getting the job you want the interview. these things actually happened a woman brought her large dog...
TRANSCRIPT
Getting the job you want
The Interview
These things actually happened
A woman brought her large dog to the interview
A man interrupted the interview to phone his therapist for advice on how to answer one of the questions
A man pulled out a camera and took a picture of the interviewer. Said he collected photos of everyone who interviewed him
Objectives
Impress upon you the importance of preparation and practice
Give you some important information and suggest some strategies to give you an edge
Identify resources for you to use
Resume
Resume
sume
ResumResume
Resume
100+ Resumes
Maybe 5 people interviewed
The Job Offer
When you reach the interview stage of your job search, you are one step away from a job offer.
People usually underestimate how much preparation and practice it takes to have a really great interview.
They are interested in 2 things
√ Can and will you do the job (do you have the required experience and competencies)
√ Will you fit in
The key principle
As soon as they are convinced that you can do the job, the degree to which the interviewer feels comfortable with you is probably the single most important determinant of your acceptability as a candidate.
Six ways to make people like you
Become genuinely interestedSmileRemember that a person’s name is to that
person the sweetest and most important sound in any language
Be a good listener; encourage others to talk about themselves
Talk in terms of the other person’s interestsMake the other person feel important—do it
sincerely
There may be more than one round of interviews. The first interview could be a phone interview intended to narrow the field of candidates.
Research
The industryThe companyThe jobInventory your own
talents, skills, and accomplishments
Sources of information for the industry and company
On-line data bases through our library website
The organization’s own literature and website
Know the job
…a specific skill necessary to do a job
What’s a competency?
Examples of competencies
InitiativeCustomer ServiceImpact and InfluenceIntegrityCommunicationAnalytical Thinking
The ten most standard competencies (macro skills) used by organizations
1. Achievement/Results Orientation2. Initiative3. Impact and Influence4. Customer Service Orientation5. Interpersonal Understanding 6. Organizational Awareness7. Analytical Thinking8. Conceptual Thinking9. Information Seeking10. Integrity
Determine the competencies
Carefully review the job descriptionRead other companies job descriptions for the
same positionGoogle: position name competencies (project manager
competencies)
www.google.com
Interview people who are already doing this job
How did they get into this work?What do they like best?What do they like least?What are the key tasks/responsibilities?What are the key skills (competencies)
needed to be successful?What were their interviews like? Can they recommend someone else with
whom you could speak?
Think out of the box
Not just jobsClass projects Co-curricular leadership rolesVolunteer experiencesPersonal life experiences
Competency WorksheetCompetency
1. Customer Service
2. Initiative
3. Communication
4. Problem Solving
Proof
On this side, you should come up with as many examples and situations where you demonstrated each of the competencies you have determined are essential to doing the job well
Develop your talking points
What they’re looking for:
● 3 years management/supervisory
experience
● Experience working in non-profit organizations
● Proven ability to fund raise
● Involvement with the Austin community
What you bring:
● ●
●
●
●
●
Questions ???
The most important ones are the ones you ask them.
www.glassdoor.comwww.youtube.com<career change job interview questions>
Why is a manhole cover round?
Behavioral questions: the cornerstone of competency based interviewing
These are questions designed to draw out how you are likely to respond to situations once you are on the job, i.e. do you have the requisite competency
“Tell me about a time when…”; “What would you do if…”
Successful Behavioral Answer= STAR
S/T- Situation and/or Task (paint a picture for the interviewer)
A- Action (what did you actually do)R- Result (what was the outcome of your actions)
► Tell me about a time when you demonstrated superior customer service skills?
► Can you give me an example of your problem solving skills?
Here’s an example…
Interviewer: Can you tell me about a time when you exhibited superior customer service skills?
You: I can remember a time when I was working in a restaurant and when I came to work, I realized that our heater had gone out during the night. I called the repair people and provided all of the customers free hot drinks until we had the repairs made. I received a letter of commendation from the owner of the restaurant. He mentioned that some of the customers had told him what action I had taken.
Possible topics
TeamworkStrengthsWeaknessesCareer GoalsSalaryStressAngerLeadershipEthicsProject ManagementCreativitySpecific skills
Develop your success stories focusing on what they’re looking for
Your goal: to try to take charge of the interview
**If you are being interviewed by an individual who is well trained in competency based interviewing, you may not be able to do this. In that event, just focus on answering the questions
Ask open ended questions
On what basis will you be making your decision?
