Transcript
Page 1: The Ultimate Interview - silvermanmcgovern.comsilvermanmcgovern.com/.../2015/07/the-ultimate-interview-success-ki… · Interview A Step-by-Step Guide to Acing Your Next Job Interview

Interview

A Step-by-Step Guide to Acing Your Next Job Interview

The Ultimate

Success Kit

Jeff Ayers Content Manager

www.SilvermanMcGovern.com

A Publication of

Page 2: The Ultimate Interview - silvermanmcgovern.comsilvermanmcgovern.com/.../2015/07/the-ultimate-interview-success-ki… · Interview A Step-by-Step Guide to Acing Your Next Job Interview

Table of Contents

• Introduction

• Chapter 1: Prepare

• Chapter 2: Practice

• Chapter 3: Impress(ion)

• Chapter 4: Perform

• Chapter 5: Follow Up

• Additional Resources

Page 3: The Ultimate Interview - silvermanmcgovern.comsilvermanmcgovern.com/.../2015/07/the-ultimate-interview-success-ki… · Interview A Step-by-Step Guide to Acing Your Next Job Interview

Opening thoughts…

Y o u d i d i t . You willed your way through creating a resume. You navigated

the application process and submitted your materials for review. You passed

unscathed through any pre-screening and HR pitfalls. You grabbed the fleeting

attention of the Hiring Leader, who found your qualifications up to snuff.

N o w i t ’ s t i m e f o r t h e i n t e r v i e w . Interviews often bring about

anxiety for job seekers. Many of us simply aren’t accustomed to selling

ourselves and our qualifications. But interview skills can be learned. The

process can be broken down and each element perfected until anxiety melts

away and you are fully prepared to win your dream job.

In this eBook we will cover interview preparation strategies (including

company and interviewer research), practice methods (such as mock

interviews with a friend), keys to successful first impressions (like tips for

proper interview attire), how to perform on the big day (focus on the

employer’s needs) and follow up techniques (using the ‘Thank You’ email to

continue the conversation).

I n t e r v i e w s a r e a b o u t b u i l d i n g a c o n n e c t i o n with your

future colleagues, manager and company. When you are fully prepared and

your mind is free of small worries, you can focus on being your best self, on

connecting with your interviewer and sharing your value.

Jeff Ayers Content Manager Silverman McGovern Staffing

Sincerely,

Page 4: The Ultimate Interview - silvermanmcgovern.comsilvermanmcgovern.com/.../2015/07/the-ultimate-interview-success-ki… · Interview A Step-by-Step Guide to Acing Your Next Job Interview

CHAPTER

1 Prepare

Page 5: The Ultimate Interview - silvermanmcgovern.comsilvermanmcgovern.com/.../2015/07/the-ultimate-interview-success-ki… · Interview A Step-by-Step Guide to Acing Your Next Job Interview

Preparation is crucial

D o y o u r r e s e a r c h . You should be well versed in the company’s history

as well as its latest news. Interviewers are unlikely to quiz you on the

company’s past or present. However, a solid understanding of the

organization’s origin, its mission and its recent successes provide valuable

context for how your position might contribute.

C o m p a n y X . c o m . Thoroughly review the company website. What is

their mission statement? Who are the key personnel? What do they brag

about? Small touches, like commenting on a recent blog post or

complimenting the manager on a recent company award, show you care about

the job and the organization.

K n o w t h e j o b d e s c r i p t i o n i n s i d e a n d o u t .

• Know your role: Where would you fit into the organizational structure?

What would be your responsibilities?

• Speak their language: Do you understand their jargon? Can you use it to

discuss your own past experiences?

• Have the right questions: Can you see how this position will progress into

the future? Do you need some clarity on job expectations?

W h o i s y o u r i n t e r v i e w e r ? Check out your interviewer’s LinkedIn

profile. Identify any shared experiences, connections and interests. Building a

rapport with your interviewer will help ensure a successful interview.

W o r d o f m o u t h . Glassdoor is a treasure trove of useful information for

job seekers. Many employer pages include testimonials from previous job

applicants regarding the interview process. Learn from those that went before

you.

