Power Power Selling Your Talents in Selling Your Talents in

the Interviewthe Interview

Indiana UniversityIndiana UniversityKelley School of Kelley School of BusinessBusinessC. Randall Powell, C. Randall Powell, Ph.D.Ph.D.

Prepare Well Prepare Well for the for the

InterviewInterview

Profile the OrganizationProfile the Organization Research the organization thoroughlyResearch the organization thoroughly Where do you fit in?Where do you fit in? Tailor your skills to organization’s Tailor your skills to organization’s

needsneeds Information you uncover reflects Information you uncover reflects

your interest and enthusiasm in your interest and enthusiasm in positionposition

Establishes a common base of Establishes a common base of knowledge for questionsknowledge for questions

Research the OrganizationResearch the Organization Know the language of the industryKnow the language of the industry Know the job dutiesKnow the job duties Know the organizationKnow the organization Ask questions of a similar Ask questions of a similar

organizationorganization

What Do You Need To What Do You Need To Know?Know?

Age of organizationAge of organization Services or productsServices or products Competitors within the industryCompetitors within the industry Growth patternGrowth pattern ReputationReputation Divisions and subsidiariesDivisions and subsidiaries Locations/length of time thereLocations/length of time there Size Size Number of employeesNumber of employees Sales/assets/earningsSales/assets/earnings New products or projectsNew products or projects Culture and valuesCulture and values

Where Do I Find The Where Do I Find The Information About Information About

organizations?organizations? Career Center WebsiteCareer Center Website Job Choices books published by NACEJob Choices books published by NACE www.Naceweb.orgwww.Naceweb.org Standard & Poor’s RegisterStandard & Poor’s Register Internet Search Engine Internet Search Engine Chamber of Commerce By CityChamber of Commerce By City Trade Associations and Professional Trade Associations and Professional

OrganizationsOrganizations Alumni in the organizationAlumni in the organization

Develop Career GoalsDevelop Career Goals Have a focus--at least act like it, Have a focus--at least act like it,

even if you don’t have a clueeven if you don’t have a clue Identify challenges you are looking Identify challenges you are looking

forfor Know what you want to accomplishKnow what you want to accomplish Have a plan or agendaHave a plan or agenda

Write Down Write Down Answers/ScenariosAnswers/Scenarios

Draft written answers to Draft written answers to potential interview questionspotential interview questions

Develop job appropriate Develop job appropriate scenarios based on your scenarios based on your researchresearch– A marketing plan for a new A marketing plan for a new

productproduct– A solution to one of their A solution to one of their

problemsproblems

Write Down Your StrengthsWrite Down Your Strengths

Relate them to the jobRelate them to the job Give examples of Give examples of

where you have where you have demonstrated thesedemonstrated these

How were they How were they developeddeveloped

Identify your mentors Identify your mentors and/or role modelsand/or role models

Write Down Your Areas for Write Down Your Areas for ImprovementImprovement

Relate these to your workRelate these to your work Show the positive side of these Show the positive side of these Identify the steps you have taken for Identify the steps you have taken for

improvementimprovement Detail the results and/or time Detail the results and/or time

frames expected frames expected Identify criticism you have Identify criticism you have

received and its effects received and its effects

Write Out Questions for the Write Out Questions for the InterviewerInterviewer

Consider multiple areasConsider multiple areas– Corporate valuesCorporate values– Anticipated responsibilitiesAnticipated responsibilities– Employment trendsEmployment trends– Measures of work performanceMeasures of work performance– Work environmentWork environment– Quality of workQuality of work– Personality factorsPersonality factors

Demonstrate your knowledge of the Demonstrate your knowledge of the industry and organizationindustry and organization

Frequently Asked Interview Frequently Asked Interview QuestionsQuestions

Review Content in… Career Planning Strategies

The Day of the The Day of the InterviewInterview

Do You Have a Planned Do You Have a Planned Commercial?Commercial?

