Interviewing: Any Questions?

1. Interviewing: Any Questions? A Brief Introduction to the Often Gut-Wrenching Business of Business Interviews

2. Interviewing Defined • Planned, face to face encounters in which at least one of the participants has a specific objective in mind • Specialized, purposive, dyadic interaction that consists primarily of questions and answers • Conversation with a purpose • Formality, strategy, Q and A

3. Types of Interviews • Counseling interviews • Employment interviews • Exit interviews • Grievance interviews • Performance appraisal interviews • Persuasive interviews • Group/panel interviews • Information gathering interviews

4. Interview Phases • Opening Phase --Establishing rapport --Determining orientation --Understanding motivation • Question-Response Phase • Closing Phase --Post-interview follow-up

5. Types of Interview Questions • Open/Hypothetical Open questions • Closed questions • Probing questions • Loaded questions • Leading questions

6. Legal Issues and Interviews • Equal Employment Opportunity Laws --more than 15 employees --more than $50,000 in federal contracts --engage in interstate commerce • BFOQ--Bona Fide Occupational Qualifications

7. Dealing With Illegal Questions • How badly do you want the job? • Ask for clarification/connection to job • Side step and neutralize • Listen for the fear behind the question • Is this a gross violation?---contact the company

8. Preparing for Selection Interviews • Review your own strengths and weaknesses • Practice potentially difficult questions • Research the company • Research the interviewer if possible • Anticipate requests --resumes --drug tests

9. Why Interviews Fail? The Northwestern Univ. Study • Style Problems--personal appearance, limp handshake, lack of eye contact • Attitude Problems--superiority complex, not willing to start at the bottom, no sense of humor • Communication Problems--inability to express oneself, nervousness, condemned past employers, couldn’t explain problems on resume