Interview Skills Workshop Inuvialuit Career Centre

Interview Skills Workshop Inuvialuit Career Centre April 2006

Acing the InterviewAgenda • When the potential employer calls • Before the interview • A picture is worth 1000 words • Handling the interview • Types of questions • Common concerns & mistakes • After the interview

You’ve Got an Interview!When They Call… • Confirm the position • Ask who will be interviewing you • Confirm the time, address, phone number and a contact name • Ask is there anything you need to bring? • Is any preliminary testing required?

Remember… You and the employer are two business people exchanging information to help one another: • The EMPLOYER needs an employee to do a job necessary to keep the business running. • YOU need an employer to hire you and pay you for your work.

Prepare an Agenda • Outline your qualifications with relevant examples based on the job advertisement. • Identify your key strengths and relevancy to job • Gain information which demonstrates your knowledge of the organization or field. • Compile a list of questions you want to ask the interviewer.

A Picture is Worth 1000 Words • You want the interviewer to remember you, not your outfit • Dress one step above appropriate on-the-job attire • “Conservative” is the key word for dress, make-up, jewelry, fragrance, etc. • Do a final check of your appearance before the interview

Handling the Interview • Arrive 10 minutes early • Present a professional appearance • Bring copies of your resume • Bring your references • Bring your employment portfolio* • Be friendly, pleasant and business-like • Follow the interviewer's cues • Listen carefully to all questions • Ask when you may expect to hear about a decision • Have a reliable way they can contact you

Employment Portfolio • Educational & employment certification • Awards • Samples of your best work • Spreadsheets • Presentations • Programs you developed • Business letters, etc. • Performance evaluation reports • Recommendation letters

Body Language • Negative • Fishy handshake • Lack of eye contact • Bored expression • Inappropriate smiling /laughter • Nervous mannerisms • Too quiet/loud a voice • Cover mouth when speaking • Slumping posture Positive • Firm handshake • Direct eye contact • Open, relaxed appearance • Firm voice • Appropriate volume • Sit upright, lean slightly forward

Interview Tips • Many employers use predictable questions, so pre-think strong answers to them • Match your skills to the needs of the job • Acknowledge the facts • Give focused answers • Present your answers as advantages, not disadvantages

Five Basic Questionsfrom the EMPLOYER • Why are you here? • What can you do for us? • What kind of person are you? • What makes you unique? • Can I afford you? Source: What Color is Your Parachute? Richard N. Bolles, 2002

Five Basic QuestionsFor YOU • What does this job involve? • What top skills do I need for this job? • Are these the kinds of people I would like to • work with? • How can I persuade them I’m unique? • How can I get hired at the salary I need/want? Source: What Color is Your Parachute? Richard N. Bolles, 2002

What Are They Really Asking? “Tell me about yourself…” The interviewer wants to know: “How would you describe your background and how has it prepared you for this job?”

Traditional Questions • Closed • “Are you able to start right away?” • Open • “What are your strengths & weaknesses?” • Hypothetical • “How would you handle a situation where you have to report to three supervisors?”

Behaviour-Based Questions • You may be asked to give concrete examples of how you responded to specific situations. For example: • “Give me an example of a time when you…” • “Tell me how you…” • Give something positive (what you did or what you learned) out of every experience you’re asked to relate, even a negative one.

S.T.A.R. Answer a behavioural question with: • Situation –setting/situation? • Target – what needed to be done? • Action – what action did you take? • Result – how did the organization benefit? Relate the result directly to your action or involvement.

STAR EXAMPLE Situation: One time, while I was working as a customer service representative a customer was unhappy and complaining loudly that he had received the wrong information over the phone. Task: I was responsible for ensuring customer satisfaction. I knew it was important to learn the facts and to make a decision about what steps needed to be taken to resolve this issue.

STAR EXAMPLE continued Action: I knew I needed to calm him down to resolve the situation quickly. I asked him to explain his side of the story. I felt that by asking his side of the story he might calm down. After listening to him I explained our policy but gave sent him the item he originally ordered. Result: The customer agreed to my offer and I was able to resolve the situation quickly and to mitigate the potentially negative experience of the other customers.

Anticipate Behavioural Questions • Consider situations where you … • Demonstrated leadership - Handled criticism • Solved a problem - Met/missed a deadline • Increased profits - Worked as part of a team • Made a good/poor decision - Handled change • If the job includes making presentations, expect questions about a speech where you did or did not achieve your goal

Do You Have Any Questions? • Do your research and be prepared to ask some good questions about the organization and the position. • Some examples: • What would a typical day look like? • Do you expect the market in this area to remain strong? • If you had an ideal candidate, what skills and personal qualities would that person have? • When do you expect to make a decision?

Common Mistakes • Believing you must have this job • Misunderstanding the purpose of the interviewer’s question • Not knowing your skills • Demonstrating the wrong attitude • Projecting an unprofessional image • Not communicating effectively • Answering the wrong question • Giving unsolicited or negative information • Appearing indifferent • Discussing salary or benefits too soon

After the Interview • Replay your interview in your mind – how could you do better next time? • Obtain name and contact information • Send a brief thank you within 2 days • At the agreed time, call to see if a decision has been made

Quyanaq (Thank You) April 2006

Interview Skills Workshop Inuvialuit Career Centre