Job Interviewing Hannah Franklin, Kelyn Freedman, Caitlin GreenHannah Franklin, Kelyn Freedman, Caitlin Green

An Introduction to Interview Techniques

Types of Interviews Phone/SkypeBehavioralSituationalCaseStressPanelGroup

Phone Interview Usually to decide whether or not its worth bringing you in for a face-to-face interview Usually to decide whether or not its worth bringing you in for a face-to-face interview Disadvantages: Disadvantages: Can’t read facial expressions to determine how the interview is going Can’t read facial expressions to determine how the interview is going Tips: Tips: Research talking points Research talking points Turn the interview into a conversation Turn the interview into a conversation Tell stories Tell stories Prepare your surroundings Prepare your surroundings Follow up Follow up

Skype/Video Interview 63% (up from 14% last year) said they often conducted video interviews 63% (up from 14% last year) said they often conducted video interviews Replacing phone interviews for screening candidates Replacing phone interviews for screening candidates Dress as if you are meeting in-person Dress as if you are meeting in-person Practice looking at the camera Practice looking at the camera Check all lighting, acoustics, and connection Check all lighting, acoustics, and connection

Behavioral Interview What it is: What it is: Looking for specific skills Looking for specific skills Content skills Content skills Functional skills Functional skills Adaptive skills Adaptive skills Focused questions, require detailed examples of how you handled past situations Focused questions, require detailed examples of how you handled past situations Past performance as indicator of future performance Past performance as indicator of future performance 30% of US organizations use behavioral interviewing 30% of US organizations use behavioral interviewing How to Prepare: Study the job description and organization to find out what skills and attributes are desired Come up with examples of times you displayed those attributes PAR technique Problem- situation you faced Action- what you did Results- effects of your actions When possible, quantify results Practice! Choragwicka, Beata (2009). Effects of Interviewee’s Job Experience and Gender on Ratings and Reliability in a Behavioral Interview. Revista de Psicologia del Trabajo de las Organizaciones, 25,

Behavioral Interview Exercise Work with the person next to you. Assign one person to the role of interviewer and one to the role of interviewee Work with the person next to you. Assign one person to the role of interviewer and one to the role of interviewee Common questions: Common questions: Describe a time when you had to use your verbal communication skills to get an important point across Describe a time when you had to use your verbal communication skills to get an important point across Tell me about a time you were able to build motivation for your peers or co-workers Tell me about a time you were able to build motivation for your peers or co-workers Give me a time in which you had to set an important goal and tell me about your success in reaching it Give me a time in which you had to set an important goal and tell me about your success in reaching it Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty to get a job done Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty to get a job done Tell me about a time you failed to meet a deadline. What did you learn? Tell me about a time you failed to meet a deadline. What did you learn? Describe a decision you made that was unpopular and how you implemented it Describe a decision you made that was unpopular and how you implemented it

Situational Interview What it is: What it is: Specific questions about what may happen on a job, hypothetical situations Specific questions about what may happen on a job, hypothetical situations May include role-play May include role-play In-basket approach In-basket approach Candidate assesses situation and problem solves Candidate assesses situation and problem solves 54% accurate in predicting job performance (conventional- 7%) 54% accurate in predicting job performance (conventional- 7%) How to Prepare Research the company to figure out attributes necessary to fit into company culture Provide concrete examples of how you have acted in the past to back up your responses Example Questions If you know your boss is wrong about something, how would you handle it? What would you do if the priorities on a project were suddenly changed? Latham, Gary P, & Sue-Chan, Christina (1999). A meta-analysis of the situational interview: an enumerative review of reasons for its validity. Canadian Psychology, 40.1, Retrieved 2013 from ProQuest Online

Case Interview Problem/case Problem/case Ask questions Ask questions Give a recommendation Give a recommendation Practice PracticePracticePractice!

Role Play Example

Stress Interview Find out how the candidate handles stress Find out how the candidate handles stress Types Types Stressful Situations Stressful Situations Presentation Presentation Hostile Environment Hostile Environment Don’t be offended Don’t be offended Keep your cool Keep your cool Be clear and don’t back track Be clear and don’t back track

Panel Interview Team of interviewers simultaneously interview the candidate Team of interviewers simultaneously interview the candidate Tips: Tips: Know it’s coming Know it’s coming Research the interview team Research the interview team Shake hands with them all when entering and exiting Shake hands with them all when entering and exiting Make eye contact with the interviewer that asked the question Make eye contact with the interviewer that asked the question after finishing the answer evaluate how the other interviewers are responding after finishing the answer evaluate how the other interviewers are responding Direct your questions to the interviewer that looks the least interested at the time to engage him/her Direct your questions to the interviewer that looks the least interested at the time to engage him/her

