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Interviewing Strategies
Learning Objectives
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You will learn how to:
PREPARE yourself before the interview
PRESENT at your best during the interview
FOLLOW UP for best results after the
interview
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Interviewing is a SALES PROCESS
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 Know Your Product (You)
 Understand Needs of Buyer (Employer)
 Sell Yourself to Match their Needs (Job)
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5.Can Will Fit
Demonstrate MATCH…between You, Employer & Job
CAN
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Skills
Knowledge
Experience &
accomplishments
Learning potential
Connect with
interviewer
WILL
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Interest in position,
company, industry
Energy level
Compensation
expectations
Career objectives &
growth
FIT
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Chemistry
Communication
Values & Priorities
Style (work & mgmt)
Dress & appearance
Flexibility & Adaptability
You & Interviewer must answer YES!
Keep brief, to
the point
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Listen carefully
Don’t
defend/argue
Interview Stages
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APPROVAL
Reference Check
Manager’s Manager
Department Head
QUALIFYING
Hiring Manager
Technical Expert
Peers
SCREENING WILL & FIT
Recruiters
HR Screening
Human Resources
Hiring Manager
CAN
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WILL & FIT
PREPARE
Research – Know Your Market!
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 Company & Industry
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Company website (including recent press releases)
Search engines (Google.com)
Your Networking (LinkedIn®, Facebook)
Research – Know Your Salary!
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 Salary (Market Value) Information
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Recruiters
• US-CareerSearch.net; Canada-DirectoryOfRecruiters.com; SearchFirm.com
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Your network
Professional Associations
Salary websites
– indeed.com/salary, salary.com, payscale.com, bls.gov, Glassdoor.com
– salary.careerbuilder.com, onetonline.org, acinet.org
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9.C-A-R
Focus on Accomplishment Stories
Challenge
Describe problem/situation
Action
Verbs to describe what you did
Result
Outcome, business result or impact
Quantify outcome or result (#,$,%)
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Guidelines for Answering Interview Questions
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1. Keep it brief
2. Stop talking when you’ve answered question
3. Listen carefully
4. Don’t be modest
5. Don’t exaggerate
6. Talk in concrete terms
7. Make connections for interviewer
8. Never defend/argue view
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Most Commonly Asked Interview Questions
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1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What are your strengths?
3. What are your weaknesses (or areas of development)?
4. Why did you leave your last job?
5. What is your management/work style?
6. What are your future career plans?
7. How did you get along with your last manager?
8. Why are you interested in our company?
9. How would your peers/manager/subordinates describe you?
10. What are your salary requirements/history?
Sample Interview Questions
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12.90-sec Commercial
Tell Me About Yourself – 90-Second Commercial
Branding Statement/Target Position:
I’m a (functional job title) with expertise in (function/industry). My key
strengths include (top strengths and/or value).
Most Recent Position:
My most recent position was (job title & company name) where I was
responsible for (job functions). While I was there, I (share 1-2
accomplishments).
Career History:
My career history includes (previous organizations & positions). Another
example of how I use my strengths is (share 1-2 accomplishments).
Reason for Leaving: (optional)
Future Focus:
My goals for the future include/I am currently exploring (target position) where
I can use my (re-state strengths).
Tell me About Yourself – 90-Second Commercial
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13.Sandwich Model
Responding to Difficult Questions
The Sandwich Model
When questions are designed to elicit “negative” responses:
Start with:
Positive
Sandwich:
Negative
End with:
Positive
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Reason For Leaving Statement
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Communicates business reason leading to exit from last
employer
Should be
– Short
– Positive
– Honest
– Forward thinking
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Handling Salary Questions
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Defer
“I prefer to learn more about the position and how I could
contribute to your team before discussing salary.”
Respond with Market Information
“Based on my research I understand that salaries are
between $X and $Y for similar positions. Is this consistent
with your salary range?”
Toss Back
“What range are you considering for this position?”
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Behavior/Competency-Based Questions
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Past Behavior is the Best Predictor of Future Behavior
Identify past successes that LINK your experience and skills to
potential position and employer
Give me an example of a
time…
Describe a
time…
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Tell me about the
most difficult ____
and how you
handled it.
What have been some of the most
difficult…
Typical Behavior-based Questions
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Describe a situation in which your work or idea was criticized.
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Tell me about a time you had a major conflict with a colleague. How did you
approach problem resolution?
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Can you tell me about a time during your previous employment when you
suggested a better way to perform a process?
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Describe a time you were under pressure and had to go the extra mile.
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Tell me about a time you made a mistake at work.
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Describe a time you disagreed with your co-worker/manager.
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Describe a time you saw someone do something unethical or against work
rules/policies.
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When your boss puts extreme pressure on you, how do you generally
respond?
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What event has had the greatest influence on your career?
Behavioral Interviewing Strategies
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Handling Difficult Situations
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SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
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Aren’t you overqualified for this position?
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Why have you changed jobs so frequently?
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How long have you been looking for another position? Why has it taken so
long?
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Since you have worked in a large/small company environment for so many
years, won’t you find it difficult to work at a small/large company like ours?
SENSITIVE QUESTIONS
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Questions not relevant to job (e.g. age, marital status, children, religion etc)
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Be aware of body language (remain calm, cool, professional)
Ask for clarification on how question might relate to job
Keep discussion about business
Answer question behind the question
PRESENT
Communication Impact
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7% VERBAL – your words
(message/content)
38% VOCAL – your voice
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(inflection, volume, pace,
55% VISUAL – your look
_____
(facial expression, body language,
projection…)
dress…)
100%
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Types of Interview Formats/Venues
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Phone
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One-on-One
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Round Robin
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Panel
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Virtual
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Lunch/Dinner
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Psychological
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Demos/Presentations
Phone Interviews
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Be PREPARED!
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If unexpected call, ok to set another time
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Have resume, job description, cover letter, 90-second commercial
with branding & notepad
Take call in quiet location, landline
Use Strong Non-Verbals
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Stand/sit up straight
Breathe, speak slowly & clearly
Smile!
Advise when thinking
Understand next step in process
Face-to-Face & Virtual/Video Interviews
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 Non-Verbal Communication
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Posture
Arrive early – 10-15 minutes
Eye Contact
Smile!
Firm Handshake
Dress & Appearance
Get 1 chance to
make 1st impression
 What to Bring to the interview
 Portfolio
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Extra resumes
Reference Sheet
Have questions written down
Note pad (take notes)
 Calendar
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Interview DOs and DON’Ts
Preparing Questions You Should Ask
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 Don’t wait until the end – ongoing dialogue!
 Investigate opportunity—determine if GOOD FIT
 Ask questions to:
 Determine company’s needs
 Show how you meet needs
 Obtain info/perspectives from:
 Hiring Manager, Human Resources, Peers, Manager’s Manager
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Closing the Interview
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Ask questions that haven't been answered
 Are there any gaps between what you’re looking for & what we’ve discussed?
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Get business cards from all contacts
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State interest in position
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Ask about next steps if interviewer hasn't explained
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Ask permission to follow up (open door for future communication)
(contact info if phone interview)
FOLLOW UP
AFTER interview:
 Make notes about the interview
 Send thank you letter and/or email
 Complete any commitments
 Make follow up calls
 Respond to turndowns
If you have questions, contact us!
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