Page 6: The Ultimate Interview - silvermanmcgovern.comsilvermanmcgovern.com/.../2015/07/the-ultimate-interview-success-ki… · Interview A Step-by-Step Guide to Acing Your Next Job Interview

CHAPTER

2 Practice

Page 7: The Ultimate Interview - silvermanmcgovern.comsilvermanmcgovern.com/.../2015/07/the-ultimate-interview-success-ki… · Interview A Step-by-Step Guide to Acing Your Next Job Interview

Practice makes perfect F r i e n d s , f a m i l y a n d p a r t n e r s make wonderful practice

interviewers. Running through common interview questions (next page) and

your answers can help hone your skills and boost your confidence.

Plus, having an extra set of ears listen to your answers helps weed out

unnecessary information or awkward phrasing. We often don’t notice when

our own stories or explanations stray away from the main point and start to

ramble. A second opinion can help remedy that problem.

T r a v e l t h e i n t e r v i e w r o u t e a t l e a s t o n c e . Whether

you’re driving, taxiing or taking public transit, make the trip to your interview

location prior to the actual interview. Not only will the trip help you time your

departure on interview day, it will relieve any anxiety about getting misplaced

along the way.

Page 8: The Ultimate Interview - silvermanmcgovern.comsilvermanmcgovern.com/.../2015/07/the-ultimate-interview-success-ki… · Interview A Step-by-Step Guide to Acing Your Next Job Interview

Common questions:

• Can you tell me about your last position?

• The interviewer wants to know how well you can describe your

past experience and how that experience may relate to their job

opening.

• What is your biggest strength? Weakness?

• What they’re really asking: Do you know yourself? Be honest

about your weakness, but show how you’re addressing it.

• Why did you leave your last job?

• Focus on the positives. Answer the question honestly, but avoid

bad-mouthing former employers or placing blame on others.

• What interests you about this job? This company?

• Let your preparation shine through. Dive into aspects of the

position and organization that you find exciting.

• Can you tell me about a time you had a disagreement

with a coworker? How was it resolved?

• Are you professional? Disagreements happen. Adults find

common ground and move on.

• Can you tell me about a time when you faced a

challenge at work? How did you overcome it?

• Are you resilient? Resourceful? Explain how you approach

complex problems and work to find solutions.

Page 9: The Ultimate Interview - silvermanmcgovern.comsilvermanmcgovern.com/.../2015/07/the-ultimate-interview-success-ki… · Interview A Step-by-Step Guide to Acing Your Next Job Interview

CHAPTER

3 Impress(ion)

Page 10: The Ultimate Interview - silvermanmcgovern.comsilvermanmcgovern.com/.../2015/07/the-ultimate-interview-success-ki… · Interview A Step-by-Step Guide to Acing Your Next Job Interview

First impressions matter

D r e s s t o i m p r e s s . Short of wearing a

tuxedo or evening gown, it’s difficult to

overdress for your interview.

Look your best. Looking good boosts your

confidence, and confidence implies

competence.

H a n d s h a k e s a n d e y e c o n t a c t

show confidence and help build trust early in

an interaction. Don’t stare at your feet and go

in with a firm handshake.

B r i n g e n o u g h t o s h a r e . Have

multiple copies of your resume on hand. You

never know when another member of the team

will pop into the interview. Having multiple

copies shows preparation and forethought.

…We make a reasonably accurate assessment of a person from observing just a few seconds, or a ‘thin slice’, of their behavior.

Source: “Acting on impulse,” The Guardian, 4.6.2009

“ ”

*Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Page 11: The Ultimate Interview - silvermanmcgovern.comsilvermanmcgovern.com/.../2015/07/the-ultimate-interview-success-ki… · Interview A Step-by-Step Guide to Acing Your Next Job Interview

CHAPTER

4 Perform

Page 12: The Ultimate Interview - silvermanmcgovern.comsilvermanmcgovern.com/.../2015/07/the-ultimate-interview-success-ki… · Interview A Step-by-Step Guide to Acing Your Next Job Interview

How to perform like a pro

B o d y l a n g u a g e s p e a k s v o l u m e s . An open, upright posture

conveys confidence and comfortability. Avoid hunching and crossing your

arms or legs. Look up and make eye contact when speaking rather than

staring at your resume or off to the side.

