chapter 16 interviewing and following up. ©2011 cengage learning. all rights reserved. may not be...

Chapter 16Interviewing and Following Up

©2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Ch. 16, Slide

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Topics in This Chapter

Purposes and Types of Interviews

Before the Interview

Traveling to and Arriving at Your Interview

During the Interview


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Topics in This Chapter

Kinds of Interview Questions

Closing the Interview

After the Interview

Typical Applicant Evaluation Form


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To convince the employer of your potential

To find out more about the job and the company

To expand on the information in your résumé

Purposes of Interviews


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Type of Interview

Goal of Interview

Method of Conducting Interview

Examples of ThisType of Interview

Screening

Weed out unqualified candidates

Telephone (usually)

Second Life, an online virtual community, to hold virtual job fairs and to screen job applicants

Hiring/Placement

Learn whether a candidate is a good fit for the organization

•In-person•Online (often using webcams)

•One-on-one•Panel•Group•Sequential•Stress

Types of Interviews


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Ensuring professional phone techniques Invest in a reliable voice mail phone or

service. Train people who might answer your

phone. Beware of answering cell calls when

unprepared. Make the first conversation impressive.



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Researching the target company Know the leaders, company products,

finances, goals, competition, accomplishments, setbacks.

Interview employees, if possible. Consult relevant blogs.

Join the company’s Facebook page, and start following the company on Twitter.

Before the InterviewDo your homework.


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Preparing and practicing Study the job description. How do your

skills and accomplishments fit the position?

Practice answers to typical interview questions. Make your best responses automatic.

Rehearse success stories. Prepare thoroughly.



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Preparing and practicing Record a practice session. Clean up any digital dirt. Expect to explain problem areas on your

résumé. Decide how to dress professionally. Cover tattoos and conceal body

piercings. Gather what you will bring with you.



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Allow plenty of time to groom and to travel to your appointment.

Be courteous to everyone when you arrive.

Greet the interviewer confidently.

Traveling to and Arriving at Your Interview


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Sending positive nonverbal messages Control your

body movements.

Exhibit good posture.

Make frequent eye contact but don’t get into a staring contest.

Use gestures effectively.



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Sending positive nonverbal messages Smile enough to

convey a positive attitude.

Listen attentively.

Turn off your cell phone.

Don’t chew gum.



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Sending positive nonverbal messages Sound

enthusiastic and interested – but sincere.

Avoid “empty” words – um, uh, like, basically.



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Fighting fear Practice interviewing as much as you

can, particularly with real companies. Know how you will answer the most

frequently asked questions. Be ready with your success stories.



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Fighting fear Take deep breaths, particularly before

the interview. Know that you are not alone. Everyone

feels anxiety during a job interview. Remember that interviewing is a two-way

street. You are evaluating the interviewer and his or her organization. This thought should give you confidence.



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Projecting a professional demeanor Answer questions confidently. Clarify vague questions: By ___, do you

mean ___? Focus on your strengths; do not reveal

weaknesses. Use correct English and enunciate

clearly.



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Questions to get acquainted Tell me about

yourself. What are your

greatest strengths?

Questions to gauge your interest Why do you want

to work for this company?

Why are you interested in this position?



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Questions about your experience and accomplishments Why should we hire you when we have

applicants with more experience or better credentials?

How do your qualifications and experience prepare you for this position?



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Questions about the future Where do you

expect to be five years from now?

If we hired you, what would you do to fit in?

Challenging questions What is your

greatest weakness?

How would your former supervisor describe you as an employee?



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Questions about salary How much

money are you looking for?

How much do you think you’re worth?

Situational questions If you were

aware that a coworker was falsifying data, what would you do?

If you had to handle an irate customer, what would you do?



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Behavioral questions Tell me about a time when you solved a

difficult problem. Describe a time when you worked

successfully as part of a team.



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Illegal and inappropriate questions What is your marital status? Do you have any disabilities? How old are you? Where are you from? Have you ever been arrested? Do you have children? How much do you weigh?



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Behavioral interview questions may begin with Tell me about a time when you . . . .

To answer effectively, use the S T A R method:

Using the STAR Method to Answer Behavioral Interview Questions

S What was the Situation?

T What was the Task?A What Action did you

take?R What was the Result?


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Asking your own questions What will my duties be? What is it like working here, in terms of

the people, management practices, workloads, expected performance, and rewards?

What training programs does this organization offer?

Who would be my immediate supervisor? What is the organizational structure, and

where does this position fit in?



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Asking your own questions What is the first problem that needs the

attention of the person you hire? How will my job performance be

evaluated? What do you like best about working for

this organization? When will I hear from you regarding my

application?



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Ending positively Stand up and

shake hands when the interviewer signals the end of the interview.

Find out what action will follow.

Ask, When can I expect to hear from you?



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Ending positively After his or her

reply, say, If I don’t hear from you by then, may I call you?

Thank the interviewer.

Say goodbye to the receptionist.



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Make notes on the interview as soon as you leave.

Alert your references that they might receive a call.

After the Interview


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Write a thank-you letter to the interviewer. Remind the interviewer of your visit. Show that you really want the job and that you are qualified for it.

Call if you don’t hear from the interviewer within the specified time.

After the Interview

By John S. Donnellan


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END

chapter 16 interviewing and following up. ©2011 cengage learning. all rights reserved. may not be...

Documents

accessible website

chapter2011 cengage

interview employees

typical interview questions

virtual job fairs

company products

job description

target company