Plan Your PresentationPlan Your PresentationRehearse Your PresentationRehearse Your PresentationDeliver Your PresentationDeliver Your Presentation

Acknowledge Your Acknowledge Your NervousnessNervousness

Train your butterflies to fly in Train your butterflies to fly in formationformation

Advance preparation reduces Advance preparation reduces nervousnessnervousness

Practice answering the worst Practice answering the worst possible question they could askpossible question they could ask

Ask permission to take Ask permission to take notes or refer to questions notes or refer to questions if necessaryif necessary

Relax--take a few deep Relax--take a few deep breathsbreaths

Appearance Matters. . .A Appearance Matters. . .A Lot!Lot!

If you don’t dress seriously, they If you don’t dress seriously, they can’t take you seriously!!can’t take you seriously!!

Make a good first impressionMake a good first impression Pride in yourself implies pride in your Pride in yourself implies pride in your

workwork Show your creativity in your work, Show your creativity in your work,

not your appearancenot your appearance Dress conservativelyDress conservatively Be well groomed and cleanBe well groomed and clean

Don’t Forget the DetailsDon’t Forget the Details Nicely styled hairNicely styled hair Natural, clean looking Natural, clean looking

face/makeupface/makeup Clean your fingernailsClean your fingernails Skip the clunky jewelrySkip the clunky jewelry Press your clothesPress your clothes Avoid strong perfumes or Avoid strong perfumes or

colognescolognes Avoid cigarettesAvoid cigarettes

Professional Image for Professional Image for WomenWomen

Best choicesBest choices– Navy or black suit, solid blouseNavy or black suit, solid blouse– Suit in solid colors, printed blouseSuit in solid colors, printed blouse– Straight dress with jacket, solid Straight dress with jacket, solid

colorscolors Wear polished, low heeled shoesWear polished, low heeled shoes Minimal accessoriesMinimal accessories Hosiery - appropriate color, no Hosiery - appropriate color, no

holes, no darker than your hemholes, no darker than your hem Don’t wear anything too tight or Don’t wear anything too tight or

revealingrevealing

Professional Image for MenProfessional Image for Men Best choicesBest choices

– Business suit, dark colors (blues, Business suit, dark colors (blues, grays, browns), white shirtgrays, browns), white shirt

– Suit with solid shirtSuit with solid shirt– 2-piece suit, lighter colors, 2-piece suit, lighter colors,

striped shirtstriped shirt Button your jacket when you Button your jacket when you

standstand Shine your shoesShine your shoes Socks-appropriate color, no Socks-appropriate color, no

holes, long lengthholes, long length

AttitudeAttitude It separates winners from losersIt separates winners from losers Be enthusiastic and eagerBe enthusiastic and eager Practice good eye contactPractice good eye contact SmileSmile Walk with confidenceWalk with confidence Sit up straight (listen to your Sit up straight (listen to your

mother!)mother!) Adapt to your surroundingsAdapt to your surroundings

Employers Notice Good Employers Notice Good MannersManners

Be on time for the interviewBe on time for the interview Treat the receptionist with Treat the receptionist with

respectrespect Use Mr. or Ms. unless they Use Mr. or Ms. unless they

ask you to use first namesask you to use first names Don’t sit until you’re invited Don’t sit until you’re invited

toto

Practice Your “Soft Skills”Practice Your “Soft Skills” Greet people with a firm handshakeGreet people with a firm handshake Stand up to meet peopleStand up to meet people Keep your guard up during lunch or Keep your guard up during lunch or

dinnerdinner Practice your dining etiquettePractice your dining etiquette Remember “please” and “thank you”Remember “please” and “thank you” Be good at chatting and small talkBe good at chatting and small talk

What to Bring to an What to Bring to an InterviewInterview

Several copies of your Several copies of your resumeresume

Your portfolio, if applicableYour portfolio, if applicable New notebook and a nice New notebook and a nice

penpen Briefcase or leather folderBriefcase or leather folder Names, addresses, and Names, addresses, and

phone numbers of phone numbers of referencesreferences

Put Yourself inPut Yourself inthe Interviewer’s Shoesthe Interviewer’s Shoes

They have an agendaThey have an agenda– To determine if you have the To determine if you have the

skillsskills– Identify your personal attributesIdentify your personal attributes– Assess your motivationAssess your motivation

