1. Interpersonal Communications in Job Hunting--Chapter 13
(AKA, Interviewing)
Instructor: Dr. Emily E. Bullock

2. Presentation Overview
Types of interpersonal communication
Interview preparation
Interview expectations
Post-interview follow-up

3. Types of Interpersonal Communications in Job Hunting
Information interviews
Social networking
Career/Job Fairs
Job interviews

4. Social Networking What can networking do for you?
Learn about jobs in the “hidden job market”
Make useful contacts
Gain knowledge of career fields & industry trends
Improving networking skills
Join a professional association
Network with alumni

5. Career Fairs Prepare as if for an interview
Resume
Dress
Research on organizations and opening
Work toward securing a more formal interview

6. Interview Preparation
Know yourself
Review interview
questions in Table 13.1
Know the employer
Review strategies for
researching employers in
Chapter 12

7. 5 unique things about yourself AND why
Self-Knowledge
Prepare for questions about your:
Values, interests, and skills
Experience (jobs and activities)
Personal qualifications
Career goals/objectives
Motivation
5 unique things about yourself AND why

8. Researching Employers Enables You To Answer Their Basic Questions:
(1) Why are you here?
(2) What can you do for us?
(3) What kind of person are you?
(4) What distinguishes you from the others?
(5) Can we afford you?
From Richard Bolles (2008), What Color is Your Parachute?

9. Know the Employer size of firm or industry
% annual sales growth in last 5 yrs
current news events & stock prices
age of top management
geographic locations & home office
who are the competitors
organizational goals
organizational structure & career paths
number of plants/stores, etc.
products or services
Customer, clients, or patients they serve
Table 13.2 provides more information

10. Pre-Interview Checklist
Identify your transferable job skills
Become aware of your strengths
Determine what you’re looking for in a job
Research the organization
Conduct information interviews
Know how well you “fit” the position or organization
Practice, practice, practice

11. Dress For Success Dress as others in the occupation
Err on the conservative side
Be noticed as a prepared and qualified applicant…not for what you are wearing

12. Types of Interviews On-campus interviews Telephone interviews
Videoconference interviews
Behavioral interviews
Stress interviews
Performance interviews

13. Answering Behavioral Questions
Use the STAR technique:
Situation
Task
Action
Result

14. Initial Interview Process
Ask basic questions from your resume
Make you feel comfortable
Ask more in-depth (thought provoking) questions
Determine interviewee’s reason for interviewing
Assess motivations for candidate’s actions or activities
Determine individual’s style of operating
*Tip: Back up what you say by citing specific situations

15. Inappropriate or Illegal Questions
Are you a U.S. citizen?
How old are you?
What is your marital status?
What social organizations do you belong to?
Do you have any disabilities?
Have you ever been arrested?

16. Dealing with Inappropriate or Illegal Questions
How to react:
Consider interviewer’s motive
Avoid becoming defensive or angry
Restate your interest & why you are a good fit
Three options:
Answer the question
Examine the intent of the question & respond accordingly
Refuse to answer the question

17. You should have questions
Your Questions
always
You should have questions
The result of thorough research
Reflect a sincere interest in the organization and position
Reflect an awareness of your employment needs
Were not answered in other sources of information

18. Your Questions (contd.)
Address the organization’s issues:
Increase your understanding of the job duties
Explore organizational career paths
Explore organizational training programs
Clarify the organizational structure
Clarify the next step in the interview/hiring process
*Sample questions are in your book on page 223.

19. Questions to Avoid in the Initial Interview
Salary
Benefits package
Vacation or leave time

20. Closing
When can you expect to hear from the interviewer and by what means?
Ask for the interviewer’s business card.
Re-emphasize your interest and appreciation for being considered.

21. After the Interview
Thank-you letter
Maintain contact
Self-evaluation

22. Thank-you Letters Reaffirm your interest
Restate some of your qualifications
Ask additional questions that will help your decision making

23. Self-Evaluation What points seemed to interest the employer?
Did I present my qualifications well?
Did I talk too much? Too little?
Was I too tense or too aggressive? Not aggressive enough?
Which questions were difficult? How can I improve my answers?

24. Second Interviews and Site Visits
Usually final step before receiving an offer
Chance to view facilities, meet other employees
Focus on your specific qualifications
Do you fit the organizational culture?
Structured vs. unstructured process
What is the difference? How does it matter?

25. CIP Perspective on Interviewing
Self-knowledge is a focal point of interviews
Use social networking to learn about job options
Use your social skills to improve decision making in all CASVE phases
Recognize the importance of metacognitions:
Positive self-talk
Self-awareness
Control and monitoring

26. Interview Practice
Give an example of a time that you had a conflict with a supervisor and what you did about it.
Practice answering questions from p table 13.1