chapter 7 interviewingsucceeding in the world of work during an interview: it’s show time 7.2...

Chapter 7 • Interviewing Succeeding in the World of Work

During an Interview: It’s Show TimeDuring an Interview: It’s Show Time7.2

SECTION OPENER / CLOSERINSERT BOOK COVER ART

Section 7.2Section 7.2During an Interview: It’s Show TimeDuring an Interview: It’s Show Time



WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

How to create the right first How to create the right first impression by displaying a good impression by displaying a good attitude and communicating attitude and communicating effectivelyeffectively

continued



WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

Effective responses to typical Effective responses to typical and tough interview questionsand tough interview questions

Strategies for managing Strategies for managing interview stressinterview stress



Your ability to project a positive Your ability to project a positive first impression is essential for first impression is essential for achieving success in your career achieving success in your career and personal life.and personal life.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT



body languagebody languagerole-playingrole-playingproblem solvingproblem solvingstressstress

KEY TERMS



Many employers look for the right Many employers look for the right attitudeattitude in a potential employee. in a potential employee.

Let your smile and enthusiasm project Let your smile and enthusiasm project your positive attitude.your positive attitude.

At the Top of the List: AttitudeAt the Top of the List: AttitudeAt the Top of the List: AttitudeAt the Top of the List: Attitude



Body languageBody language is the gestures, is the gestures, posture, and eye contact you use to posture, and eye contact you use to send messages.send messages.

Eye contact, for example, shows that Eye contact, for example, shows that you’re paying attention.you’re paying attention.

Body TalkBody TalkBody TalkBody Talk



A firm handshake signals self-A firm handshake signals self-confidence.confidence.

Nodding your head shows that you are Nodding your head shows that you are thinking, while biting your nails may thinking, while biting your nails may suggest that you’re too nervous to suggest that you’re too nervous to handle the job.handle the job.




Good manners count.Good manners count.




Interview success depends not only on Interview success depends not only on what you say but also on how you say it.what you say but also on how you say it.

Use standard English and show the Use standard English and show the communication skills that employers communication skills that employers look for.look for.

Speaking for SuccessSpeaking for SuccessSpeaking for SuccessSpeaking for Success



Questions you should be ready to Questions you should be ready to answer include:answer include:

Typical QuestionsTypical QuestionsTypical QuestionsTypical Questions

What goals have you set for yourself?What goals have you set for yourself?What do think are your greatest What do think are your greatest strengths? Your greatest weaknesses?strengths? Your greatest weaknesses?Why did you apply to our company?Why did you apply to our company?

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Why would you be right for this job?Why would you be right for this job?Where do you see yourself in five Where do you see yourself in five years?years?




Honesty is the best policy.Honesty is the best policy.

If you don’t understand a question, ask If you don’t understand a question, ask the interviewer to clarify it.the interviewer to clarify it.

Interviewers prefer specific answers that Interviewers prefer specific answers that show you think clearly.show you think clearly.




Sometimes an interviewer will ask tough Sometimes an interviewer will ask tough questions to see how you react under questions to see how you react under pressure.pressure.

Tough QuestionsTough QuestionsTough QuestionsTough Questions



Tough questions you might encounter Tough questions you might encounter include:include:


How can the company be assured that How can the company be assured that you’ll give us your best effort?you’ll give us your best effort?What qualities do you have that offset What qualities do you have that offset your lack of experience?your lack of experience?

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Are you going to move to a better job Are you going to move to a better job as soon as you’re finished here?as soon as you’re finished here?Why should I hire you?Why should I hire you?Why should I trust you?Why should I trust you?How would you describe your How would you describe your relationship with your current relationship with your current employer?employer?




When you are asked tough questions, When you are asked tough questions, stay calm and don’t get defensive.stay calm and don’t get defensive.

Turn tough questions around to focus on Turn tough questions around to focus on your skills.your skills.




If a panel of several people interviews If a panel of several people interviews you, stay calm and address one you, stay calm and address one question at a time.question at a time.

There is often no right answer to tough There is often no right answer to tough questions. It’s questions. It’s howhow you answer that you answer that counts.counts.




Questions you should be prepared to Questions you should be prepared to ask include:ask include:


What are the employee benefits?What are the employee benefits?Does the company pay for training?Does the company pay for training?What is the potential for growth in this What is the potential for growth in this company?company?



