how to succeed in your job interview - international … your best but remember it’s not a job...
TRANSCRIPT
AGENDA
Understanding US work culture
Getting in the door
Informational Interviews
Interview roles and structure
Phone interviews
Leveraging the recruiter
In person interviews, how to succeed
Following up after the interview
Tips & Tricks (Final thoughts)
Questions
AMERICAN WORK CULTURE
Americans work a lot Average 2 weeks vacation per year Americans work 350 hours more each year than the average
European Tend to be informal – sometimes seen as disrespectful by other
cultures Interviews however, tend to be more formal then the general work
culture Communication style is very direct Enjoy debate (in general); expectation that you will speak up but
not be pushy
UNDERSTANDING US WORK CULTUREEtiquette for Meetings & Greetings:
Greet with firm handshake and make direct eye contact This shows sincerity, signals interest, and confidence
Use proper title and name at initial greeting They will let you know immediately how they prefer to be addressed
Be prepared to participate in small talk at the beginning of the meeting Suitable topics: Weather, sports, travel and food Avoid topics: Religion, politics, and personal matters
Americans tend to value their personal space Be mindful of spatial boundaries. They may give you a cue by moving further away
from you. Not to be rude, it’s simply a cultural norm in America.
Let’s Practice!
THIS IS HOW IT SHOULD LOOK:
GETTING IN THE DOOR
Utilize informational interviews Network Search daily Outreach to recruiters Post your resume online LinkedIn Job fairs
INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWSWhat is an informational Interview?Meeting where you gather information on a particular
company or career with a person who may be able to help you get a jobLow key, informal conversation2 ways to get one, referral and cold callGreat practice for the real dealhttp://jobsearch.about.com/od/jobinterviewtypes/
a/informal-interviews.htm
INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS STRATEGY
Getting Ready:Do your research, company, person, jobsPlan your strategy/questions based on how you got the interviewDress your best but remember it’s not a job interviewExpress gratitude first thing, they are doing you a favor
INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS QUESTIONS
Plan for 5 key questions: (what can’t you find out for yourself on the web)How did you get into the field?What advice would you have for someone starting out
in this field?Who succeeds in this field?What characteristics are needed?What do you see happening in this field over the next
few years?
INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS
Closing: Don’t ask for a job, ask for advice: let them know you’d like to
work there and are hoping to get some guidance on how best to do that Bring your resume If they don’t give them, ask for referrals: Is there anyone else I
should speak with?Whole interview shouldn’t last more than 30 minutes Always follow up with a thank you note or email, keep networkingGood article: www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/12/11
/how-to-land-and-ace-an-informational-interview/
INTERVIEW ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Interviewer Has to get information about your knowledge, skills and abilities, to determine if they think you can do the job, are a good fit for their team, company culture, or have potential for future roles/responsibilities
Interviewee Is expected to research the job and the company before the interview. Has to give information that shows they have the knowledge skills and abilities to do the job, get information about if they WANT to do the job, then sell the interviewer that they can do the job, & follow up
TYPICAL INTERVIEW STRUCTURES
80/20 Rule Give, Get, Give 5/50/5 10/40/10 2nd Round interviews are differentThe merry-go-round (long)Double check (short)Presentations/work samples/show your work
PHONE INTERVIEWS
Recruiters role •Determine if it’s worth the Manager’s time
Managers role •Determine if it’s worth other people’s time
Other scenarios•Group phone interviews• Recruiter and manager phone interviews• These are the same as an in person interview
What do they want to know?
• Can you do the job?•Will you do the job?• Can they afford for you to do the job?
PHONE INTERVIEW RECOMMENDATIONS
Don’t answer your phone if you can’t
talk, have kids in the car, tv or radio on, etc.
Smile and RelaxResearch the company, job,
interviewer, before the call
Ask about the next steps, or other possibilities?
Follow up
ASK THE RECRUITER Company culture
Dress for the interview
Background on the participant(s)
Time frame for their process
What to expect from the process
They’ve asked me to come in for an in person interview now what?
WHAT DO I WEAR?
Did you ask the recruiter? Research company culture on the internet Take cues from the pictures on the internet Professional attire, what’s that mean? Industry norms When is a suit not the right thing to wear? Hair, make up, shoes and jewelry (conservative) No smoking (if you do, be sure to wash hands before the
interview) Cover tattoos if needed (know the culture)
HOW DO I ACT?
