Transcript Interviewing 101 - Executive Resume Services

Interviewing 101
Have a Great First Date!
Personal Preparation:
Yes, this stuff really happens ….
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Grooming – no perfume and aftershave, ironed and
professional clothes, don’t chew gum (It is OK to bring
a water bottle and sip), eat light and appropriately,
don’t smoke or wear clothes that smell of smoke
Hygiene – don’t touch your nose, if you are sick say so
and don’t shake hands
Fidgiters – no clicking pens, shaking foot
Be nice to support staff, receptionist, their opinion
counts
Punctuality - Set 2 alarm clocks
Practice run to location – follow directions and check
out parking – have back up transportation
Cell phone off – not even on vibrate! It is still audible.
Practice a Happy Face – test yourself in a mirror
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How to Dress for an Interview
Women
 Conservative suit
 Coordinated blouse
 Moderate shoes – no killer
stilettos, no sandals
 Limited jewelry - nothing
should jangle
 Neat, professional hairstyle
 Sparse make-up
 Neatly trimmed nails, if
polished, no chips
 Portfolio or briefcase
Men
 Conservative suit
 Long sleeve shirt
 Conservative tie
 Dark socks, professional
polished shoes
 Very limited jewelry
 Neat, professional
hairstyle
 Neatly trimmed nails
 Portfolio or briefcase
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“What Not to Wear” on a Job Interview
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Flip-flops or sneakers.
Underwear (bras, bra straps,
briefs, boxers, etc.) that is
visible. Don't wear any
underwear that shows - even
if your bra straps match your
top.
Shorts. Jeans.
Skirts that are too short.
Pants that are too low-rise or
too tight.
Blouses that are too low-cut
or too short - don't show
your cleavage or your belly.
For men – untucked shirts
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Interviewing 101
Your Social vs. Your
Professional Presence - What
you wear off-the-job and socially
doesn't have to be what you wear
interviewing or at work.
Perfume and Cologne - Your
scent (even if you smell good)
can be an issue. With any type of
scent, less, or none, is better.
This includes Hairspray!
Pantyhose - The question of
whether women should wear
pantyhose on a job interview
created a lot of discussion and
the answer was overwhelmingly
yes.
Tattoos and Piercing Depending on where you are
interviewing, you may want to
consider covering your tattoos
and taking out your rings. There
are companies that have policies
which limit both.
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Interview Chat: They want to like you.
Green Light
 Goals
 Growth
 Professional
Highlights
 Motivations
 Share
Commonalities
 Listen – don’t
interrupt
Yellow Light
 Vacations
 Allergies
 Pets
 All Skills
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Interview Chat: They want to like you.
Red Light
 Lifestyle choices, politics, religion,
family plans
 Endless name dropping
 Health History
 House Problems, nanny drama,
rehab trips
 Bosses from Hell
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Interviewing Basics
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Interviews are always stressful - even for job
seekers who have gone on countless interviews.
The best way to reduce the stress is to be
prepared. Take the time to review the "standard"
interview questions you will most likely be asked.
Also review sample answers to these typical
interview questions.
Then take the time to research the company. That
way you'll be ready with knowledgeable answers
for the job interview with questions that
specifically relate to the company you are
interviewing with.
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Interview Questions: Your Work History
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Name of company, position title and description, dates of
employment.
What were your expectations for the job and to what extent were
they met?
What were your starting and final levels of compensation?
What were your responsibilities?
What major challenges and problems did you face? How did you
handle them?
Which was most / least rewarding?
What was the biggest accomplishment / failure in this position?
Questions about your supervisors and co-workers.
What was it like working for your supervisor? What were his
strengths and shortcomings?
Who was your best boss and who was the worst?
Why are you leaving your job?
What have you been doing since your last job?
Why were you fired?
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Interview Questions About You
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What is your greatest weakness?
What is your greatest strength?
Describe a typical work week.
Do you take work home with you?
How many hours do you normally work?
How would you describe the pace at which you work?
How do you handle stress and pressure?
What motivates you?
What are your salary expectations?
What do you find are the most difficult decisions to make?
Tell me about yourself.
What has been the greatest disappointment in your life?
What are your pet peeves?
What do people most often criticize about you?
When was the last time you were angry? What happened?
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Interview Questions About You
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If you could relive the last 10 years of your life, what would
you do differently?
If the people who know you were asked why you should be
hired, what would they say?
Do you prefer to work independently or on a team?
Give some examples of teamwork.
What type of work environment do you prefer?
How do you evaluate success?
If you know your boss is 100% wrong about something how
would you handle it?
Describe a difficult work situation / project and how you
overcame it.
Describe a time when your workload was heavy and how you
handled it.
More job interview questions about your abilities.
More job interview questions about you.
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Interview Questions About New Job
and New Company
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What interests you about this job?
Why do you want this job?
What applicable attributes / experience do you have?
Are you overqualified for this job? –
What can you do for this company?
Why should we hire you?
Why are you the best person for the job?
What do you know about this company?
Why do you want to work here?
What challenges are you looking for in a position?
What can you contribute to this company?
Are you willing to travel?
Is there anything I haven't told you about the job or
company that you would like to know?
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Interview Questions: The Future
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What are you looking for in your next job? What is
important to you?
What are your goals for the next five years / ten years?
How do you plan to achieve those goals?
What are your salary requirements - both short-term and
long-term?
Questions about your career goals.
What will you do if you don't get this position?
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Interview Questions to Ask
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How would you describe the responsibilities of the
position?
How would you describe a typical week/day in this
position?
Is this a new position? If not, what did the previous
employee go on to do?
What is the company's management style?
Who does this position report to? If I am offered the
position, can I meet him/her?
How many people work in this office/department?
How much travel is expected?
Is relocation a possibility?
What is the typical work week? Is overtime expected?
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Interview Questions to Ask
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What are the prospects for growth and advancement?
How does one advance in the company?
Are there any examples?
What do you like about working here?
What don't you like about working here and what
would you change?
Would you like a list of references?
If I am extended a job offer, how soon would you like
me to start?
What can I tell you about my qualifications?
When can I expect to hear from you?
Are there any other questions I can answer for you?
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Interview Questions NOT to Ask
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What does this company do? (Do your research ahead of
time!)
If I get the job when can I take time off for vacation?
(Wait until you get the offer to mention prior
commitments)
Can I change my schedule if I get the job? (If you need to
figure out the logistics of getting to work don't mention it
now...)
Did I get the job? (Don't be impatient. They'll let you
know.)
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewquestionsanswers/a/interviewquest.htm
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Thank you notes
Your mother told you to do it, and now a new survey shows
she was right: Sending a thank-you note not only displays
impeccable manners but also may give job hopefuls an
edge over other applicants. Eighty-eight percent of
executives polled by Robert Half International said
sending a thank-you note following an interview can boost
a job seeker's chances of landing the position. Despite
the overwhelming support for these notes, however,
hiring managers estimate that almost half (49 percent) of
applicants fail to send them.
A thank-you note allows you to accomplish three objectives:
Express your appreciation for the opportunity; reinforce
your interest in the job; and restate the value you can
bring to the organization. And, often, composing a thankyou note takes less time than you may think since this
type of message should be only a few paragraphs in
length.
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Closing the Interview
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Recognize when your time is up
Don’t drone on
Ask for the job
Indicate that their company
interests you
Ask about next steps
Firm good-bye handshake
Thank the interview for their time
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