Interviewing SkillsInterviewing Skills

Arun John Mathias

InterviewingInterviewing --What is it?What is it?- A structured meeting betweenyou and an employer

- Interviewing is a skill - likeriding your bike

- PRACTICE makes PERFECT

- A structured meeting betweenyou and an employer

- Interviewing is a skill - likeriding your bike

- PRACTICE makes PERFECT

Interviewing is a twoInterviewing is a two--way processway process

- Employers are attemptingto determine if you are anappropriate fit for the joband their culture

- You decide if theenvironment is right foryou.

- Employers are attemptingto determine if you are anappropriate fit for the joband their culture

- You decide if theenvironment is right foryou.

Types of InterviewsTypes of Interviews

Phone: used as an initial screen ofcandidates or to narrow the pool of applicants

One-on-One: most common interview style andincorporates you with the potential employer

Phone: used as an initial screen ofcandidates or to narrow the pool of applicants

One-on-One: most common interview style andincorporates you with the potential employer

Panel or Group: allows many individuals tointerview you at once

Second or On-site Interview: this allows one toget a tour of the facility, meet the staff, andadditional questioning from different employeesand/or administration

Types of InterviewsTypes of Interviews Panel or Group: allows many individuals tointerview you at once

Second or On-site Interview: this allows one toget a tour of the facility, meet the staff, andadditional questioning from different employeesand/or administration

PrePre--Interview PreparationInterview Preparation Research position, company & industry Know yourself and be able to articulateskills, strengths, accomplishments and careergoals

Prepare necessary materials (Copies ofresume, photos, references, pen/paper allarranged neatly in folder)

Ask for directions (Use Google Maps)

Research position, company & industry Know yourself and be able to articulateskills, strengths, accomplishments and careergoals

Prepare necessary materials (Copies ofresume, photos, references, pen/paper allarranged neatly in folder)

Ask for directions (Use Google Maps)

ArrivingArriving Allow yourself plenty of time to arrive atyour destination

Arrive 10-15 minutes early at the site toallow you to park, walk to the interview, usethe restroom or just gather yourself

Allow yourself plenty of time to arrive atyour destination

Arrive 10-15 minutes early at the site toallow you to park, walk to the interview, usethe restroom or just gather yourself

Greeting & IntroductionGreeting & Introduction

Dress appropriately Your entry Smile Maintain eye contact Firm handshake Remain poised andconfident

Dress appropriately Your entry Smile Maintain eye contact Firm handshake Remain poised andconfident

Body Language:Body Language:What signals are you sending?What signals are you sending?Positive Signals

Leaning forward =interest

Smiling = friendly Nodding = attentiveand alert

Eye contact =curious and focused

Negative Signals Crossed arms =defensive

Fidgeting hands ortapping feet = nervousor bored

Lack of eye contact =untrustworthy

Leaning back=discomfort

Positive Signals Leaning forward =interest

Smiling = friendly Nodding = attentiveand alert

Eye contact =curious and focused

Negative Signals Crossed arms =defensive

Fidgeting hands ortapping feet = nervousor bored

Lack of eye contact =untrustworthy

Leaning back=discomfort

Types of Interview QuestionsTypes of Interview Questions

Standard ortraditional:

targeting your education,work experiences, and

career goals

Sample Questions Tell me about yourself? What is your greateststrength? Weakness?

Why did you choose tointerview with us?

What are your short andlong term career goals?

What did you like mostabout your last job?Least?

Standard ortraditional:

targeting your education,work experiences, and

career goals

Sample Questions Tell me about yourself? What is your greateststrength? Weakness?

Why did you choose tointerview with us?

What are your short andlong term career goals?

What did you like mostabout your last job?Least?

Types of Interview QuestionsTypes of Interview QuestionsBehavioral Questions

- These focus on youractions and/orbehaviors in aprevious setting

- Past behaviorprovides clues tofuture behavior

Sample Questions Describe a time you had tomake a difficult decision

Tell me about a time youworked under a deadline

What do you do when ateam member is not pullinghis/her weight?

Think about a time youmade a mistake. What didyou learn from it?

Behavioral Questions- These focus on youractions and/orbehaviors in aprevious setting

- Past behaviorprovides clues tofuture behavior

Sample Questions Describe a time you had tomake a difficult decision

Tell me about a time youworked under a deadline

What do you do when ateam member is not pullinghis/her weight?

