Minnesota Department of Corrections 1 Interview Like a Pro: How to improve your odds of getting the job you want Lisa Cornelius Charles Dively

Minnesota Department of Corrections

1

Interview Like a Pro: How to improve your odds of

getting the job you want

Lisa CorneliusCharles Dively


2

Agenda

Purpose of the interview What interviewers are seeking Types of interviews Preparing for the interview During the interview After the interview


3

Purpose of the Interview

A way for both the employer and the candidate to have an opportunity to exchange information to determine whether the person has the knowledge, skills and ability to perform the functions of the job


4

Interviewer Concerns

Content Skills: Does candidate have skills necessary to perform job in this field (i.e., management, programming, word processing)

Transferable Skills: Does candidate have skills necessary for handling work: managing, operating, coordination, communicating, etc…

Adaptive Skills: Does candidate have the personality and temperament for this job? Can she/he self-manage (assertiveness, honesty, open-mindedness, flexibility, adaptability, tolerance)


5

Types of Interviews & Interview Questions

Behavioral Case interviews Industry-specific Open ended questions/self-evaluative

questions On site, telephone, videoconference


6

Behavioral Interviews

Behavioral interviewing is based on the principle that the best indicator of your future performance is your past performance:

“Tell me about a time that you had to find a creative solution to a problem”

“Tell me about a time your work was criticized”


7

Case Interviews

A case interview is the analysis of a specific problem or question

Demonstrates your ability to work through cases similar to those you might face

Each case typically lasts between five and ten minutes

Often scenario-based problem-solving activities designed to discover competencies


8

Open-Ended Questions and Self-Evaluative Questions

Questions will be open-ended: You control the content Provide examples/substantiate How you answer can be revealing

“Tell me about yourself” Used frequently at the beginning of interview

“What kind of manager are you?” “How good are your analytical skills?”


9

“How Would You” Questions These questions are used to demonstrate you have done the

job or you have a very good idea how to approach the work

Think about the job before hand

Identify the 5-10 most critical elements or work activities (interview a job holder if necessary)

Prepare your answer How would you create a work schedule for 50 people? How would you ensure that vacation schedules are fair and

allow for adequate coverage? How would you cut the budget by 5%?


10

BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!! Know thyself Research the employer, job,

function, etc. Get a copy of the position description Find out who is on the interview

panel Prepare questions for interviewer Prepare references Logistics (time, date, location…)


11

Before the Interview

You should

a. Make an accomplishment log

b. Research the unit you are interviewing

c. Write questions you want to ask the interviewer

d. Check out Mapquest and the DOT road construction site

e. All of the above


12

Prepare: Know Thyself

You must PREPARE yourself to talk about your skills and capabilities intelligently and persuasively

Successful candidates know how to showcase their … experience and how it relates to the specific job on their resume and in the interview to demonstrate to employers that they have a strong work ethic, for example, or the necessary teamwork skills. It can set them apart from their competition


13

Prepare: Know Thyself

Know your resume! Be able to articulately discuss every item on

the resume Be prepared to provide more detail about any

item on the resume Make sure your resume is up to date. More

than 1 page is okay, 10 pages is not!


14

Prepare: Make an Accomplishment Log SKILLS

Ability to work together as a team member

Ability to analyze data Ability to act

independently Specialized skills

ACCOMPLISHMENTS I am frequently

requested to be team member due to my ability to facilitate discussions and resolve conflicts. A few projects I worked on include: Make a list for yourself


15

Prepare: Practice

Write out answers Practice out loud Schedule mock interview Tape record yourself Practice with friends


16

Prepare: References

Line up your references several weeks prior to interviews

Take a list of references and contact information with you, in case interviewer asks for them

Better still have reference letters with you Make absolutely certain the reference KNOWS

you’ve given his/her name


17

Preparation: Logistics

The day before the interview Review where the interview will be held Check “Mapquest” to see how long it takes you to get

there Check the MNDOT website to check for road

construction and delays Allow an extra 20 minutes to get to your destination


18

Relax: A Three Step Process for Stress Reduction Dr. Joyce Brown, a

noted psychologist suggest people use “square breathing” to relax

Breathe in for 3 seconds, hold for 3 seconds exhale for 3 seconds, repeat

Do this before the interview starts


19

Attire and Appearance

First impressions count! Well groomed, showered, hair in-control Suit, conservative colors, well-fitting, comfortable,

pressed, clean No strong perfume/cologne, no flashy jewelry, etc…


20

Prepare: Questions to Ask

Interviewing is reciprocal Prepare educated questions that are:

Genuine and honest Not too pushy

Do not ask questions about salary, personal issues, or uninformed questions

Instead, ask about the challenges facing Instead, ask about the challenges facing the manager and determine how you can the manager and determine how you can contributecontribute


21

Questions to Avoid in the First Interview? What are the hours?

