The Job Interview

“Hey, I’ve Got A Job

Interview!”

What’s going to happen during the

interview?
Who is conducting the interview?
What is the interview intended to accomplish?
How long will the interview last?
Where will the interview be conducted?
How will I be evaluated?
Types of Interviews
One-on-one most often used
 Informal: Interviewer has a general idea of what will be
asked, but after first question, follows conversation
trend.
 Structured: Questions will be written out based on job
requirements, and will be asked of every candidate.
 Unstructured: After one or two questions, the interviewer
may sit back and wait for you to make the next move.
Group you will meet with more than one person
at a time
 Teamwork is important. They want to see how effective
you are as part of a group.
 Take it one question at a time
 Answer the person who asked the question. After finish
look around & see if anyone needs further clarification.
 Make eye contact with each member of the group.
The Job Interview
The most crucial thirty- to sixty-minute
opportunity you have in your job seeking
efforts.
The culmination of all your preparation,
including education, and the key to opening the
door to your career.
Your goals for effective job interviewing:
Get the job offer
Land a stimulating & rewarding job
Interviewer’s goals in effective job interviewing:
Can you do the job?
Will you do the job?
Will you get along with the other employees?
Interviewer’s Worst Fear
1. If hired, you’ll be incompetent. Or, you’ll need
too much time to learn the job.
2. You won’t take your work seriously and someone
must constantly check your work.
3. That you’ll be lazy, giving only the minimum
effort and have to be told when to do everything.
4. That you’ll frequently call in sick, arrive late,
leave early and constantly ask for raises.
5. That you’re a quitter and you’ll walk out when
they need you.
6. That you’re a constant complainer, a braggart, or
someone who blames others for your mistakes,
sloppy work, etc.
7. That you’re arrogant, rude, pushy, broody, or
moody.
8. That you show no pride in your work or
appearance.
 Interview Strategy
Have advance knowledge of the company and
the answers to the “Fear Factor” questions.
Know what the interviewer is asking and
trying to discover about you.
Be prepared to convince the interviewer you
can accomplish his three goals: 1) you can do
the job, 2) you will do the job, 3) you will get
along with other employees.
Most interviews are pleasant and friendly. Try
to enjoy it.
Knock Their Socks Off
 You only have seconds to make your best impression.
 It’s all about connecting; bond with people in order to put
them at ease. You’ll be more socially desirable.
 It starts from the time you first see someone (30 seconds).
 A first impression is an emotional, not a rational reaction.

