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An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this document may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711.
100-014 Training Agreement Revised 1/2014
careersourcesuncoast.com
Preparing for the Interview Career Services Workshop
Preparing for the Interview Workshop 1
careersourcesuncoast.com
Welcome!
Interviewing is more than a ritual that must be endured in order to get a job. Like other
aspects of job searching, interviewing has changed and you must be prepared in
order to master your next interview. This workshop will provide you with information
about the different types of interviews, how to be prepared for any interview question,
and how to present your best self. There will also be an opportunity to practice with
the confidence that you’ll WOW! ‘em at your next interview.
Workshop Objectives:
Upon completion of this workshop you should be able to:
Identify the purpose of an interview
Know to research the company, industry and occupation and prepare
questions you will ask the interviewer(s) related to their needs
Identify your skills and abilities that relate directly to the job description
Articulate your accomplishments during the interview, demonstrating the value
you bring to the table using the STAR format – Situation/Task, Action and Results
Define the different styles of interviews
Prepare for various types of interview questions
Project confidence and a positive attitude through practicing your eye contact,
handshake and “elevator pitch”
Follow-up after the interview – even if turned down
Preparing for the Interview Workshop 2
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The Purpose of an Interview
The interview is a mutual exchange of information. The interviewer/company wants to
know about you and you want to know about them.
Does the COMPANY want to hire you?
____________ you do the job? YOUR:
Skills and knowledge
Experience and accomplishments
Learning potential
Ability to handle physical aspects of the job
____________ you do the job?
Interest in the position, company
Work ethic and energy level
Outside influences that may affect your
willingness or availability
Do you __________ in? Company values
Communication, likability and chemistry
Style (work and management)
Dress and appearance
Do YOU want to accept the position?
Does it meet your ___________? Financial
Geographical
Career goals
Is it in line with your
_____________?
The things that are most important to you
Genuine interests
Does it feel like a good _______? Work environment
Culture
Preparing for the Interview Workshop 3
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Before the Interview: Know the Company
Conducting thorough company research is vital to an effective interview. Employers
view researching the company as a critical factor in applicant evaluation because it
demonstrates your interest and enthusiasm for their company.
Research the _____________________
Did you visit the company website?
What do you know about the history of the company?
What is the company’s Mission Statement what are its Corporate Values?
What products and services or lines of business does the company deal in?
Identify _________ _____________________ in the Organization
Who are the key leaders of the organization?
What is the organizational structure?
Who will you be interviewing with?
Search for current ____________ and __________________
Are there any recent news articles about the company?
Did they launch a new product line or expand operations?
Were the key leaders featured in any recent news articles?
What is the current stock price? Any trends?
Be familiar with the ________________________
What is the general industry?
Are there any industry trends and/or facts you need to be aware of?
Who is their competition?—How do they stack up against their competition?
Know the _________ _________________________________
What skills and requirements are listed in the job description?
Do you know the job “inside and out” and how you are a match?
Know the _______________ ________________________
Where is corporate headquarters located?
Are there other locations?
What is the exact address of the location for the interview?
Preparing for the Interview Workshop 4
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Before the Interview: Know Yourself
Knowing yourself thoroughly is also vital to a successful interview. You need to know
and be able to communicate with confidence your past accomplishments, strengths,
what you can do for an employer and your preferred work environment. Use the
worksheets on the next few pages to assist you in getting to know yourself.
__________________ your resume
Identify your _________ __________________ and ________________________
Relate your skills with the employer’s job description by listing each side-by-side:
List the job requirements, tasks and duties
found in the job description/posting:
List the qualities, skills and abilities you
posses that fit these requirements:
Example:
Greet customers as they enter the store.
Example:
Worked for 2 years at the GAP greeting
and assisting customers with their
purchases.
Preparing for the Interview Workshop 5
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Before the Interview: Know Yourself
Prepare your _________________________________________ _______________
Over the course of your work experience, you have had some amazing
accomplishments. A key element in job search today is being able to concisely
explain your accomplishments. Your past performance will show the employer the
value you will bring in your future performance.
You can make your accomplishments stand out by using the STAR Format.
Situation
or
Task
Briefly give an overview of what needed to be done.
What you were being asked to do?
What did you take the initiative to do?
What challenges made this task difficult?
Actions Briefly describe (using good action words) the steps YOU
took to complete the assignment.
Results What happened because of what you did? Can you
quantify, or measure, the results?
When developing and selecting stories for an interview, one way to ensure you have
appropriate examples is to go through the job description and identify a story for each
job responsibility.
What is one of the main responsibilities
listed in the job description?
