Developing Effective interview skills

1. Developing Effective interview skills Presented by Kevin George

2. What not to do! • Interview 1 • Interview 2

3. You Got the Interview! • You have an interview…..so remember – • You only get an interview if the interviewer thinks you can do the job • You are in total control of the information you give about yourself. • Be prepared…may have a group interview or individual • What is the interviewers objective ? • Can you do the job ? • Will you do the job ? • Will you ‘fit in’ ? • What is your objective ? http://www.ucc.ie/careers/students/FAQ/interview.pdf

4. Objectives • Their Objectives: • an opportunity to assess you and determine your • suitability for the job • a means of assessing your abilities/skills/interest and motivation • Your Objective: • To tell them Why you should get the job? http://www.ucc.ie/careers/students/FAQ/interview.pdf

5. Phases of the Interview • “Settling In” - relaxing small talk • “Business” - obtaining information about the applicant • “Over to you” - providing information to the applicant; Q’s invited • “Closure” - Interviewer thanks candidate and explains the next move http://www.ucc.ie/careers/students/FAQ/interview.pdf

6. Preparation • 15 minutes early gives you time to……. • Find location • May have a lot of people around so you need to look for them at the Conference • Relax & freshen up etc. • Read additional information • Have plenty of resumes with you to give each person if needed • Have job description in front of you and know who you will be meeting with if possible • Take in the atmosphere • Many people walking by and busy http://www.ucc.ie/careers/students/FAQ/interview.pdf

7. Having a Great Interview • Seven Steps to a Great Interview: • Step 1: Do Your Homework • Step 2: Build Confidence • Step 3: Make a Great 1st Impression • Step 4: Establish Credibility • Step 5: Answer Questions • Step 6: Ask Questions • Step 7 : Follow-up after the interview http://worklife.ucsf.edu/swe/pdf/InterviewPresentation.pdf

8. What Interviewers Look For • Confidence • Credibility • Competence • Step 1: Do Your Homework • Research • Web…Google it • Ask Around • Check it Out • Have questions from research that you don’t know or are curious about http://worklife.ucsf.edu/swe/pdf/InterviewPresentation.pdf

9. Build Confidence • Step 2: Build Confidence • Why interviews make us nervous? • (F.E.A.R., ‘what if’ worries, judgments) • A Little Anxiety is a GOOD Thing • Preparation Focus • Heightened Performance • Overcoming Interview Anxiety • (Preparation! & Practice!)Competence • Develop Rapport: BE POSITIVE! • Make it a conversation…not an interrogation • Free Flowing conversation • Use transitions to talk about your qualifications • Confidence not cockiness http://worklife.ucsf.edu/swe/pdf/InterviewPresentation.pdf

10. Make a Great First Impression • Step 3: Make a Great First Impression • You Never Get a Second Chance to Make a First Impression • Interviews may be won / lost in the first few minutes • What hurts you • Your appearance is all wrong • Men: Dark Suit, Collared Shirt, Tie, Dress shoes, Dress socks • Women: Business Suit or Proper Dress • Avoid too much perfume/cologne • Women keep makeup natural/minimum • An obvious lack of confidence • Nothing much to say • Lack of job / employer knowledge http://worklife.ucsf.edu/swe/pdf/InterviewPresentation.pdfhttp://www.ucc.ie/careers/students/FAQ/interview.pdf

11. Make a Great First Impression • Proper etiquette and posture • Introduce self and offer your hand in introduction • Fact: • Body language, including voice, accounts for much of a person’s first impression • Non-verbal communication • Channels of non-verbal communication • Eye contact • Facial Expressions • Be conscious of your expressions (may not know…we can tell you) • Don’t want confused or mildly hysterical look when interviewing • Body Posture/Gestures • Stand, walk & sit tall • Send signal of confidence/power • Don’t slouch or cross arms • Touching http://worklife.ucsf.edu/swe/pdf/InterviewPresentation.pdf