Could you talk a little bit about what it will take to be successful in this position?
What are the key responsibilities of this position?
What’s the most important things I can do in the first 90 days?
What do you enjoy most about working here?
Asking questions does 3 things:
Demonstrates your interestHelps create a bond with the interviewerDissipates your anxiety; you feel more “in
control”
Tack your first question on to the end of your first answer.
A suggestion
The first question
Tell me about yourself?
Remember:
They don’t want your life story.Prepare a tight, well-rehearsed two minute
commercial about why you are the right person for the job.
Your response to this first question will set the tone for the entire interview.
Finish your response with a question for them
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2318JxxN-tI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ezFNrWMTlc&feature=related
Developing your 90 second-two minute pitch
What is the most important thing you want them to know about you?
What is the second most important thing I want them to know about me?
What are the key selling points/accomplishments that prove the first two statements?
What separates you from the competition?What are some other selling points?What objections might they have and how are you
going to overcome them?
Try this
Them: Tell me about yourself
You: Answer and pause at the end and ask, “From your experience, what are the two or three most important things you’re looking for in the ideal candidate”
Them: Someone with A, B, and C
You: “Interesting. Those are all areas I regard as strengths. Could I take a minute or two and tell you about myself in regard to those things?”
A Portfolio ?
A kind of show and tell about the things you’ve done relevant to the position: certificates, samples of your writing, brochures you developed, formal letters of commendation, notes thanking you for something you did, etc…
Done in a quality mannerUse it during the interview and/or leave
it behind when you leaveReduces your nervousness
Possible portfolio items
List of patentsWriting samplesList of publicationsHierarchical chartsTraining certificatesMS Project spreadsheetsLetters of recommendationDetailed project descriptionsPerformance appraisal excerptsExamples of best work performedGraphs or charts documenting successAwards and certificates of achievementCommendations by customers or direct reports
Some questions NOT to ask
Now what is it that your company does?What are your psychiatric benefits?What do you consider as excessive
absences?
The salary question
Not good negotiating ploys (actually used)
“I’ve been trying to earn six figures all my life.”
“I need to pay for my child’s private schooling.”
“My wife is now earning more than me.”
Do your homework (Rule #1)
Know what is fair and reasonable for someone with your background, experience, and education.
Know what your minimum is, i.e. what’s the least
you’ll accept.
www.salary.comwww.payscale.com
Know your own value (Rule #2)
Be sure you can articulate why they should pay you more
Can you provide quantified reasons why you’re worth more than they are offering?
Postpone the discussion (Rule #3)
Postpone any discussion of salary until you have an offer. If they ask you “What kind of salary are you looking for?”, stall them:
“Salary is important to me, but not the most important thing. If we both think that this job is a good fit , I’m sure salary won’t be an issue. Could we talk a little more about my qualifications and then come back to the salary question?”
If they press you
Smile, and say something like:
“I would like to know a little bit more about the position and the responsibilities in order to give you an honest answer. May I ask you how you would define ‘success’ for this position?”
If they still insist
Simply say,
“ I’m only looking for something that is ‘competitive’ for someone with my background and experience. Have you established a range for this position?”
Of course they have, and they will probably tell you what it is
And then…
If the amount is in your range, take the top of their range and make it the bottom of your range and say, “That’s very close to what I was looking for. I was looking for something in the $40-45,000 dollar range.” OR
If the amount is in your range, look them in the eye and repeat the top of the range and then shut up. Don’t say a word. Silence is one of the most powerful negotiating tactics.
Another one of their tricks
Sometimes the interviewer will ask you what your current salary is. Say something like:
“I’m currently making in the mid thirties, but I’m really looking for something that is more challenging with more responsibilities. That’s what attracted me to this position. I feel that I’m more than ready for a job like this and know I can make a difference. Have you established a range for this position?”
Or
“My past position is very different from this one in so many ways. It would be like apples to oranges. I’m attracted to this position because it has so many more challenges and responsibilities. Have you established a range for this position?”
If you are still far apart, try to change the job description and identify new responsibilities that would justify a higher salary.
