The “BEST” CandidateThe “BEST” Candidate

HCPS Leadership HCPS Leadership ConferenceConference

August 4, 2009August 4, 2009

““HELLO, I’m Scott HELLO, I’m Scott Baker…”Baker…”

Why are YOU here? Why are YOU here?

What do you hope to What do you hope to learn?learn?

Choose a partner Choose a partner for activities to for activities to

comecome

What am I going to do this What am I going to do this afternoon?afternoon?

Receive information and engage in activities Receive information and engage in activities to…to…

• Demystify the interview processDemystify the interview process• Enhance preparation and performance in the Enhance preparation and performance in the

interview processinterview process• Develop greater self-awareness and confidence Develop greater self-awareness and confidence

related to interviewing and preparation for leadershiprelated to interviewing and preparation for leadership• Reflect on the role that perception plays in the Reflect on the role that perception plays in the

selection processselection process• Enhance the quality of the selection process for those Enhance the quality of the selection process for those

on the “other side of the table”.on the “other side of the table”.

InterviewingInterviewingThink/Pair/ShareThink/Pair/Share

ThinkThink of your worst experience in an interview (your of your worst experience in an interview (your “horror story!”). What went wrong? (If all of your “horror story!”). What went wrong? (If all of your experiences have been wonderful, then think of one experiences have been wonderful, then think of one that someone else had!)that someone else had!)

ShareShare with your partner with your partner

Now reverse it! Think of the best experience. What Now reverse it! Think of the best experience. What made it go right?made it go right?

Finally, are you sure that everyone else who witnessed Finally, are you sure that everyone else who witnessed it would agree?it would agree?

Before: Preparation for the Before: Preparation for the InterviewInterview

A job has been posted. What are your A job has been posted. What are your next steps?next steps?

1.1. What determines whether you will apply in the What determines whether you will apply in the first place?first place?

2.2. How do you express interest?How do you express interest?

3.3. How do you prepare yourself for the interview How do you prepare yourself for the interview experience?experience?

4.4. Before you show up for the interview, what Before you show up for the interview, what should you do or not do in terms of creating an should you do or not do in terms of creating an impression?impression?

Before: Preparation TipsBefore: Preparation Tips What is the salary?What is the salary? What is the scope of responsibility?What is the scope of responsibility? Does it fit with my career goals?Does it fit with my career goals? Does it fit with personal goals and Does it fit with personal goals and

balance?balance? What will be the impact on current What will be the impact on current

school or organization?school or organization? Do I meet ALL of the Do I meet ALL of the

requirements/preferences listed on requirements/preferences listed on the postingthe posting

What are the range of my interests? What are the range of my interests?

Before: Preparation TipsBefore: Preparation TipsIn HCPS it is best to express In HCPS it is best to express

interest through…interest through…

1 page letter of interest summarizing 1 page letter of interest summarizing why you interested and how you are why you interested and how you are qualified qualified

Include resume and letters of referenceInclude resume and letters of reference

Be clear if you have finished a new Be clear if you have finished a new endorsement or how much progress endorsement or how much progress you’ve made toward a new endorsementyou’ve made toward a new endorsement

Before: Preparation TipsBefore: Preparation TipsAnticipate QuestionsAnticipate Questions

Formulate probable responses and concise talking pointsFormulate probable responses and concise talking points

Talk to mentors who won’t likely be on the interview panelTalk to mentors who won’t likely be on the interview panel

Research areas of uncertaintyResearch areas of uncertainty

First ImpressionFirst Impression Arrive earlier then askedArrive earlier then asked

Easy on the cologne or perfume; dress traditional professionalEasy on the cologne or perfume; dress traditional professional

PortfolioPortfolio Set out early, offer to pass aroundSet out early, offer to pass around

May refer to an item, but don’t talk them through itMay refer to an item, but don’t talk them through it

Customize contents to position of interestCustomize contents to position of interest

During: Questions to considerDuring: Questions to consider

Can a weak interview still result in being selected? Can a weak interview still result in being selected? Why?Why?

In our field, what does it mean to be the most In our field, what does it mean to be the most qualified? Is that a term that always applies?qualified? Is that a term that always applies?

Where is the line between confident and cocky?Where is the line between confident and cocky?

How much of the true “me” should I let them see?How much of the true “me” should I let them see?

How can I strike rapport and make a favorably How can I strike rapport and make a favorably impression among a diverse panel?impression among a diverse panel?

