The Professional Approach to Interviewing

The Professional Approach to Interviewing The Key to Your Future John E. Babcock MNCM USN (Retired)

The Professional Approach to Interviewing Outline 1. The Resume 2. What is an interview 3. Preparation The Key to Your Future 4. Keys to Success 5. The interview 6. The Close 7. Post Interview

The Professional Approach to Interviewing The #1 Resume Myth: Wrong!! “If I have a perfect resume, that job is mine” The Key to Your Future There is no such thing as the perfect resume. “When we write your resume, (for a pretty healthy fee), you are guaranteed to get results”

The Professional Approach to Interviewing A resume has one, and only one, function…to get you an interview. The Key to Your Future The interview gets you the job.

The Professional Approach to Interviewing 1. The Resume 2. What is an interview 3. Preparation 4. Keys to Success The Key to Your Future 5. The interview 6. The Close 7. Post Interview

The Professional Approach to Interviewing What is an interview? • Job interview The Key to Your Future 2. Professional interview What’s the difference?

The Professional Approach to Interviewing The difference is how you decide to approach the opportunity. A basic job interview simply requires that you show up. The Key to Your Future A professional interview requires preparation.

The Professional Approach to Interviewing Preparation • Keep a note pad and calendar by the phone. • Have an appropriate message on your answering machine. The Key to Your Future • If you aren’t going to be home during the day, check the answering machine by phone at least twice a day.

1. Time to prepare: (if possible) Local – two days Out of town – one week The Professional Approach to Interviewing Preparation Notification that you have an interview. The Key to Your Future 2. Get a complete address and phone number of the office that you will be going to.

The Professional Approach to Interviewing Preparation Notification that you have an interview. 3. Get the name of the caller and the name of the person that will be conducting the interview. The Key to Your Future

The Professional Approach to Interviewing Preparation Interview Location 1. How do you get there? Traffic volume Parking Road construction The Key to Your Future Drive by the office the day before, one hour before your scheduled interview time.

The Professional Approach to Interviewing Preparation Company Information 1. What does the company do/make/sell etc… The Key to Your Future 2. Is the company planning any significant changes? 3. Who are their major competitors?

The Professional Approach to Interviewing Preparation Company Information 1. Internet 2. Newspapers The Key to Your Future Local (most are available on the internet) Wall Street Journal 3. Magazines

The Professional Approach to Interviewing Preparation Attire Men: Suit: Dark Gray or Blue (No Pinstripes) The Key to Your Future White or light blue, long sleeve shirt. Conservative tie. Black or dark brown shoes. Well polished. Fresh haircut a couple of days before interview.

The Professional Approach to Interviewing Preparation Attire Women: Dress, Knee length or lower. Dark, solid color. Pantsuit. Dark, solid color. The Key to Your Future Jewelry: Simple ear rings. One ring per hand. Makeup, no bright colors. Hand bag, not a diaper bag!

The Professional Approach to Interviewing Preparation Attire Cover any tattoos. The Key to Your Future Remove visible body piercing jewelry. (except earrings, and only one in each ear)

The Professional Approach to Interviewing Preparation When you arrive You don’t know what anyone there looks like. If possible, stop by the restroom and make sure that your hair is combed, makeup is fresh, etc… The Key to Your Future Smile and say “good morning/afternoon” to anyone that you might meet. Turn off your beeper and cell phone!

The Professional Approach to Interviewing When you arrive If you are asked to wait: Take a seat and look at a magazine if available. Do not read a newspaper. The Key to Your Future If offered something to eat or drink, politely decline. Don’t stare. Be aware of your body language.

The Professional Approach to Interviewing Keys to Success Interview success is based on three basic factors: Believability The Key to Your Future Likeability Trust

The Professional Approach to Interviewing Keys to Success Those factors are based on how you are perceived. Others get their perception of you from three basic types of communication: The Key to Your Future Visual(how you look) Verbal (what you say) Voice (how you speak)

The Professional Approach to Interviewing Keys to Success Visual 1. Clothes The Key to Your Future 2. Body Language Eye Contact Posture Nervous actions

The Professional Approach to Interviewing Keys to Success Visual Your personal appearance, body language and voice have the greatest influence on another person’s initial impression than any other factor. These traits provide others with information that can be processed instantly. The Key to Your Future Book “Put your Best Foot Forward”

The Professional Approach to Interviewing Keys to Success Verbal/Voice One study found that only 7% of a listeners’ impression of what another person is saying is derived from the content; while 38% came from vocal characteristics such as tone, volume and pace; and the remaining 55% was from the speaker’s facial expressions and body language. The Key to Your Future Be enthusiastic!

The Professional Approach to Interviewing Keys to Success Avoid using acronyms and slang. Don’t use a five dollar word when a fifty cent word will do! The Key to Your Future Speak slowly. Before the interview starts, take a drink of water to clear a dry throat.

