Interviewing Success

Claiming your power in the interview

Presented by the Humphrey School Career Services Office:Lynne Schuman, DirectorMartha Krohn, Assistant Director

Interviewing Success - Agenda

1. Measuring success

2. Preparing, conducting, and

following-up

3. Using the power of story

4. Common interview questions

5. Questions that you ask

6. Handling illegal questions

Measuring Success

Success for employer?

Success for candidate?

Interviewing in three steps:

1. Prepare2. Conduct3. Follow-up

Prepare: The Employer’s Viewpoint

Why is this position important to the organization?What are their needs?How can I demonstrate that I meet those needs?How can I address any concerns they might have?

Prepare: Content“An interviewer controls the flow of the interview,

but the interviewee controls the content. “ H. Anthony Medley

Examples - that demonstrate your accomplishments using skills and abilities important to the employer

Answers - to common interview questions

The question you hope they don’t ask

Questions for the organization

Preparing for Difficult Subjects: Craft Good AnswersWelcome the question or

acknowledge the employer’s concern

Minimize concerns by briefly explaining your solution

Tell employers what they gain by hiring you - be specific

Be proactive if you can minimize a problem by bringing it up

Prepare: Interview Formats

One-on-one interviewsPanel or group interviewsPhone interviewsVideo interviews

Conduct: During the InterviewStrong beginning, strong ending

Listen Slow down. PauseBe professional in ALL interactions

Be wary of using humor

Interview Follow-Up

Two Types of Behavioral Questions

Behavioral - focused on past behavior

Situational – focused on future possible behaviors

Using the Power of Story – to demonstrate past behaviorStructure => S-A-R

◦Situation – a specific situation in which you played a significant role

◦Action – or actions that YOU took

◦Result – the good outcome that was a result of your actions

Preparing S-A-R storiesUsing position description, pick

out important skills, knowledge and duties

Prepare a S-A-R story for each relevant quality you can claim

Practice telling these stories concisely

Teamwork StoryS: I was on a 4 person team in my Economic

Development class. One team member kept missing meetings and not keeping up her part of the work.

A: I volunteered to talk to her. We met outside school & discussed how things were going. She felt completely overwhelmed and unable to keep up. We worked out a schedule for the project that felt more realistic for her. In return, she promised to make the rest of the meetings.

R: The team project came together in good time, and we presented it to the class. The instructor gave us an A for the project and complemented us on our smooth functioning as a team.

Other Common Interview QuestionsTell me about yourself.

Key: Can the candidate sort and prioritize information that is relevant to this job and this organization?

Strategy: Often the first question – prepare a strong response. Give brief experience/education history, emphasizing how it led you to your interest in this career area/organization.

QuestionsWhy are you interested in this

position?

Key:◦ Do your interests mesh with the job?◦ Will you stay engaged and interested?◦ What do you have to give and what do you

have to gain?

Strategy: Prepare a brief explanation as to why your background (experience, training, interests) makes this position a logical one for you. This is where you could address “overqualified” concerns.

QuestionsWhere do you see yourself five years

from now?Key:

◦Is your future vision compatible with the direction this job and this organization will take you?

◦Are you worth investing in or will you leave quickly?

QuestionsWhat is your greatest strength? Your

greatest weakness?Key:

◦Are you self-aware and analytic?◦Can you discuss strengths in a way

that relates them to the job to be done? (Can use a S-A-R story to illustrate)

◦Do you take responsibility for weaknesses, problem solve and correct/mitigate them?

Selecting Your WeaknessAuthenticGeneric, not personalNot essential for this jobA problem that you are solving –

emphasize the solution in your answer

Asking YOUR questionsFill in gaps in informationLearn organizational cultureExplore challenges and trendsExpress interest in and

knowledge of their workClarify the hiring process and

timelines

2/3rds of questions should be about the work & organization

Handling illegal questions

Personal information not related to job requirements

Areas to be aware ofNational

origin/citizenshipAgeMarital/family

statusAffiliationsReligious beliefsHeight/weight

DisabilityMedical history

(physical or mental)

Arrest recordMilitary

discharge

Responding : Your Choices

1. Answer the question, or2. Refuse to answer the

question, or3. Answer the concern.

Interviewing Well

“In my career I have interviewed a lot of job candidates, and I can tell you the ones who stand out – and get the jobs – are those who project a clear sense of themselves...”James A. Johnson

2006 HHH Commencement Keynote Address

Other Resources on Interviewing

The Six Reasons You’ll Get The Job: MacDougall and Sanders-Park, 2010. Looking at a position through the employer’s viewpoint. Discusses the 6 areas that employers look for in a candidate, whether they know it or not, and ways to demonstrate how you have them.

Sweaty Palms: H. Anthony Medley, 2005.

Going Global: Access through GoldPass.umn.edu – Online resource on career opportunities around the world and how to secure them.

Ted Talk: Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are by Amy Cuddy : http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are.html

Quiet: Susan Cain, 2013. Subtitled “The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking”

HHH Career Appointments: Meet with Lynne or Martha for interviewing coaching or a mock interview: Go to hhh.umn.edu/career & click on “Make An Appointment”