Mastering Job Interviews: Strategies for Success

2. “All the world’s a stage.” William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

3. OBJECTIVES Conduct company specific research for interview preparation Prepare a personal commercial to sell skills and tie them to a target job Identify pre-interview preparation activities including creating an interview portfolio and practice interview questions

4. Explain key areas of employee rights and how to respond to discriminatory questions Describe specific statements and behaviors to exhibit at the close of an interview and job offer Discuss salary negotiation strategies OBJECTIVES (cont.)

5. THE TARGETED JOB Leads you through the process of identifying open positions Identifies Where you want to work Who you want to work for What position you want Ultimate goal of a job search is to secure an interview and job offer

6. COMPANY SPECIFIC RESEARCH Conduct research prior to interview Research better prepares you for interview, increases confidence, and provides greater advantage over other candidates Sources include: Company web site, brochures, materials Internet search Industry journals Interviews with current employees and business leaders

7. COMPANY SPECIFIC RESEARCH Identify as much as you can about The target company Its administrators Department of the target job Identify if the company is the right fit for you and your career goals Share specific research information during the interview

8. THE PERSONAL COMMERCIAL Personal Commercial: a brief career biography that conveys your career choice, knowledge, skills, strengths, abilities, and experiences that make you uniquely qualified Sells skills and ties these skills to the target job in a brief two minute statement Adapt statement to the requirements for each target job

9. THE PERSONAL COMMERCIAL Do not include personal information such as marital status, hobbies, or other private information Include career objective information Use personal commercial at beginning of interview Restate at end of interview

10. THE INVITATION TO INTERVIEW Most invitations occur via phone or e-mail Regularly check and respond to phone and e-mail messages Maintain a professional voice mail message and e-mail address

11. THE INVITATION TO INTERVIEW Attempt to identify With whom you will interview How much time is scheduled for the interview How many applicants are being called to interview Be friendly, respectful, and professional Try to arrange interview at time that puts you at advantage First and last are most memorable Morning is best

12. THE INTERVIEW PORTFOLIO Interview Portfolio: small folder containing relevant documents that are taken to an interview Use business portfolio or paper folder with pockets Include: copies of résumé, cover letter, reference list, generic application, and personal commercial Also include a calendar, note paper, a pen, and personal business cards

13. PRACTICE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS Important pre-interview activity Practice answering common interview questions in front of mirror or video camera Analyze responses Selling skills Projecting professional image Nervous gestures

14. PRACTICE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

15. PRACTICE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

16. TALK IT OUT Identify the most difficult questions to answer and formulate appropriate responses that sell your skills

17. PRE-INTERVIEW PRACTICE Practice day Arrive at interview location (company) Walk to specific interview office (do not go into office) Note nearest public restroom Interview attire—clean and professional Thank-you notes Interview portfolio: Résumé Note pad and pen Reference list Generic application Copies of pertinent documents

18. THE DAY OF THE INTERVIEW Look in the mirror Ensure professional appearance If you smoke, refrain from smoking prior to the interview Arrive 15 minutes early Go to the restroom and freshen up Enter meeting location 5 minutes early

19. THE DAY OF THE INTERVIEW • Make every interaction positive • Introduce yourself to the receptionist • Be sincere • Take a seat and relax • Use positive self-talk • From the minute you enter the building, assume your interview has begun

20. THE INTERVIEW • Communicate confidence • Communicate how your knowledge, skills, and abilities will be an asset to the company • Stand, extend a smile and handshake • Clearly and slowly state your name • Listen carefully to the individual’s name • The interview may be conducted several ways: • One person • Several individuals (panel interview) • Testing

21. THE INTERVIEW • Do not be seated until invited to do so • Decline a drink • After being seated, write down names • Inject names into conversation • Look for conversation cues

22. THE INTERVIEW Body language Watch yours Watch individuals conducting interview Sit up straight, sit back in chair, and relax Be calm but alert Keep hands folded on lap or ready to take notes Do not lean on furniture Make eye contact, but don’t stare at the interviewer

23. THE INTERVIEWWhen Asked a Question Listen carefully Take a few seconds to think and digest question Formulate an answer Answers should relate back to the job qualifications and/or job duties The goal is to convey to interviewer how your skills will assist the company Keep answers brief, but complete Your job is to sell yourself When possible, inject company information