Interviewers AreInterviewers AreLooking to Hire YouLooking to Hire You

Help them byHelp them by– Showing how you fit their Showing how you fit their

organizationorganization– Exhibit your personalityExhibit your personality– Share your career goalsShare your career goals

Be HONESTBe HONEST

DO NOT lie on your resumeDO NOT lie on your resume DO NOT lie in the interviewDO NOT lie in the interview Either of these can get you Either of these can get you

eliminated from consideration or eliminated from consideration or FIRED if discovered after hiringFIRED if discovered after hiring

What Do Winners ShowWhat Do Winners Show

They are capable of doing They are capable of doing the job or learning it quicklythe job or learning it quickly

They are willing and eager They are willing and eager to do the jobto do the job

They need little motivation They need little motivation or supervisionor supervision

They are friendly and would They are friendly and would work well with other work well with other employeesemployees

Use Proper LanguageUse Proper Language

Speak clearly and distinctlySpeak clearly and distinctly Avoid slang expressionsAvoid slang expressions Don’t swearDon’t swear Control yourControl your

– ““ums”ums”– ““you knows”you knows”– ““likes”likes”– ““that kinda stuff”that kinda stuff”– ““practice thoughtful silence”practice thoughtful silence”

Tell Me About YourselfTell Me About Yourself Create a 60-second sound byteCreate a 60-second sound byte

IncludeInclude Geographic originsGeographic origins Reason for choosing majorReason for choosing major Educational backgroundEducational background 2 or 3 strengths related to position2 or 3 strengths related to position Specific expertise and accomplishmentsSpecific expertise and accomplishments How you can contribute to organizationHow you can contribute to organization Identify your career goalsIdentify your career goals Speak clearly and honestly Speak clearly and honestly

Behavior Based InterviewingBehavior Based Interviewing Previous behavior predicts future Previous behavior predicts future

behaviorbehavior Examples show the meaning you Examples show the meaning you

have made of education and have made of education and experienceexperience

Provides insight on how the Provides insight on how the candidate’s mind workscandidate’s mind works

Answer Questions with aAnswer Questions with aSTAR ApproachSTAR Approach

S ituationS ituation T askT ask A ctionA ction R esultsR esults

STAR provides an outline for answersSTAR provides an outline for answers

SituationSituation Give the situation for your answerGive the situation for your answer Choose a professional example from Choose a professional example from

your job experience, course work, your job experience, course work, volunteer work, or student activitiesvolunteer work, or student activities

Set the stage so the interviewer can Set the stage so the interviewer can relate to your answerrelate to your answer

TaskTask Tell what the task was at handTell what the task was at hand Dwell on the positive, don’t blame or Dwell on the positive, don’t blame or

point fingers elsewherepoint fingers elsewhere

ActionAction Describe the action you took to Describe the action you took to

resolve the problem or bring about resolve the problem or bring about the successthe success

Explain your role in the actionExplain your role in the action Identify specific skills you usedIdentify specific skills you used

ResultsResults Explain the resultsExplain the results Provide details, dollar amounts, Provide details, dollar amounts,

successsuccess Apply these results to the position for Apply these results to the position for

which you’re applying which you’re applying

STAR Provides an OutlineSTAR Provides an Outline Helps you answer completely so you Helps you answer completely so you

give enough informationgive enough information Lets you know when to stop so you Lets you know when to stop so you

don’t rambledon’t ramble Allows the interviewer to see you as Allows the interviewer to see you as

a problem solver and decision makera problem solver and decision maker

Do’s and Dont’sDo’s and Dont’s

Do’sDo’s Research the organizationResearch the organization Prepare for tough questionsPrepare for tough questions Greet interviewer enthusiasticallyGreet interviewer enthusiastically Focus on what you have to offer, Focus on what you have to offer,

not what you wantnot what you want Know your rights as an intervieweeKnow your rights as an interviewee Have a good attitude, be positiveHave a good attitude, be positive Show confidenceShow confidence Be professionalBe professional Follow up with a note or phone callFollow up with a note or phone call