Other possible compensation
Relocation expensesTuition reimbursementAdditional vacation or personal timeBonusesMembershipsSeverance packageInsurance
Remember
Keep all of these discussions cordial-- not adversarial
They want you; at this stage, they don’t want their second choice or have to re-open the search
Bulls winBears winPigs lose
Here’s something to try
If you are convinced that they really can’t go any higher on the starting salary and you really want the job, say something like:
“I really want this position and I know that you will be more than satisfied with my performance. The only thing that causes me any hesitation in accepting is that I was looking for slightly more in a starting salary. Could we agree on a set of goals to be accomplished in the first six months, and if they are reached, my salary would be raised to $XXXXX?”
Tips
In the end,
What you want should be reasonable and based on your research
Try to fill the gap between their offer and the number you want
Talk about differences in terms of monthly salary
Think about compensation in broader terms than just starting salary
Resources
www.quintcareers.com/salary_negotiation_tutorial.htmlwww.careergames.comInterviewing and Salary Negotiation by Kate WendletonHow To Make a $1000 a Minute by Jack Chapmanhttp://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=salary+ negotiations&search_type
The most important question to ask…
Do I have the job?
Not quite that bluntly, though
Say something like:
“I’ll be looking forward to your decision, and, hopefully seeing you again” OR
“I would love to be part of your team. When should I hear from you?” OR
“I’m excited about the possibility of working for you, and I know I can make a difference. Are you at a point yet where you could offer me the job?
The Assessment Center Interview
The Center is a process, not a placeIt’s a type of interview that really tries to see how
you would actually perform in typical situations that would come up in the role for which you are applying
Much more stressful; hard to prepare forPanel of experts evaluating your performanceIncreasingly being used for positions such as
Department Head, Manager, or Director; rarely, if ever, used for entry level positions
You’ll know in advance that this is the type of interview that will be used
Here’s what a day might look like:
9:00am-9:15am Orientation 9:15am-10:15am In-box exercise 10:15am-11:15am Presentation; questions
and answer 11:15am-11:30am Break 11:30am-12:15pm Psychological testing 12:15pm-1:30pm Lunch with group 1:30pm-1:45pm Given scenario description 1:45pm-2:30pm Role playing situation;
other participants know their role
2:30PM-3:30PM Questions and answers with panel
3:30pm Wrap-up 4:00pm THE END
So what do you do?
First, don’t be applying for jobs that you have no business applying for
Be sure you’ve done your research on the organization and the position
Apply some of the principles we covered today, especially during the question and answer portion of your interview
Always be asking yourself “what are they looking for?”
Do a google search using <assessment center interviews>
The Perfect Interview by John Drake, pp154-156
Three things that will kill you
A limp handshakeNo eye contactArriving late
Check this fact out
The last person interviewed gets the job 58% of the time
The first person, 14% of the time
Other important things to know
The more you get the interviewer talking, the greater your chances of getting the job
Non-smokers get the offer 94% of the time
First impressions are critical. The first 20 seconds can’t get you the job, but it can get you eliminated from further consideration
More tips
You need a confident walk, a firm handshake, eye contact, and a smile
Be personable, enthusiastic, and friendlyTry to “mirror” the interviewer“Speed read” the individual:
www.personalitytype.comBe nice to the secretary and all other staff you
meetDress neatly and in conservative business attire;
arrive 5-10 minutes ahead of timeBe sure you know how to get there, parking
conditions, location of the office, etc…
Other tips
Avoid one word answers.Anticipate reasons why they might
feel that you’re not the exact person they want ; be prepared to tell them something that overcomes their reservations.
What about illegal questions?Have questions to ask them-go to
google.com and use <interviewee questions> as the keyword.
One more tip
Be sure to write a thank you note. You not only want to thank them for the interview, but also want to restate the case for why you’re the right person. You have the additional knowledge you gained through the interview. Put it to work.
Last tipPracticePracticePracticePracticePracticePracticePractice
Resources
Competency Based Interviews by Robin KesslerInterviewing and Salary Negotiations by Kate
WendletonKnock ‘Em Dead by Martin Yate101 Dynamite Questions to Ask at Your Job
Interview by Richard FeinHiring The Best by Martin YateThe Perfect Interview by John Drakewww.job-interview.net/www.careergames.comwww.vault.comhttp://ahrma.jobing.com/
So it won’t fall in.
So, why is a manhole cover round?