3 C’s Calm
Confident in your skills and abilities
Control, of your body, voice, words
Authentic & Genuine
We want to know how you’ll be to work with
What you’ll say and how you’ll act
We assume how you are in the interview is how you will be on the job
AMY CUDDY’S TED TALK
Here’s an expert on body language:
Amy Cuddy TED Talk
AMY CUDDY’S TED TALK
Key take-a-ways for preparing for an interview: Interviewers will make sweeping judgment's based on body language
Interviewees are influenced by their own body language prior to the interview
When you pretend to feel confident/powerful you are more likely to feel that way
Practice “power posing” 2 minutes before the interviewit influences how you feel about yourself how the interviewer evaluates you
Make small adjustments in your body language during the interview, it can lead to changed outcomes
WHAT TO DO…
Smile
Ask if you can take notes
Sit forward Look the interviewer in the eye
Have a firm hand shake
Put your arms to the side or in your lap
Have the tone of your speech and facial
expressions match your enthusiasm
Look your interviewer in the eye, and nod your head occasionally to
show interest and enthusiasm
Cross your feet at the ankles
WHAT NOT TO DO… www.careerbuilder.com/article/cb-746-interview-tips-the-interview-body-language-dos-and-donts/
Fidget
Lean back in your chair
Lift your arms
Chew gum Play with your hair
Point your finger, or chop the air with your hand
Cross your arms or legs
Nod your head too much
Put your hands in your pockets
Don’t have shifty eyes
Don’t stare, remember to
blink
Don’t over share, keep each
answer to 2-3 minutes
WHAT DO THEY WANT TO KNOW?
Behavioral interview questions
Past behavior is the best predictor for future behavior
Positive and negatively framed questions
It’s ok to tell us you’ve made a mistake, we want to know you are human and you’ve learned from mistakes or problems you’ve encountered
STAR Answers Situation
Action/Task
Result
The Close They want to know that you want the job and expect that you will try to sell them on your ability to do the job
They want you to have questions
TALKING TOO MUCH OR TOO LITTLE?
How to read the signs: What is their body language telling you? Did they stop writing? Is the interview going very fast? Is the interviewer looking at their
watch?
HOW TO BE AUTHENTICGreat Articles:http://crosswalknc.com/my-best-
interview-advice-be-authentic/http://www.blueskyresumes.com/free-
resume-help/article/interviewing-authentically/
SUGGESTIONS FOR AUTHENTICITY
Your goal is to build trust with the hiring authority, if you lie to them
you’ll negate that process, we want the truth, even if it isn’t
pretty
You are human, we all make mistakes, don’t be afraid to admit
them
Practice before the interview how you’ll respond to negatively
framed questions
Understand who you are, what you want, and how to articulate it
We want know what you are good at and what you are passionate
about, but don’t be arrogant, share credit where it’s due
Be respectful of our time, be concise
Be curious about me, my company and this job, if you are not, I’ll think your not interested
Be open minded, this job might not be perfect for you but this company may be, or maybe I
know some one else who’d be interested in your background,
keep networking
Don’t show me how desperate you are for this job, it’s
unattractive
Don’t tell me about your kids, religion, favorite sports team, or weekend activities. Most of this
information is against the law for me to know. Keep the focus on your ability to do the work and your why you are a fit for my
organization
CLOSING THE INTERVIEW
Is there anything else you’d like to share about
your background or experience as it relates to
this position?
This is your opportunity to tell
me why you are the best candidate, I
expect you to “sell” your skills and
abilities to me or summarize why you are the candidate I
should hire
Be sure to tell me you are interested
in the position
Ask Questions: we expect you to ask them, and we never tell you everything, ask about the interviewer, company culture, success
factors
Ask what the next steps are and when
you’ll hear back, get business cards
from the participants
Unless it’s a final interview don’t ask about benefits or
pay
HOW OFTEN CAN I FOLLOW UP?
Sending an email thank you the same day as the interview is the best follow up, but within 24 hours is ok too
If you send it in writing, make sure your writing is neat and legible Send something to everyone you talked to, ask for business cards
so you’ll have the correct email/address Don’t send an email 1 week later Don’t call more than once every 2 weeks unless you are told it’s
ok Do follow up Send recruiter and interviewers request to connect on LinkedIn
FINAL TIPS AND THOUGHTS
Greetings (no kissing!)
Your goal is to move forward in the process
Questions to ask, is there anything about my background experience that needs clarification or that would prevent me from moving forward in the process?
It’s ok to ask for clarification if you didn’t understand a question
It’s ok to think about it for a minute and compose your answer
Work status authorization, there should be a question on the application about it, don’t bring it up until after they’ve made you an offer
How to politely refuse to answer a question, redirect, or ask another question
Insider information from recruiters
QUESTIONS??Lisa Franklin, Lead Employment & Recruiting ServicesTwitter: Franklin_LisaRFacebook: www.facebook.com/CaltechEmploymentLinkedIn: Lisa (Mendlen) Franklin Invite me to connect Thanks to Ilana Smith and Laura Flower Kim for
inviting me to speak with you today!
RESOURCESHand Shake Bias Article:http://www.ere.net/2013/08/05/the-many-perils-of-interview-handshakes-and-why-they-cause-
you-to-lose-top-candidates/Informational Interviews:http://jobsearch.about.com/od/jobinterviewtypes/a/informal-interviews.htmwww.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/12/11/how-to-land-and-ace-an-informational-
interview/Amy Cuddy TED Talk:http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are?language=enInterview Body Language:www.careerbuilder.com/article/cb-746-interview-tips-the-interview-body-language-dos-and-donts/Authenticity:
http://crosswalknc.com/my-best-interview-advice-be-authentic/http://www.blueskyresumes.com/free-resume-help/article/interviewing-authentically/