Dont’sDont’s Don’t discuss salary, benefits, or Don’t discuss salary, benefits, or

vacations until an offer is madevacations until an offer is made Don’t display personal habits, i.e. Don’t display personal habits, i.e.

smoking, chewing gum, tapping a smoking, chewing gum, tapping a pencil, stretching, jiggling a footpencil, stretching, jiggling a foot

Don’t lieDon’t lie Don’t get too chatty about non-job Don’t get too chatty about non-job

topicstopics Don’t blame others or disparage Don’t blame others or disparage

employersemployers

Difficult SituationsDifficult Situations

Listen CarefullyListen Carefully It’s important to understand the questions It’s important to understand the questions

correctlycorrectly Ask for clarificationAsk for clarification Don’t be afraid to ask if you can take a few Don’t be afraid to ask if you can take a few

seconds to think about your answerseconds to think about your answer

Illegal QuestionsIllegal Questions Be familiar with the legal issuesBe familiar with the legal issues Address the underlying concern of the Address the underlying concern of the

illegal question, if possibleillegal question, if possible Remain professional and in controlRemain professional and in control

Illegal Topics in USAIllegal Topics in USA Topics to avoid includeTopics to avoid include

– Nationality/raceNationality/race– Marital statusMarital status– ReligionReligion– AffiliationsAffiliations– Disability or medical historyDisability or medical history– Pregnancy, birth control, child Pregnancy, birth control, child

carecare– AgeAge

How to Handle Illegal How to Handle Illegal QuestionsQuestions

Answer the questionAnswer the question Refuse to answer the questionRefuse to answer the question Examine the intent behind the Examine the intent behind the

questionquestion Ask the relationship to the positionAsk the relationship to the position Walk outWalk out

Telephone InterviewsTelephone Interviews Dress up and use a professional Dress up and use a professional

environment to maintain your environment to maintain your professionalismprofessionalism

Have your notes organized, Have your notes organized, highlighted, and within easy accesshighlighted, and within easy access

Without non-verbal communication, Without non-verbal communication, be aware that it is difficult to “read” be aware that it is difficult to “read” the interviewerthe interviewer

Make sure your voice conveys Make sure your voice conveys enthusiasmenthusiasm

If more than one person on the If more than one person on the other end, have them identify other end, have them identify themselves when asking their themselves when asking their questionsquestions

Panel InterviewsPanel Interviews Get names and positions Get names and positions

for all participants in for all participants in advance if possibleadvance if possible

Address all with good eye Address all with good eye contactcontact

Relate your answers to Relate your answers to others that were similar others that were similar from other participantsfrom other participants

Shows your ability to relate Shows your ability to relate to diverse groupsto diverse groups

Day Long InterviewsDay Long Interviews Keep your energy upKeep your energy up Continue to give complete Continue to give complete

answers to all questions answers to all questions even though you’ve been even though you’ve been asked multiple times that asked multiple times that dayday

Listen for consistencies Listen for consistencies and discrepancies to and discrepancies to assess company culture assess company culture

After the InterviewAfter the Interview

Details Needed for Follow-Details Needed for Follow-upup

Write down the interviewer’s name, Write down the interviewer’s name, department, address, and phone in department, address, and phone in the notebookthe notebook

Ask for their business cardAsk for their business card Use interviewer’s nameUse interviewer’s name

Follow-up the InterviewFollow-up the Interview Send a short thank you note Send a short thank you note

within 24 hourswithin 24 hours Remind them of key points Remind them of key points

from the interviewfrom the interview Emphasize your interestEmphasize your interest State when you expect the State when you expect the

next contact to benext contact to be

Evaluate/RetrainEvaluate/Retrain

How did you do overall?How did you do overall? What were your strengths?What were your strengths? What needs improvement?What needs improvement? Develop a follow-up chart for trackingDevelop a follow-up chart for tracking

If you would If you would like to learn like to learn more, more, Career Career Planning Planning StrategiesStrategies textbook will textbook will supply additional supply additional information on information on this topic.this topic.