interview to win a job offer - chicago booth partners - october 2012

Lynn HazanPresidentLynn Hazan & Associateswww.lhazan.com

Interview to Win a Job

Offer

Presented to: Chicago Booth

PartnersOctober 9, 2012

Copyright 2012, Lynn Hazan & Associates

Click here to watch movie clip

Just like the ants in this humorous advertisement, we all need proper preparation, careful coordination, a strong support system to achieve our goals.

The Hemmingway Challenge


Write a story

in only 6 words.


For Sale. Baby shoes. Never worn.

What is the purpose of the interview?

Let’s brainstorm…


What is the purpose of an interview?

3 R’s: Resume, Rapport and Relationship

Determine candidate’s fit for job

Determine job’s fit for candidate

Connect with corporate culture

Progress to next steps to get hired


The interview is between you, the interviewer, and the company.

Think of it like cooking…


The job descriptions & specs are like a recipe.

Must be able to chop… Mix ingredients…

Knead for 3 minutes…

Your resume should not read like a recipe!

I chopped…

I mixed…

I kneaded..

I clean up after…

Your resume should tell about what you made!

Think about results. The process should be evident.



In hiring, past performance is a good indicator of future performance.

The resume is about the

PAST

The interview is about the

FUTURE

How well do you match the job?

Does your service address a critical need?

Can you explain what you do easily?

Do you have a niche in the market?

Are you the “go to” person?

Can you make money?


Do you mirror the job specs?


The more duck-like you are, the better your chances of success!

Or not?

Why Should I Hire YOU?Write down your answers.


Unique Positioning Statement


Summary statement for resume

Lead off for a successful interview

Why employer should hire you

How to Create Your UPS

What makes you unique?

What makes you special?

What’s your story?


???

????

Elevator Speech

30-60 second speech

Reasons why employer should hire you

What can you bring to the employer?

Make it interesting!

Practice! Practice! Practice!


Try it out: Paired Share

Why you should hire me?

Make it interesting!

Time: 1 minute each


The Interview


Before the interview:Research the company

1. Use the web and social media tools

2. Look for recent articles

3. Check out their competition

4. What is company known for?

5. What is their culture?How do you fit?


Interview Protocol


Have correct directions

Know title and name of person interviewing you

Be in professional dress

Mirror interviewer follow the lead give and take

Progression from pastperformance to future

Do’s and Don'ts of Interviewing

Do:Arrive on time!Bring extra resumes & samplesEstablish rapportDemonstrate by work & deed your fit for the jobShow enthusiasmKnow the points that you want to make!Send thank you note or email within 24 hours


Do’s and Don’ts of Interviewing

Don’t:Oversell yourselfUndersell yourselfBe haughty or

arrogantBe too casualGo to an interview

hungry


It was a mistake for Eric to wear a t-shirt to his jobinterview, and it was a bigger mistake to wear that

particular t-shirt.

Don’t Lie!

Tell the TRUTH about:

Dates of past employment/graduation

Money

Layoffs / breaks in employment Budget cuts


True Life Stories You Won’t Believe!

One candidate…asked for food. took off shoes. was sloppily dressed.swore 3x. wore perfume so strong,

I almost passed out.


Tough Questions? Not really

*Real interview questions*

Practice your answers!

“How do you resolve conflict?”

“Describe a time when you had to work as part of a team. What was your role and what was the outcome?”

“Why should we hire you?”

“Describe your work ethic.”

“Do you have any questions for me?”


Role Playing in the Interview

May be asked to answer real life questions How would you handle…?

Hypothetical questions / scenarios are on the rise! Sell me this pen. How many tennis balls could fit into a school bus? How many baseballs are sold in Chicago per year?


Let’s try some.


Frame the Process: Storytelling at its Best

1. Problem or need

2. Opportunity or challenge

3. Strategies and tactics

4. Results

5. What you did with results



What was a difficult scenario you encountered and how did you handle it?

Conversation & Dialogue

Be actively engaged

Ask probing questions

Yes/No answers = Conversation Killers

No Shy Talk

Be aware of dialog cues / turn-taking


The interview should be a two-sided conversation.

Beware of bad habits and sloppy speech!

Pitch, tone, speed, and word choice can eliminate you from an interview process. It happens!

Up-talking/Down-talking

Speaking too fast

Speaking too slow

Colloquialisms/Dialects/Jargon


Beware of bad habits and sloppy speech!

Examples: One candidate started each sentence with

“No…”One spoke so fast the interviewer couldn’t find

time to speak

Recently discussed in the New York Times!

“They’re, Like, Way Ahead of the Linguistic Currrrve” Douglas Quenqua, New York Times, February 27, 2012


Video Interviews: The new phone screen Focus on the interview

Do not check email or look things up while in the call

Good audio and lighting

Be aware of things in the background

Be aware of yourbody language!


Portfolios

Examples of your work Not just for creative Work you did as part of a team

Gives context and tells story of the project.

Digital formats may be more useful Electronic files on a USB key VisualCV, About.me, etc. blogs (Blogger, Wordpress, Tumblr)

or personal websites


Wow Project


Candidates who are dazzled by a job opportunity should “dazzle employers back” with a “Wow!” project.

Shows initiative and capability

Money, money, money…

Be prepared to answer questions about salary

Know salary range for position Salary.com, Payscale.com, Monster, Glassdoor beware of salary surveys skewed by demographics

Consider stalling tactics: “What range were you considering?” “I feel it’s too early to discuss. I’d like to learn more.” “I’m flexible and I’d like to hear more.”

Don’t get defensive



To sign up for Lynn’s E-jobs, the free, confidential listserv from Lynn Hazan &

Associates:

Clearly print your name and email address on the sign up

sheet!

Proper interviewing technique CAN help you to win a job offer!

Lynn [email protected]

312.863.5401

Follow me on Twitter:

lynnhazan

Connect with me on Linkedin:

Lynn Hazan


interview to win a job offer - chicago booth partners - october 2012

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