Transcript INTERVIEWS - Coastal Bend College

INTERVIEWS
HOW TO DO IT LIKE A PRO
“It’s okay to be nervous. Nervousness
gets your adrenaline going, which
can actually help you in an
interview. As a headhunter, I am
constantly interviewing candidates
for all kinds of positions. My advice
is to really listen in an interview. If
you don’t understand a question, ask
the interviewer for clarification.”
The Core of Successful
Interviewing
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Make the first 30 seconds
count!!!!!!! It can make or break
you in terms of the job.
Impact on Interviews
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Attitude
Image & appearance
Communication
Job Qualifications
Attitude--Number One
Factor
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Project an air of confidence and pride
Demonstrate enthusiasm
Demonstrate knowledge of an
interest in the employer
Perform at your best every moment
Concentrate on being likable
The interview is a two-way street
Image/Appearance
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Conservative Dress is Right
Appear Clean and Pressed
Wear the Best Color
Research Dress Expectations
Lose the Nose Ring and Baseball
Cap
Impeccable Grooming is a Must
Look Alert
Verbal Communication
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State Your Name and the
Position You’re Seeking
• “Hello, Ms. Adams, I’m Ann
Richards. I’m here to interview for
the administrative assistant
position”
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Concentrate on Projecting a
Pleasant Voice
Verbal Communication
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Tape Yourself for Practice
Use Positive Words and Phrases
Emphasize your Strengths
Sound Good
Keep the Interview Businesslike
Try to demonstrate a sense of
humor
Verbal Communication
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Avoid Credibility Robbers
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Just or only
I guess
Little
Probably
Don’t ramble
Focus on your Goal
Body Language
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Three sources of
communication affect the
listener or receiver
• Words--10%
• Voice Qualities--40%
• Nonverbal Communication--50%
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Learn to use Position Body
Language
Positive Body Language
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Relax
Give a firm handshake
Make eye contact
Maintain good posture
Project a pleasant facial expression
Don’t fidget
Mirror communication behaviors of
the interviewer
The Silent Power Play
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Listen to every word
Never interrupt the interviewer
Don’t feel you must answer
instantaneously
If you don’t understand a
question, ask the interviewer to
repeat it
Emphasize Your
Qualifications
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Focus on your skills
Focus on your experience
Know how skills/experience can benefit
the company
Develop and Use a “60 Second
Commercial”
Give Example of Measurable
Accomplishments
Emphasize your Transferable
Competencies
60 Second Commercial
Sales Representative
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Experience--Two years in retail sales at-Education--BA in sales and marketing
Proof of Benefits Provided
• Increased school newspaper revenues 22 percent as
advertising assistant
• Received performance ratings of “excellent” in
accurate, quick sales for 2 years
Related Job Skills
• Highly skilled in record keeping, use of computers,
business math
Transferable Competencies
• Strong interpersonal relations skills and good
communication skills
Interview Disqualifiers
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Don’t sit down unless the interviewer
invites you to
Don’t bring anyone else to the interview
Don’t smoke
Don’t put anything on or read anything on
the interviewer’s desk
Don’t chew gum
If a meal, don’t order alcohol
Don’t offer a limp handshake
Wrapping Up
Always wrap up in your favor
 Clarify what to expect next
 Restate your qualifications
 Never let down your
communication skills
 Run your 60 Second
Commercial one more time
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Interview Questions
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Why do you want this job?
• My skills and experience are directly
related to this position and my
interest lies especially in this field
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What type of work do you most
enjoy?
• Play your research card--name the
types of tasks that would be involved
in the job
Interview Questions
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What are your strongest skills?
• Review your abilities and accomplishments
and your 60 Second Commercial
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What are your long-range career goals
and how do you plan to achieve them
• Emphasize your strengths, state that your
goal is to make a strong contribution in your
job, and state that you look forward to
developing the experience necessary for
career growth
Interview Questions
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Are You a Team Player?
• Teamwork is highly valued in
today’s workplace, so a positive
answer is typically a plus.
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Do you have a geographical
preference? Are you willing to
relocate?
• Be honest in your answer
Interview Questions
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Under what management style do
you work most efficiently?
• “I am flexible and can be productive
under any style. The management
style I enjoy working with the most
is”
All of these questions are examples
of General Info. Questions
Behavioral Questions
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Questions probe specific past
performance and behaviors
Base answers on the following
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describe the situation
explain the actions you took
describe the outcomes
summarize what you learned from
the experience
Behavioral Questions
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Describe an accomplishment that
demonstrates your initiative
“While working part-time as a computer
technician I set the goal of answering all
trouble-shooting calls within 90 minutes.
I recorded the exact response time for
each call and maintained the 90 minute
goal. I was awarded the Customer
Service Certificate for this performance
Behavioral Questions
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Tell me specifically about a time
you worked under great stress
Describe an experience when you
dealt with an angry customer or coworker
Give me an example that would
demonstrate your ability to adapt
to change
Character Questions
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How would you describe yourself?
“I’m punctual and dependable; I
haven’t been late for work or
missed a day in the last two years.
I get along well with others; in fact,
I’ve been chosen by my co-workers
to represent them in our company’s
monthly staff meetings.”
Character Questions
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What rewards do you look for in
your career?
Don’t stress money
Emphasize your desire to
improve your skills, make a
contribution to the field,
become better educated, etc.
Character Questions
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Do you work well under
pressure?
Be honest and keep in mind that
a large company may have more
than one working environment
Stress Questions
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Demonstrate that the problem
issues are not really problems
Review possible stress
questions
Remain Cool at all Times
Stress Questions
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Why do you think your are the best
candidate for this job?
Explain how you could handle the
job
Focus on how you can benefit the
employer by giving examples
Summarize accomplishments,
skills, experience
Stress Questions
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Why have you held so many jobs?
• Seasonal job
• Affected by the economy
• Accompanied spouse in relocation
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Explain that you wanted to obtain a broad
base of experience and that now your
goal is to apply this experience to longterm employment and development of a
career
Stress Questions
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What is your weakest point?
“My weakest point is( ), so I’m
completing a beginning course
at the college to strengthen my
skills”
Explain how you plan to
overcome the weakness
Stress Question
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Have you ever been fired from a
job?
Use the terms laid off or
terminated
Be honest
Show how you learned from the
experience
Illegal Questions
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This one is your call
You have the right to refuse, but
weigh the situation
You can answer the question in
a polite, honest manner
Illegal Question
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Do you have children?
“Yes, and appropriate child care is a
top priority for me, so I’m thorough
in arranging dependable daily and
alternative care. It pays off; I’ve
never missed a day of work or
school for child care purposes”
Stress/Illegal Questions
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Show them you can take the
heat
Anticipate the stress or illegal
questions
Prepare and practice responses
Your Turn
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Do you have a training program for this
position
Will you describe the duties and tasks in a
typical workday
May I have a copy of the written job
description
Could good job performance in this job lead
to career growth opportunities with the
company
Do you require many more information about
my qualifications or experience
Turnoff Questions
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What does this company do?
Do you have any openings?
How much sick leave and vacation time
will I get?
Are you hiring?
Will I have an office?
What time do I have to be a work in the
morning
How long do you give for lunch
Apply Q & A Savvy
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Be enthusiastic
Pause to think before you reply
Be candid and honest
Do not use canned responses
Be concise
Answer in complete sentences and
speak correctly
Be positive
Fill in gaps
Congratulations
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If you have followed all of these
tips----The end result is you have a
better shot at the job you want
Congratulations
You are Hired