B e c l e a r , c o n c i s e a n d c o n f i d e n t . Stories about your past

experience should have a clear beginning, middle and end. They should

be relevant to the job being offered as well as short and to the point. If

you feel nervous, relax and speak more slowly, more carefully. Not only

will this give you time to think, it will make you appear more confident.

Page 13: The Ultimate Interview - silvermanmcgovern.comsilvermanmcgovern.com/.../2015/07/the-ultimate-interview-success-ki… · Interview A Step-by-Step Guide to Acing Your Next Job Interview

How to perform cont’d…

I t ’ s a l l a b o u t t h e m . Yes, you are the one being asked all of the

questions. But interviews, and your answers, are really all about the company.

Every company with a job opening has a need. Your job is to show you can

meet that need. You need to speak to how your skills and experience will make

your future boss’s life easier and help the company reach its goals.

B e c u r i o u s . All interviews will include a chance for you to ask a few

questions of your own. Don’t waste the opportunity. Ask questions that

validate your qualifications and reveal information about the employer.

• What are some of the goals you envision for this position in the coming

year?

• This question shows you’re already thinking about results. It also let’s

you gauge whether your up for the task (but of course you are!).

• What skills would you consider critical to success in this role?

• You can then follow up with relevant experience you may have using

those very skills.

• What are your favorite aspects of working at Company X?

• Pretty standard interview fare. Allows you to hear some of the

benefits of working at Company X from an insider’s perspective.

• How do you see this position evolving in the future?

• Is there potential for growth in this role? Where does someone go

from here?

• What are the next steps in the process?

• You’re already thinking ahead and ready to get to work. Plus, it’s just

nice to know what to expect going forward.

Page 14: The Ultimate Interview - silvermanmcgovern.comsilvermanmcgovern.com/.../2015/07/the-ultimate-interview-success-ki… · Interview A Step-by-Step Guide to Acing Your Next Job Interview

CHAPTER

5 Follow Up

Page 15: The Ultimate Interview - silvermanmcgovern.comsilvermanmcgovern.com/.../2015/07/the-ultimate-interview-success-ki… · Interview A Step-by-Step Guide to Acing Your Next Job Interview

The art of the Follow Up

T h e “ T h a n k Y o u ” e m a i l i s a n o p p o r t u n i t y . Sending a

“Thank You” email is a given. Failing to send one says you don’t take the job

opportunity seriously. So be polite and be serious. Thank the interviewer for

his or her time.

But the email doesn’t have to be a bland, generic message sent because it’s

expected. Instead, it can serve as a continuation of the discussion you had with

the interviewer. How, you ask?

C o n s i d e r i n c l u d i n g t h e f o l l o w i n g :

• Relevant articles related to your industry and your conversation.

• More relevant samples of your work, selected now that you have a better

understanding of the position.

• Greater explanation of a point you felt was glossed over due to time

constraints.

• Careful explanation of any missteps you made during your interview. Note:

Be sure you messed something up and have a clear explanation, otherwise

your message will come across as self conscious and lacking confidence.

Page 16: The Ultimate Interview - silvermanmcgovern.comsilvermanmcgovern.com/.../2015/07/the-ultimate-interview-success-ki… · Interview A Step-by-Step Guide to Acing Your Next Job Interview

More from Silverman

McGovern Staffing…

M o r e v a l u a b l e j o b s e a r c h a n d c a r e e r a d v i c e

c o n t e n t f r o m o u r b l o g :

• 3 T i n y H a b i t s t o I m p r o v e Y o u r P r o f e s s i o n a l

N e t w o r k

• 7 T h i n g s Y o u r R e s u m e M u s t S a y A b o u t Y o u

[ I n f o g r a p h i c ]

• C o m p a n y C u l t u r e – I g n o r e t h e P e r k s

• H o w t o S t a r t Y o u r J o b S e a r c h : F o c u s o n Y o u r s e l f

F o l l o w u s o n s o c i a l m e d i a :

C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s ! You are now ready to ace your next big interview. We hope you’ve found our eBook valuable and can take the advice with you as you pursue your dream job. We’ve been putting people to work for more than decade and have learned some tricks along the way. Check out a few of the resources below to see all that Silverman McGovern Staffing has to offer.


Top Related