What is your STAR story that demonstrates
your value in performing this
responsibility?
Preparing for the Interview Workshop 6
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Before the Interview: Know Yourself
Know your __________________
Values are the things that matter most to you, the things that make a career
appealing to you or not. Remember, a job interview also allows you to determine if the
job is a good fit and in line with your values.
Knowing what is most important to you will help you determine how well you will fit with
the company. Below are some of the most common factors to consider when making
this kind of decision.
Review the list and write your “Ideal” description for each of the factors. Then, rate
each factor according to your personal importance scale by placing an X in the
corresponding column.
Factors – COMPANY My Ideal Most Important Important Least Important
Size of Company
Number of Employees
Public/Private
Profit/Non-Profit
Financial Condition
Stability
Reputation
Company Growth/History
Products/Services
Future Growth
Factors - JOB
Duties/Responsibilities
Level of Authority
Challenge
Independence
Job Visibility
Travel
Status (Title)
Base Salary
Incentives/Bonuses
Benefits
Factors - PERSONAL
Corporate Culture
Management Style
Promotion Potential
Work Hours
Commute
Preparing for the Interview Workshop 7
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Before the Interview: Memorize Your “Elevator Pitch”
“Elevator Pitch” Template - A
Your Name ______________________________________________________________________
Your most recent position ________________________________________________________
What were your major responsibilities? ____________________________________________
State an accomplishment that you are proud of from your last job.
__________________________________________________________________________________
What do you want to do next?
__________________________________________________________________________________
“Elevator Pitch” Template - B
“I am a __________________________________________________________________with the
(occupation i.e. “sales manager”)
bulk of my career involved in ____________________________________________________.
(industry/type of work i.e. “medical equipment sales”
Most recently, I worked at ______________________ as a _____________________________
(Company name) (Job title/role)
where I _________________________________________________________________________.
(briefly describe duties and responsibilities)
I find that wherever I have worked, I bring three key strengths to the table:
_________________________, __________________________, and _______________________.
(name and define three strengths used in your work experience)
At this time, my future plans are to _______________________________________________.”
(state your future career objective)
Preparing for the Interview Workshop 8
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Before the Interview: Types of Interviews
Phone
Phone interviews are not the same as in-person interviews. So much human
communication is non-verbal that you may need to acquire a few new skills to pull off
a great job interview over the phone. To get you started, check out these phone
interview tips:
Smile while you speak. It may feel silly, but smiling shows up in your voice
Stand up, relax and take a few deep breaths to calm nerves
No eating, drinking, smoking or gum chewing while talking - make sure there is
no background noise (like a TV playing, dog barking or baby crying)
Speak with appropriate enthusiasm and energy
If a receptionist or assistant connects you to the interviewer, be nice to that
person – word gets around
Close the interview by trying to set up an in-person meeting
Traditional
The most common format is the traditional or one-on-one interview where it is just you
and one interviewer. Arrive well prepared, on time, and with confidence and you’ll
do just fine.
Group
In a candidate group interview, you will most likely be placed in a room with other job
applicants. In many cases, these applicants will be applying for the same position for
which you are applying. You will most likely be asked to listen to information about the
company and the position, and you may be asked to answer questions or participate
in group exercises. Use these tips to stand out as a mature, confident and competent
candidate:
Introduce yourself politely to the other candidates
Be an active participant by contributing your ideas as well as listening to the
other candidates
Appear confident but avoid coming across as aggressive or arrogant
Don’t dominate the conversation or interrupt the other candidates
Stay cool under stress
Preparing for the Interview Workshop 9
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Before the Interview: Types of Interviews (continued)
Panel
In a panel interview, you will most likely be interviewed individually by a panel of two
or more people. This interview style is almost always a question-and-answers session
and is often used when you are being interviewed by peers – your future co-workers.
Your goals in this type of interview are to:
Greet all of your interviewers individually by making eye contact, saying hello
and shaking hands
When responding to questions, look at the person who asked the question first,
then make eye contact with the other interviewers
Demonstrate your ability to handle stress and pressure
Thank everyone who interviewed you and remember names and titles so that
you can send a written thank you note to each interviewer afterwards
Behavioral
Interviews with mainly behavioral questions focus on specific examples of your past
performance as indicators of your future performance. The interviewer may take
many notes. The STAR format is perfect for these kinds of questions. To succeed in a
behavioral interview, you must be able to link your accomplishment STAR stories to the
position and employer.
