2. “All the world’s a stage.”
William Shakespeare
( )

3. OBJECTIVES Conduct company specific research for interview preparation
Prepare a personal commercial to sell skills and tie them to a target job
Identify pre-interview preparation activities including creating an interview portfolio and practice interview questions

4. OBJECTIVES (cont.)
Explain key areas of employee rights and how to respond to discriminatory questions
Describe specific statements and behaviors to exhibit at the close of an interview and job offer
Discuss salary negotiation strategies

5. THE TARGETED JOB
Leads you through the process of identifying open positions
Identifies
Where you want to work
Who you want to work for
What position you want
Ultimate goal of a job search is to secure an interview and job offer

6. COMPANY SPECIFIC RESEARCH
Conduct research prior to interview
Research better prepares you for interview, increases confidence, and provides greater advantage over other candidates
Sources include:
Company web site, brochures, materials
Internet search
Industry journals
Interviews with current employees and business leaders

7. COMPANY SPECIFIC RESEARCH
Identify as much as you can about
The target company
Its administrators
Department of the target job
Identify if the company is the right fit for you and your career goals
Share specific research information during the interview

8. THE PERSONAL COMMERCIAL
Personal Commercial: a brief career biography that conveys your career choice, knowledge, skills, strengths, abilities, and experiences that make you uniquely qualified
Sells skills and ties these skills to the target job in a brief two minute statement
Adapt statement to the requirements for each target job

9. THE PERSONAL COMMERCIAL
Do not include personal information such as marital status, hobbies, or other private information
Include career objective information
Use personal commercial at beginning of interview
Restate at end of interview

10. THE INVITATION TO INTERVIEW
Most invitations occur via phone or
Regularly check and respond to phone and messages
Maintain a professional voice mail message and address

11. THE INVITATION TO INTERVIEW
Attempt to identify
With whom you will interview
How much time is scheduled for the interview
How many applicants are being called to interview
Be friendly, respectful, and professional
Try to arrange interview at time that puts you at advantage
First and last are most memorable
Morning is best

12. THE INTERVIEW PORTFOLIO
Interview Portfolio: small folder containing relevant documents that are taken to an interview
Use business portfolio or paper folder with pockets
Include: copies of résumé, cover letter, reference list, generic application, and personal commercial
Also include a calendar, note paper, a pen, and personal business cards

13. PRACTICE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Important pre-interview activity
Practice answering common interview questions in front of mirror or video camera
Analyze responses
Selling skills
Projecting professional image
Nervous gestures

14. PRACTICE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Answer
Do Not
Tell me about yourself.
Use your personal commercial, which was modified to the job description of your target company.
Do not divulge personal information or background information such as where you were born, personal hobbies, or marital status.
What are your strengths?
Make sure your answer includes how your strengths meet the job requirements and how these strengths will be an asset to the company.
Do not include strengths that are not related to the job. Do not include personal information (e.g., “I’m a good mother”).
Tell me about a time you failed.
Be honest. Use an example that is not too damaging. Include the lesson learned from your mistake.
Do not place blame on why the failure occurred.
Tell me about a time you were successful.
Be honest. Use an example that relates to the job for which you are applying. State if it was a team effort.
Do not take full credit if the success was a team effort.
How do you handle conflict?
Be honest. Use an example that is not too damaging. Include the lesson learned from your mistake. Apply what you learned in Chapter 12.
Do not exclude the lesson learned. Do not give specifics on how the conflict occurred.
Would you rather work individually or in a team? Why?
State that you prefer one or the other and state why, but make sure your answer relates to the job requirements.
Do not state that you will not work one way or the other.
Why do you want this job?
Your answer should convey career goals and how the job supports your current skills. Include company information.
Do not state money or benefits in your response.

15. PRACTICE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Answer
Do Not
How do you deal with stress?
Share positive stress reducers as addressed in Chapter 4.
Do not state that stress does not affect you. Do not use negative examples.
Tell me about yourself.
Use your personal commercial.
Do not provide personal information that could be discriminatory.
What is your greatest weakness?
Use a weakness that will not damage your chance of getting the job. Communicate how you are minimizing your weakness or are turning it into a strength (e.g., “I’m a perfectionist, but I don’t allow it to interfere with getting my job done on time”).
Do not state, “I don’t have any.”
Where do you want to be in five years?
Share the goals you created in Chapter 2.
Do not say you want the interviewer’s job.
Tell me about a time you displayed leadership
Use a specific example, and try to relate the example to the needed job skills.
Do not appear arrogant.

16. TALK IT OUT
Identify the most difficult questions to answer and formulate appropriate responses that sell your skills

17. PRE-INTERVIEW PRACTICE
Practice day
Arrive at interview location (company)
Walk to specific interview office (do not go into office)
Note nearest public restroom
Interview attire—clean and professional
Thank-you notes
Interview portfolio:
Résumé
Note pad and pen
Reference list
Generic application
Copies of pertinent documents

18. THE DAY OF THE INTERVIEW
Look in the mirror
Ensure professional appearance
If you smoke, refrain from smoking prior to the interview
Arrive 15 minutes early
Go to the restroom and freshen up
Enter meeting location 5 minutes early

19. THE DAY OF THE INTERVIEW
Make every interaction positive
Introduce yourself to the receptionist
Be sincere
Take a seat and relax
Use positive self-talk
From the minute you enter the building, assume your interview has begun

