PREPARING FOR A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW Presenters - Ja Rita S. Johnson Cassandra Blackwell Cassandra Blackwell

PREPARING FOR A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW To provide Interviewing skills and techniques that will market you during the interview process OBJECTIVE

PREPARING FOR A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW Gather as much information as you can about the position. Review the Position Description and Critical Job Elements. Review the Position Description and Critical Job Elements. Find personal examples for as many duties outlined in the Position Description. Find personal examples for as many duties outlined in the Position Description. Know the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities needed for the position. Know the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities needed for the position. Talk to someone in the area. Talk to someone in the area. Review their Website and get a copy of their mission statement or business plan. Review their Website and get a copy of their mission statement or business plan.

PREPARING FOR A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW Identify your work experiences that relate to the position. Determine your strengths and be prepared to mention them during the interview. Determine your strengths and be prepared to mention them during the interview. Identify your weaknesses. Be prepared to show examples of how you are overcoming your weaknesses or turning them into positives. Identify your weaknesses. Be prepared to show examples of how you are overcoming your weaknesses or turning them into positives. Prepare a possible list of questions the interviewer might ask of you. Prepare answers based on your strengths. Prepare a possible list of questions the interviewer might ask of you. Prepare answers based on your strengths.

PREPARING FOR A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW –When contacted for the Interview, ask who is on the interview panel. –Make sure you write down the location and time of the interview, and contact information. Keep the information at work and at home. –Request a Mock Interview.

PREPARING FOR A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW On the Day of your Interview: –Make sure you get a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast. –Dress professionally and arrive a few minutes early. –Make sure you know how to pronounce the name each panel member.

PREPARING FOR A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW On your way into the Interview: On your way into the Interview: –Make sure you are smiling and courteous to everyone. –Stay calm and show confidence. –Keep positive thoughts and be enthusiastic. –When introduced to the interview panel, greet them with a pleasant smile and make sure you maintain good eye contact.

PREPARING FOR A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW –Place yourself in a position to give a firm handshake to each panel member as they introduce themselves. –If you personally know or have worked with one of the interview panel members. DON’T SHOW IT, if it is to be told, let them tell it. –If one of the interviewers initiates small talk, engage yourself with them, but don’t take over the conversation. –If given a compliment on your appearance, hair, shoes, etc. Respond with a pleasant “Thank You”. Do not elaborate.

PREPARING FOR A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW Mastering The Interview: –Don’t fidget - it gives the impression that you are nervous. –Don’t fold your arms - it sends the message that you are not receptive to the question or the panel. –Don’t talk with your hands. –Lean toward the interview panel - it indicates you are receptive and engaged.

PREPARING FOR A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW –Try to establish good rapport with the interviewer. –Make sure each panel member is treated equally as important. –Remember all questions are important, so answer them to the best of your ability. –Even if you personally know a panel member, you always need to be very specific with your answers. Although a panel member may know of your work history and experiences, you can’t get credit for it unless you expound on it during your interview.

PREPARING FOR A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW –Listen closely and ensure you understand the question. Never interrupt. –If you don’t understand the question, ask that it be repeated. –Take your time, but don’t drag out your answers and don’t answer too quickly. –Keep your answers to within approximately two minutes. –Refrain from using Um! Uh! Or Mmm! –If you use IRS jargon, make sure you explain what it is. Examples: Examples: RTR – Remittance Tracking Research AMS – Accounts Management Services

PREPARING FOR A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW –You should always answer questions truthfully. Your answers showcase your strengths and experience. –If asked something and you don’t know the answer, be honest. Try to avoid negative qualifiers. Give a positive approach with your response. –Remember questions generally focus on Leadership, Customer Satisfaction, Employee Satisfaction and Business Results. –Usually you will be given a questions regarding ethics and integrity. If your answer reflects doing the right thing, then you will always give the right answer.

PREPARING FOR A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW Types of Questions: Behavioral Question: “Tell me about a time when you... “ Requires you to recall a past experience or accomplishment. Behavioral Question: “Tell me about a time when you... “ Requires you to recall a past experience or accomplishment. Question: “How would you... “ Requires you to explain a course of action. Question: “How would you... “ Requires you to explain a course of action.

Behavioral Interview Questions Tell me about a time when... Tell me about a time when... Give an example of when you... Give an example of when you... Walk me through a situation where... Walk me through a situation where... How did you handle it when… How did you handle it when…

Traditional or Subjective Questions If given the opportunity how would you… If given the opportunity how would you… How would you handle… How would you handle… What would you do if… What would you do if…

Answering Behavioral Questions SAR APPROACH Situation: Briefly describe. Situation: Briefly describe. Actions: Specifically what you did and why you did it. Actions: Specifically what you did and why you did it. Result: Describe the result and what you learned or would do differently. Result: Describe the result and what you learned or would do differently.

Answering Behavioral Questions SHARE APPROACH Situation: Briefly describe. Situation: Briefly describe. Hindrance: What’s the obstacle or barrier? Hindrance: What’s the obstacle or barrier? Action: What was done to correct the situation and why? Action: What was done to correct the situation and why? Result: As a result of your action, what was the outcome? Result: As a result of your action, what was the outcome? Education: What did you learn from it? Education: What did you learn from it?

Examples of Questions Questions you may encounter during the course of an interview. See Your Handout

Leadership Competencies Personal Leadership Personal Leadership Leading Others Leading Others Leading Improvement Leading Improvement Business Results Business Results

Personal Leadership Competencies Self Development Self Development Communication Communication Political Savvy Political Savvy

Leading Others Competencies Relationship Management Relationship Management Group Leadership Group Leadership Customer Focus Customer Focus Managing Performance and Development Managing Performance and Development

Leading Improvement Competencies Change Management Change Management Innovation and Risk Management Innovation and Risk Management Achievement Orientation Achievement Orientation

Business Results Competencies Problem Solving and Decision Making Problem Solving and Decision Making Leveraging Resources Leveraging Resources Strategic Planning and Implementation Strategic Planning and Implementation

Exercise 1 Tell me about a time when you had to deal with an unanticipated situation that required you to make a quick decision?

Exercise 2 You are the lead on your team and the team is not meeting their productivity requirements. Your manager has been adjusting figures on the daily report to indicate the team is meeting the requirement. Tell us how you would handle this situation.

PREPARING FOR A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW –Never make negative comments regarding a previous position or supervisor/manager. –When your interview is finished, the panel may ask you if you have any thing you would like to add or if you have any questions. Be prepared to say something.

PREPARING FOR A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW Make sure you end the interview in a positive way! For example: “I want to thank you for considering me for the position of _______ and if given the opportunity, I know I will do an excellent job”. “I want to thank you for considering me for the position of _______ and if given the opportunity, I know I will do an excellent job”. “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to interview. This position has been a career aspiration of mine for quite some time or is a part of my Career Learning Plan” is a part of my Career Learning Plan”

PREPARING FOR A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW After the Interview: –Reflect on the interview and how well you did and make notes on the things you feel you could have done better. –Even if you are selected for the position ask for feedback on your interview. –Send a personal note or thanking each member of the interview panel for the opportunity of interviewing.

PREPARING FOR A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW Last but not least! SELL YOURSELF! LET IT BE KNOWN! YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE THE BEST CANDIDATE!