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Acing the Interview

Acing the Interview. CAPT STEVE SEELIG, CHC,USN, (Ret). Objectives. Define interviews Explain how to prepare for an interview Discuss how to conduct yourself in an interview Discuss how to follow up after an interview.

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Acing the Interview

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  1. Acing the Interview CAPT STEVE SEELIG, CHC,USN, (Ret)

  2. Objectives • Define interviews • Explain how to prepare for an interview • Discuss how to conduct yourself in an interview • Discuss how to follow up after an interview

  3. “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” (Michael Jordan)

  4. What is an Interview? An interview is a meeting between two or more people to elicit facts about the interviewee. • Interviewer: • Check qualifications • Gather information not in resume • Perform in interview • Your fit with the company • Your motivation • Evaluate you • Interviewee: • Describe experiences and skills • Check out the company • Evaluate the employer

  5. Types of Interviews Phone Interviews • Group Interviews Panel Interviews • One-on-One Interviews

  6. Preparing for the Interview

  7. Research the Employer • Know which job they called you for and reread the job description • Know key information about the company • Search the internet • Talk with current employees • Talk to vendors or customers

  8. Telling Your Story Your Resume told WHAT you did; The Interview tells HOW you did it • Be prepared to sell yourself to show how you did what you stated in your resume • Create a monologue that sells your professional abilities • Prepare yourself for that “Tell me a little about yourself” question • Create a “30-second commercial”

  9. “30-Second Commercial” Use the following template to create your own 30-second commercial: GREETING:Hello, my name is ___________________. EXPERIENCE and EXPERTISE: I have ___ years of experience in the ______________________industry with expertise in___________________ and _______________________. STRENGTHS: My strengths are __________________and ____________________________. ACCOMPLISHMENTS:I have been recognized for ____________________. JOB SEARCH STRATEGY: I am interested in expanding my experience into____________________________________.

  10. “30-Second Commercial” • Write a statement to describe the skills and services you have to offer an employer. • Use concise and clear language • Sell your professional abilities and experience • Emphasize your strengths and link them to the needs of the employer • Use descriptive statements or specific examples of your acquired skill and abilities • State the kind of position that you are seeking

  11. Interview Questions and Answers • Practicing helps with organization, focus, and sincerity • Be aware of illegal questions • Contact Dept of Human Rights or local employment office

  12. Don't Prepare Answers. Prepare Stories.

  13. On PAR • “Tell we about the time when…” • “Describe a situation in which you …” • Make sure your answers are on PAR! • Highlight your experience by showing: • Problem (problem/situation addressed) • Action (skills/tools used) • Response (result)

  14. Prepare Your Own Questions • You are judged on your thinking skills • Prepare 5-10 questions for the interviewer • Stay away from salary and benefits questions until an offer is made, unless the interviewer brings it up

  15. Dress for Success • You only get one chance to make a first impression • Look professional, confident, and competent • Wear the appropriate dress for the employer • When in doubt, better to be over-dressed than under-dressed

  16. Prior Preparation • Rehearse route to interview prior to interview • Be on time - 15 minutes early • Bring note pad and pen to interview • Have copy of resume and know what it says

  17. Be Aware of Body Language • Your actions, manner, and appearance add up to your body language • Body language gives off non-verbal information about yourself • May make the difference in a pool of excellent candidates • Applies to phone interviews as well

  18. The Handshake • Whole, firm handshake • No two handed shake • Use same method for both men and women • Practice, Practice, Practice!

  19. Eye Contact • Most powerful tool of non-verbal communication • Can be used by interviewers to judge enthusiasm, sincerity, and for possible inconsistencies in responses • Look directly at interviewer, but don’t stare • Look at the panel interviewer asking the question, but do not discard the remaining panel members

  20. Posture • Indicates level of interest • Sit erect and lean forward while interviewer is talking • Knees together and feet flat, back straight

  21. Use Natural Gestures • Use normal hand gestures if you do so while talking • Don’t go overboard with hand gestures • Be aware of nervous habits • Rehearse in a mirror

  22. Be an Active Listener • Concentrate on what the Interviewer is saying • If you are unsure of a question, paraphrase the question, ask for confirmation before proceeding

  23. Articulate! • Speak clearly and at a natural pace • Compose your answer, pause, breath and answer the question • Make your answers sound natural and not like they are being read from a script • Rehearse your responses to increase confidence in your answers • Stay away from acronyms and the use of jargon

  24. Interviewer’s Body Language • Indicator of the interviewer’s level of interest/engagement • Adjust your responses based upon interviewer’s body language

  25. Ending the Interview Gracefully • First impression is important, but last impression tends to linger • Watch your body language • Keep head up • Smile • Maintain eye contact • Ask for business card • Make your notes • Consider what you still want to say

  26. Practice Interview Questions and Answers • Work in triads • Take turns answering the question on the 3x5 card • Answer questions using PAR • Observers: give feedback and add any additional answers • Spend 5 minutes per person YRRP Website for Handouts: Acing the Interview http://www.yellowribbon.mil/event-support

  27. Thank You Notes • A professional MUST • Send it by email or snail mail • An opportunity to give additional information and your interest in the position • Contact references

  28. Analyze Your Performance • Not every interview is successful, but every interview is a chance to improve! YRRP Website for Handouts: Acing the Interview http://www.yellowribbon.mil/event-support

  29. Objectives • Define interviews • Explain how to prepare for an interview • Discuss how to conduct yourself in an interview • Discuss how to follow up after an interview

  30. Acing the Interview FACILITATOR’S NAME Date

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