interviewing part 1: what employers want
DESCRIPTION
Interviewing Part 1: What employers want. Waukesha County Technical College Career Center. Topics Covered. Plan for the Interview Types of Interviews Challenging Questions Asking Questions Close the Interview Action Plan. How to Secure the Interview. Prepare an Effective Resume - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
INTERVIEWING PART 1:WHAT EMPLOYERS WANT
WAUKESHA COUNTY TECHNICAL COLLEGECAREER CENTER
TOPICS COVERED
Plan for the InterviewTypes of InterviewsChallenging QuestionsAsking QuestionsClose the Interview Action Plan
HOW TO SECURE THE INTERVIEW
PREPARE AN EFFECTIVE RESUMENETWORK
HOW TO WIN THE INTERVIEW
Market yourself with your resume and network
Highlight your key skills and accomplishments for the position. (Be prepared to give a specific example of when you used the skill.)
Show how your past responsibilities make you a good fit for the position.
Grab the employer’s attention. Why should the employer hire you?
PLANNING FO
R THE
INTERVIEW
• Review the job description to identify the skills and experience needed to perform successfully on the job.
• Research the company
• Identify what you want to highlight about your background.
REFERENCESWho will be your reference? Past supervisors are a preferred reference
Have a conversation with your references. Discuss :
The new position and responsibilities Your strengths that are an asset for the new job Areas of improvement
PRESENTING YOURSELF
Be on time! Speak clearly and be specific. Take the time to think of a good structured
answer. Practice! Practice! Practice! Ask for clarification if you don’t understand
the question. Dress for the interview.
WHAT NOT TO BRING TO THE INTERVIEWCoffee/soda/water bottleGumCell phoneiPodHatPiercings (leave at home)Tattoos (cover)Cologne/perfume
WHAT TO BRING TO THE INTERVIEWFolderJob description3 copies of your resumeList of referencesPaper and penFresh breath
3 ATTRIBUTES EMPLOYERS VALUE
1. Enthusiasm
2. Initiative
3. Contribution to Employer
STRUCTURE OF THE INTERVIEWTell me about yourselfOpportunity questionsWeakness questionsQuestions to askAsk about the next stepClosing
TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF
Basic introduction of who you are and what you are looking for.
Used at networking events, career fairs and interviews.
Also known as “Elevator Pitch”.
ELEVATOR PITCH OUTLINE• Who are you?
• What is your job objective?
• What are your major accomplishments/ passions/unique skills?
TYPES OF
INTERVIEWS/QUESTIO
NSTelephone
Prescreening TraitConversationalGut-FeelSituationalBehavioral
TELEPHONE PRESCREENING INTERVIEW
Phone interview tips
TRAIT INTERVIEW QUESTIONSWhat are your personal strengths ?Questions are more about you rather than
skills.
Types of questions: Are you an organized person? List your strengths. Are you adaptable?
CONVERSATIONAL INTERVIEW The interviewer is relaxed and talkative – more
like a conversation. Hopes to make you comfortable to share or
reveal information. Not a structured interview.
Recommendations: Maintain your professional demeanor Present your answers to highlight your strengths and
skills Give examples of past work experience.
GUT – FEEL (STRESS) INTERVIEW Interviewer decides on a candidate based
on 1st impressions. Not a structured interview. Emphasis on your personality-how do you
handle stress? Do they like you?
Recommendations Maintain your composure Look for opportunities to sell your skills or give
examples of your past accomplishments.
SITUATIONAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS The interviewer may give you a work
situation and ask you what you would do. You will be asked to solve a problem that
may occur at work.
Recommendations: Take notes and take your time to understand the
situation. Ask questions if you need more details to solve. Formulate an answer and back it up with examples of
past work situations that were similar.
BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONSThe interviewer is looking for examples of
your past performance to assess how you will perform in similar circumstances on the new job.
Types of questions:Tell me about a time when…..Give me an example of ..….
ANSWERING BEHAVIORAL QUESTIONS
Provide:Trait/StrengthWork situation when you used this strengthAction takenResultSample Behavioral Answer
WHAT DO EMPLO
YERS
LOOK FO
R?
THE QUESTIO
NS EMPLO
YERS L
IKE TO ASK
.
CHALLENGING QUESTIO
NS
WeaknessSalaryBackground
WEAKNESSES
Keep your answer brief.
Turn the answer to talk about how you compensated or improved.
Prepare an answer to demonstrate your ability to learn from your past experiences. (weaknesses)
CHALLENGING QUESTIONSWhat are your weaknesses?Tell me how you handled a difficult
situation with a co-worker.Have you ever been convicted of a
crime?What are your salary requirements?
ASKING QUESTIONS
HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT…
PREPARE QUESTIONS TO ASK
What do you want to know about working for the company, the job or responsibilities?
What are the challenges of the position?Is the company growing?Ask your question to get a description by
asking “How do you go about…..?”
CLOSING TH
E INTERVIEW
SELLING YO
UR QUALIFICATI
ONS
3 STEPS TO “CLOSE THE DEAL”
1. I am very interested in this position with XYZ company.
2. As we discussed, I have the qualifications.
3. How do you view me as an employee here?
NEXT STEP
What is the next step in this interviewing process?
SEND A THANK YOU EMAIL AND
LETTERSend an email to thank the interviewer.
Follow with a “thank you” letter in the mail.
Remind the employer of the skills you offer.
ACTION PLAN1. Attend Interviewing Part II: Win the
Interview
2. Review the job description.
3. Research the company.
4. Prepare answers.
5. Contact references.