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INTERVIEW SKILLS THAT GET YOU HIRED!

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Workshop Objectives• What are the common interview questions and how do I prepare my

answers?• What information do I need to know for every interview?• How do I answer difficult questions?• What are good questions to ask my interviewer?• How do I answer the question: “So tell me about yourself?”• What do I do after the interview?• What are some common interview mistakes?

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Module 1:What Are The

Common Interview Questions And How

Do I Prepare My Answers?

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“Tell Me About a Time When…”Interviewers often ask a question that starts with the phrase: “Tell me about a time when….” Here are some examples:

• Tell me about a time when:- You had to deal with an angry or irate customer- You had to come up with a solution to solve a problem your

company was facing- You had to juggle your priorities to meet a deadline- You had to work with a difficult co-worker

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Tips For Answering Questions Starting With “Tell Me About a Time When…”

• Create a list of examples and skills you can mentally refer back to

• Pick examples that have a positive outcome

• Be specific• Focus your response on the process

you used and the resulting outcome

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Other Common Interview Questions• Why do you want this job?• Why should we hire you?• What are your strengths and

weaknesses?• What is your greatest professional

achievement?• Why are you leaving your current job?• What are your career goals?

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Other Common Interview Questions• What motivates you?• Have you worked with someone you didn’t like? How did you

handle the situation?• Are you willing to relocate?• What are your hours of availability?• Do you have any questions for us?

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Tips For Answering Common Interview Questions

• Do your homework• Be positive• Prepare a list of questions you are likely to be asked• Clearly identify what the organization’s needs are• Practice by interviewing yourself for the position• Learn from previous interviews

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Module 2:What Information Do I Need To Know

For Every Interview?

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Planning For The InterviewInformation you should know going into any interview:

• The name of the company• Detailed information about the position

you are interviewing for• The names of the people conducting

the interview• The company’s culture, mission, and

values

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How To Plan For The Interview• Gather as much information about the

company as possible• Familiarize yourself with the company’s

website• Check for news articles about company• Understand the different types of

questions you may be asked• Know your resume and/or portfolio so

you can answer questions if needed

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Module 3:How Do I Answer Difficult

Questions?

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Examples of Difficult Questions• What is your greatest weakness?• Why is there a gap in your employment history?• Why didn’t you leave your old job sooner if you weren’t happy with

the company?• Have you ever been fired from a job?

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Examples of Difficult Questions• What is your dream job?• What didn’t you like about your old job?• If you were hiring someone for this position, what qualities would

you look for?• Why weren’t you ever promoted at your old job?

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Tips For Responding to Difficult Interview Questions

• Keep it positive, even when discussing your weaknesses• Be honest• Keep the focus on your strengths• Don’t trash your old job/boss• Try to connect your responses to the job you are seeking• Highlight your successes• Discuss plans for personal improvement

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Module 4:What Are Good

Questions To Ask Your Interviewer?

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Why Ask Questions to Your Interviewer?

You should always prepare a list of questions to ask the person/people interviewing you. This shows that you have done your research and you are very interested in working for the company.

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Some Common Questions to Ask The Interviewer

• What skills and experiences would make an ideal candidate?• What kind of training would be provided for a new person coming

into this role?• How does this role relate to the overall structure of the

organization?• What have you enjoyed most about working here?

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Some Common Questions to Ask The Interviewer

• What would you say are the biggest challenges for this industry?• What would be some of the first projects for a new person coming

into this role?• What is staff turnover like for this position? What about the

organization as a whole?• What area of business needs the most attention?

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Tips on Framing Your Questions to the Interviewer

If you are having trouble finding a way to ask questions, you can use one of the following lead-ins:

• “I found an article on your website that talked about….”• “When I read your annual report I noticed that…”• “ I see that your company is planning on ________. Can you tell me

about that?”

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Module 5:How Do I Answer

The Question, “Tell Me About Yourself?”

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“Tell Me About Yourself”

Interviewers often ask you to tell them about yourself. Interviewers like this questions because it is open-ended and unstructured. This requires the job candidate to determine what information is important enough to share. Additionally, the interviewer likely wants to know how articulate and confident you are.

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“Tell Me About Yourself” - Tips to Help You Respond

• Prepare a script for this question• Avoid revealing too much personal information – keep it

professional• Talk about where you are right now, then about your past

experiences, then about where you want to be in the future

• Focus on your professional strengths and accomplishments

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“Tell Me About Yourself” -Tips to Help You Respond

• Be confident and articulate• Keep your answer brief; they don’t want your entire life

story• Include your educational background• Get their attention with your response• Practice!

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Module 6:What Do I Do

After The Interview?

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After The Interview• Send a formal thank you note to the company that interviewed

you• Follow up with the company if you do not receive any

response after a reasonable amount of time• Be prepared for a second interview or pre-employment testing• Don’t resign from your current position until you receive a

formal offer

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After The Interview

If You Get the Job

• Negotiate your salary before you sign a formal offer

• Determine your starting date and time

If You Don’t Get the Job

• Ask for feedback• Write down the feedback

so you can refer to back to it for future interviews

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Module 7:What Are Some

Common Interview Mistakes?

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Tips to Avoid Common Interview Mistakes

• Arrive early• Be enthusiastic• Be professional and courteous• Dress appropriately• Keep the focus on the employer’s needs• Have a copy of your resume and/or portfolio on hand

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Tips to Avoid Common Interview Mistakes

• Familiarize yourself with the company• Use a strong handshake• Be aware of your body language• Maintain good eye contact• Use a strong and confident voice• Say “thank you” at the end of the interview

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Review: Workshop Objectives• What are the common interview questions and how do I prepare my

answers?• What information do I need to know for every interview?• How do I answer difficult questions?• What are good questions to ask my interviewer?• How do I answer the question: “So tell me about yourself?”• What do I do after the interview?• What are some common interview mistakes?