Job InterviewingHannah Franklin, Kelyn Freedman, Caitlin Green

An Introduction to Interview Techniques

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c00WlK1umS4

Types of Interviews

• Phone/Skype• Behavioral• Situational• Case• Stress• Panel• Group

Phone Interview

• Usually to decide whether or not its worth bringing you in for a face-to-face interview• Disadvantages:

• Can’t read facial expressions to determine how the interview is going• Tips:

• Research talking points• Turn the interview into a conversation• Tell stories• Prepare your surroundings• Follow up

Skype/Video Interview

• 63% (up from 14% last year) said they often conducted video interviews • Replacing phone interviews for screening candidates• Dress as if you are meeting in-person• Practice looking at the camera• Check all lighting, acoustics, and connection

Behavioral Interview

• What it is:• Looking for specific skills

• Content skills• Functional skills• Adaptive skills

• Focused questions, require detailed examples of how you handled past situations

• Past performance as indicator of future performance

• 30% of US organizations use behavioral interviewing

• How to Prepare:• Study the job description and

organization to find out what skills and attributes are desired

• Come up with examples of times you displayed those attributes

• PAR technique• Problem- situation you faced• Action- what you did• Results- effects of your actions

• When possible, quantify results• Practice!

Choragwicka, Beata (2009). Effects of Interviewee’s Job Experience and Gender on Ratings and Reliability in a Behavioral Interview. Revista de Psicologia del Trabajo de las Organizaciones, 25, 39-45.

Behavioral Interview Exercise

• Work with the person next to you. Assign one person to the role of interviewer and one to the role of interviewee• Common questions:

• Describe a time when you had to use your verbal communication skills to get an important point across

• Tell me about a time you were able to build motivation for your peers or co-workers

• Give me a time in which you had to set an important goal and tell me about your success in reaching it

• Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty to get a job done

• Tell me about a time you failed to meet a deadline. What did you learn?• Describe a decision you made that was unpopular and how you implemented it

Situational Interview

• What it is:• Specific questions about what

may happen on a job, hypothetical situations

• May include role-play• In-basket approach

• Candidate assesses situation and problem solves

• 54% accurate in predicting job performance (conventional- 7%)

• How to Prepare• Research the company to figure out

attributes necessary to fit into company culture

• Provide concrete examples of how you have acted in the past to back up your responses

• Example Questions• If you know your boss is wrong about

something, how would you handle it?• What would you do if the priorities

on a project were suddenly changed?

Latham, Gary P, & Sue-Chan, Christina (1999). A meta-analysis of the situational interview: an enumerative review of reasons for its validity. Canadian Psychology, 40.1, 56-67. Retrieved 2013 from ProQuest Online http://search.proquest.com/socscijournals/docview/220803891/fulltext/140D6ECEE44194BEE79/1?accountid=11091

Case Interview

• Problem/case• Ask questions• Give a recommendation

• PracticePractice

Practice!

Role Play Example

Stress Interview

• Find out how the candidate handles stress• Types

• Stressful Situations• Presentation• Hostile Environment

• Don’t be offended• Keep your cool• Be clear and don’t back track

Panel Interview

• Team of interviewers simultaneously interview the candidate• Tips:

• Know it’s coming• Research the interview team• Shake hands with them all when entering and exiting • Make eye contact with the interviewer that asked the question

• after finishing the answer evaluate how the other interviewers are responding

• Direct your questions to the interviewer that looks the least interested at the time to engage him/her

Group Interview

• What it is:• Multiple candidates interview at

the same time• May include typical interview

questions, problem solving, work simulation, or role play

• Purpose: see how you interact with others, stand out, and solve problems

• How to Succeed:• Research company culture,

policies, and goals• Prepare a short introduction

summarizing yourself, your qualifications, and your goals

• Make friends, include others, delegate tasks, facilitate conversation, praise others

• Learn names• Be yourself- contribute uniquely• Listen to others, stay engaged

• Build on what others sayTran, Timothy, & Blackman, Melinda C. (2006). The Dynamics and Validity of the Group Selection Interview. The Journal of Social Psychology, 146.2, 183-201. Retrieved from ProQuest Online at http://search.proquest.com/socscijournals/docview/199835654/140D6EEF68023BDEAFD/1?accountid=11091

Common Mistakes

• Failing to research the job and company• Ignoring cues from interviewer• Not being yourself- lying about

qualifications• Failing to ask questions

• Company’s mission, practices, expectations, priorities

• Failing to ask for or show interest in the job

• Talking negatively about previous colleagues and employers

• Dressing inappropriately, not turning off phone, chewing gum, lack eye contact

Buckley, Peter F, MD. (2010). Getting a Great Job: “Wowing” at the Interview. Psychiatric Times, 27.9, 8-20. Retrieved from ProQuest Online at http://search.proquest.com/socscijournals/docview/749619506/140D6F1DC8436DBDB31/5?accountid=11091

Strategies for Success• Do your research• Bring copies of resume and portfolio• Anticipate likely questions and

practice• Develop a compelling story, portray

passions and goals• Prepare questions (room for growth,

people you’ll work with, etc)• Take time to think before beginning to

answer questions• Be aware of body language• Follow up with a thank you note

Hartung, G Chris (2011). The Job Interview. PM. Public Management. 93.10, 25. Retrieved from ProQuest Online at http://

search.proquest.com/socscijournals/docview/917952827/140D6F388E47C0FEC7A/5?accountid=11091

What to Bring

• Directions and contact information

• Copies of your resume and list of references

• Pen and notepad• Folder or briefcase• List of insightful questions to ask• Portfolio (if applying to creative

job)• Anything else the employer asks

you to bring!

• Do NOT bring:• Coffee, water, snacks• Generic questions

How to Tackle Interview Anxiety

• Visit the interview site ahead of time• Arrive early • Prepare • Make sure your clothes are clean ahead of time• Get sleep the night before• Eat breakfast • Exercise that morning• Think before you answer

Type of Interview

200200200

100100 100

300300 300

Strategy Misc.

Questions?

References• All pictures retrieved from Google Images• Choragwicka, Beata (2009). Effects of Interviewee’s Job Experience and Gender on Ratings and

Reliability in a Behavioral Interview. Revista de Psicologia del Trabajo de las Organizaciones, 25, 39-45.• Latham, Gary P, & Sue-Chan, Christina (1999). A meta-analysis of the situational interview: an

enumerative review of reasons for its validity. Canadian Psychology, 40.1, 56-67. Retrieved 2013 from ProQuest Online http://search.proquest.com/socscijournals/docview/220803891/fulltext/140D6ECEE44194BEE79/1?accountid=11091

• Tran, Timothy, & Blackman, Melinda C. (2006). The Dynamics and Validity of the Group Selection Interview. The Journal of Social Psychology, 146.2, 183-201. Retrieved from ProQuest Online at http://search.proquest.com/socscijournals/docview/199835654/140D6EEF68023BDEAFD/1?accountid=11091

• Buckley, Peter F, MD. (2010). Getting a Great Job: “Wowing” at the Interview. Psychiatric Times, 27.9, 8-20. Retrieved from ProQuest Online at http://search.proquest.com/socscijournals/docview/749619506/140D6F1DC8436DBDB31/5?accountid=11091

• Hartung, G Chris (2011). The Job Interview. PM. Public Management. 93.10, 25. Retrieved from ProQuest Online at http://search.proquest.com/socscijournals/docview/917952827/140D6F388E47C0FEC7A/5?accountid=11091