This presentation provides guidance on interviewing skills. It discusses why some candidates don't get job offers, such as an inability to clearly express themselves or lack of research on the organization. The presentation recommends thoroughly preparing for interviews by researching the position, organization, and oneself in order to know how one's skills align. Candidates should develop examples to demonstrate key skills and provide specific situations, actions, and outcomes. Common interview questions are provided to practice answering, such as telling about oneself and strengths/weaknesses. Sample videos also model answering questions. The presentation emphasizes dressing appropriately, arriving early, asking questions, and following up.
2. Objectives
Why people don’t get offers
How to prepare
Common questions
Sample videos
Practice
Q&A
3. Why people don’t get offers
Inability to express self clearly
Failure to research organization
Lack of goals or focus
Unwillingness to relocate
Poor impression
Failure to follow-up after the interview
4. How to Prepare
Know the position
Know the organization
Know yourself
5. Know the Position
What are the qualifications?
– Skills
– Knowledge
– Experience
– Characteristics
6. How to Identify Them
Job listings (okay)
Job descriptions (better)
Informational interviews (best)
8. Know the Organization
Who they are and what they do?
What is their mission or values?
What is the industry like? Current trends?
Culture?
9. Finding Information
Use the Internet
– Company websites
– ProQuest Newspapers
– WetFeet
– Google it
Journals, publications & associations
Talk to people familiar with the organization
Informational Interviews
10. Know Yourself
How do your skills, interests, goals, values
and experiences RELATE to the position and
organization?
Use this Knowledge to Answer:
– Why are you interested in this position?
– Why are you interested in this organization?
– How are you the best fit for them?
11. Putting it Together
Prepare for behavioral interviewing
Develop 5-8 short stories (examples) for key
job specific skills
Have a variety of stories to tell:
– Leadership - Conflict resolution
– Communication - Teamwork
Provide: Situation, Action and Outcome
12. Proving It - SAO
Provide specific examples
Talk about what YOU did
Describe outcomes
Make sure you answered the question
13. