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Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. 32nd Annual Gulf Coast Regional Conference INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES Presented by: Brother Jermaine V. Jackson, Gulf Coast Director of Education, Alpha Sigma Sigma WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF AN INTERVIEW? • To provide you and the employer an opportunity to determine how well you will fit in with the culture, direction, and requirements of the organization. – For you it is: • an opportunity to convince the employer of your potential • an opportunity to find out more about the job and the company; "Is it right for me?", "Do I want to work with these people?", "Do the conditions/prospects fit in with my career goals?" • an opportunity to expand on the information in your application form or resume WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF AN INTERVIEW? • For the employer it is: – a means to assess your abilities in relation to the requirements of the position. "Have you got what they want?" – an opportunity to discuss your training, experience, knowledge and abilities in more detail. – an opportunity to see what drives and motivates you and to determine whether you will be able to fit in with both the team and the company as a whole. PREPARING FOR A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW! • To achieve this you must have a well thought out and • effective presentation. This presentation can fall into three areas: 1. Research 2. Apply 3. Practice RESEARCH • Research is the foundation to an effective and well • thought out presentation. Find out as much as possible about the company, such as: – Company culture: this includes company values, expectations of behavior, dress codes, hours of work, work standards – Performance management, how performance is assessed and recognized – Mission and goals – Products and services – Demographic of clients – History – Size APPLY • The next step is, apply what you have learned from your research, to facilitate your understanding of the employer to analyze and identify the key qualifications, experiences and necessary skills to be selected for the job of choice. PRACTICE • The last step is, practice what questions are • • likely to be asked during your interview. Write out your response to generic or traditional interview questions. Prepare questions to ask the interviewer(s). DURING THE INTERVIEW? • The interviewing process can be scary if you don’t know • what to expect. Although each interview will differ, they all will share three common characteristics: – The Beginning – Middle – Conclusion DURING THE INTERVIEW? • The beginning of the interview starts before you even say hello. – Before entering the room, choose three words that describe the impression you would like to make. (i.e., confident, intelligent and competent). Show those three words in your eyes, body and face. Try to hold on to this throughout the interview. You can repeat this if you begin to feel nervous. – The interviewer(s) begin to evaluate you the minute you are identified. – You are expected to shake the interviewer(s) hand upon being introduced. – Don’t be afraid to extend your hand first, this shows assertiveness. – Start with confidence (Interviews can be won or lost in the first five minutes). DURING THE INTERVIEW? • Introducing Yourself – It is useful to have a strong opening line prepared. – When saying your name, try to have the pace and double the volume to ensure that the interviewer is able to hear how to pronounce it. – This will make you feel more comfortable. – Smile and talk to, not at, the interviewer. DURING THE INTERVIEW? • Building Rapport – The tone of your voice will impact upon the impression that you leave. – How you speak communicates both negative (anxiety, uncertainty, boredom) and positive (interest, enthusiasm, confidence) emotions. – Remember, you applied for the job in the first place because you thought that you could make a positive contribution to the organization “remember you can do the job”. – Try to remain confident and show your enthusiasm for the role. DURING THE INTERVIEW? • Body Language & Non Verbal Communication – Your body language provides a number of messages to interviewers. Be confident. – Wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. – Keep your gestures, body and face open. – Lean forward slightly to give the appearance of confidence and interest – Maintain appropriate eye contact throughout the interview. (Do not stare or look away too much. Look at them). – Try to look interested at all times. INTERVIEW DO’S • Dress appropriately/ Look neat and clean. • Be punctual. Make sure that you are 10 minutes early and if you are going to be unavoidably late, call and let them know. • Express yourself and your views clearly. • Listen carefully to the questions; and answer them clearly and thoughtfully. • Make eye-contact. Remember to talk to the person. INTERVIEW DO’S • Make sure you fully understand the question and question any • • • • point which you may be doubtful. If you are being interviewed by a panel, ensure that you direct your answer to the person who asked the question, while still including the other interviewers by making brief eye contact. Ask questions. Selection is a two way process. They select you, but you also select them. . Make sure that you always present your skills in a positive light. Even when describing your weaknesses you should always show them what you are doing to rectify it. Make sure that you have an idea about where your want to be in the future and can relate the future goals to your application for the present position. You must be able to answer the question "Where do want to be in five years time?" INTERVIEW DON’TS! • Don't dress casually. • Don't make derogatory remarks about past or present • • • employers. Don't fidget or twitch, try to control other nervous mannerisms. Conversely, don't sit there like a statue. If you feel more comfortable talking with the aid of your hands for emphasis, then use them, but try not to be too excessive in your gestures. Don't interrupt the interviewer before they have finished asking you a question and never finish their sentences for them. INTERVIEW DON’TS! • Don't Lie. If you have to lie about what you are • • • like or your abilities in order to obtain the job, you are likely to find yourself in a position that you don't really like and probably one in which you will have problems fulfilling successfully. Don't talk about salary, holidays or bonuses unless they bring them up. Don't answer questions with a simple "yes" or "no". Make sure that you explain your reasoning fully. Don't wear too much perfume or aftershave. TEN RULES OF INTERVIEWING • To assist with your interview process, keep the following ten rules in mind: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Keep your answers brief and concise. Include concrete, quantifiable data. Repeat your key strengths three times. Prepare five or more success stories Put yourself on their team. Image is often as important as content. Ask questions. Maintain a conversational flow. Research the company, product lines and competitors. Keep an interview journal TYPES of QUESTIONS ASKED BY EMPLOYERS? • • • • • • • Behaviorally Based Questions Situational Questions or Hypothetical Open Ended Questions Personal Education Experience Career Goals QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD NOT ASK? • Avoiding asking questions that are answered in the • • • employment brochure or application packet. Don’t bring up salary or benefits in the initial interview. Avoid asking any personal or questions that will put the interviewer on the defense. Don’t ask questions that have already been answered during the interview. QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK? • Ask specific questions about the position. • Try to find out as much as possible about qualities and • • • skills the interviewer is looking for in a job candidates. Ask questions concerning advancement and promotion paths available. It is appropriate to ask specific questions about the company’s training program, only if it is not mentioned in the application packet. Ask questions about location and travel required. THE RULES of APPEARANCE! • What every-well dressed professional MAN should know: – There is no such thing as a short-sleeve dress shirt – On a single-breasted suit or sport coat, always leave the bottom button unbuttoned. – The tip of your tie should reach the middle of your belt buckle. – Always match your shoes and belt. – Clean and polished conservative dress shoes – Well-groomed hairstyle – Cleaned and trimmed fingernails THE RULES of APPEARANCE! – Minimal cologne or perfume – No visible body piercing beyond conservative ear piercing for women – Well-brushed teeth and fresh breath – No gum, candy, or other objects in your mouth – Minimal jewelry – No body odor ANY QUESTIONS?