Make eye contact at least Check your impulse to use

half to 2/3 of the time. other person’s name
Nod every so often. repeatedly. Never use first
Smile, even if not in name in interview.
mood. Fake social Radiate accessibility.
generosity. Show interest in others.
Be careful about Match speech cadence to
oversharing, i.e. other person. Listen
disclosing too much. closely.
 Think Like the
Interviewer
What kinds of questions
What does the manager will the manager ask?
want to know? That:  All interviews are
 You are the best person
different.
to accomplish his/her 3  However, since most
goals. interviews are routine,
 You will NOT become there are some routine
his/her “worst fear”. questions you can
 You will make expect.
 the company better,  Areas the manager needs
 the manager’s life easier, to know about you
 the manager become more  Education Experience
successful & look better.  General intelligence Skills
 Attitudes Personality
Common Questions/ Answers
 Tell me about yourself.  Tell me about a problem
 Highlight your you solved on your
background as it relates previous job.
to particular job.  Provide information that
 In what ways will your includes problems you
education or training help have handled, actions you
have taken and the
you in this position? results- premise that past
 Demonstrate your behavior predicts future
capacity to make behavior.
practical application of  Do you prefer to work
formal knowledge & alone, or do you to prefer
training. to work as part of a group?
 Double-edged sword; work
 Why did you specialize in
alone could be self starter,
your particular field? work in group could be
 Solicits clues about basic team player. Stress both
attributes.
value system.
Common Questions/ Answers
 What do you know about  In a job, what interests
our company? you most/least?
 Use company research.  Relate to the position
 Why are you interested  Describe your best/worst
in working for this boss.
company?  Keep it positive.
 Relate your skills to what  How do others describe
you know about the you?
company.  Personal traits &
 How does this position fit characteristics adjectives
into your future plans?  What do you consider
 Where do you see your single most
yourself in three years? noteworthy
 Demonstrate ambition, accomplishment in your
potential and flexibility. last job?
Questions
 Give me one good  Give me two good
reason I should hire reasons I should not
you. hire you.
 What qualifications do  What would you most
you have for this job? like to improve about
 If you were hired, what
yourself?
ideas/talents could you  What could you have
contribute to this
position?
done better on your
 What do you consider
last job?
 What can you tell me
your most outstanding
quality? that best illustrates
 What evidence can you your personal drive
cite that demonstrates and motivation.
your job effectiveness?
 Answers
Strengths Weaknesses - probing
 Identify your key  technical shortcomings
strengths related to job (knowledge & skills to
description perform job)
 Provide evidence of
 interpersonal
strength utilization (as
shortcomings (ability to
demonstrated in major
contributions, job success) relate to others)
 Compare yourself with  personal shortcomings
peers (co-workers, other (personal traits that
applicants) influence your
Pretend you’re the effectiveness)
employer, what Weakness control:
qualities match job turn into positive
demands.
 Your
Questions ??
Interview is a two-way Company Questions
process. Prepare Is there a career path?
questions. Or Where can I go from
Managers want to here, assuming that I
perform the job’s
hear intelligent, well- responsibilities?
thought questions. What is the overall
Company Questions structure of the
What are the plans of department where this
the company for the position is located?
What are some of the
future?
How would someone challenges and
priorities of the
with my background
company?
fit into the company
plan?
 Your Questions ??
Job Questions Job Questions
Were there any To whom does this
questions I didn’t position report?
provide an adequate What is the background
answer? of my potential boss?
Is this a new or What qualifications
replacement job? does your ideal
As you think about this candidate need?
position, what aspects What are the
of this job could be opportunities for
performed better? personal growth? Or If
What do you visualize as you were to offer me
the major opportunity this job, where could I
areas for this position? expect to be in 5
years?
 Your
Questions
Compensation Issues
 Never ask about salary. The company will discuss
salary when appropriate; usually reserved for the
second interview or when there is a firm offer. When
the offer is made, ask: Is there a sign-on bonus or
commission in addition to salary? How often are the
reviews?
 Benefits questions. Company benefits are often
worth 25% to 50% or more of cash salary offered.
Ask: When am I eligible for the plan? Do I have a
choice of benefits available?
 Negotiations. Everything can be negotiated after you
have received an offer. Know the market and request
consideration in terms of salary, benefits and perks.
 Legal Questions
Item Can be asked Cannot be asked
Age Whether you are Age, birth date, birth
above minimum or certificate, high-
maximum age school graduation
date
Criminal Conviction record, if Arrest record
Record it relates to ability to
do job
Disabilities Anything that relates Anything that does
to ability to do the not relate to ability
job to do job
Marital/ Nothing Anything
Family
Status
National Whether candidate Anything
 Tips
 Bathe and use deodorant-antiperspirant before
the interview.
 Bring only essential items to the interview (resume,
references, portfolio, datebook, transcripts of
college work, licenses, etc.). Organize items so can
refer to them readily in interview.
 Know location of office and how to get there. Make
a trial trip getting to the interview.
 Arrive 15 minutes early for actual interview.
 Be pleasant, polite and friendly but businesslike to
everyone you meet, including office staff.
 Check your appearance before going in.
 If you have bad breath, take a breath mint.
 Professional Dressing
Dress Up even if Casual
Environment
For women For men
 Wear a suit, skirt and tailored  Wear a suit, blue or gray, in
jacket, dress with sleeves, or conservative style. Blazer,
dress with jacket in slacks and shirt with collar
conservative style, color and but w/o tie are acceptable in
fabric. Be feminine, but few instances. Freshly
business-like. Do not dress pressed.
sensually unless sex appeal is  Shirts solid color; ties
part of the job. conservative.
 Hair in conservative style;
 Eliminate earrings, flashy
nails manicured, short to mid-
jewelry or strong after-
length, clear or light color
shave.
polish.
 Conservative style hair,
 Keep make-up and accessories
beard.
to minimum; less is more.
 Dress style shoes, polished
and repaired.
 Non-verbal
 Always offer your hand; use a firm, but not
crushing handshake.
 Use eye contact without staring; avoiding contact is
a sign of deception, disinterest, or lack of confidence.
 If a place of sitting is not indicated, choose a chair
closest to the interviewer.
 Sit relaxed, but do not slouch. Leaning slightly
forward shows interest, but do not lean on desk or
knees.
 Use hands naturally to emphasize a point; do not
cover
mouth, hold your head or twist hands.
Summary
Deadly Interview
Mistakes
1. Arrives late for the interview.
2. Indicates he is late because the directions he was
given were not good.
3. Looks disheveled and inappropriately dressed.
4. Slouches in his seat.
5. Does not maintain good eye contact with
interviewer.
6. Assumes he will find out about the company in
the interview. Asks interviewer “What do you do
here?”
7. Does not link what he can do with the needs of
the employer.
8. Brags about how great he is , but cites no
evidence.
 Summary
Deadly Interview Mistakes
9. Responses have no clear focus, seem
disorganized and rambling.
10. Is low-key; does not project enthusiasm nor
appear to want the job; what are you going to do
for me attitude.
11. Answers most questions with short “yes” and
“no”.
12. Appears desperate for a job – any job.
13. Calls the interviewer by his first name repeatedly
or uses the wrong name.
14. Badmouths his former boss and the company.
15. Gives memorized responses and forgets parts.
16. Asks “How am I doing? Are you going to hire me?”
 After the Interview
 Review & analyze your performance. Take notes,
modify any items to improve your next interview.
 Send a thank you note to the manager
immediately after the interview. Don’t put this
off!
 Make a return visit or a telephone call two or
three days after your interview.
 Reintroduce yourself and remind which job you
interviewed for.
 Add any additional thoughts you may not have covered
when interviewed.
 Emphasize your strengths for the job.
 Find out if a hiring decision has been made. If decision
has been made and you’re not it, ask for suggestions for
creating a better impression.
 Thank the interviewer for speaking to you & for his time.
 100 Marion Street
Liberty, MO 64068
816-792-2000
March 17, 2010

Dr. Richard Lambert, Recruiter

One World Center
2000 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10281

Dear Dr. Lambert:

Thank you so much for meeting with me to review and discuss my skills for the exercise
specialist position. I enjoyed learning more about your company and plans for the future.

The position sounds very interesting, particularly since it would be an opportunity for me to use
my skills in designing sound individual exercise prescriptions and administering safe, specific
activity programs. I am eager to develop and deliver exercise programs to your clients.

Dr. Lambert, I want this job. I can quickly become a member of your team if you’ll give me a
chance. If I may, let me call you in a few days to see if you have reached a decision favorable to
both of us. I look forward to talking with you. Thank you again for your consideration.

Sincerely,

(written signature)

Cynthia L. Smith