interviewing skills
TRANSCRIPT
AGENDA
1. Types of Interviews
2. Pre-interview preparation
3. During an Interview
4. After Interview
5. Suggestions and Final Tips
Types of Interviews
• Phone: for initial screening to narrow down the number of candidates
• One-on-One: most common interview style and incorporates you with the potential employer
• Panel or Group: allows many individuals to interview you at once
BEFORE THE FIGHT
Know Yourself
Articulate your skills, strengths, accomplishments, and career
goals
WHEN you are invited to an interview, the interviewer
believes you may be a good match for the job so wants to
know for sure
Know your CV
BEFORE THE FIGHT
Practice, Practice, Practice
Practice; don’t rehearse or try to memorize
Mock Interviews with friends/family on job interview questions
DRESS FOR SUCCESS
Dark socks
Neatly
groomed hair,
beard, and
mustache Avoid strong colognes
Neatly trimmed nails
GREETING AND INTRODUCTION
• Extend your hand to shake hands with
the interviewer Good, firm handshake
• Wait until you are offered a chair before
you sit down
• Relax
• Repeat names
• Strong eye contact
GREETING AND INTRODUCTION
• Wear a confident smile
• Keep your jacket on
• Most interviewers decide whether or
not they are going to hire you within
the first three minutes of the
interview, so you see the importance
of good greeting!
GREETING AND INTRODUCTION
• Greeting: “Hello” or “Good Morning”
• Your name: “I'm….."
• The reason you are here: “ I have got
an interview"
• Time of the interview: “at 2:00”
Positive Signals
BODY LANGUAGEWHAT SIGNALS ARE YOU SENDING?
Leaning forward = interest
Smiling = friendly
Nodding = attentive and alert
Eye contact = curious and focused
Positive Signals
BODY LANGUAGEWHAT SIGNALS ARE YOU SENDING?
Looking around and
at the other person
Arms and Legs open
BODY LANGUAGEWHAT SIGNALS ARE YOU SENDING?
Negative Signals
Looking down or away = Fear and nervousness
Crossed arms = defensive
BODY LANGUAGEWHAT SIGNALS ARE YOU SENDING?
Fidgeting hands or tapping feet = nervous or bored
Negative Signals
Leaning back= discomfort
Standard or Traditional
targeting your education, abilities, work experience, and career goals
Sample QuestionsTell me about yourself
What is your greatest strength/weakness?
Why did you choose to interview with us?
What did you like most/least about your last job?
What are your short and long-term career goals?
TYPES OF INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF
Your key accomplishments at previous jobs or college
The strengths demonstrated by those accomplishments
How these relate to the job for which you're applying
ANSWER: STRENGTHS
Hardworking As I am a hardworking person it is helping
me in completing tough tasks
Team Person As a team person I could understand every
one’s feeling and have an opportunity to understand others’ mentality
Openness to change This helps me to adapt to the given situation
BE READY FOR…
“Your greatest Weakness”
The best way to answer this question is to pick out a
negative that you might really possess but that could also be
seen as a positive .
ANSWER: WEAKNESS Perfectionism Where ever I am going and
what ever doing I would prefer perfection in my work.
Ambitious As an ambitious person I am
looking for knowledge in everything. If the organization is not up to my expectation I cant do full `fledged work
Intolerant to Dishonesty I do not support any one who is dishonest
So this gives me an opportunity to give my full effort to the company reputation
Behavioral Questions
- These focus on your actions and/or behaviors in a previous setting.
- Past behavior provides clues to future behavior
Sample Questions
Describe a time you had to make a difficult decision?
Tell me about a time you worked under a deadline?
What do you do when a team member is not pulling his/her weight?
Think about a time you made a mistake. What did you learn from it?
TYPES OF INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Questions asked by the
interviewee
To determine if you are an appropriate fit for the company and position, prepare a list of questions for the interviewer
Sample Questions
What type of assignments can I expect within the first year?
What do you like most about this company?
What skills are you looking for in this position?
What is the next course of action?
QUESTIONS
“DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME?”
• Thank the interviewer
• Request a business card
• Inquire about next steps in the process
• Ask some question related to the organization
environment and/or job description
FOLLOW-UP
Send a thank you note within 24 hours
Letter may be handwritten or typed; e-mail is also
acceptable
“THANK YOU” LETTER
Your Name Your Address Your Email
Date
Title Organization Address
Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name:
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk to me about the XXX position with XXX Company. I appreciate your time and consideration in interviewing me for this position.
After speaking with you and the group, I believe that I would be a perfect candidate for this position, offering the quick learning and adaptability that is needed for a diversified position.
I am very interested in working for you and look forward to hearing from you once the final decisions are made regarding this position. Please feel free to contact me at anytime if further information is needed. My cell phone number is XXX.
Thank you again for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Your Signature
GENERAL INTERVIEW STRATEGIES
• Be prepared to talk about yourself and your experiences
• Storytelling
• Concrete examples
• Remain positivity, enthusiasm, and confidence
GENERAL INTERVIEW STRATEGIES
• Avoid filler words like “Um”, “Ah”, & “You know”
• Avoid indecisive phrases like: “I think,” “I guess,” or “probably”
• Think before speaking
• Avoid long answers
• If you do not hear or understand a question, ask them to repeat or clarify it for you
GENERAL INTERVIEW STRATEGIES
• Remain calm, relaxed, and be
yourself
• Try to focus on the message
you are trying to convey, NOT
how well you are doing!
• Don't swear or use slang
words.
• Don't slouch in your seat.
• Don't smoke.
• Don’t lie.
GENERAL INTERVIEW STRATEGIES
• Don't be arrogant and assume you have got the job.
• Don't discuss religion, politics and gender relations or personal ones.
• Don't read from CV.
• Don't criticize former employers or colleagues.
• Don't argue with the interviewer, no matter what.