Chapter 13 Interviewing Skills

Interviewing is Important - Don’t prepare – Dress inappropriately – Poor communication skills – Too much communication – Talk too much – Don’t talk enough – Fuzzy facts – Give the wrong answer – Badmouthing past employers – Forget to follow up Top 10 Interviewing Blunders

Prepare for the Employment Interview Research the company – Business magazines, annual report, company web pages, advertisements, company facility – Increase changes of a good first impression – Determine if the company is a good fit for you

Prepare for the Employment Interview Update your paperwork – Most recent employment and education – Bring a copy to the interview – Personalize a letter of application prior to interview

Interview Questions Anticipating questions is one of the most important steps Commonly Asked Job Interview Questions – Why do you want to work for our company? – What are your future career plans? – Tell me something about yourself. – Why did you choose this particular field of work? – What is the key to success in this job?

Interview Questions Behavior-based questions – Past performance is a good indicator of future behavior – Applicants should: Describe a past situation Actions taken Results achieved

Interview Questions PAR stories – Problem/Purpose you encountered – Action(s) you took to overcome problem/purpose – Result(s) you achieved in concrete terms

Interview Questions Illegal questions – Employer’s questions must relate to the job for which you’re applying. – Questions about the following have the potential to be asked in an illegal manner: National origin, disabilities, arrest record Marital/family status, age, rage Religion, physical attributes, military background

Interview Questions – Ways to respond to illegal questions Answer the question Refuse to answer the question Consider why the employer is asking the question; respond to your perception of employer’s intent

Participate in Your Interview Time for success – Note time, place of interview and name of interviewer – Consider traveling to interview site ahead of time – Arrive early – Be courteous to everyone you encounter – Be prepared to complete and application form – Bring a portfolio with evidence of accomplishments

Participate in Your Interview Dress for success – Attire is determined for the job for which you’re applying – Guidelines for interview dress: Clean and well-pressed clothes Clean-shaven or neatly trimmed hair Conceal piercings and tattoos Subtle fragrances only Clean nails Don’t smoke prior or chew gum during Turn off your cell phone

Participate in Your Interview Respond for success – Be honest and give complete answers – Be positive about yourself and past experiences – Avoid one or two word responses – Give concrete examples – Paraphrase the question to avoid misunderstanding – Limit responses to 30 seconds – Emphasize what you have to offer the company

Participate in Your Interview – Respond positively to questions about weaknesses – Nonverbal communication Sit up and lean forward Make eye contact and smile Avoid crossed arms and legs Use head nods and attentive facial expressions – Ask questions and show interest in the company – Avoid questions about salary, vacation – Express thanks and find out when a decision will be made

Follow-up After Your Interview Fewer than 10% of applicants send a thank you letter May be the most important letter you write Provides another contact with the employer Sets you apart from those who didn’t send one Should take place within 24 hours after the interview

Follow-up After Your Interview Follow-up letter format – Content should: State your appreciation Explain what you liked about the position Sound enthusiastic about working for the company – Each contact you make is an opportunity

Phone Interviews 80% of job interviews are won or lost in he first five minutes of conversation Tips for interviewing over the phone: – Select an appropriate voice mail message – Call back Return the call immediately Prompt response indicates your seriousness about the job

Phone Interviews – Choose the right environment Quiet surrounding with no distractions – Stay focused and listen Use paraphrases or clarifying questions – Practice for the interview – Pay attention to both speech and body language Speak slowly, clearly and distinctly It’s okay to request a few moments to think Don’t eat, drink, smoke, chew bun Let your body language communicate strength and poise

Phone Interviews – End of a positive note Thank interviewer for the opportunity Ask when you can expect to receive notification – Send thanks Follow-up thank you letter just as you would for an in-person interview