20. THE INTERVIEW Communicate confidence
Communicate how your knowledge, skills, and abilities will be an asset to the company
Stand, extend a smile and handshake
Clearly and slowly state your name
Listen carefully to the individual’s name
The interview may be conducted several ways:
One person
Several individuals (panel interview)
Testing

21. THE INTERVIEW Do not be seated until invited to do so Decline a drink
After being seated, write down names
Inject names into conversation
Look for conversation cues

22. THE INTERVIEW Body language Watch yours
Watch individuals conducting interview
Sit up straight, sit back in chair, and relax
Be calm but alert
Keep hands folded on lap or ready to take notes
Do not lean on furniture
Make eye contact, but don’t stare at the interviewer

23. THE INTERVIEW When Asked a Question
Listen carefully
Take a few seconds to think and digest question
Formulate an answer
Answers should relate back to the job qualifications and/or job duties
The goal is to convey to interviewer how your skills will assist the company
Keep answers brief, but complete
Your job is to sell yourself
When possible, inject company information

24. THE INTERVIEW When Asked a Question (cont.)
“Talk about yourself” = personal commercial
When possible, share job samples
When possible, share company research findings
Do not provide personal information
Relate answers back to the target job

25. PHONE INTERVIEWS First interview may take place over the phone
Some prearranged, others are scheduled
Consistently answer phone professionally, keeping interview portfolio within easy reach
Try to be as accommodating as possible
During a phone interview:
Be professional and prepared
Be concise with communication
Be polite

26. INTERVIEW METHODS
One-on-one interviews: involve meeting between applicant and a company rep
Group Interviews: involve several applicants interviewing with each other while being observed by company reps
Panel Interviews: involve applicant meeting with several company employees at the same time

27. TYPES OF INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Structured interview questions: address job-related issues where each applicant is asked the same question(s)
Unstructured interview questions: a probing, open-ended question designed to identify if candidate can appropriately sell his/her skills
Behavioral interview questions: designed for candidates to share a past work experience to demonstrate qualifications

28. DISCRIMINATION AND EMPLOYEE RIGHTS
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
Created to protect the rights of employees
Prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin
Other laws that prohibit pay equity and discrimination
Individuals over 40 years of age
Individuals with disabilities
Individuals who are pregnant
Other areas

29. DISCRIMINATION AND EMPLOYEE RIGHTS
Employers have a legal obligation to provide every qualified candidate an equal opportunity to interview
Discriminatory questions are illegal
If asked illegal or discriminatory questions:
Do not directly answer question
Address the issue
Protect your rights
It is inappropriate to disclose personal information
Avoid making comments referring to:
Marital status
Children
Religion
Age
Any other area of protected rights

30. TALK IT OUT
Role-play an interview; during the interview, ask one legal question and one illegal question with confidence but in a non-offensive manner

31. TOUGH QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Negative work-related experiences
Potentially devastating if not handled properly
Fired
Poor performance evaluation
Poor/no job reference
Behaved in a negative manner prior to leaving old job
If not asked, don’t disclose
Only exception is if current/former boss has potential to provide a negative reference
Tell interviewer
Request another manager or coworker be contacted

32. TOUGH QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Be honest
State the facts
Tell interviewer that you have matured and realized that you did not handle the situation appropriately
Do not speak poorly of current/previous employer, boss, or coworker
Do not place blame on who was right or wrong
Every experience is a learning experience

33. CLOSING THE INTERVIEW
At close of interview, you may be asked if you have any questions
Have question(s) prepared
Current event
Portfolio information
Do not ask selfish questions regarding salary, benefits, vacations, or general company questions
Restate personal commercial
Ask for the job
The purpose of the job interview is to sell yourself
An interview isn’t successful if you don’t close the sale

34. CLOSING THE INTERVIEW Interviewer will signal that interview is over
Hand interviewer your personal business card
Secure a business card
Shake hands
Thank him or her for his or her time
Communicate confidence, friendliness, and professionalism
Immediately after leaving the interview, write the thank-you note
Make a positive last impression

35. AFTER THE INTERVIEW Deliver thank-you note Congratulate yourself
Prior to leaving company property, make notes
Evaluate impression of company

36. NEGOTIATION Should hear back from company
Second interview or job offer
Reference checks
Call individuals on reference list
Interviewer may ask about salary requirements
Sell skills
Conduct and compare research to job posting
Start a few thousand dollars higher than your desired starting salary
Consider experience and/or lack of experience
If offered unacceptable salary, use silence

37. PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENINGS
Common screenings:
Criminal checks
Education verification
Driver’s license history
Security checks
Employment checks
Credit checks
Reference checks
Number and type depend upon relevance to the job

38. MEDICAL EXAMS
Legally, employers can require medical exams only after a job offer is made
Exam must be required for all applicants for same job
Exam must be job-related
Common exams include: vision, strength testing, pre-employment drug tests
Cannot be conducted without your permission

39. WHEN YOU’RE NOT OFFERED A JOB
Job search is a full-time job
Do not be discouraged
Evaluate résumé and cover letter
Typographically or grammatical errors
Listed important skills that reflect needs of job
Have someone review cover letter and résumé
Make every experience a learning experience

40. WHEN YOU’RE NOT OFFERED A JOB
Review each step in interview process
Grade yourself
Pre-interview preparation
Interview day appearance
Interview answers
Ability to interject company research into answers
Maintain a good attitude