Interview Skills

1. Interview Skills

2. Workshop Objectives • Typical Interview Structure • Behavioral Interviews • Interview Preparation & Practice

3. Typical Behavioral Interview ComponentTime • Introduction/Greeting 2 minutes • Employer questioning 15-20 minutes • Applicant prepared questions 5 minutes • Closing 3 minutes

4. Introduction/Greeting • First impressions count • Appearance is important • Good eye contact • Firm handshake • Introduce yourself • Slow, clear pronunciation of name • Make small talk • Practice

5. Employer Questions Will • address items on your resume • ask about behavior/skills you have Will not • be personal

6. Behavior Based Interviewing • Previous behavior predicts future behavior • Recruiters ask for examples that demonstrate your level of skill with a behavior that is important to the firm.

7. How to ace behavioral interviews? • Work on your STARs • S ituation • T ask • A ctions • R esults STAR provides an outline for answers

8. STAR QUIZ Review the question and answer provided • What skill is the question addressing? • Did if follow the STAR format? • Could the answer be better and how?

9. Effective STAR response? Q: Give an example of when you had to persuade others to your point of view. A: I was part of the negotiating team for my department when we negotiated our last contract. Let me tell you the bargaining on this one was tough; no one wanted to give an inch. But in the end we got them to agree to most of our demands.

10. A Better STAR ST:I was part of the negotiating team for my department. The supplier wanted a large increase of 8% A:I listened carefully to the supplier’s needs A:I collected data to support my argument on why 8% was unreasonable A:I presented analytical data to support our position for a 4% vs. 8% increase A:I also worked with management to change some requirements, so it would be less costly for the supplier R:The final agreement was for only a 5% increase, saving us $500,000. I learned the importance of really listening to the supplier, collecting and analyzing relevant data and getting management support of my plan.

11. Effective STAR response? Q:Give me an example of your ability to use analytical skills? A: I’m good at Excel and have created several spreadsheets to improve processes.

12. What is missing from this STAR? • Didn’t describe the Situation/Task • Actions are missing • Results are vague Interviewer will likely ask follow up questions

13. Prepare your STAAARs • Understand what skills the company considers critical to success there • Write Out STAAARs for each skill on your resume • Some common areas covered in behavioral interviews: • Leadership • Teamwork • Initiative • Analytical Ability • Creativity/Innovation • Problem Solving Skills • Customer/Client Relations

14. Other Common Questions to Prepare For • Tell me about yourself? or Walk me through your resume • Why did you decide to go to the Kelley School of Business • Tell me about a time when you had an opportunity to lead others. What did you learn from it? • What are your strengths/weaknesses? • What achievement are you the most proud of? • Why do you want to work for ______ company?

15. Tell me about yourself?(Walk me through your resume) Include • Tie your story to their business needs • Demonstrate 2 or 3 strengths related to position or why you chose IU • How you can contribute to company Don’t include • Personal/family information • Politics Create a 60-second sound byte

16. Why did you decide to go to the Kelley School of Business? • What skill are they accessing? • ST – Looking for X in a school • As – Steps you took to determine criteria was met • R – Based on X(s) KSOB was best choice

17. What are your strengths? • Relate them to the job • Give examples of where you have demonstrated them • How were they developed

18. What are your weaknesses? • Admit you have one • Identify what you are doing to improve or learned from this weakness • Detail the results or time frame expected

19. Need more time? • Good question, let me think about that a minute. • So, you are asking if….. • Can you repeat that question, please? • No one’s ever asked me that one before… • Silence is okay, too

20. How to prepare for an interview? • Research the company • Review your resume • Prepare STAR responses • Prepare questions for interviewer • Prepare yourself

21. Research the Company • Know the industry • Know the company • Know the job duties

22. Review your Resume • How do your career goals align with position? • Do you have succinct stories for each point on your resume? • Anticipate questions

23. Prepare your STAAARs • Understand what skills the company considers critical to success there • Write Out STAAARs for each skill on your resume • Some common areas covered in behavioral interviews: • Leadership • Team Work • Initiative • Analytical Ability • Creativity/Innovation • Problem Solving Skills • Customer/Client Relations

24. Prepare Questions for Interviewer • Consider multiple areas • Corporate values • Anticipated responsibilities • Employment trends • Measures of work performance • Work environment • Quality of work • Personality factors • Demonstrate your knowledge of the industry and company

25. Don’t ask if they hire internationals • Your goal is to convince them you are the best candidate, so Visa isn’t an issue. • Assure them that for internship/1st year they have no obligation

26. Closing • Always thank them for the interview • Clarify if they haven’t told you next steps • End with you are looking forward to hearing from them and really enjoyed talking to them.

27. Prepare Yourself • Appearance • Firm Handshake/Eye Contact • Smile appropriately and nod • Be confident

28. Summary • 3 P’s • Prepare STARs • Prepare questions for interview • Practice delivery

29. Questions • Any questions?

30. Evaluation Questions A – Strongly Agree; B-Agree; C-Disagree; D-Strongly Disagree; E-Don’t Know • This session increased my knowledge on what to expect and how to prepare for an interview. • The presenter was well-prepared. • This session should be repeated in future semesters.