During: Striking the right During: Striking the right BALANCEBALANCE

ConfidentConfident CockyCockyProfessionalProfessional Too dry or stiffToo dry or stiffConciseConcise Say too littleSay too littleThorough/Focused answersThorough/Focused answers Ramble or make listsRamble or make listsPassionate and MotivatedPassionate and Motivated

Uncompromising/RigidUncompromising/RigidPersonablePersonable Trying too hardTrying too hardFamiliar with district/schoolFamiliar with district/school Name-droppingName-droppingKnowledgeable with contentKnowledgeable with content Using buzzwords Using buzzwords

without substancewithout substance

During: Interviewing TipsDuring: Interviewing TipsScott’s Top 5…Scott’s Top 5…

1.1. Be relaxed. Don’t try too hard. Don’t over Be relaxed. Don’t try too hard. Don’t over present yourself! present yourself!

2.2. Be thoughtful and appropriately thorough…but Be thoughtful and appropriately thorough…but not verbose (30 seconds to 2 minutes in length)not verbose (30 seconds to 2 minutes in length)

3.3. Think before you speak (it’s okay!). Be Think before you speak (it’s okay!). Be reflective.reflective.

4.4. Remember your audience! Be personable Remember your audience! Be personable (smile) and learn to “read” their reaction to you(smile) and learn to “read” their reaction to you

5.5. Share vivid examples and illustrations in your Share vivid examples and illustrations in your responses that enable the interviewer(s) to responses that enable the interviewer(s) to picture you performing effectively in the rolepicture you performing effectively in the role

**Don’t be negative, unless you really are that way**Don’t be negative, unless you really are that way

During: Interview Practice!During: Interview Practice!Each of you will conduct and participate in a 10 Each of you will conduct and participate in a 10

minute interview using the questions providedminute interview using the questions provided

Jot down key phrases or ideas provided by the Jot down key phrases or ideas provided by the intervieweeinterviewee

Following the interview, the interviewer will Following the interview, the interviewer will provide feedback based on the criteria at the provide feedback based on the criteria at the bottom of the pagebottom of the page

Then the two will switch roles and follow the Then the two will switch roles and follow the same processsame process

After: Follow-upAfter: Follow-up

Jot down questions you were just asked in Jot down questions you were just asked in preparation for next interviewpreparation for next interview

Notes are a nice gesture, but are viewed Notes are a nice gesture, but are viewed as a courtesy, not a distinguishing factor as a courtesy, not a distinguishing factor in the decision-makingin the decision-making

Why didn’t I get the job?Why didn’t I get the job?

BREAKBREAK

Reflective LeadershipReflective LeadershipAnswer the following questions on your own:Answer the following questions on your own:

How am I currently viewed or perceived as a leader or aspiring How am I currently viewed or perceived as a leader or aspiring leader by my…leader by my…

Supervisors?Supervisors? Colleagues?Colleagues? Parents?Parents? Community?Community? Students?Students?

What evidence do I have to support these perceptions?What evidence do I have to support these perceptions?

How do I build credibility and support in my journey to secure How do I build credibility and support in my journey to secure additional leadership opportunities?additional leadership opportunities?

Hiring DecisionHiring Decision

Read the description of the two Read the description of the two candidates and discuss with your candidates and discuss with your

partnerpartner

Partner and Group DiscussionPartner and Group Discussion

Who did you decide to hire or Who did you decide to hire or recommend?recommend?

WHY?WHY?

Tips for the InterviewerTips for the Interviewer#1 – DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE OF #1 – DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE OF

RECOMMENDING THE “RIGHT” PEOPLE TO STAFF YOUR RECOMMENDING THE “RIGHT” PEOPLE TO STAFF YOUR SCHOOL!! SCHOOL!!

#2 – Review of Basic Tips provided in the hand-out#2 – Review of Basic Tips provided in the hand-out

#3 – Have a few probing, “bread and butter” questions to be #3 – Have a few probing, “bread and butter” questions to be used across interviewsused across interviews

#4 – Have a vision for what you are looking for when filling a #4 – Have a vision for what you are looking for when filling a vacancy or hiring a new positionvacancy or hiring a new position

#5 – Do not compromise on quality#5 – Do not compromise on quality

#6 – Seek participation and feedback from leadership team#6 – Seek participation and feedback from leadership team

ReflectionsReflections

Q & AQ & A