Group Interview What it is: What it is: Multiple candidates interview at the same time Multiple candidates interview at the same time May include typical interview questions, problem solving, work simulation, or role play May include typical interview questions, problem solving, work simulation, or role play Purpose: see how you interact with others, stand out, and solve problems Purpose: see how you interact with others, stand out, and solve problems How to Succeed: Research company culture, policies, and goals Prepare a short introduction summarizing yourself, your qualifications, and your goals Make friends, include others, delegate tasks, facilitate conversation, praise others Learn names Be yourself- contribute uniquely Listen to others, stay engaged Build on what others say Tran, Timothy, & Blackman, Melinda C. (2006). The Dynamics and Validity of the Group Selection Interview. The Journal of Social Psychology, 146.2, Retrieved from ProQuest Online at

Common Mistakes Failing to research the job and company Failing to research the job and company Ignoring cues from interviewer Ignoring cues from interviewer Not being yourself- lying about qualifications Not being yourself- lying about qualifications Failing to ask questions Failing to ask questions Company’s mission, practices, expectations, priorities Company’s mission, practices, expectations, priorities Failing to ask for or show interest in the job Failing to ask for or show interest in the job Talking negatively about previous colleagues and employers Talking negatively about previous colleagues and employers Dressing inappropriately, not turning off phone, chewing gum, lack eye contact Dressing inappropriately, not turning off phone, chewing gum, lack eye contact Buckley, Peter F, MD. (2010). Getting a Great Job: “Wowing” at the Interview. Psychiatric Times, 27.9, Retrieved from ProQuest Online at

Strategies for Success Do your research Bring copies of resume and portfolio Anticipate likely questions and practice Develop a compelling story, portray passions and goals Prepare questions (room for growth, people you’ll work with, etc) Take time to think before beginning to answer questions Be aware of body language Follow up with a thank you note Hartung, G Chris (2011). The Job Interview. PM. Public Management , 25. Retrieved from ProQuest Online at

What to Bring Directions and contact information Directions and contact information Copies of your resume and list of references Copies of your resume and list of references Pen and notepad Pen and notepad Folder or briefcase Folder or briefcase List of insightful questions to ask List of insightful questions to ask Portfolio (if applying to creative job) Portfolio (if applying to creative job) Anything else the employer asks you to bring! Anything else the employer asks you to bring! Do NOT bring: Coffee, water, snacks Generic questions

How to Tackle Interview Anxiety Visit the interview site ahead of time Visit the interview site ahead of time Arrive early Arrive early Prepare Prepare Make sure your clothes are clean ahead of time Make sure your clothes are clean ahead of time Get sleep the night before Get sleep the night before Eat breakfast Eat breakfast Exercise that morning Exercise that morning Think before you answer Think before you answer

Type of Interview StrategyMisc.

Questions?

References All pictures retrieved from Google Images All pictures retrieved from Google Images Choragwicka, Beata (2009). Effects of Interviewee’s Job Experience and Gender on Ratings and Reliability in a Behavioral Interview. Revista de Psicologia del Trabajo de las Organizaciones, 25, Choragwicka, Beata (2009). Effects of Interviewee’s Job Experience and Gender on Ratings and Reliability in a Behavioral Interview. Revista de Psicologia del Trabajo de las Organizaciones, 25, Latham, Gary P, & Sue-Chan, Christina (1999). A meta-analysis of the situational interview: an enumerative review of reasons for its validity. Canadian Psychology, 40.1, Retrieved 2013 from ProQuest Online =11091 Latham, Gary P, & Sue-Chan, Christina (1999). A meta-analysis of the situational interview: an enumerative review of reasons for its validity. Canadian Psychology, 40.1, Retrieved 2013 from ProQuest Online = = =11091 Tran, Timothy, & Blackman, Melinda C. (2006). The Dynamics and Validity of the Group Selection Interview. The Journal of Social Psychology, 146.2, Retrieved from ProQuest Online at Tran, Timothy, & Blackman, Melinda C. (2006). The Dynamics and Validity of the Group Selection Interview. The Journal of Social Psychology, 146.2, Retrieved from ProQuest Online at Buckley, Peter F, MD. (2010). Getting a Great Job: “Wowing” at the Interview. Psychiatric Times, 27.9, Retrieved from ProQuest Online at Buckley, Peter F, MD. (2010). Getting a Great Job: “Wowing” at the Interview. Psychiatric Times, 27.9, Retrieved from ProQuest Online at Hartung, G Chris (2011). The Job Interview. PM. Public Management , 25. Retrieved from ProQuest Online at Hartung, G Chris (2011). The Job Interview. PM. Public Management , 25. Retrieved from ProQuest Online at