Career Fair Prep ChatsYou have an Interview, So Now What?

Jessica K. Wright, MBA, EIT2015-2016 Chair Emeritus

NSBE Houston Professionals

There Are 7 Styles of Interviewing…Which One Will You Have?

Structured

• A patterned interview that is straightforward with standard set of questions for all candidates.

• Easier for the interviewer to fairly evaluate and compare the candidates

• Main purpose is to pinpoint job skills that are essential to the position

Unstructured• Interview method where questions are changed or adapted

to meet the respondent’s intelligence, understanding, or belief

• Not formatted but uses key questions to sense the candidate’s qualifications

• Questions are open-ended and progresses along the topic

Behavioral• Interview based on the premise that the best way to

predict future behavior is to determine and evaluate past behavior

• Employer determines a profile of desired behaviors and interviewer asked open-ended questions to stimulate recollection of a situation to lead you to the desired behaviors

• It takes special preparation and skill to perform well. Use STAR

Pre-Screening Telephone Interview

• The interview before the interview• Used by the employer to determine if the

candidate’s qualifications, experience, workplace preference, and salary needs are compatible with the position and organization

Case

• Applicant is given a question, situation, problem, or challenge and asked to resolve the situation

• Applicant is expected to ask the interviewer logical and sequential questions to understand the situation, probe deeper to relevant areas, and arrive at solution

• Style used to evaluate the applicant’s abilities to analyze and problem-solve; not necessarily looking for the “correct answer”

Panel

• Interview technique where several members of the company interview the candidate at the same time

• Each member of the interview team takes turns asking questions. Typically questions are pre-established

• Efficient method of interviewing but can be stressful on the applicant due the number of people present in the interview

There Are 7 Styles of Interviewing…Which One Will You Have? (cont.)

Situational

• Interviewing technique that focuses on what candidates would do in a specific situation. Involves hypothetical, real life, job-related occurrences

• Useful with less experienced candidates

Standard Do’s and Don’tsDon’t

• Chew gum during the interview• Be soft-spoken or overly aggressive• Speak negatively about former

colleagues, supervisors, or employers and don’t speak negatively about yourself

• Answer your cell phone during the interview (place on silent or leave in the car)

• Inquire about salary, benefits, or etc. until after you have received an offer

• Bring up or discuss personal issues or family problems

• Not ask any questions; it shows lack of interest

Do• Know the location or area of the interview

and be at least 10min early• Research and know the type of job

interview you will have and prepare/practice for the interview (but not be overly rehearsed)

• Greet the receptionist or assistant with courtesy and respect

• Dress appropriately, shake hands firmly, and make good eye contact

• Have high confidence and energy level and show enthusiasm in the position/company

• Bring extra copies of your resume and stress your achievements

• Get business cards, send thank you notes and follow up 24hrs after the interview

How to Sell YourselfBe the Solution

• Prepare examples detailing how you will solve the problems that is currently seen at the company or how you previously solved similar issues in the past

Be Specific

•Don’t be a cliché. Be prepared to back up your claims about your skills and characteristics.

•Have specific examples prepared and your lessons learned from them

Prepare Sound Bites

•Prepare 3 or 4 sound bites to highlight your skills or past successes

•Think: “What were my greatest accomplishments at my most recent job?”

Be Aware of Nonverbal Communication

• Body language, posture, and facial expressions

Prepare to talk about your resume

• Be prepared to explain information in your resume in detail

• Talk about and explain the how, praised received, etc.

Be Positive

• About yourself and former employers and colleagues

Q&A