Interview Success

Highlights Purpose of the interview How to Prepare Types of interviews The Interview Process Q&A

Purpose To determine if This position & Your skills are a GOOD MATCH

Types of Interviews Traditional Behavioral Pre-screening Case (scenarios) Technical (math, computer) Stress (dead space) Phone Presentation to audience Committee or group Dining Interview

Why Should I Hire You? Quality of Resume Quality of Cover Letter Interview Performance Professionalism References Years of Relevant Work Experience Fit with Company Culture Relevant Skills Internal Candidate Candidate’s Familiarity with the Organization

PREP P repare 3-5 questions for the interviewer R eview 3-6 key skills about yourself that fit the position E stablish 10 examples to showcase yourself P ractice, Practice, Practice !!!

Self-Awareness Know yourself Be very familiar with your resume Be able to articulate your goals and strengths Have your presentation ready to go. Include: Your current position Relevant experience Your fit for this position Include recent and relevant accomplishments Why you have applied for the position

Position Awareness Know the company and specific position description: # employees, culture, philosophy, news, challenges/opportunities primary & secondary functions of opportunity

Role Play Role playing or Rehearsing the interview is key. Work on possible questions your new employer may ask, and develop clear and concise answers.

Below are Questions you May be asked in the Interview Tell me about yourself?( Try and hold response to two minutes) What do you know about our company? Why should I hire you? What can you do for us that someone else can’t? What do you look for in a job? What skills and qualifications are essential for success in the position of ? If you took the job what would you accomplish in the first year? Can you work well under deadlines or Pressure? How Does this assignment fit into your overall career plan?

Questions Continued How long would it take for you to make a meaningful contribution? Describe your management style? What do you believe is the most difficult part of being a supervisor of people? What are you looking for in a new career? How would your colleagues describe you? How would your boss describe you? How would you describe yourself? What do you think of your present or past boss? What were the five most significant accomplishments in your last assignments? What were the five most significant accomplishments in your career so far? How much do you expect if we offer you this position?

Questions Continued Why do you want to work for us? What other positions are you considering? Have you kept up in your field with additional training? What are your career goals? What are your strong points? What are your weak points? How did you do in school? What position do you expect to have in 2 to 5 years? What was wrong with your current or last position? What kind of hours are you used to working or would you like to work? Do you have your reference list with you? (Remember don’t give it out unless it is asked for). Can you explain your salary history? What questions didn’t I ask that you expected? Do you have any questions for me? (See Questions for the interviewer on the following slides).

Questions You may want to ask the Interviewer Why is this position open? How often has it been filled in the past five years? What were the main reasons? What would you like done differently by the next person who fills this position? What are some of the objectives you would like to see accomplished in this job? What is most pressing? What would you like to have done in the next 3 months? What are some of the more difficult problems one would have to face in this position? How do you think these could best be handled? What type of support does this position receive in terms of people, finances etc…?

Questions you May Want to ask Continued … What freedom would I have in determining my own work objectives, deadlines, and methods of measurement? What advancement opportunities are available for the person who is successful in this position, and within what time frame? In what ways has this organization been most successful in terms of products and services over the years? What significant changes do you foresee in the near future? How is one evaluated in this position? What accounts for success within the company?

These Questions are presented only as interviewing guidelines. They are meant to help you prepare for the interview. Some questions may or may not be appropriate for your interviewing situation. By practicing your responses to some of these questions, hopefully you will not be taken off guard if asked one of them. Most importantly, relax, go with the flow, and before you know it, you’ll be in your next opportunity!

Telephone Interview Preparation Place a “Do not Disturb” note on your door Turn off your stereo, TV, and any other potential Distraction Warm up your voice while waiting for the call Have a glass of water handy, since you will not have a chance to take a break during the call Speaking of breaks, if your phone interview is at a set time, make sure you answer “nature’s call” first Turn off call waiting on the phone

The Open and Available Technique A major advantage one has during the phone interview is not being seen. We must use this to our advantage. Have all materials on ourselves and employers in front of us on the desk while speaking on the phone Not just our resume, but a “cheat sheet” about compelling stories, accomplishments, and topics one would like to bring up. Also a “Cheat sheet” on the employer that includes specifics and critical points described by the employer and their products This portrays a well-informed, well-prepared interviewee. Keep in mind that this preparation is not “cheating” at all. It is preparation, pure and simple. So have Materials open and available when preparing for a phone interview. They are there to support and enhance your value to the employer who will greatly respect your ability to answer questions with focus and meaningful content

The Stand and Deliver Technique A simple technique to increase the enthusiasm and positive image that you project over the telephone is to simply stand up Whenever you are talking with a potential employer on the phone stand up, it gets the blood flowing, improves posture, and improves your response time An interesting note that many telemarketing companies realized that standing up actually improves sales. So often these companies provide there employees with hands-free headsets that allow them to stand and pace back and forth. It gives an action perspective to an otherwise passive activity

The Vanity Technique In preparing for a telephone interview, make sure that there is a mirror within view. Why? Because looking in the mirror consistently throughout the conversation will improve your telephone presence 110%. Just smiling will make one come off much friendlier, more interested, and more alert. The mirror gives us instant feedback necessary to make instant modification toward a more positive presence. Remember we’re standing, so a wall mirror usually works best!

Preparing for the Face to Face Interview

What to Wear: Men Necktie should be silk with a conservative pattern Dark Shoes ( Black lace-ups are best) Dark Socks Get haircut; Short hair always fares best in interviews If facial hair, make sure it is proper and well groomed No rings other then wedding or college No Earrings

What to Wear: Women Always wear a suit with a jacket; no dresses Shoes with conservative heels Conservative hosiery at or near skin color (and no runs!) No purses, small or large; carry a briefcase instead If you wear nail polish (not required), use clear or a conservative color Minimal use of makeup No more than one ring one each hand One set of earrings only

Last Minute Details Know where to go and where to park Have gas in your car Take a pen, notepad, and several resume copies Be 10 minutes early Look yourself over once before entering the office

Positive Body Language Positive Entrance Enthusiasm Relaxed Smile Direct Eye Contact Straight Posture Firm Handshake Leaning Slightly Forward Use of Hand Movement Feet Flat on Floor

Negative Body Language Lack of Enthusiasm or Curiosity Frowning Weak Handshake Lack of Eye Contact Staring Nervous Movements Arms Crossed Hands Clenched Looking at Watch

In Any Interview Be ready for: “Tell me about yourself” Be honest, show your personality Help the interviewer to know: You are dependable! You are a good worker! You will you fit in here! Take support documents or portfolio if appropriate Give reasons to hire you over the 100 other applicants

All Interviews Be prepared to be offered drink or food Be prepared to meet others in the office Be prepared for a tour of the building Be prepared to meet other interviewees Take a notebook to write notes or questions It’s OK to pause before answering a question Remember: This is about the position fitting with you, too

Adapt Listen and adapt Be sensitive to the style of the interviewer Pay attention to those details of dress, office furniture, and general décor which will afford helpful clues to assist you in tailoring your presentation

Relate and Encourage Try to relate your answers to the interviewer and his or her company. Focus on achievements relevant to the position. Encourage the interviewer to share information about his or her company.. Demonstrate your interest!

Closing the Interview Summarize key strengths and match for the position Always ask questions Thank the interviewer by name Ask about the next step Express an interest in hearing from them

After the interview Contact your recruiter immediately Follow up with a Thank you note

Contact us The James Allen Companies Inc. Phone: 573-334-3688 Fax: 573-334-7490 [email_address] www.jallenco.com

Interview Success

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