Sponsored in part by Workforce Development Agency, State of Michigan, Michigan Works!, through your local Workforce Development Board and Muskegon County Board of Commissioners.

Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities EEO/ADA/Employer/Programs - TTY# - 711.

Slam Dunk

the Interview

And Win the Job!

Do interviews SCARE you?

Do you get NERVOUS and forget

what to say?

Remember…YOU were asked

to be interviewed because they

believe you might be the right

person for the position.

The interview is your opportunity

to confirm their belief!

Preparing for the “Big Game”…

the Interview!

Do your Research

• Visit the company website

• Organization size and location of facilities

• Product line or service, potential markets,

competitors

• Mission and Vision statements

Know Yourself

• What special skills do you have?

• Analyze your strengths and weaknesses

• Review your accomplishments

• Make a list of your best “selling points” for

the position

Preparing for the “Big Game”…

the Interview!

Prepare Yourself • Who is interviewing you?

• What special skills/experience are

required?

• Where is it located?

• How should you dress?

• What should you bring with you?

Preparing for the “Big Game”…

the Interview!

Do you practice for an

interview?

YOU SHOULD!

Practice Your Drills!

“I’ve always believed that if

you put in the work, the

results will come. I don’t do

things half-heartedly.

Because I know if I do, then

I can expect half-hearted

results.” Michael Jordan

You never get a 2nd chance to make a

first impression…

and you only have a few seconds to

do it!

First impressions affect the rest of

the interview.

How to Ace the Interview

• The hiring decision usually gets made

early in the interview

• All researchers agree that the “die is cast

in the beginning” within the first 1-5

minutes

Start Strong!

Dress to Impress Be Early Be Smart Be Friendly

• Send the right non-verbal signals;

make good eye contact

• Build good rapport

• Communicate carefully

• Be enthusiastic

Be a “Star” Candidate

• Market yourself with conviction

and confidence

• Be clear and concise

• Participate, don’t dominate

• Ask questions

• Close well

Be a “Star” Candidate

Telephone Interviews

• Pick a quiet setting

• Avoid interruptions and allow

plenty of time

• Speak clearly and listen well

• You don’t have the advantage of

body language

• Have your notes at your fingertips

Panel Interviews

• Typically 2-5 interviewers

• Smile and introduce yourself to

each person

• Try to connect with each person

• Shake hands with all members

before leaving

Group Interviews

• Multiple people interviewed at

the same time

• You don’t need to dominate

• Be interactive

• Interject with well thought out

content when it is appropriate

• Listen, listen, listen

Prove by Example

Situation: Briefly describe what happened.

Task: Explain the goal that needed to be

achieved.

Action: Emphasize the specific action you

took to solve the situation or complete the

task.

Results: Close with the result. What

outcomes were achieved?

Use the STAR Method

“Tell me about yourself.”

• This wide-open question is a gold mine

• Sell yourself; don’t give your life story

• Use your “30 second drill” or “elevator

speech”

• Showcase accomplishments, strengths,

adaptability, flexibility, and results

“Why did you leave your

last job?”

• Never talk badly about an employer

• Be honest yet discreet

• Turn a perceived negative into a

positive

• Focus on what you’ve learned in your

previous position and how you are ready

to use those skills in your new position

• Be honest

• Overcoming being fired is difficult—make sure

you’ve taken the time to get your confidence back

• Don’t “shout it from the rooftops,” but be ready to

discuss the situation if it is brought up

• Show how you have objectively analyzed and

learned from the situation

• If you were fired for misconduct, convince them it

won’t happen again

What if you were fired?

“Why did you leave your

last job?”

Example Answers

Layoff: “I really enjoyed working at ABC Company. I was able to apply my

skills in ______ and develop new skills in _____ . Because of the economy,

the company decided to eliminate 6 departments, including mine.”

Quit: “I enjoy challenges and learning new things. I decided to look for a job

with higher levels of responsibility and where my ______ skills would be

used more fully.”

Fired: “I enjoyed my job at ABC company and did well in the _____

department. Unfortunately, I had car problems that caused me to be late

and miss work. I was terminated because of points. My supervisor said he

was sorry to see me go because I was a good worker with an eye for detail.

I now have reliable transportation, so you can be assured I will be here on

time or early every day!

“Why did you leave your

last job?”

• Companies want to recruit people who

are enthusiastic about their products

• Use your company research

• Relate your career goals and give

evidence that you can make a

contribution

“Why do you want to work

for us?”

“What are your greatest

strengths?”

• You are really being asked, “Do

you have what it takes to

effectively do this job?”

• Align your strengths with the key

functions of the job opening

• Support your answer with

examples

“What are your

weaknesses?”

• The employer is looking for proof that you can

identify your areas of development and then do

something about them

• Minimize weaknesses and emphasize

strengths

• After naming a weakness, discuss

what you have done to overcome it

• Pick a weakness that you have overcome or

explain how you will develop the skill within

their organization

“Give an example of a problem

you’ve faced on the job and

how you handled it.”

• This is a problem-solving question that

tests your critical thinking skills

• Show that you are a creative and

capable problem solver

• Try to tailor your answer to a problem

that you are likely to face on the job

“Tell me about a time you had to

work with someone you didn’t get

along with. How did you handle it?”

• Stay positive

• Explain your ability to get along

with others

• Provide evidence of success or

great effort

“What challenges do you

think you’ll face in this job?”

• The interviewer is trying to extract real

fears and apprehensions about the

problems you would face in this role

• Show how you can fulfill the needs of the

company

• Demonstrate confidence and anticipation

rather than fear and concern

“Where do you see yourself

in 5 years?”

• The interviewer wants to see if the

position fits in your overall career

goals

• Show interest in the position as well

as your growth in the company

• Be honest, realistic, and positive

“Do you have any

questions?”

• Prepare several questions

beforehand

• Show your interest by tailoring

questions to that specific company

and position

• Ask for constructive criticism

• Never request information about

pay or benefits

• The employer may be concerned that you’ll

grow dissatisfied and leave

• They might be worried about how well you

would work with a line manager and peer

groups which are potentially younger and

less qualified than you

• Give a clear picture of why you’re

interested in the position and how you’re

the best fit

What if you’re overqualified?

What to Avoid

• Never lie

• Never criticize

• Never ask about pay or compensation

• Don’t be late

• Don’t be arrogant

• Avoid touchy subjects: ex-boss,

spouse, health

Reviewing the Game Plan!

1. Keep your answers brief and concise

2. Include concrete, quantifiable data

3. Support your strengths with examples

4. Prepare 5 or more success stories

5. Put yourself on their team

Reviewing the Game Plan!

6. Be conscious of your nonverbal

communication

7. Ask questions

8. Maintain a conversational flow

9. Research the company

10.Keep an interview journal

After the Interview

• Send a thank you note or email

• Keep a log or journal

• Take any steps suggested by

the interviewer

• Stay positive

“Obstacles don’t have to stop you.

If you run into a wall, don’t turn

around and give up. Figure out

how to climb it, go through it, or

work around it.”

Michael Jordan

Like what you saw?

We hope you found this information helpful.

Check us out at www.miworksmo.org.

• Give us any

questions/comments/concerns

• See our workshop schedule

• Learn more about Michigan Works!

Muskegon-Oceana