Role-playingRole-playing is acting out a role in a is acting out a role in a make-believe situation.make-believe situation.

Some interviewers use role-playing as a Some interviewers use role-playing as a chance to evaluate your skills.chance to evaluate your skills.

Standing in the SpotlightStanding in the SpotlightStanding in the SpotlightStanding in the Spotlight



Problem solvingProblem solving means using thinking means using thinking skills to find solutions to problems, such skills to find solutions to problems, such as theoretical problems posed by an as theoretical problems posed by an interviewer.interviewer.




Some interviewers expect you to do all Some interviewers expect you to do all the talking; they only ask vague the talking; they only ask vague questions such as, “Tell me about questions such as, “Tell me about yourself.”yourself.”

This type of interview sounds casual, but This type of interview sounds casual, but it can prove very difficult.it can prove very difficult.




Prepare a brief mental outline of what Prepare a brief mental outline of what points you will cover in case your points you will cover in case your interview is unstructured.interview is unstructured.

Highlight your qualifications, including Highlight your qualifications, including your relevant skills, experience, and your relevant skills, experience, and personal qualities.personal qualities.




Make sure to mention why you would Make sure to mention why you would like to work for the company.like to work for the company.

This is where your company research This is where your company research will come in handy.will come in handy.




An interviewer does not have the right to An interviewer does not have the right to ask you about:ask you about:

Can They Ask That?Can They Ask That?Can They Ask That?Can They Ask That?

children or child care,children or child care,age,age,disabilities,disabilities,citizenship,citizenship,

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lawsuits against you, orlawsuits against you, orAIDS or HIV status.AIDS or HIV status.




If an interviewer asks you a question If an interviewer asks you a question that isn’t job-related, you might say, that isn’t job-related, you might say, “I assure you that this area is not a “I assure you that this area is not a problem. Let me tell you about the skills problem. Let me tell you about the skills I have that fit this job.”I have that fit this job.”




Stress Stress is the emotional and physical is the emotional and physical tension that is body’s natural response tension that is body’s natural response to conflict.to conflict.

The Stress FactorThe Stress FactorThe Stress FactorThe Stress Factor



If you feel great stress in an interview, If you feel great stress in an interview, stop trying so hard—relax and be stop trying so hard—relax and be yourself.yourself.

The worst thing that can happen is that The worst thing that can happen is that you don’t get the job. There are other you don’t get the job. There are other jobs.jobs.

The Stress FactorThe Stress FactorThe Stress FactorThe Stress Factor



At the end of the interview, you may be At the end of the interview, you may be offered the job on the spot.offered the job on the spot.

If you aren’t, thank the interviewer and If you aren’t, thank the interviewer and ask when they hope to make a decision.ask when they hope to make a decision.

Wrapping it UpWrapping it UpWrapping it UpWrapping it Up


During an Interview: It’s Show TimeDuring an Interview: It’s Show Time7.2 Graphic OrganizerGraphic Organizer7.2


Interviewing SkillsInterviewing SkillsInterviewing SkillsInterviewing Skills

AFTERAFTERDURINGDURINGBEFOREBEFORE

Prepare yourselfArrive on time

Prepare yourselfArrive on time

AttitudeBody language

Confidence

AttitudeBody language

Confidence

Thank-you noteFollow up

Thank-you noteFollow up



Key Concept CheckpointKey Concept CheckpointComprehensionComprehension

1.1. Why is a positive attitude essential to Why is a positive attitude essential to succeeding in the workplace?succeeding in the workplace?

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SECTION 7.2 REVIEWSECTION 7.2 REVIEW




2.2. Where in the job market do you see Where in the job market do you see yourself in five years?yourself in five years?

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3.3. Why do you think employers ask Why do you think employers ask tough questions?tough questions?

4.4. How do you control interview stress?How do you control interview stress?continued




Key Concept CheckpointKey Concept CheckpointCritical ThinkingCritical Thinking

5.5. Why should you ask questions at the Why should you ask questions at the end of an interview?end of an interview?




SECTION OPENER / CLOSERINSERT BOOK COVER ART

End of Section 7.2End of Section 7.2During an Interview: It’s Show TimeDuring an Interview: It’s Show Time

chapter 7 interviewingsucceeding in the world of work during an interview: it’s show time 7.2...

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