Joanne Dustin used this presentation for her successful "Job Search Jam Session" on May 14th in Hopkinton, MA

1. Building Relationships: The Key to Successful Interviewing Career Lost and Found, All Rights Reserved

2. What is a successful job interview? The customary definition of a successful job interview is one from which you receive a job offer. How can you assure that your next interview will be successful?

4. Planning Preparation Performance Building Relationships: The Key to Successful Interviewing

5. Planning: The groundwork Building relationships begins even before your first conversation by establishing a common interest with your interviewers through your resume and cover letter. Identify the right job opportunities for you Customize your resume to the specific opportunity Write a cover letter that will capture the reviewer’s interest

6. Planning: Identify the right jobs for you The right opportunities for you are those that are a good fit. Your skills, knowledge and experience match the job requirements. The company culture aligns with your values.

7. Planning: Your cover letter should … Explain why you are contacting the recipient Include - a short background career highlights A summary of how your experience meets the job requirements. Prompt the reviewer to read your resume.

8. Planning: Customize your resume A great resume is: Simple Straightforward Easy-to-read Interesting Matches the job requirements A great resume prompts the reviewer to contact you to schedule an interview.

9. Planning: Building relationships - with whom? Friends Professional associates Recruiters Hiring managers/other interviewers

10. Planning: Ask for help from your friends Friends are connections to potential jobs They are your support group They may play the roles of interviewers in your practice interview sessions

11. Planning: Leverage your professional relationships Professional relationships are sources of job opportunities Your associates may act as references for you They may also play the role of interviewers in your practice interview sessions

12. Planning: Connect with Recruiters Recruiters are direct sources of job opportunities They may call you about a specific job, but they may also have other opportunities for which you are a good fit Treat recruiters with the same respect you would give a hiring manager

13. Preparation: Do Your research Research the company Website and news items Research the interviewers Background Associations Professional Civic Social Local online News items

14. Preparation: Practice, practice, practice Prepare for behavioral interviews Interviewers want to know what you have done that contributed toward your former organizations’ successes Write responses to typical behavioral interview questions: “Tell me about a time when you handled a difficult situation.” “Give me an example of a time when you used good judgment in solving a problem.” “Give me an example of a time when you set a goal and achieved it.” Develop your stories using the STAR format – situation, task, action, result Record your practice sessions, if possible See yourself as others see you

15. Preparation: Dealing with interview anxiety Manage physical symptoms Do breathing exercises Have a snack before the interview Overcome negative thinking Avoid the Ladder of Inference Forget that it is an interview – be yourself!

16. Performance: The telephone interview The first interview is for screening and is often conducted by a recruiter. Be prepared to talk about your experience and why you are the right person for this job. Although the call may be casual, keep in mind that the recruiter’s notes may be passed along to the hiring manager. The second interview may be a call with the hiring manager.

17. Performance: Connect with the hiring manager during the interview The hiring manager is seeking the best fit for the job The individual who meets or exceeds the job requirements and can work effectively as part of the manager’s team You are seeking the best job for you Know your job satisfiers/dissatisfiers Build a connection with the hiring manager during the interview that will satisfy both your needs Ask questions about his/her experience with the company Ask what it will take for you to be successful Note any external connections you may have

18. Performance: Connect with other interviewers Other managers They may strongly influence the hiring decision Prospective peers The hiring manager is seeking assurance that you will fit in with his/her team The CEO

19. Performance: Interviewing with other managers Group interview Panel Fishbowl “Gauntlet” interview Single location Interviewers’ offices

20. Performance: Interviewing with prospective peers Answer their questions Notice how they relate to you Ask questions about how they work together Notice how they relate to each other

21. The CEO The interview with the CEO is usually the last Its customary purpose is to bless a hiring decision that has already been made

22. After the interview: what’s next? If you win the job Celebrate! If you don’t win the job … Conduct a review to understand what happened Stay in touch with the recruiter and the hiring manager They may be a source of other opportunities in the future

23. Questions? Joanne Dustin, Career Coach Career Lost and Found www.careerlostandfound.com joannedustin@careerlostandfound.com Career Lost and Found, All Rights Reserved