2. STRESS
Only a fool would tell you that
looking for a job isn’t stressful.
And it would take an even
bigger fool to tell you that
interviews will not produce
stress. After all, you’re in an
unfamiliar setting, meeting
strangers, risking your ego, and
about to embark on a
conversation that can affect the
rest of your life.
3. Presentation Format
We will discuss:
• Types of Interviews
• ABC’s of Interviewing
• What to do Before the Interview
• Do Your Homework
• What to do During the Interview
• What to do After the Interview
4. Types of Interviews
• Information Interview
• Telephone Screening
• In-Person Screening
• Selection Interview
• Work Sample Interview
• Peer Group Interview
• Behavioral Interview
• Consulting and Case Interview
• Video Interview
5. Types of Interviews
• Telephone Screening –
used to eliminate
candidates based on
essential criteria
• In-Person Screening –
used to verify the
candidate’s qualifications
• Information – used to
gather information from
someone currently
working in an you wish to
explore
• Work Sample – allows the
applicant to opportunity to
“show their wares.”
• Peer Group – opportunity
to meet and talk with co-
workers and they evaluate
the candidate
• Consulting – problem
posed relevant to the
business and look for
logical steps to solve
6. Behavioral Interview
• Based on the premise that the most accurate
predictor of future performance is past
performance in a similar situation
Situation – describe a challenge you faced similar to
the example posed by the interviewer
Action – explain the actions that you took to resolve
the situation
Results/Outcome – detail the beneficial and positive
outcomes that came from your initiatives
7. ABC’s of the Job Interview
• Always
• Beware of
• Crash and Burn
8. • AAlways
– Research the company with a focus on
customers and competition
• Research can be done on the internet,
by reading annual reports, and by
talking with credible people in the
industry
– Provide examples of when you have
successfully worked in team
environments
– Demonstrate creativity and responsibility
9. • Beware of
– Having an “I” attitude
• Don’t overstate your accomplishments - be
honest
– Negotiating too early
• Doing this during the job interview sends a
message that you are more interested in
money than the job
– Being too casual with the interview
• Recognize that the job interview starts when
you first arrive and does not end until you
are out the door and on your way home
10. • Crash and Burn
– Displaying bad manners
• Poor etiquette and boorish manners send a message
to the interviewer that you will behave that way
with clients
– Demeaning your current or past employer
• It is a very small world, and reputations are made
and broken on the basis of sometimes unknown
relationships
– Being dishonest
• An interview is the time to put the best spin possible
on your career, but not at the cost of your integrity
11. Before The Interview
• Review your skills -- be positive and honor your
achievements. Do not underestimate your skills.
Write your top accomplishments down on paper
• Know your resume well. Look at ways that your
qualifications meet the job description
• Are there things NOT on your resume that are
relevant to the job?
• Recognize areas for improvement and develop a
plan for downplaying these weaknesses in the
interview
12. • Become very familiar with the job description and
the requirements for the position
• List the specific qualifications and requirements
sought by the employer.
• Match these qualifications with the
accomplishments that you already wrote down
• In order to support this, identify and list specific
examples (quantify if possible) of your past
accomplishments
• Be prepared to answer questions regarding gaps in
your skill level
Know the Specifics of the Job
13. Know the Employer
• You should learn as much about the
company as you can
• Company website. Know it well!
• Company literature
• Annual reports
• Network with current employees
• Attend employer informational session at
the Career Center, if applicable
14. Do Your Homework
• Employers’ Web Sites
– Best place to “see” the
company as it wants to be
seen
– Check the annual report,
look for press releases
– Look for the “head of
R&D”
• Research Sources
– Get vital statistics and
independent perspectives
on the employer from On-
line resources
– Look at financial data, list
of competitors
• News Sources
– Find general interest web
sites to see what they say
about this employer
– Find hometown newspapers
on-line to read about this
employer
• Trade Journals
– Read these for new
products, find its place in
the industry
• Industry Directories
– If you belong to a
professional organization
go to its directory
15. During the Interview
• Arrive 15 minutes early to allow
time to relax and complete any
paperwork
• Learn the interviewer’s name and
greet with a firm handshake
• Make sure you have a clear
understanding of the job and the
company
• Consider offering examples of your
work
16. • Structure your answers to speak to your
qualifications, be concrete and detailed
• Be sure to answer ALL parts of a question
• Closure and timeline for decision
• Thank You and a firm handshake
17. AFTER the Interview
• Write down notes after you leave the
building
• Follow-up with thanks by sending a note to
your contact
And WE for your time – Any Questions?
