Interview Skills

1. Interview Skills Beth A. Fischer, PhD University of Pittsburgh www.skillsandethics.org/aspet

2. Acknolwedgments Michael Zigmond Lisa Schrott Joey Barnett Jeff Fedan Michael Seminario

4. Outline • preparing for the interview • interviewing • following up • negotiating

5. Remember:you are one of a select few

6. The Interview The objective: transfer of information you them

7. What they want to know

8. What they want to know • can you do the job? • are you a good communicator? • can you work well with others? • do you have good social skills?

9. What will you want to know?

10. What will you want to know? • will I enjoy this job • responsibilities • colleagues • atmosphere

11. success What will you want to know? • will I enjoy this job • responsibilities • colleagues • atmosphere • will I succeed

12. Preparation is the key • collecting information • having answers to their questions • demonstrating interest in them • being able to ask intelligent questions

13. Collecting critical information • your needs • type of responsibilities • space, special facilities • equipment • staff • start-up funds • start date • (salary range)

14. Collecting critical information • current “market conditions” • environment • professional • personal • schedule for your visit

15. Basic info to collect: Academic institutions • institution • size, focus, when established, ranking • mission • students (number, type, background, quality) • where students go after getting degree • specialties • level of funding from grants • individual faculty in your discipline

17. Info to collect: Industry employers* • company age, locations, size • product lines, services, major clients • parent company, subsidiaries • major competitors • financial status • growth history • any recent news on company *Slightly modified from www.careerfair.com/tips.researching.asp

18. Typical schedule Arrival at airport Dinner Overnight at hotel Breakfast Meetings “Job talk” Final discussion

19. What to Wear

20. from Science Next Wave

21. Things to bring with you • presentation materials • CV or résumé • notes on individuals • list of needs, questions • copies of reprints visual aids pointer notes equipment services space startup $

22. Preparing your presentations • formal presentations • “job talk” • lecture to students • informal presentations

23. Preparing your presentations: The “job talk” • general organization • introduction 5 min • your research • rationale • methods • results • implications • summary & future directions 5 min • question period 30 min

24. Preparing your presentations: The “job talk” • anticipate your audience • discipline • level • knowledge

25. Talking about your research • make your role clear • and acknowledge others

26. Talking about your research • make your role clear • state hypotheses

27. Talking about your research • make your role clear • state hypotheses • know the background

28. Talking about your research • make your role clear • state hypotheses • know the background • be prepared to discuss specifics

29. Talking about your research • make your role clear • state hypotheses • know the background • be prepared to discuss specifics • have explanations

30. Talking about your research • make your role clear • state hypotheses • know the background • be prepared to discuss specifics • have explanations • fit answers to circumstances

31. Talking about your research • make your role clear • state hypotheses • know the background • be prepared to discuss specifics • have explanations • fit answers to circumstances • discuss future directions

32. More questions

33. Some issues • research • education • experience • goals • strengths • weaknesses • potential contributions

34. Anticipate and prepare for likely questions • do a self assessment • strengths • weaknesses • needs • potential contributions • determine your key traits (relevant to job)

35. knowledge skills experience perspective creativity enthusiasm good interpersonal skills fast learner team player self-motivated takes initiative... What can you offer?

36. Prepare for questions • identify examples to demonstrate key traits • Use the “PAR” format Problem (or situation) Action (what you did) Response (and impact)

37. Answering questions • be honest • be positive • recognize difference between private & public issues private public

38. Everything you say must be true BUT not everything that is true needs to be said Ari Fleisher Former Press Sec. G.W. Bush

39. Some especiallydifficult questions • Tell me about yourself. • What are your weaknesses? • Are you married?

40. Behavioral questions* • Do you like to work as part of a team or to perform alone at your own pace? • Do you respond better to a supervisor who works closely with you or one who expects you to work independently? • Tell me about a time when you were criticized unfairly. How did you deal with that? *Peter Berner. Don’t second guess a good interviewer. www.bizet.com

41. Preparing your presentations: Classroom lecture • identify well in advance • topic • audience • course objectives • duration • resources • practice

42. Being interviewed: Some other key issues • make eye contact • shake hands • sit up straight • show interest • don’t fidget • take brief notes if you need to • deal with silence

43. Asking questions: Some topics

44. Asking questions: Some topics • responsibilities • evaluation • resources

45. Following up • contact host • say thank you • express continuing interest • send promised materials

46. Summary • preparation is the key • collect information • develop answers • practice! • ask questions as well as answering them • be honest and positive