minnesota department of corrections 1 interview like a pro: how to improve your odds of getting the...
TRANSCRIPT
Minnesota Department of Corrections
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Interview Like a Pro: How to improve your odds of
getting the job you want
Lisa CorneliusCharles Dively
Minnesota Department of Corrections
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Agenda
Purpose of the interview What interviewers are seeking Types of interviews Preparing for the interview During the interview After the interview
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Purpose of the Interview
A way for both the employer and the candidate to have an opportunity to exchange information to determine whether the person has the knowledge, skills and ability to perform the functions of the job
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Interviewer Concerns
Content Skills: Does candidate have skills necessary to perform job in this field (i.e., management, programming, word processing)
Transferable Skills: Does candidate have skills necessary for handling work: managing, operating, coordination, communicating, etc…
Adaptive Skills: Does candidate have the personality and temperament for this job? Can she/he self-manage (assertiveness, honesty, open-mindedness, flexibility, adaptability, tolerance)
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Types of Interviews & Interview Questions
Behavioral Case interviews Industry-specific Open ended questions/self-evaluative
questions On site, telephone, videoconference
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Behavioral Interviews
Behavioral interviewing is based on the principle that the best indicator of your future performance is your past performance:
“Tell me about a time that you had to find a creative solution to a problem”
“Tell me about a time your work was criticized”
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Case Interviews
A case interview is the analysis of a specific problem or question
Demonstrates your ability to work through cases similar to those you might face
Each case typically lasts between five and ten minutes
Often scenario-based problem-solving activities designed to discover competencies
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Open-Ended Questions and Self-Evaluative Questions
Questions will be open-ended: You control the content Provide examples/substantiate How you answer can be revealing
“Tell me about yourself” Used frequently at the beginning of interview
“What kind of manager are you?” “How good are your analytical skills?”
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“How Would You” Questions These questions are used to demonstrate you have done the
job or you have a very good idea how to approach the work
Think about the job before hand
Identify the 5-10 most critical elements or work activities (interview a job holder if necessary)
Prepare your answer How would you create a work schedule for 50 people? How would you ensure that vacation schedules are fair and
allow for adequate coverage? How would you cut the budget by 5%?
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BEFORE THE INTERVIEW
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!! Know thyself Research the employer, job,
function, etc. Get a copy of the position description Find out who is on the interview
panel Prepare questions for interviewer Prepare references Logistics (time, date, location…)
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Before the Interview
You should
a. Make an accomplishment log
b. Research the unit you are interviewing
c. Write questions you want to ask the interviewer
d. Check out Mapquest and the DOT road construction site
e. All of the above
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Prepare: Know Thyself
You must PREPARE yourself to talk about your skills and capabilities intelligently and persuasively
Successful candidates know how to showcase their … experience and how it relates to the specific job on their resume and in the interview to demonstrate to employers that they have a strong work ethic, for example, or the necessary teamwork skills. It can set them apart from their competition
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Prepare: Know Thyself
Know your resume! Be able to articulately discuss every item on
the resume Be prepared to provide more detail about any
item on the resume Make sure your resume is up to date. More
than 1 page is okay, 10 pages is not!
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Prepare: Make an Accomplishment Log SKILLS
Ability to work together as a team member
Ability to analyze data Ability to act
independently Specialized skills
ACCOMPLISHMENTS I am frequently
requested to be team member due to my ability to facilitate discussions and resolve conflicts. A few projects I worked on include: Make a list for yourself
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Prepare: Practice
Write out answers Practice out loud Schedule mock interview Tape record yourself Practice with friends
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Prepare: References
Line up your references several weeks prior to interviews
Take a list of references and contact information with you, in case interviewer asks for them
Better still have reference letters with you Make absolutely certain the reference KNOWS
you’ve given his/her name
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Preparation: Logistics
The day before the interview Review where the interview will be held Check “Mapquest” to see how long it takes you to get
there Check the MNDOT website to check for road
construction and delays Allow an extra 20 minutes to get to your destination
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Relax: A Three Step Process for Stress Reduction Dr. Joyce Brown, a
noted psychologist suggest people use “square breathing” to relax
Breathe in for 3 seconds, hold for 3 seconds exhale for 3 seconds, repeat
Do this before the interview starts
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Attire and Appearance
First impressions count! Well groomed, showered, hair in-control Suit, conservative colors, well-fitting, comfortable,
pressed, clean No strong perfume/cologne, no flashy jewelry, etc…
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Prepare: Questions to Ask
Interviewing is reciprocal Prepare educated questions that are:
Genuine and honest Not too pushy
Do not ask questions about salary, personal issues, or uninformed questions
Instead, ask about the challenges facing Instead, ask about the challenges facing the manager and determine how you can the manager and determine how you can contributecontribute
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Questions to Avoid in the First Interview? What are the hours?
