interviewing strategies. 2 3. learning objectives you will learn how to: prepare yourself before the...
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Interviewing Strategies
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3.Learning Objectives
You will learn how to:
PREPARE yourself before the interview
PRESENT at your best during the interview
FOLLOW UP for best results after the interview
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4.Interviewing is a SALES PROCESS
Know Your Product (You)
Understand Needs of Buyer (Employer)
Sell Yourself to Match their Needs (Job)
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5.Can Will Fit
Demonstrate MATCH…between You, Employer & Job
FIT Chemistry Communication Values & Priorities Style (work & mgmt) Dress & appearance Flexibility & Adaptability
WILL Interest in position,
company, industry Energy level Compensation
expectations Career objectives &
growth
WILL Interest in position,
company, industry Energy level Compensation
expectations Career objectives &
growth
Connect with interviewer
Keep brief, to the point
Listen carefully
Don’t defend/argue
You & Interviewer must answer YES!
CAN Skills Knowledge Experience &
accomplishments Learning potential
CAN Skills Knowledge Experience &
accomplishments Learning potential
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HR Screening
Reference Check
6.Interview Stages
Recruiters
Human Resources
Hiring Manager
CAN
SCREENING
QUALIFYING
APPROVAL
Hiring Manager
Technical Expert
Peers
WILL & FIT
Manager’s Manager
Department Head
WILL & FIT
PREPARE
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8.Research – Know Your Market!
Company & Industry
• Company website (including recent press releases)
• Search engines (Google.com)
• Your Networking (LinkedIn®, Facebook)
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7.Research – Know Your Salary!
Salary (Market Value) Information
• Recruiters • US-CareerSearch.net; Canada-DirectoryOfRecruiters.com; SearchFirm.com
• Your network
• Professional Associations
• Salary websites
– indeed.com/salary, salary.com, payscale.com, bls.gov, Glassdoor.com
– salary.careerbuilder.com, onetonline.org, acinet.org
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9.C-A-R
Focus on Accomplishment Stories
Challenge Describe problem/situation
Action Verbs to describe what you did
Result Outcome, business result or impact
Quantify outcome or result (#,$,%)
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10.Guidelines for Answering Interview Questions
1. Keep it brief
2. Stop talking when you’ve answered question
3. Listen carefully
4. Don’t be modest
5. Don’t exaggerate
6. Talk in concrete terms
7. Make connections for interviewer
8. Never defend/argue view
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11.Most Commonly Asked Interview Questions
1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What are your strengths?
3. What are your weaknesses (or areas of development)?
4. Why did you leave your last job?
5. What is your management/work style?
6. What are your future career plans?
7. How did you get along with your last manager?
8. Why are you interested in our company?
9. How would your peers/manager/subordinates describe you?
10. What are your salary requirements/history?
Sample Interview Questions
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12.90-sec Commercial
Tell Me About Yourself – 90-Second Commercial
Branding Statement/Target Position:I’m a (functional job title) with expertise in (function/industry). My key strengths include (top strengths and/or value).
Most Recent Position:My most recent position was (job title & company name) where I was responsible for (job functions). While I was there, I (share 1-2 accomplishments).
Career History:My career history includes (previous organizations & positions). Another example of how I use my strengths is (share 1-2 accomplishments).
Reason for Leaving: (optional)
Future Focus:My goals for the future include/I am currently exploring (target position) where I can use my (re-state strengths).
Tell me About Yourself – 90-Second Commercial
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13.Sandwich Model
Responding to Difficult Questions The Sandwich Model
When questions are designed to elicit “negative” responses:
Start with: Positive
Sandwich: Negative
End with: Positive
I
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14.Reason For Leaving Statement
Communicates business reason leading to exit from last employer
Should be – Short
– Positive
– Honest
– Forward thinking
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Defer
“I prefer to learn more about the position and how I could contribute to your team before discussing salary.”
Respond with Market Information
“Based on my research I understand that salaries are between $X and $Y for similar positions. Is this consistent with your salary range?”
Toss Back
“What range are you considering for this position?”
15.Handling Salary Questions
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16.Behavior/Competency-Based Questions
Past Behavior is the Best Predictor of Future Behavior
Identify past successes that LINK your experience and skills to potential position and employer
Tell me about the most difficult ____
and how you handled it.
Tell me about the most difficult ____
and how you handled it.
Describe a time…
Describe a time… What have been some of the most
difficult…What have been some of the most
difficult…
Give me an example of a time…
Give me an example of a time…
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17.Typical Behavior-based Questions
Describe a situation in which your work or idea was criticized.
Tell me about a time you had a major conflict with a colleague. How did you approach problem resolution?
Can you tell me about a time during your previous employment when you suggested a better way to perform a process?
Describe a time you were under pressure and had to go the extra mile.
Tell me about a time you made a mistake at work.
Describe a time you disagreed with your co-worker/manager.
Describe a time you saw someone do something unethical or against work rules/policies.
When your boss puts extreme pressure on you, how do you generally respond?
What event has had the greatest influence on your career?
Behavioral Interviewing Strategies
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18.Handling Difficult Situations
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
Aren’t you overqualified for this position?
Why have you changed jobs so frequently?
How long have you been looking for another position? Why has it taken so long?
Since you have worked in a large/small company environment for so many years, won’t you find it difficult to work at a small/large company like ours?
SENSITIVE QUESTIONS
Questions not relevant to job (e.g. age, marital status, children, religion etc)
Be aware of body language (remain calm, cool, professional) Ask for clarification on how question might relate to job Keep discussion about business Answer question behind the question
PRESENT
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19.Communication Impact
_____ VERBAL – your words (message/content)
_____ VOCAL – your voice (inflection, volume, pace, projection…)
_____ VISUAL – your look (facial expression, body language, dress…)
100%
7%
38%
55%
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22.Types of Interview Formats/Venues
Phone
One-on-One
Round Robin
Panel
Virtual
Lunch/Dinner
Psychological
Demos/Presentations
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Be PREPARED!
– If unexpected call, ok to set another time
– Have resume, job description, cover letter, 90-second commercial with branding & notepad
Take call in quiet location, landline
Use Strong Non-Verbals
– Stand/sit up straight
– Breathe, speak slowly & clearly
– Smile!
– Advise when thinking
– Understand next step in process
23.Phone Interviews
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24.Face-to-Face & Virtual/Video Interviews
· Non-Verbal Communication
· Posture· Arrive early – 10-15 minutes· Eye Contact· Smile!· Firm Handshake· Dress & Appearance
· What to Bring to the interview· Portfolio
· Extra resumes· Reference Sheet· Have questions written down· Note pad (take notes)
· Calendar
Get 1 chance to make 1st impression
Interview DOs and DON’Ts
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25.Preparing Questions You Should Ask
Don’t wait until the end – ongoing dialogue!
Investigate opportunity—determine if GOOD FIT
Ask questions to: Determine company’s needs Show how you meet needs
Obtain info/perspectives from: Hiring Manager, Human Resources, Peers, Manager’s Manager
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27.Closing the Interview
Ask questions that haven't been answeredAre there any gaps between what you’re looking for & what we’ve discussed?
Get business cards from all contacts (contact info if phone interview)
State interest in position
Ask about next steps if interviewer hasn't explained
Ask permission to follow up (open door for future communication)
FOLLOW UP
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AFTER interview:
Make notes about the interview
Send thank you letter and/or email
Complete any commitments
Make follow up calls
Respond to turndowns
If you have questions, contact us!