses, focus on strengths  Be Brief and To-the-Point (specific) Don’t answer in circles and never get to the point Avoid: “To be honest with you, Just between you and me, Well, to be completely honest”  “Rule of Three” Show your skills, experience, competence  Take notes during interview about what they are saying

Asking Questions  Step 6: Asking Questions  Take Your Time / Relax / Breathe  Follow-up on issues raised (due to listening)  Reference your research / homework  Sample Questions to ask  Can you describe the work environment in this office/dept?  What’s the Recreational Sports Program’s biggest challenge right now?  What do YOU like best about your job?  What do YOU like least?

Follow Up After the Interview  Step 7: Follow Up After the Interview  Critique Yourself (easy does it…there’s good news)  Send a Thank You note (next day)  Set follow-up reminder (1 week)

Mock & Phone Interview  Come in like a real interview  Can refer to a mock university  Dress appropriately  Treat us like you don’t know us  Will ease nervousness and prepare how to answer certain questions  BRING OUR YOUR PERSONALITY & SMILE!!!!!  Phone Interviews  May be done before the conference Some schools will hire just from your resume and phone interview  Schedule a time that works for you and possible employer  Be prepared and treat as regular interview If needed, ask for time to answer questions to think

What not to do!  Interview 6 Interview  2009 COC Hours:  Wednesday, April 1 12:00pm - 3:30pm  Thursday, April 2 8:00am - 6:00pm  Friday, April 3 7:45am - 8:45am 11:00am - 3:30pm  Saturday, April 4 8:00am - 9:00am 11:45am - 2:30pm

Now the Work is Done!  You are offered a GA or Full-Time job  Do you wait for others?  Ask for a timeline for the decision  Watch using other jobs as a bargaining tool  Now to weigh your options and make a decision  Go with your gut if you are unsure  Ask advice from family, friends, and co- workers Ultimate decision should come from you though!

What not to do!  Interview 6 Interview  Interview 7 Interview Contact Laurie & Kevin if you have any questions!