24. THE INTERVIEW When Asked a Question (cont.) “Talk about yourself” = personal commercial When possible, share job samples When possible, share company research findings Do not provide personal information Relate answers back to the target job

25. PHONE INTERVIEWS First interview may take place over the phone Some prearranged, others are scheduled Consistently answer phone professionally, keeping interview portfolio within easy reach Try to be as accommodating as possible During a phone interview: Be professional and prepared Be concise with communication Be polite

26. INTERVIEW METHODS One-on-one interviews: involve meeting between applicant and a company rep Group Interviews: involve several applicants interviewing with each other while being observed by company reps Panel Interviews: involve applicant meeting with several company employees at the same time

27. TYPES OF INTERVIEW QUESTIONS Structured interview questions: address job-related issues where each applicant is asked the same question(s) Unstructuredinterview questions: a probing, open-ended question designed to identify if candidate can appropriately sell his/her skills Behavioral interview questions: designed for candidates to share a past work experience to demonstrate qualifications

28. DISCRIMINATION AND EMPLOYEE RIGHTS Title VII of the Civil Rights Act Created to protect the rights of employees Prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin Other laws that prohibit pay equity and discrimination Individuals over 40 years of age Individuals with disabilities Individuals who are pregnant Other areas

29. DISCRIMINATION AND EMPLOYEE RIGHTS Employers have a legal obligation to provide every qualified candidate an equal opportunity to interview Discriminatory questions are illegal If asked illegal or discriminatory questions: Do not directly answer question Address the issue Protect your rights It is inappropriate to disclose personal information Avoid making comments referring to: Marital status Children Religion Age Any other area of protected rights

30. TALK IT OUT Role-play an interview; during the interview, ask one legal question and one illegal question with confidence but in a non-offensive manner

31. TOUGH QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Negative work-related experiences Potentially devastating if not handled properly Fired Poor performance evaluation Poor/no job reference Behaved in a negative manner prior to leaving old job If not asked, don’t disclose Only exception is if current/former boss has potential to provide a negative reference Tell interviewer Request another manager or coworker be contacted

32. TOUGH QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Be honest State the facts Tell interviewer that you have matured and realized that you did not handle the situation appropriately Do not speak poorly of current/previous employer, boss, or coworker Do not place blame on who was right or wrong Every experience is a learning experience

33. CLOSING THE INTERVIEW At close of interview, you may be asked if you have any questions Have question(s) prepared Current event Portfolio information Do not ask selfish questions regarding salary, benefits, vacations, or general company questions Restate personal commercial Ask for the job The purpose of the job interview is to sell yourself An interview isn’t successful if you don’t close the sale

34. CLOSING THE INTERVIEW Interviewer will signal that interview is over Hand interviewer your personal business card Secure a business card Shake hands Thank him or her for his or her time Communicate confidence, friendliness, and professionalism Immediately after leaving the interview, write the thank-you note Make a positive last impression

35. AFTER THE INTERVIEW Deliver thank-you note Congratulate yourself Prior to leaving company property, make notes Evaluate impression of company

36. NEGOTIATION Should hear back from company Second interview or job offer Reference checks Call individuals on reference list Interviewer may ask about salary requirements Sell skills Conduct and compare research to job posting Start a few thousand dollars higher than your desired starting salary Consider experience and/or lack of experience If offered unacceptable salary, use silence

37. PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENINGS Common screenings: Criminal checks Education verification Driver’s license history Security checks Employment checks Credit checks Reference checks Number and type depend upon relevance to the job

38. MEDICAL EXAMS Legally, employers can require medical exams only after a job offer is made Exam must be required for all applicants for same job Exam must be job-related Common exams include: vision, strength testing, pre-employment drug tests Cannot be conducted without your permission

39. WHEN YOU’RE NOT OFFERED A JOB Job search is a full-time job Do not be discouraged Evaluate résumé and cover letter Typographically or grammatical errors Listed important skills that reflect needs of job Have someone review cover letter and résumé Make every experience a learning experience

40. Review each step in interview process Grade yourself Pre-interview preparation Interview day appearance Interview answers Ability to interject company research into answers Maintain a good attitude WHEN YOU’RE NOT OFFERED A JOB