The Interview Process

By:Brittany McDonald and Ryan Lasane

Objectives

• Before the Interview• At the Interview• Interview Guidelines– Do’s and Don’ts

• STAR Technique• Types of Interviews• After the Interview Tips

Before the Interview

Before the Interview

• Preparation– Preparing for an interview is very important and

will definitely be noticed by the interviewer.– Jumping into an interview without any knowledge

or preparation could cost you the job and looks very unprofessional.

– Interviewers are looking for candidates that can benefit their company, so preparation is vital!

Preparation: Before the Interview

• Some steps to consider while preparing for a successful interview:– Personal Goals– Information about the company– Questions for the Employer– Dress Attire– Practice, Practice Practice!

Personal Goals

• Personal goals are a desired and valued circumstance toward which individuals are working.

• These are important because deciding what type of job and environment you are willing to work will help guide you in what companies to choose with possible job openings.

Possible Personal Goal Questions

• What do I really want to do?• How flexible am I in regards to the hours?• What do I want to achieve?• What are my strengths?• What are my weaknesses?• How can I contribute to the company?

Information on Company

• Basic knowledge on a company is required.• The interviewer could ask questions regarding

to the company, it would look professional if you knew some basic knowledge and background of the company.

• Stand out as a candidate for THE job and not as a candidate who just WANTS a job!

Questions for Employer

• Good questions are questions that cannot be answered with a “yes” or “no”.

• Prepare questions that are intelligent, thoughtful, and cordial.

• There is no set number for the amount of questions you should ask.

• More questions identify that you are very interested in the company.

• Make sure when you ask a question, you are truly interested in the answer.

Good Example Questions

• How would you describe the responsibilities of the position?

• What is the company’s management style?• How would you describe a typical week/day in

this position?• What do you consider to be the most important

aspects of the job?• What are some skills and abilities necessary for

succeeding in this job?

Bad Example Questions

• How long will it take to get a promotion?• Can I leave early if I finish my work before the

day is over?• What’s the drug abuse policy?• Are there any benefits with working for this

company?• What is the salary for this position?• Did I get the job?

Dress Attire

• The first impression is crucial for an interview.• The employer makes their first judgmental decision

based on your attire.• Personal hygiene and grooming are also included.• It is important to dress professional to any

interview, regardless of the work environment. • Make sure you think about your attire carefully

before the interview set date. • Dress for Success!!!!

Practice

• These steps should be performed before the interview.

• Practice is the only way you can master all these steps.

• Be ready for any and everything at the interview.• Keep in mind: Try to come better prepared than

the employer. It will show professionalism and interest.

• Mock interviews can be a basic tool to help.

At the Interview

Helpful Tips

• Interview is a two-way street.• Always be prepared to ask questions.• Know the nature of the organization.• Never ask about salary and benefits.• Show the employer you want the job and you

did your homework.

Keep In Mind…

• The actual face to face interview.• Maintain a professional demeanor.• Be yourself and concentrate on being your

“best self”. Sell yourself appropriately. • Be confident while answering and asking the

questions.• Arrive on time!!

Arriving On-Time

• Five to ten minutes early is ON TIME.• Arriving too early:– Make you seem too eager for the job– May be interrupting what the employer was doing before

the appointment– Gives you the opportunity to become too nervous or anxious

• Arriving late:– Completely UNACCEPTABLE!– If running late, call with a good reason for the dlay and

reschedule.

Introducing Yourself

• Be self-assured and polite.• Offer a firm handshake to demonstrate

confidence.• Be sure to remember the name of the

interviewer.• Only be seated when offered to do so.• Be enthusiastic and show you want the job.

Types of Interviews

• Open job Interview– Interview where companies accept job

applications during times when all applicants who are interested attend.

• Screening Interview– Interview conducted to determine if the applicant

has the qualifications for the job.– Usually the first interview in hiring process.

Types of Interviews

• Phone Interview– Used to shorten the pool of applicants invited for

in person interviews.• Informational Interview– Used to ask for advice and to learn more about a

particular career field or job.• Group Interview– Used to interpret different perceptions of the

same answer.

Types of Interviews

• Behavioral-Based Interview– Used to examine core behaviors such as

teamwork, problem solving, and communication.• Stress Interview– Used to find your weaknesses and test how to

hold up to pressure.

Do’s and Don’ts Do’s

• Make good eye contact.• Watch interviewer’s

body language.• Ask to repeat question

if uncertain.• Ask to clarify question if

unsure what was asked.• SMILE!

Don’ts

• Biting nails• Moving around

continuously• Never make

assumptions.• Lie or exaggerate.• Speak poorly about

former employers.• Fold your arms.

STAR Technique

• STAR- Situation Task Action Result– Used to gather all information about a specific

capability that the job requires.– Used to display skills and understanding of a

particular matter.– Demonstrates problem solving skills.

STAR Technique

• Situation– Describes what is the situation and when it took place.

• Task– Describes what the task is and the objective.

• Action– Describes what action was done to achieve this.

• Result– Describes what happened as a result of your action.

After The Interview

Helpful Tips

• A brief thank you letter.– Email or Handwritten– Collect a business card– Don’t wait more than 24 hrs.