12. What not to do! • Interview 3 • Interview 4 • Interview 5

13. The Impression • Impressions are made by: • Handshake • How you sit • Lean forward (shows interest) • Eye contact • Look around during group interview • Smile • How you talk: Umm…Uh…Like….Well…. • Hand over mouth when speaking • Reinforce what you are saying – examples • Be positive about previous work experiences • Under-utilized Non-Verbal • Communication Techniques • LISTENING ! • SILENCE http://worklife.ucsf.edu/swe/pdf/InterviewPresentation.pdf

14. Establish Credibility • Step 4: Establish Credibility • Expertise and/or Trust • 3 Credibility Factors: • Words, Voice, Appearance • It’s ok to pause during questions especially for problem solving or situational questions http://worklife.ucsf.edu/swe/pdf/InterviewPresentation.pdf

15. Types of Questions • Specific • what subjects are you taking? • Factual Reply • Technical • If you don’t know the answer try to use the but technique • Hypothetical test your speed and clarity of thought • Open • these encourage you to expand • Closed • invite a yes or no answer, but expand where relevant • Reflective • enable you to deepen your response http://www.ucc.ie/careers/students/FAQ/interview.pdf

16. Types of Questions cont’d • Aggressive “Stress” • Used to challenge and test you. • An Interviewer will simulate in some way the difficulties of a job • Stay cool, answer politely • Weaknesses • Interviewers are influenced more byunfavorable than favorable • Pick a slight example and detail your campaign to eliminate the weakness. • “Incident” • Interviewers will sometimes take incidents `in your life and ask howyou planned them. • Give reasonably detailed answer http://www.ucc.ie/careers/students/FAQ/interview.pdf

17. Answering Questions • Step 5: Answering Questions • RESPOND, don’t REACT • Don’t make excuses, focus on strengths • Be Brief and To-the-Point (specific) • Don’t answer in circles and never get to the point • Avoid: “To be honest with you, Just between you and me, Well, to be completely honest” • “Rule of Three” • Show your skills, experience, competence • Take notes during interview about what they are saying http://worklife.ucsf.edu/swe/pdf/InterviewPresentation.pdf

18. Asking Questions • Step 6: Asking Questions • Take Your Time / Relax / Breathe • Follow-up on issues raised (due to listening) • Reference your research / homework • Sample Questions to ask • Can you describe the work environment in this office/dept? • What’s the Recreational Sports Program’s biggest challenge right now? • What do YOU like best about your job? • What do YOU like least? http://worklife.ucsf.edu/swe/pdf/InterviewPresentation.pdf

19. Follow Up After the Interview • Step 7: Follow Up After the Interview • Critique Yourself (easy does it…there’s good news) • Send a Thank You note (next day) • Set follow-up reminder (1 week) http://worklife.ucsf.edu/swe/pdf/InterviewPresentation.pdf

20. Mock & Phone Interview • Come in like a real interview • Can refer to a mock university • Dress appropriately • Treat us like you don’t know us • Will ease nervousness and prepare how to answer certain questions • BRING OUR YOUR PERSONALITY & SMILE!!!!! • Phone Interviews • May be done before the conference • Some schools will hire just from your resume and phone interview • Schedule a time that works for you and possible employer • Be prepared and treat as regular interview • If needed, ask for time to answer questions to think

21. What not to do! • Interview 6 • 2009 COC Hours: • Wednesday, April 112:00pm - 3:30pm • Thursday, April 28:00am - 6:00pm • Friday, April 37:45am - 8:45am11:00am - 3:30pm • Saturday, April 48:00am - 9:00am11:45am - 2:30pm

22. Now the Work is Done! • You are offered a GA or Full-Time job • Do you wait for others? • Ask for a timeline for the decision • Watch using other jobs as a bargaining tool • Now to weigh your options and make a decision • Go with your gut if you are unsure • Ask advice from family, friends, and co-workers • Ultimate decision should come from you though!

23. What not to do! • Interview 6 • Interview 7 Contact Laurie & Kevin if you have any questions!