Interviewing Workshop

McCormick Office of Career Development

Objectives

• To better understand the interview process: the before, during, and after

• To be aware of the appropriate interviewing behaviors

• To learn about behavioral interviewing

• To practice interviewing skills

Goals of the InterviewGoals of the Candidate (you):

• To obtain information about the job/organization.• To communicate important information about yourself. • To make a positive impression upon the employer.

Goals of the Interviewer:

• To promote the organization and attract the best candidate. • To assess if qualifications match the job requirements. • To determine candidate fit with the organization and staff.

Skills/Qualities Sought by Employers Ability to learn Technical Skills Communication skills Critical thinking Personal management Teamwork Leadership Adaptability

NOTE: Know the specific technical skills for your areas of interest!

Organization Skills Motivation Problem Solving Maturity Professional Judgment

Before the Interview

Before the Interview

• Research the industry/company

• Identify reasons for wanting to work or having interest in that industry/company

• Recall situations that show favorable behaviors/actions

• Analyze the skills the employer is seeking

• Practice answering common interview questions

• Prepare questions to ask the employer

Company/Industry Research

Learn more about the industry Wetfeet.com Vault.com Factiva.com Informational Interviews & Networking

Learn about the company Crain’s Business Glassdoor.com Student Evaluations Company Website

Dress for the Interview

• Business professional dress, unless notified otherwise

• Carry a binder/portfolio to contain resumes, personal calendar, pen

• Don’t chew gum or bring beverages or food

Dress to Impress- Women

Navy, gray, and black suits

Skirts length should be below the knee

Keep accessories to a minimum

Make-up should look natural

Choose one; handbag or briefcase

Dress to Impress- Men

Invest in a conservative color

Check for proper fit

Wear socks that match your trousers

Clean your shoes

The tie knot should be small

During the Interview

Interview Structure Pre-Interview

Greeting, Introduction, “Small Talk”

Information Exchange Interview questions/responses Information sharing about employer Interviewee’s questions

Closing Next steps Business card?

Pre-Interview & Greeting

Pre-Interview• You're being judged as soon as you arrive

• Arrive 10-15 minutes early to compose yourself

Greeting• Know the interviewer’s name and pronunciation

• Extend a warm greeting and firm handshake

• Wait to be asked to have a seat

Information Exchange

• DIRECT: confirms information• Are you able to...

• OPEN-ENDED: generates performance data• Tell me about a time when you…• How did you…• Describe a situation where you…• Give me an example of…

• WHY QUESTIONS: reveal preferences, motives

Tell me about yourself…

A dreaded, but very common question.

Importance: First Impression still malleable Tone of interview Provide depth to resume Insight into who you are

Share information the employer may not already know and present it in

a way that connects to the position you

are seeking.

Direct Questions

Direct questions often require only a short answer with minimal elaboration

Examples: Are you able to … Are you willing to relocate? Are you willing to travel?

Behavioral interviewing

“The best predictor of future performance is

past performance in similar situations.”

Provide specific examples/situations based on

actual past behaviors, instead of based on

responses to hypothetical questions.

Your Response Strategy:

The STAR Technique

• Situation

• Task

• Action

• Result

Be a STAR

Tell me about a time when you took initiative?

Situation

Task

Action

Result

• During my internship last summer, I was responsible for managing various events.

• I noticed that attendance at these events had dropped by 30% over the past 3 years and wanted to do something to improve these numbers.

• I designed a new promotional packet to go out to the local community businesses. I also included a rating sheet to collect feedback on our events and organized internal round table discussions to raise awareness of the issue with our employees

• I was able to incorporate many of the ideas from the community, as well as make the internal systems more efficient and visible. I am proud to report that attendance increased by 18%.

About Your Body Language• Be sure to smile

• Don’t hurry gestures/movements

• Use good posture

• Lean forward while listening and answering questions

• Make eye contact

• Use mirroring

Do and Don’t DO

• Convey enthusiasm, confidence, friendliness

• Convey maturity and professionalism

• Know your nervous body language tendencies and avoid them

• Be articulate

• Take time to reflect, if necessary, before answering

• Be aware of your eye contact

DON’T

• Be negative

• Use ums/likes

• Exaggerate or lie

• Have your cell phone turned on

• Interrupt the interviewer

• Engage in a debate

• Use acronyms

Asking Good Questions

Prepare questions before the interview

They should be thoughtful and relevant

Address the position, skills, qualifications, etc…

Avoid salary benefits and/or personal topics

After the Interview• Write a thank you note to the interviewer within 48 hours

• Recall pieces of your interview conversation

• Remind them of your applicable skills and experience

• Reiterate your interest in the position

• Reflect/Process your experience• What did you do well?

• What didn’t go so well?

• How can you change that in a future interview?

• Process your interaction to assess your fit

Good Luck!

Questions?

Pitfalls 

• Inability to express information clearly

• Untidy personal appearance

• Lack of genuine interest or enthusiasm

• Unwillingness to start at the bottom

• Negative attitude

• Lack of eye contact

• Being late for the interview