How much does it pay?
Are you flexible on the hours?
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Interview Do’s Arrive early/on time Bring copies of resume Bring pen/paper Wear something professional Be enthusiastic - Match your energy level to the
interviewer’s Listen carefully Take a few moments to think about your response Get interviewer’s business card Maintain good eye contact
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Interview Don’ts
Don’t chew gum or suck on candy
Don’t make up answers to questions you don’t know or understand.
Don’t badmouth current or former supervisors
Don’t fidget (watch nervous habits)
Watch “Ummms” Don’t be late!
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Be on Time
Arrive about 10 minutes before interview Being late is a HUGE red flag Don’t be TOO early – might inconvenience
the interviewer If too early prepare for interview
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What to Expect
Introductions and handshake Written questions read to you Interviewer may provide brief overview of position or unit You respond to questions (if it is a good interview, this is
the longest part) Most interviews last 30-60 minutes You ask questions of the interviewer Interviewer closes the interview and gives you information
about next steps - tells you when a decision will be made Thank the interviewer for his/her time
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PAR or STAR Technique
Use this method to frame your response in an organized manner Problem
(Situation/Task) Action Result
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PAR Example
“Tell me about a time you were on a team and a member wasn’t contributing?”(P) I was assigned to work on a project with a team of 5 others. One our our team members wasn’t completing his assignments. (A) I finally met with him in private, and asked if there was anything I could do to help. He told me he was preoccupied with a personal problem, so I referred him to his supervisor or HR, or EAP. (R) He not only was able to spend more time on our project, but he was also grateful to me for helping him out. We finished the project on time.
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Strategies for Specific Questions
“Run me through your resume”
Start with college and work forward, outlining your employment history, graduate studies, key accomplishments and transitions
Should take no more than 2-4 minutes
Be prepared to answer more in depth if asked
Highlight the activities and prior positions most applicable to the job in question and relevant skills
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“Why are you interested in this job?”
Hopefully you’ve done your homework
The interviewer wants to know why you are interested in their business versus anyplace else
Go beyond the superficial (reputation, industry leader) and demonstrate you’re a good candidate (emphasize your skills and interests and how they relate specifically to this person or group)
Show you know a lot about the employer and the job
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“Where would you like to be in five years?” Usually asked to determine whether you plan to
stick with the organization Describe new experiences you'd like to add in the
future building on the job for which you are applying
Avoid mentioning specific job titles “My interest is to grow with [THAT UNIT]
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Sell Yourself
Market your brand (Your strengths) Make sure the interviewers understand what
you have to offer Keep in mind which key points you want to
convey and make sure that information gets emphasized
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Listen to the Employer
Listen to the interviewer and make sure you understand his/her questions – ask them to repeat if necessary
Practice active listening skills (acknowledge, pay attention, make eye contact, etc…)
Don’t be defensive when asked tough questions
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AFTER THE INTERVIEW
Evaluate/take notes Send a thank you letter/email Follow-up Don’t be slow - do it immediately
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Evaluate
Take a few moments to evaluate your performance
Write down the questions you were asked
Consider where you need improvement
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Thank You Note
Thank interviewer once again for his/her time Restate your interest in the position Mention any facts you may have omitted On white paper no pastels, no flowers or
puppies
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Follow-Up
If it is after the time when the interviewer indicated he/she would follow up: Call or email to inquire as to status of job Reiterate interest
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IMPORTANT REMINDER
If you do not TALK about your experience DURING the interview, the interviewer cannot score your work experience. No matter how qualified you are! 10
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5 Biggest Mistakes
1. Not being prepared before the interview. Not enough practice!
2. Stressing out so your strengths can’t shine through
3. Not answering the questions thoroughly enough to articulate your knowledge, skills and abilities
4. Not asking questions to show you really want thatthat job!
5. Not following up after the interview
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Question
The biggest mistake that people make in an interview
a. Not dressing appropriately
b. Arriving late for the interview
c. Not answering the question completely
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QUESTIONS??