The Professional Approach to Interviewing Keys to Success Before you walk in that door, clear your mind. There is nothing at that time more important than that interview. The Key to Your Future Let them know, before you even say your first word that you are the right choice. Be enthusiastic!

The Professional Approach to Interviewing An interview is: “a formal consultation usually done to evaluate an individuals qualifications” The qualifications that an employer is looking for are: The Key to Your Future • Knowledge 2. Work Ethic 3. Compatibility

The Professional Approach to Interviewing Basic Interview Questions RULES 1. LISTEN TO THE QUESTION!!!! The Key to Your Future 2. THINK BEFORE YOU ANSWER. • ANSWER THE QUESTION ONLY!!!! (the death pause)

The Professional Approach to Interviewing Basic Interview Questions Tips 1. Know what’s on your resume. The Key to Your Future 2. Your answers should begin with “I” (I can… I have…) 3. Humility and modesty may be best 99.9% of the time but an interview is the other .01%.

The Professional Approach to Interviewing Basic Interview Questions Question Types Personality Skills The Key to Your Future Reliability Illegal

Interview Questions Personality Tell me about yourself Some consider this the most dangerous interview question! This is your first opportunity to close the interview. • “WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO BEGIN?” The Key to Your Future • Do not go longer than three minutes • Do not get bogged down in details unless the interviewer asks you specific questions • Be concise and move quickly through recent experiences

Interview Questions Personality What do you know about our company? Are you just interested in getting a job or are you interested in working for MY company? The Key to Your Future “ I’m not sure what your company does but I saw your ad and I need a job”

Interview Questions Personality Describe a Weakness? Do not say “I don’t have any” Form your answer into a strength that the company can use. The Key to Your Future “I tend to be a little obsessive about my job. I really don’t like it when I hear someone say “don’t worry about that, we can take care of it tomorrow”. Give an example from your past.

Interview Questions Personality What made you leave your last job? If you didn’t have any problems talk about how you want to make this new company better “I am looking for professional growth and my last position did not offer the challenge that I am looking for. I’m not looking for just a 9 to 5 job, I want to help make a company grow.” The Key to Your Future If you did have problems, be honest. No Negative Attacks. Show that you learned from that job.

Interview Questions Personality Where do you see yourself in five years? Discuss what you will be doing to make the company better. “Once I learn all the aspects of this position, I will work to learn about the other divisions so that I can move into a position of leadership. I have seen others that only focused on their particular area and didn’t understand how the other divisions worked to achieve the company’s mission statement. I see myself in a position to make this company even more successful.” The Key to Your Future

Interview Questions Skills What is your best skill? No one is going to be in there telling the interviewer just how great you are….. EXCEPT YOU The skill should relate to the job that you are interviewing for. The Key to Your Future Leadership Technical Sales

Interview Questions Reliability Would you be willing to relocate? Never say “NO” They probably don’t mean within the near future. The Key to Your Future “Yes, I would be. For the right opportunity.” This lets them know that you are flexible if the right opportunity presents itself.

Interview Questions Do you have any questions for me? Have at least three questions prepared in advance These questions need to be about the company or the position that you are interviewing for The Key to Your Future Do not ask about money or benefits

Interview Questions Illegal It is illegal for an interviewer to ask anything of a personal nature that is not directly related to the job that you are interviewing for. Age Race or country of origin Sexual Preference Health Marital status The Key to Your Future ALMOST anything of a personal nature is illegal.

Interview Questions Illegal Do not get defensive “I’m not sure I understand the question” The Key to Your Future “That will in no way affect my ability to do this job very well”

The Professional Approach to Interviewing The Close The close of an interview doesn’t just mean the interview is over. The Key to Your Future While the interviewer’s first impression of you set the tone of the interview, their last impression can cement you in their mind.

The Professional Approach to Interviewing The Close “Mrs. Thompson, I am very impressed with everything that you have told me about Acme Widgets. I know that I can make a substantial contribution to your company. I look forward to hearing from you.” The Key to Your Future

The Professional Approach to Interviewing The Close Before you leave: 1. Make sure you ask for a business card. The Key to Your Future 2. Make eye contact, smile, thank you. 3. Firm handshake. 4. Say goodbye to others as you leave.

The Professional Approach to Interviewing Post Interview Have a pad of paper available after the interview to write down both good and bad things that happened during the interview. The Key to Your Future Write down the questions that were asked. Write down something that you both agreed upon to use in your thank you letter.

The Professional Approach to Interviewing Post Interview Send a handwritten card thanking the interviewer for their time and express your desire to become a part of their team. The Key to Your Future If you haven’t heard from them within seven days, call and ask if there is any additional information that they need from you.

The Professional Approach to Interviewing What is your responsibility in the hiring process? 1. Honesty a. In your resume b. Your past (legal record, credit) c. Commitment The Key to Your Future

The Professional Approach to Interviewing