Stress
Stress interviews are less common and are designed to “see how you react under
stress and think on your feet.” Interviewers may act sarcastic, angry, confrontational
and challenging. Your job is to:
Stay calm, breathe deeply and slowly and maintain eye contact
Recognize the artificially-created scenario for what it is – don’t take it personally
Stay on the positive side of issues presented without getting angry or hostile
Video/Web Conference
With advances in technology many companies are using video or web conferencing
for interviews. Make sure you and your equipment is ready by:
Testing your microphone and camera functions about 15-30 minutes before the
interview time to ensure the computer is working properly
Remove from the camera view anything you don’t want seen by the interviewer
Dress as if you are going to an in-person interview
Preparing for the Interview Workshop 10
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Before the Interview: Interview Questions
By anticipating the questions you can expect in an interview, you can think through
and practice your responses beforehand and walk into the interview with confidence.
This section describes the various types of interview questions and provides examples
of each.
Getting to know you
When an interviewer asks questions about you, they are trying to determine how good
a fit you are for the company. The best way to answer interview questions is to be
honest. You are who you are – don’t try to be someone you’re not. Doing so won’t
pay off in the long run. Below are some frequently asked interview questions:
Tell me about yourself…
What is your greatest strength?
What is your greatest weakness?
How would you describe yourself?
How do you handle stress on the job?
What motivates you?
What are you passionate about?
What are your pet peeves?
Why should I hire you?
How would the people who know you answer: “Why should we hire you?”
Do you prefer to work independently or on a team?
What type of work environment do you prefer?
What interests you about this job?
Why are you the best candidate for this position?
What do you expect from a supervisor?
What are you looking for in your next job?
What are your goals for the next three-to-five years?
Why are you leaving your present job? – Or – Why did you leave your last job?
What can you contribute to this company?
What challenges are you looking for in your next job?
Why do you want to work here?
Preparing for the Interview Workshop 11
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Before the Interview: Interview Questions (continued)
Qualifications
One of the most important parts of successful interviewing is to relate your
qualifications to the job for which you are interviewing. It is critical to show the hiring
manager that you have the qualifications the company needs in a candidate.
Typical questions about your qualifications:
What applicable skills or experience do you have?
How will your greatest strength help you be successful/perform in this job?
Briefly summarize your work history and education for me.
What special aspects of your work experience have prepared you for this job?
What motivates you?
How do you evaluate success?
Can you describe for me one or two of your most important accomplishments?
What major challenges and problems did you face? How did you handle them?
How much supervision have you typically received in previous jobs?
Describe for me one or two of the biggest disappointments in your work history.
What special aspects of your education or training have prepared you for this
job?
Can you pinpoint any specific things in your past experience that affected your
present career goals?
Did you have any long- or short-term goals for your team/department/position?
How did you achieve them?
What were some of the things about your last job that you found most difficult?
What are some things you particularly liked about your last job?
If I were to ask your most recent employer about your abilities, what would
he/she say?
What was your most difficult decision in the last six months?
How would you describe your leadership/management style?
Have you made presentations or done any public speaking?
Would you rather write a report or give a verbal report? Why?
How do you make sure that deadlines that you were responsible for meeting are
met for work?
What can you contribute to this company?
Preparing for the Interview Workshop 12
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Before the Interview: Interview Questions (continued)
Behavioral
Behavioral interview questions will be more focused than traditional interview questions
and you’ll need to respond with specific examples of how you handled situations in
the workplace. This is where your STAR stories play the biggest role in your success at
the interview. Behavior-based questions usually begin with:
“Give me an example of a time when you…”
“Tell me about a time when circumstances required you to…”
“Describe the most significant challenge…”
“Recall the most rewarding…”
Here are some examples:
Give an example of a time when you had to use problem solving to handle a
tough situation.
Tell me about a goal you achieved and how you achieved it.
Describe a stressful situation at work and how you handled it.
Tell me about a time when you didn’t have enough work to do?
Describe a decision you made that was unpopular and how you handled
implementing it.
Tell me about a time when you had to work on multiple projects at the same
time. How did you prioritize your work?
Describe an experience you had in which you were too persistent. What
happened?
Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a tough customer service
situation. What was the situation? What did you do? What was the result?
Describe a situation where you wish you had acted differently with someone at
work. What did you do? What happened as a result?
Give me an example of a time when your ideas were strongly opposed in a
discussion with superiors. How did you react? What were the results?
What are some of the most difficult one-to-one meetings you have had with
subordinates? Why were they difficult?
Tell me about the largest sale you made and how you did it.
Give me an example of a time when you had responsibility for the successful
outcome of a very large project.
Describe a time when you were working under pressure and had to go the extra
mile.
