There are several types of interviews. Each serves a specific purpose.

Transcription

1 Introduction to Interviewing The primary purpose of the interview is to determine best fit for the candidate, employer, and organization. The interview serves multiple purposes for both you and the employer. Not only is the employer evaluating you your qualifications, motivation, and organizational fit but you are evaluating the position and organization to see if they are a good fit for you and your career path. Your Goals To communicate important information about yourself your qualifications, motivation, and suitability To determine whether the job is suitable for you and whether you want it To favorably impress the employer Goals of the Employer To promote the organization and attract the best possible candidates To gather information about you To assess how well your qualifications match the job requirements To determine whether you will fit in with the organization and the staff Types of Interviews There are several types of interviews. Each serves a specific purpose. Informational Interviews Informational interviews are a means of connecting with professionals in the position, company, and/or industry in which you are interested. It is a formal meeting that allows you to ask questions and learn more about the type of work and/or work environment. Screening An initial or screening interview is a preliminary interview to identify if a candidate is a good fit for the organization. It is designed to identify the top candidates within the applicant pool. It is typically a one-on-one, personal interview. It could last a few minutes or all day. Hiring Interviews The hiring interview usually follows a screening interview. The purpose is to select the most qualified candidate. It is significantly more in-depth, taking more time and addressing the job in greater detail. It may take a variety of formats. Career Development Pomajevich Building, Office careercenter@nwcu.edu

2 Interview Formats Your interview may take a variety of forms. It s important to know the format so you can prepare accordingly. Phone Interviews The phone interview is commonly used as a screening interview. An individual may conduct the interview, but it can also be handled as a conference call, where your voice is placed on speakerphone for a panel of interviewers to hear. One person or multiple people may ask the questions. This format may be awkward because you cannot see your interviewers and they cannot see you. You must rely on the quality and tone of your voice to communicate. Avoid speaking in a monotone voice. Be sure to vary the tone to convey your personality and speak slowly and clearly. Place a mirror in front of you as a reminder to smile. A smile relays warmth and enthusiasm, as well as boosts your confidence. Keep a copy of your resume in front of you so you are able to refer to it if necessary. Skype Interviews Similar to phone interviews, Skype interviews can take place anywhere, which is a cost-effective way for employers to conduct the initial screening of applicants. The benefit of Skype or video chat interviews is the ability to gauge nonverbal behavior, such as facial expression and body language. Individual Interviews An individual interview is a one-on-one, face-to-face interview held in the interviewer s office or a small conference room. Typically, the interview lasts one hour. It may be used as a screening or hiring interview. Panel Interviews A panel interview is one in which a group of people interview you. The size of the group may range from four to six individuals who have an interest in the hiring process. One person may ask all the questions, or the group may take turns asking questions. Direct your answer to the person to who asked the question, but maintain eye contact with each person in the group. Serial Interviews Serial interviews are comprised of a series of individual and/or panel interviews. They are designed to expose you to a cross-section of the organization, meeting potential supervisors and colleagues. You may be asked the same questions of each interviewer or differing questions. It is important to maintain pace and consistency. Pace yourself throughout the day and reserve energy for the final interview - with whom the final hiring decision resides. You want to appear fresh for each interview. As much as possible, keep your answers consistent. The interviewers will most likely compare answers. Inconsistency may be portrayed as untrustworthy and/or dishonest. Conduct yourself with integrity. Group Interviews A group interview is one in which you interview with other candidates. Candidates competing for the same position hear your answers. This format may be used to select individuals to fill 2

3 multiple openings of the same position. It may also be used to observe candidates ability to work in a group. It can be intimidating, but exhibiting good interpersonal skills will go a long way. Be careful not to monopolize the conversation or refrain from speaking at all. Use your effective communication skills to listening attentively and articulate yourself clearly. Preparing for the Interview Never enter an interview unprepared! Take the time to research and practice. Having knowledge of the organization and practicing your interviewing skills will help reduce your nervousness and anxiety. Your confidence level will increase, and you will communicate more effectively. Research, Research, Research Ideally, you began the research process prior to applying for the position. Conducting more indepth research once you ve received an invitation to interview will help you prepare more effectively. It is advantageous to ask about the format of the interview and name and title of the interviewer when you schedule the interview. This information will influence your preparation. The Organization Know the organization with which you are interviewing. Read company literature, annual reports, and website. Familiarize yourself with the major developments and trends in the field, as well as the mission and direction of the organization. Be aware of the history, financial profile, strengths/weaknesses, competition, and employee retention. You can use the information you ve gathered to communicate to the employer how you can meet their needs. Your ability to apply this knowledge in the context of your qualifications will increase your chance of receiving a job offer. This information will also equip you to form intelligent questions to ask during the interview. The Job Position Be familiar with the job description. What is required? What are the expectations and responsibilities? What is the organizational structure? Who do you report to? How does the position fit with and support the mission of the organization? Identify skills that are important to the success of the position, and articulate examples from your employment history that demonstrate those skills. The Salary and Other Benefits Approach the topic of salary and benefits with discretion and tact. You may receive salary information prior to the interview. The employer may address it at the end of your interview. It is never appropriate to lead with questions about salary and benefits. However, you may have an opportunity to discuss compensation. Here are some acceptable questions: What is the salary range for this position? What kinds of benefits are available medical, pension, tuition, etc.? What opportunities for advancement exist? Not all benefits are monetary. At the same time, you have financial obligations to meet. There is a time and place for salary negotiation, and it is not to be initiated by the candidate in the first 3