Think about a time youmade a mistake. What didyou learn from it?

Types of Interview QuestionsTypes of Interview QuestionsInappropriate orunethical questions

- Questions which probeinto your private life orpersonal background

- Questions about yourethnicity, religion, sexualorientation, disabilities,marital status

Sample Questions Do you have aboyfriend/girlfriend?

Do you have adisability?

What religion do youpractice?

Inappropriate orunethical questions

- Questions which probeinto your private life orpersonal background

- Questions about yourethnicity, religion, sexualorientation, disabilities,marital status

Sample Questions Do you have aboyfriend/girlfriend?

Do you have adisability?

What religion do youpractice?

Types of Interview QuestionsTypes of Interview QuestionsQuestions asked by

the intervieweeTo determine if you arean appropriate fit forthe company andposition

Sample Questions What type of assignmentscan I expect within the firstyear?

What is the biggestchallenge facing thiscompany/industry rightnow?

What is the next course ofaction?

Questions asked bythe interviewee

To determine if you arean appropriate fit forthe company andposition

Sample Questions What type of assignmentscan I expect within the firstyear?

What is the biggestchallenge facing thiscompany/industry rightnow?

What is the next course ofaction?

General Interview StrategiesGeneral Interview Strategies

- Be prepared to talk about yourself and yourexperiences

- Master the art of storytelling- Provide specific and concrete examples of yourresults/accomplishments

- Remain positive, enthusiastic, poised, and confidentthroughout the interview process

- Be prepared to talk about yourself and yourexperiences

- Master the art of storytelling- Provide specific and concrete examples of yourresults/accomplishments

- Remain positive, enthusiastic, poised, and confidentthroughout the interview process

General Interview StrategiesGeneral Interview Strategies Remember an interview is a formal conversation avoid filler words like Um, Ah, & You know

Avoid indecisive phrases like: I think, I guess,probably, or pretty good

Think before speaking Avoid long verbose answers limit your responseto 1-2 minutes

If you do not hear or understand a question, askthem to repeat or clarify it for you

Remember an interview is a formal conversation avoid filler words like Um, Ah, & You know

Avoid indecisive phrases like: I think, I guess,probably, or pretty good

Think before speaking Avoid long verbose answers limit your responseto 1-2 minutes

If you do not hear or understand a question, askthem to repeat or clarify it for you

General Interview StrategiesGeneral Interview Strategies

Remain calm, relaxed,and be yourself

Try to focus on themessage you are tryingto convey--NOT howbadly or well you aredoing!

Remain calm, relaxed,and be yourself

Try to focus on themessage you are tryingto convey--NOT howbadly or well you aredoing!

Dressing for SuccessDressing for Success -- MenMen Formal shirt and pant Tie not much usednowadays

Polished formal shoes Neatly groomed hair Avoid strong colognes,earrings, and bodypiercing

Formal shirt and pant Tie not much usednowadays

Polished formal shoes Neatly groomed hair Avoid strong colognes,earrings, and bodypiercing

Dressing for SuccessDressing for Success --WomenWomen

Smart salwar-kameez or dress Comfortable footwear Light makeup and perfume Non-distracting jewelry

Smart salwar-kameez or dress Comfortable footwear Light makeup and perfume Non-distracting jewelry

FOLLOWFOLLOW--UPUP Ask good questions

Thank the interviewer

Inquire about next steps in the process

Ask good questions

Thank the interviewer

Inquire about next steps in the process

Final ThoughtsFinal ThoughtsTake some time to reflect

- Overall, how well did I do?-What went well?-What steps can I take next time toimprove?

Take some time to reflect- Overall, how well did I do?-What went well?-What steps can I take next time toimprove?

SuggestionsSuggestions Practice! Practice! Practice! Obtain a list of practice interviewquestions and jot down short answers Stand in front of a mirror and rehearseyour answers

Get a good nights sleep - be well rested andalert for the interview

Be relaxed and be yourself!

Practice! Practice! Practice! Obtain a list of practice interviewquestions and jot down short answers Stand in front of a mirror and rehearseyour answers

Get a good nights sleep - be well rested andalert for the interview

Be relaxed and be yourself!