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Interviewing Essentials

Interviewing Essentials. Keith Munson, Career Specialist Strommen Career and Internship Center LL of Anderson Hall. Agenda. Set the agenda Interview Structures-what to expect Why Behavioral Interviewing Story telling and STAR Small group practice Questions and remaining ideas

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Interviewing Essentials

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  1. Interviewing Essentials Keith Munson, Career Specialist Strommen Career and Internship Center LL of Anderson Hall

  2. Agenda • Set the agenda • Interview Structures-what to expect • Why Behavioral Interviewing • Story telling and STAR • Small group practice • Questions and remaining ideas • Topics for additional learning

  3. What to expect... • First round interviews (screening interview) • Typically 30-45 minutes; sometimes an hour • Typically with one or two people • 1st round structure • Small talk (brief) • Questions for you • Time to ask questions • The Closing • On Site Interviews are a series of interviews throughout longer period of time

  4. What to expect... • Questions about your background • Tell me about yourself • Walk me through your resume • Questions about your education and goals • Why Augsburg? • Why your major? • What do you hope to do? • Behavioral based questions • Situations that demonstrate a trait of skill.

  5. Your Story

  6. Tell me about yourself • One chance to control/focus the interview • There are certain topics to include that will make your response more effective • Avoid personal background; focus on topics relevant to the job • 2 minutes in an interview; 30 seconds as an elevator pitch • Take 5 minutes to develop your “story”

  7. Tips for “tell me about yourself” • Start with your undergrad degree • Describe your path • What experiences have you had along the way? • How do they relate to the role for which you applied? • What transferable skills run throughout? • Explain reasons for moves/transitions. • When/how did you decide to pursue this career? • What do you hope to do going forward? • What do you have to offer?

  8. Why behavioral interviewing? PAST BEHAVIOR OR EVENTS FUTURE BEHAVIOR

  9. What does behavioral interviewing look like? • Examples: • Describe the last time you had to lead a team to solve a complex problem. • Tell me of a time when you needed to influence a group or individual. • Describe a project you managed from start to finish. • Skilled Interviewers will follow-up with several probing questions as you answer. • Interviewers want stories…..

  10. Interview story telling • Just enough details to give the listener a picture of what you were doing or how you work • Concise enough to demonstrate your point • includes important details • excludes unimportant details • Not too short; not too long • There’s a character that the listener needs to “see” in action • Leave enough for the interviewer to ask follow up questions…don’t start with the whole story

  11. S.T.A.R. Prep • S.T.A.R. technique is ONE tool: Situation-What was happening? Task (goal)-What were you trying to accomplish? Action-What did you specifically do? Result-What was the outcome? How did your work affect the organization or situation?

  12. Let’s Practice • Using the S.T.A.R. prep sheet, develop a “story” around the question, “tell me about a time you worked on a team and the role you played within that team”. • Take about 10 minutes to develop your story • Take 5 minutes to pair up with a classmate and tell your story • Have your partner use the S.T.A.R. evaluation form to give you feedback (5 minutes)

  13. Observations? • What did your partner do well? • What, if any, part did they miss? • What was the most difficult part to tell?

  14. Observations... • Is the story too long; too short? • What are the themes you heard in their story • Any skills keep appearing? • Any characteristics stand out? • Did their decisions make sense to you? • Do you have a sense of what they’ve done? • What are their strengths? • Confidence, focus on strengths (not gaps)

  15. Commons pitfalls of new interviewers: • Don’t give enough details for the interviewer to understand what was going on • Don’t give enough detail about what you actually did: many spend too little time on the “A” • Do not discuss the results of their work/actions; spend too little time on the “R” or forget it all together • Give too many details about the situation; too much time on the “S” • Any a question with a story that isn’t related

  16. Common pitfalls of new interviewers • Responses sound memorized; not enough practice OUT LOUD • Responses don’t seem natural/conversational

  17. Final tips • Focus on your strengths • Don’t be afraid to address your “gaps” • Make your story relevant to that company, industry, function, role • Note about Liberal Arts • Two approaches

  18. Marketing the liberal arts: • Employers want: • Communication Skills (written & verbal) • Honesty/Integrity • Teamwork Skills • Strong Work Ethic • Analytical Skills • Adaptability • Interpersonal Skills • Motivation/Initiative • Computer Skills • Detail-orientation • Organizational Skills • Leadership Skills • Self-Confidence • Liberal Arts teaches: • SEE PREVIOUS LIST

  19. Final Tips • Start with writing if it helps • Move to bullet points of most important points • Rehearse-over, over, over • Ad lib story to different speakers • Adjust story to answer several questions, but make sure you answer the question! • Practice out loud, not just in your head!

  20. Final Tips • Use pauses to think of your response. • Take a drink of water/coffee to give yourself a second to think. • Use behavioral examples, even if interviewer isn’t asking for them • Describe how you would handle a situation if you have not yet faced it. • Others?

  21. Final Tips • Evaluate your presentation (from your point-of-view) • Learn from your experience

  22. Interviewing Tips • Answer questions • Ask questions • Do not bring up salary or benefits • Get business cards • Close the interview • Arrive early • Introduce yourself • Be professional • Watch your eye contact and body language • May bring and use your portfolio • Leave your cell phone at home!

  23. Dressing for the interview • Women • Well fitting suit • Conservative colors (gray, black, navy) • Professional hairstyle • Little perfume, jewelry, or make up • Knee length, If wearing skirt • Avoid high heel shoes • Sheer hosiery • Portfolio, NO BACKPACK • Men • Well fitting suit • Pressed shirt (white, off-white, gray) • Conservative colors (gray, black, navy) • Professional hairstyle • Little cologne, jewelry • Traditional tie • BLACK dress socks • Portfolio, NO BACK PACK

  24. Sample closing statement I’d like to thank you for your time today. I’ve really enjoyed talking with you and would like to reiterate my interest in this position. The things we have discussed today have made me more interested than ever. And with my background in training employees and managing projects, I know I can contribute right away. I hope I have the opportunity to talk with you again about this job and I hope you give me a chance to demonstrate my abilities in this internship. Thank you again.

  25. Sum it all up: • Know what to expect. • Be prepared. • Rehearse. • Tell good stories. • Learn from the experience. You have to be prepared!

  26. http://cswl.pbworks.com/ Resume Rubric

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