4 interview. Use labor market research to determine if the offer is competitive and commensurate with your education and experience. Practice, Practice, Practice Prepare answers to questions that might be asked. Do not memorize answers. Let your responses flow naturally. Employers will recognize canned answers. Genuineness and authenticity are important in building positive rapport with your interviewers and making a favorable impression. Have a friend or career counselor review your answers. Set up a mock interview with a professor or colleague to practice articulating your answers. Consider the following: What to Bring Did you answer directly or did you ramble? Did you give specific examples to substantiate your claims? Did you ask for clarification if you were unsure of the question? Did you sound natural or stilted? Did you avoid using filler words, such as um, like, uh, or you know? How was your body language eye contact, hand movements, diction, and enunciation? Did you remember to smile? It may be helpful to have certain materials with you: Arrive on Time Copies of your resume Unofficial transcripts List of references Portfolio if appropriate Pen & paper to take notes List of prepared questions for your interviewers Punctuality is critical. A good rule of thumb is to arrive 5-10 minutes early. Being able to arrive on time sends the message that you are reliable and dependable necessary work skills. In order to arrive on time, ask for directions when you schedule the interview. You may find it helpful to make a trial run. Allow ample time for traffic and parking. You may need to acquire a parking permit. You may be required to park at a meter, in which case, be sure you have enough change on hand. Know the bus routes. When in doubt, ask in advance what the expectations are for parking. Be prepared to stay late. You may need to arrange for extended childcare or park in location with unlimited parking time. Addressing these items in advance will free your mind to focus on the interview and not getting a ticket. Dress the Part Your appearance can make or break you. Appearance is more than wearing professional clothing; it also involves grooming and personal hygiene. Here are some guiding principles. Dress according to the field and industry standard. Even in an industry that has a casual dress 4

5 code, it is advisable to dress up for the interview. Visit the organization to observe what the standard dress code is. Err on the conservative side. It is better to be overdressed than underdressed. Avoid wearing the latest fashions and select attractive colors in established styles that flatter your body type. A black or navy suit tends to be standard for both men and women. Jewelry and make-up should be subdued, complementing the overall look, not distracting from it. Facial hair on men needs to be trimmed neatly. Give special attention to grooming. You should look clean and well pressed. Be sure your nails and hair look their best and that accessories, like shoes and bags, are polished and coordinated. You want to be remembered for your professionalism and ability to perform the job, not what you look like. The Interview The Introduction First impressions are critical. Most impressions are made before you even open your mouth to speak. The Content Smile Greet everyone you meet with a smile. A smile expresses warmth and enthusiasm. There is also a physiological response when you smile that stimulates activity in the brain and elevates your mood. Handshake A handshake is a formal greeting appropriate for the business setting. A firm handshake, making web-to-web contact, communicates respect and confidence. A bone- crusher or limp-fish handshake is not appropriate. Eye Contact By making eye contact, you exude confidence in yourself and respect for the other person. It also shows that you are actively listening to what the other person is saying. Speech When you do speak, do so with an appropriate volume and rate. Nervousness often causes individuals to speak either louder or softer than their normal volume. Be sure to speak up but not yell. Nervousness may also cause you to increase your rate of speech, making it difficult for others to hear and understand what you are saying. Enunciate and articulate your words clearly without mumbling or slurring. You want yourself to be heard and understood. The content of your interview will be delivered through your answers to the interview questions. Highlight your abilities through examples. Be specific and concise. Demonstrate your poise, confidence, maturity, and motivation using your body language. Lean forward to show interest. Maintain an open body posture. Refrain from folding your arms across your chest. If you naturally use your hands in gesturing, feel free to do so. Allow your body movements to complement and reinforce the content of your answers. Answer questions based on your research of the company. Relate your past experience directly to the needs of the company. Make it easy for them to see how you fit within their organization. 5

