1. 8/24/2009
Keys to a great job interview
And
Successful strategies on job searching
By Tim Logan
B Ti L
Provide you with a set of tools/procedures to prepare you for a
job interview. This is done through a series of slides laying out
the concepts of the job interview along with role playing
actions.
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Prepare
Do your research on the type of job you are looking for.
Evaluate your current job skills and make
determinations on if you need to acquire addition
training
Use the web for basic research on job requirements.
Ask family/friends/trade associations about
y
job/skills/education/degrees that might be needed to
qualify for a job.
Finding Job Openings
Monster.com
Classified
Company websites
Recruiters (be aware many of these require some kind
of payment either the company pays for it or you do)
Family/Friends/former work associates
Trade organization
EDU
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Preparing for the Interview
Make sure to research the company you are interested
in working for. Most companies have a website or you
can contact the company and ask for a prospectus of
the company.
Know the company’s “Mission Statement”
Know the company’s products and services (if you own
any of the company products/use their services, refrain
from commenting on them during the interview.
Know the job description and requirements have any
documents ready and prepared ahead of time.
Practice
Practice introducing yourself.
Practice the handshake which should be firm and making
eye contact.
Use the job description as a script for the kind of question
the interviewer might ask.
Have family/friend be the interviewer to practice.
If the job is technical, then seek out some of the
certification exam books. Often the exam will cover many y
of the same types of questions an interviewer.
If you want to remember a fact, then write it down three
times over a period of a day. Then over the next 6 days write
it out again.
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Dress for Success for Men
Minimum shirt, tie, slacks and dress shoes. Ideally suit –
black d k bl
bl k or dark blue with matching tie.
ih hi i
Make sure shoes are black or a dark color and are freshly
polished. Don’t forget the edge or the back of the heel. If
shoe has metal taps, remove unless you are auditioning for
a dance part.
Neat groomed hair is important. If necessary shave at least
an hour prior to interview.
Clean teeth, try not to eat prior to i
Cl h i interview unless you can
i l
brush teeth. Avoid onions, garlic or other strong flavors.
Minimum cologne, this is an interview not a date.
Clean and neatly trimmed nails. Make sure to use some
lotion on hands.
Dress for Success for Women
Black or dark color skirt (mid knee) or slacks.
White blouse, opaque and no plunge neck.
Avoid high heels, use nice dark color shoes that are clean
and polished. Remember the heels.
Neat groomed hair is important. If you don’t shave your
legs, make sure to wear stockings. If you don’t shave your
under arms, then make sure your blouse covers.
Clean teeth, try not to eat p
, y prior to interview unless you can
y
brush teeth. Avoid onions, garlic or other strong flavors.
Minimum purfume, this is an interview not a date.
Clean and neatly trimmed nails. Make sure to use some
lotion on hands.
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The Don’ts
Don’t slouch in chair, sit up right with feet flat on floor.
, p g
Don’t play with pockets or jewelry or hair.
Don’t chew gum, suck on candy or have your fingers in your
mouth.
Don’t fidget.
Remember this is an interview not a play, so don’t over act
Don’t use big words, unless you understand them, and still
refrain from using them when ever possible.
Don’t try to sell the interviewer a product or services.
The Do’s
Do arrive early. There may be paper work that needs to
be filled out. Arriving early is a sign you are interested
in working.
Do bring your own pen. It shows you are prepared and
ready.
Do bring any supporting documents like diplomas,
recommendations, etc.
Do bring a positive attitude, a smile and confidences.
Do some deep breathing exercises while waiting for
the interview.
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Perform
Be early, remember that it is the interviewer’s time, not
interviewer s
yours. Being early or on time is a positive.
Maintain eye contact during the interview. Wandering
eyes will imply you are not interested in the interview
or you find the interviewer distracting.
Answer the question if you know the answer. Saying
you don’t know is better than trying to “wing it”.
Don’t volunteer any information, unless the
interviewer specifically ask
Perform Cont.
Stay focus and on target. Friendly chatting should be
reserve f after the interview. Remember you are seeking a
for f h i i R b ki
job, not a new friend or date!
Never assume anything.
Often toward the end of the interview, the interviewer will
ask if you have any questions. Don’t ask for “how much will
you be paid or about benefits”
Also the interviewer may ask what you are expecting to be
paid, if you d your research on the type of job you are
id do h h fj b
seeking you will know a range. Use that range, “This type of
job typically ranges from 32k to 45k, I think that is
reasonable. Remember the point of getting the job is to get
the job, not the highest pay for the job.
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Perform Cont
Interviewer’s will often ask you a q
y question about a scenario,
generally dealing with a customer. Answers to this type of
question require a balance between addressing the
customer’s needs to staying within the company’s policy. So
keep it simple and don’t be emotional about it.
Stay focus and on target, maintain eye contact.
At end of interview, thank the interviewer, shake their
hand and go Don’t attempt to extend the interview.
go. Don t interview
You can ask, but don’t expect an answer to “when will I
know if I got the job”. Companies are going more to the
multiple interview process, so you can expect at least one or
more additional interviews.
Evaluate
Right after the interview, replay it in your mind and
take notes.
Did the interviewer verbally or non-verbally
agree/disagree with your answers or responses. This is
were eye contact comes into play.
Did the interviewer ask wandering questions? It might
indicate they have already found someone.
Did you greet the interviewer and thank the
interviewer for their time?
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Things to Remember
Remember that you can learn from y
y your interviewers. They y
can often tell you what you don’t have or your lack of
experience.
Remember that a job isn’t just about salary or benefits. It’s
about getting your foot in the door and using your
performance to increase your salary and benefits.
Remember to never take an interview personal.
Remember to stay on track and on f
R b k d focus, d ’ allow
don’t ll
yourself to distracted.
Remember not to try to make the interviewer like a
buddy/friend, you are both professionals. Keep it that way!
Deep Breathing Exercise
Sit up right with feet flat on floor.
p g
Pull shoulders back enough that it is comfortable and you
are not straining to maintain.
Fold hands in front of you and across your belly.
Take a breath, but do if from your stomach. Until your
lungs are full.
Count to 3 mentally.
Then slowly let out your breath while holding your stomach
firm.
Count to 3 mentally.
Repeat 3 times or as time allows.
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Scenario 1
Job Description – Looking for sharp, hard working
individual for customer service department of a
fortune 1000 company. Please send you resume to Mr.
Jobs.
Scenario 2
Job Description – Need sales professional for one of
the bay areas top use car dealership. Excellent pay,
benefits and promotion opportunities. Please send
resume to Texas Joe Bart.
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