How much does it pay?

Are you flexible on the hours?


22

Interview Do’s Arrive early/on time Bring copies of resume Bring pen/paper Wear something professional Be enthusiastic - Match your energy level to the

interviewer’s Listen carefully Take a few moments to think about your response Get interviewer’s business card Maintain good eye contact


23

Interview Don’ts

Don’t chew gum or suck on candy

Don’t make up answers to questions you don’t know or understand.

Don’t badmouth current or former supervisors

Don’t fidget (watch nervous habits)

Watch “Ummms” Don’t be late!


24

Be on Time

Arrive about 10 minutes before interview Being late is a HUGE red flag Don’t be TOO early – might inconvenience

the interviewer If too early prepare for interview


25

What to Expect

Introductions and handshake Written questions read to you Interviewer may provide brief overview of position or unit You respond to questions (if it is a good interview, this is

the longest part) Most interviews last 30-60 minutes You ask questions of the interviewer Interviewer closes the interview and gives you information

about next steps - tells you when a decision will be made Thank the interviewer for his/her time


26

PAR or STAR Technique

Use this method to frame your response in an organized manner Problem

(Situation/Task) Action Result


27

PAR Example

“Tell me about a time you were on a team and a member wasn’t contributing?”(P) I was assigned to work on a project with a team of 5 others. One our our team members wasn’t completing his assignments. (A) I finally met with him in private, and asked if there was anything I could do to help. He told me he was preoccupied with a personal problem, so I referred him to his supervisor or HR, or EAP. (R) He not only was able to spend more time on our project, but he was also grateful to me for helping him out. We finished the project on time.


28

Strategies for Specific Questions

“Run me through your resume”

Start with college and work forward, outlining your employment history, graduate studies, key accomplishments and transitions

Should take no more than 2-4 minutes

Be prepared to answer more in depth if asked

Highlight the activities and prior positions most applicable to the job in question and relevant skills


29

“Why are you interested in this job?”

Hopefully you’ve done your homework

The interviewer wants to know why you are interested in their business versus anyplace else

Go beyond the superficial (reputation, industry leader) and demonstrate you’re a good candidate (emphasize your skills and interests and how they relate specifically to this person or group)

Show you know a lot about the employer and the job


30

“Where would you like to be in five years?” Usually asked to determine whether you plan to

stick with the organization Describe new experiences you'd like to add in the

future building on the job for which you are applying

Avoid mentioning specific job titles “My interest is to grow with [THAT UNIT]


31

Sell Yourself

Market your brand (Your strengths) Make sure the interviewers understand what

you have to offer Keep in mind which key points you want to

convey and make sure that information gets emphasized


32

Listen to the Employer

Listen to the interviewer and make sure you understand his/her questions – ask them to repeat if necessary

Practice active listening skills (acknowledge, pay attention, make eye contact, etc…)

Don’t be defensive when asked tough questions


33

AFTER THE INTERVIEW

Evaluate/take notes Send a thank you letter/email Follow-up Don’t be slow - do it immediately


34

Evaluate

Take a few moments to evaluate your performance

Write down the questions you were asked

Consider where you need improvement


35

Thank You Note

Thank interviewer once again for his/her time Restate your interest in the position Mention any facts you may have omitted On white paper no pastels, no flowers or

puppies


36

Follow-Up

If it is after the time when the interviewer indicated he/she would follow up: Call or email to inquire as to status of job Reiterate interest


37

IMPORTANT REMINDER

If you do not TALK about your experience DURING the interview, the interviewer cannot score your work experience. No matter how qualified you are! 10


38

5 Biggest Mistakes

1. Not being prepared before the interview. Not enough practice!

2. Stressing out so your strengths can’t shine through

3. Not answering the questions thoroughly enough to articulate your knowledge, skills and abilities

4. Not asking questions to show you really want thatthat job!

5. Not following up after the interview


39

Question

The biggest mistake that people make in an interview

a. Not dressing appropriately

b. Arriving late for the interview

c. Not answering the question completely


40

QUESTIONS??

Documents

Minnesota Department of Corrections 1 Interview Like a Pro: How to improve your odds of getting the job you want Lisa Cornelius Charles Dively