6 One of the best strategies for organizing the content of your answer is to be a STAR! Situation What happened? State the situation and provide context. Describe the project, problem, or circumstance in enough detail to give them a mental picture. Tasks What needed to be done? Identify the tasks you needed to complete in order to execute the project, solve the problem, or address the situation. Be specific. Action What did you do? Share the actions that you (not someone else) took to carry out the tasks in order to complete the tasks or bring resolution. Use vivid action verbs. Results What was the outcome? How did things turn out? Describe the results of the situation in specific and measurable terms. Always provide an example or tell a story that demonstrates your ability even when the question doesn t explicitly ask for one. Vary your examples in your responses. In other words, draw examples from a variety of experiences you ve had. Do not recycle the same experience over and over again in your interview. Finally, constantly sell yourself to the interviewers. Without appearing cocky or arrogant, promote the positive qualities you possess that make you a strong fit for the position with confidence. Handling Inappropriate Questions Listen careful to questions. Only share information that is relevant to your ability to perform the requirements of the job description. Appropriate questions address the job qualifications. Inappropriate questions tend to probe at personal information. Inappropriate topics may include: Marital status Age Arrest record Disability Race/Color Labor organizations Religious practices Ethnicity Residence Military/Veteran status Sexual Orientation Social affiliations If faced with an inappropriate question, you have several choices: Answer the question With this option, you run the risk of revealing potentially discriminating information and hinder the possibility of receiving an offer. Decline to answer the question Refusing to answer may cause you to appear uncooperative or confrontational. Answer the intent of the question Identify what the employer is really asking. For example, if asked How old are you?, you respond with, I am over 21. The best option is to answer the intent of the question, evaluating what aspects are essential to the job function and providing examples of how you meet the qualification without revealing potentially discriminating information. Imagine yourself in the job. Think about how you would perform in the company professionally & personally. Prepare questions for areas in the job description that are unclear. You are interviewing them as well as them interviewing you! 6

7 The Close In closing, remember the following items: Summarize your qualifications. Reiterate the reasons that make you the most qualified candidate for the position. Express your sincere interest in the position. Ask about the next step: When should you expect to hear? How will you be notified? Or when should you make contact? Exit courteously. Follow Up After the interview, record your observations, names of interviewers, and any questions that did not get answered. This information will help you evaluate the position and whether or not you intend to accept an offer. Based on the interview, is this position a good fit for you? Can you envision yourself working at that organization? Would you work well with the people you met at the interview? Evaluate your performance. What did you do well? What did you forget? What would you do differently next time? Be careful not to overanalyze your performance or be too hard on yourself. You are not perfect, and that s okay. Reward yourself for the things you did well and take note of areas to improve upon next time. Write thank you notes to your interviewers within 24 hours. Sincere notes of appreciation, preferably hand written and addressed to each individual member of the committee, will leave a positive impression. If your handwriting is illegible, then you may choose to print your message on quality thank you note stationary. Just remember to sign the card by hand. This simple step is often overlooked but has the potential to enhance your positioning. 7

8 Practice Questions 1. What interested you most in this position? In this organization? 2. How did you become interested in this field? 3. What personal characteristics do you think are necessary for success in your chosen field? 4. What do you do in your spare time? 5. What do you consider to be your most significant accomplishment? 6. What are your greatest strengths/weaknesses? 7. How do you define success? 8. Define teamwork. 9. What have you enjoyed about past jobs? Disliked? 10. What was the toughest decision you had to make? Behavioral Interview Questions 1. Tell me about the most difficult person you ve had to communicate with. 2. Tell me about a group project you were involved with. What was your role? 3. Describe a major problem you encountered and actions you took to resolve it. 4. What kind of pressure did you feel on your last job? 5. Describe a situation where you had to do several tasks at the same time. 6. Tell me a time when you went out of your way to provide good service. 7. Tell me time when you demonstrated assertiveness. 8. Tell me a time when you followed through on a commitment, despite difficulties. Questions to ask Employers 1. What is your leadership/management style? 2. How is a new employee assimilated into the organization? 3. What is the nature of your training program and supervision in the early years of employment? 4. What will be expected of me as a new employee? 5. Are there negative aspects of the job? 6. Could you describe your employee review/evaluation system? 7. Would you describe career advancement and professional growth opportunities? 8