Preparing for the Interview Workshop 13
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Before the Interview: Interview Questions (continued)
Salary
At any part of the job search and interviewing process, expect to be asked your salary
history, your most recent salary, or your salary expectations. While you should try to
avoid discussing salary until an offer is made, there will be times when you will need to
respond. Below are some tips for how to handle these types of questions:
When asked: What was your salary/pay history?
Usually asked on job applications or in ads.
You need to be honest, because your salary can be verified by a prospective
employer.
When asked: State your salary/pay requirements.
This is also usually asked on job applications or in ads or by the Human Resources
representative. It gives the employer a way to phase you out or in and provides
a starting point on which to base their offer.
Leave it blank if you can, or fill in required fields with “Flexible”.
What to say during the interview:
“Could we come back to discuss that after I am able to provide a better
picture of what I have to offer?”
“I’m most interested in learning about the opportunity first. When I more fully
understand the scope of responsibility, I’ll be able to give you an idea of the
compensation I would expect.”
“Your company has a reputation for fair compensation. I don’t think salary will
be a problem. I would like to ask you some additional questions about what
would be expected in this position.”
“I’m sure [Company Name] has a fair compensation scale, and if we decided
that this match is a good one, I’m confident that we will be able to agree on a
salary.”
“The issue isn’t as much about what I want, as what you have budgeted for this
position. Most companies work within salary ranges. If I knew what the range for
this position was, I’d be able to tell you if that fits within what I would expect.
What is the salary range for this position?”
“The responsibilities are different from my previous position, so the salaries are
really not comparable. I would prefer to fit into your salary structure.”
“As I have researched information about salaries for this level position, the
market value of the total compensation package is between (give a range).”
Preparing for the Interview Workshop 14
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Before the Interview: Interview Questions (continued)
Illegal
In a perfect world, interview questions should be solely related to the position and your
ability to do the job. Occasionally, however, an interviewer asks questions that could
potentially be used in a discriminatory way. Practicing how you would handle these
kinds of questions will help you respond professionally.
Remember:
Many interviewers are not trained in interviewing – they may not know which
questions to avoid or which questions are illegal
Inappropriate questions are often unintentional
Often questions are based more on perceived relevance rather than legality –
with no harm intended
What to do if asked potentially discriminatory questions:
Use your common sense and react objectively – not defensively
Maintain eye contact and remain calm and professional
Be aware of your body language and remain as neutral as possible
Ask for clarification on how the question relates to the responsibilities of the job
Stick to only discussions about business – getting personal may open up the
conversation to sensitive topics
Questions you should ask the interviewer
As the interview comes to a close, one of the final questions you may be asked is
“What questions can I answer for you?” Not only will having questions prepared make
you look prepared and interested in the position, it will help you assess if the company
and/or job will be a good FIT for you! The following are some questions for you to ask:
How would you describe the responsibilities of the position?
What does a typical day/week look like in this job?
Is this a new position? If not, what did the previous employee go on to do?
What skills and qualities does the ideal candidate for this position possess?
What projects must be completed in the next two to three months?
What are some of the long-term goals of this position?
How many people work in the office/department?
How much travel is expected?
How would you describe your (the department manager’s) management style?
What are the next steps in the process?
Preparing for the Interview Workshop 15
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Before the Interview: Dress for Success
The primary goal in dressing for an interview is to
feel good about the way you look while projecting
an image that matches the requirements of the
position and company.
The basic rule is very simple – ensure your outfit is:
Clean – Pressed – Polished – Professional
Guidelines for Women
A good quality suit, pantsuit or dress should be stylish but conservative and the
style should compliment your figure
Skirt length should be at least to the bottom of the knee
Stick to neutral solid colors such as taupe, navy, gray or black
Blouses can be almost any color that is flattering to your skin tone –avoid blouses
with low-cut necklines or that are too frilly
Shoes should be polished, and in a professional style and color that matches
your outfit
Minimize the amount of accessories and jewelry to simple, high quality pieces
Guidelines for Men
A good quality suit in dark blue, gray or black
A nice quality white button-down shirt – be sure it is ironed
Ties are a MUST and should be in a color that compliments your suit
Shoes should be polished dress shoes in brown, cordovan or black
Guidelines for Both Women and Men
Hair should be neat, clean and not an over-the-top style
Avoid excessive perfume or cologne
Manicure nails and clean hands
Need an outfit for your next interview?
Visit the CareerSource Suncoast Opportunity Closet
Preparing for the Interview Workshop 16
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During the Interview: Confidence and Lasting Impressions
Have you heard the phrase: You never get a second chance to make a first
impression?
