INTERVIEWING FOR SUCCESS. NCAA/NACWAA Institute for Administrative Advancement

Transcription

1 INTERVIEWING FOR SUCCESS 2011 NCAA/NACWAA Institute for Administrative Advancement

2 Session overview Preparing for the interview. During the interview. First impression. Question/answer session. Types of questions to expect. Last impression. Following the interview. Tips.

3 Preparing for the interview Learn about the place of employment (institution, conference office). Familiarize yourself with members of the search committee. Have an understanding of the organization s recent achievements and challenges. Determine your messages to communicate throughout the interview.

4 Preparing for the interview Practice your messages in context of answers to questions. Participate in a mock interview and welcome feedback. Make a list of the questions you want to ask in the interview. Prepare and practice your closing statements.

5 FIRST IMPRESSION When seated, stand up to shake hands of those standing. Have a great handshake and eye contact. Listen and learn names. Let your personality come through your answers.

6 QUESTION TIME Use examples rather than relying on yes and no answers but be concise. Never speak negatively about your current place of employment. Listen and ask the person to repeat the question if it is lengthy. Never interrupt.

7 QUESTION TIME Show eye contact with your responses spanning the group. Pause before answering. Be thoughtful and careful about humor but demonstrate lightheartedness. If you rethink an answer go back at the end and elaborate or clarify.

8 TYPES OF QUESTIONS TO EXPECT Rapport Building. Behavioral. Probing. Hypothetical. Scenario/Case Study. Functional/Technical. Self-Appraisal.

9 TYPES OF QUESTIONS TO EXPECT Rapport Building. Begin to create a comfortable environment. Examples: Tell me about what interests you in this position. Take a few minutes and talk me through the highlights of your career.

10 TYPES OF QUESTIONS TO EXPECT Behavioral. Get information about actual experience. Good indicator of what a candidate will do if hired. Examples: Tell me about a time when you Give me an example of a time when... Describe a time when you

11 TYPES OF QUESTIONS TO EXPECT Probing. Explore a candidate s answer to a behavioral question to get important details. Tend to start with What, How or Why. Probing questions are open-ended and focus on actual past experiences instead of hypothetical information.

12 TYPES OF QUESTIONS TO EXPECT Hypothetical. Provides important information about the how and why behind a candidate s strategic thought process. Example: Tell me what you would have done if your supervisor bumped up the deadline on a project when you were only halfway finished?

13 TYPES OF QUESTIONS TO EXPECT Scenario/Case Study. Gathers information about a candidate s problem solving and analytical skills. Example: You are leading a team working on a project and one of your team members has been late a couple times in delivering on his area of responsibility. How would you handle that situation?

14 TYPES OF QUESTIONS TO EXPECT Functional/Technical. Provides information on the candidate s technical ability to complete the required functions of the job. Example: This job requires (specific knowledge) tell me about your experience in this area.

15 TYPES OF QUESTIONS TO EXPECT Self-Appraisal. Determines how a candidate evaluates his/her performance. Examples: What did you learn from what happened? Would you have handled anything differently? Were you able to achieve your goals?

16 LAST IMPRESSION Your turn to ask questions you are now the interviewer. Have three to five points you want to convey about yourself, skill-set and why you want the job. These will be your last words to the search committee so say them with conviction and confidence. Leave them with your plan of action for the job. Make sure the appropriate person knows how to contact you in the next days/week. Ask about the timeline.

17 Following the interview Determine if there are any follow-up questions or information not covered. Self-critique. or write a personal thank you.

18 Don t get the job Write a letter of thank you for having been considered. Ask if there is the opportunity to offer constructive feedback to make you a better candidate. Analyze and determine if there were weaknesses in your interview. Determine a strategy to improve.

19 Tips Double check your resume and degrees for accuracy. Check voic message and online social network to make sure it is professional and appropriate. Schedule trip (flight, drive) that gives you time so not to rush between current job and interview. Select a professional looking portfolio or planner to be carried for notes, questions, itinerary.

20 Tips Select outfits that are professional, conservative and appropriate. Select appropriate color of clothing (don t wear rival s colors). Do not wear institutional affiliation pins. Could be a long day excuse yourself to restroom and have a power bar.

21 All the signals indicate the job is yours. You have endured hours of interviews and now you are standing with some potential colleagues, engaging in harmless banter. The topic turns to your current job and you tell them you can't wait to bail on your out-of-touch athletic director. This might seem like a harmless exchange but you may have just shot your chances. We are all human and when things start feeling good, we let our guard down.

22 QUESTIONS Susan S. Peal 2011 NCAA/NACWAA Institute for Administrative Advancement