The Interviewing Process Career Skills for the IT Professional

The Hiring Process ► Job interview process varies from organization to organization. Ask HR representative about their hiring process. ► Phase One – Phone Interview  Can be means of setting up a time for an in-person interview OR  A 30 – 60 minute interview used to screen candidates.  Questions asked are similar to the ones you’ll get in an in-person interview, if you proceed to the next phase.

Phone Etiquette ► Create a positive first impression. ► Pay attention to how the caller identifies them self so you can use their name to connect with them through out the conversation. ► Be professional and not to casual or unduly friendly. ► Before hanging up verify interview time, date, and location. ► Get the name, job title, and phone number of the contact person in case you need to reschedule.

Phone Etiquette ► Restate your interest in the job. ► Thank the caller for inviting you to come in for an interview. ► While job hunting, if employers will be calling your home, make sure your answering machine or voice mail is professional.

The Hiring Process ► Phase Two – In-Person Interviews  Most widely used form of interviewing.  Interviewer has a fixed set of questions that they ask candidate with aim to find out what candidates level of skills in areas pertinent to role they will fulfill for the company.  Interviewer can be a ► human resource manager ► actual person you would be working for ► personnel from department you would be working in

What are employers looking for? ► Does the candidate have the skills and abilities to perform the job? ► Does the candidate possess the enthusiasm and work ethic that the employer expects? ► Will the candidate be a team player and fit into the organization?

In-Person Interview ► Multiple interviews may be required either on the same day or on different occasions.  Each round of interviews will include people from different levels of the organization.  No matter how long the process goes on, you must maintain your energy and focus! ► In-Person Interviews can take on many formats...

In-Person Interview Formats ► Panel Interviews  Similar to one-on-one interview but with more people involved asking the questions.  Remember to give your answer to the person who asked the question.  Make brief eye contact with other panel members to make them feel included while directing answer to interviewer asking question.

In-Person Interview Formats ► Group Interviews (rarely used)  Employer interviews a number of candidates at one time. Used to determine how well you interact with others in a group environment.  Break candidates into small groups and give them a problem to solve.  Observers will assess things such as: ► Contribution to discussion ► Expression ► Reaction to others ► Contribution towards reaching group goal.

In-Person Interview Formats ► Campus Interviews  Used most for new graduates as an initial screening.  Last approximately minutes.  Usually conducted by one interviewer.  Preparation for this interview is as important as preparation for on-site interview.

In-Person Interview Formats ► Behavior Interviews (very popular)  Based on theory that past performance is the best indicator of future behavior.  Questions probe specific past behaviors.  Prepare by recalling scenarios that fit the various types of behavior interviewing questions.  Recent grads can use class projects and group situations as examples.  Hobbies and volunteer work can also provide examples.

How to answer Behavior Interview Questions 1. Describe the situation 2. Discuss the actions you took 3. Relate the outcomes 4. Specify what you learned from the situation

In-Person Interview Formats ► Presentation Interviews  If public speaking or making presentations are job requirements you may be asked to give a presentation as part of the interview process.  Topic may be given or you may be able to choose your own topic. Time limit may be minutes.  Employer may ask you to give a presentation with no advance notice to see how you perform under pressure.  Often require the use of visual aids such as PowerPoint presentations.