Interviewers often make up their mind about an applicant within the first five minutes.
Your non-verbal cues make up 80% of their decision! This means your appearance,
poise, hygiene, confidence, posture, attitude, interest level, handshake, eye contact,
attentiveness, punctuality and nervousness all need to be in check!
Follow these guidelines to exhibit confidence and leave a positive lasting impression:
_______________ at everyone you meet
Make _________ _____________________
It is important in our culture to maintain eye contact with the person to whom
you are talking. It is generally interpreted as a gesture of trust and confidence.
Extend a confident __________________________
Always initiate the handshake, as it will make you appear more in control.
Handshakes are often an indicator of a person’s frame of mind, so practice your
own handshake and be conscious of the return handshake you receive.
Check your body language
Proper body language is critical in business situations. Before your interview,
practice your body language with someone you know and determine if there is
anything you might need to keep in check.
________________________ is everything!
Remember that your positive attitude is the key! Positive non-verbal behavior
naturally results from a positive attitude. Your verbal and non-verbal
communication will be in line and your enthusiasm will shine.
Preparing for the Interview Workshop 17
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During the Interview: Responding to Questions
You’ve researched the company, analyzed how your skills match the job description,
prepared your STAR stories, memorized your elevator pitch, practiced your responses
to the most common interview questions and delivered a confident first impression.
Now, it’s show time!
Responding to questions and demonstrating the value you bring to the employer is the
next step in the game. Here are some Do’s and Don’ts for responding to questions:
Do’s
__________________ carefully
Ask for _______________________
Speak with ___________________
Be thorough and _____________
Use your ____________ stories
Remain ______________________
Show interest – Ask ___________
Don’ts
Don’t speak too quickly
Don’t argue or defend
Don’t appear desperate
Don’t talk too much
Don’t exaggerate
Don’t be negative
Don’t show up unprepared
During the Interview: Closing with Confidence
When they have asked all their questions and you have asked all of yours, you want to
restate your interest in the job as the interview wraps up, closing with confidence.
Ask the next step in the process
Repeat your “Elevator Pitch”
Ask for the interviewer’s business card
Smile
Offer a confident handshake
Say “Thank You” and use their name
Preparing for the Interview Workshop 18
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After the Interview: Follow-up
Immediately ________________ the interview
As soon as possible following the interview, maybe even in your car before you
drive off, write down what you think and feel about how you feel the interview
went. Review key points such as:
o What did you learn about the person(s) with whom you interviewed?
o Did you learn anything that confirmed your interest in the
company/position?
o Which key skills, abilities and accomplishments were you able discuss?
o What are the next steps?
Send a _______________-___________ letter within 24 hours
In your Thank You, remind the interviewer of your qualities and key points
discussed during the interview.
Call to _______________ the status of the process
Know the interviewer’s timeline regarding the selection and decision process. If
you haven’t heard from him or her by the date that was indicated, you may call
to check on the status of the process.
_____________________ your job search campaign
Don’t stop looking just because you had a great feeling about your interview.
You will want to continue searching and landing that next interview. Besides, if
you don’t receive a job offer from this one, it was great practice for the next!
_____________________ when not offered the job
Always send a gracious response to your turndown if you are not offered the
job. You never know if the person offered the job will leave after a few weeks,
or if another position will open up. Keep the door open.
Preparing for the Interview Workshop 19
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My Action Plan
One thing I will do immediately to be prepared for my next interview is…
Additional next steps I am going to take for my career search campaign are…
An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this document may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711.
100-014 Training Agreement Revised 1/2014
careersourcesuncoast.com
I Got a Job!
Tell Us Your Success Story!
Tell us about your new job so we can ensure that your success is recorded accurately in
Employ Florida Marketplace.
Two ways to share your success:
1. Online at careersourcesuncoast.com and Click “Tell Us Your Success Story”.
2. Complete this form and return it to one of the career centers by mail, fax or in person.
Your Name:
Phone Number: Last 4 of SS#:
E-mail Address:
Employ Florida Market Place User ID:
Company Name:
Address:
Contact Name:
Phone Number: Start Date:
Job Title:
Hourly Wage: Hours per Week:
Bradenton Career Center
1112 Manatee Ave. East
Bradenton, FL 34208
941.714.7449 Fax: 941.714.7458
Sarasota Career Center
3660 N. Washington Blvd.
Sarasota, FL 34234
941.358.4200 Fax: 941.358.2820
Venice Career Center
897 East Venice Avenue
Venice, FL 34292
941.486.2682 Fax: 941.480.3098
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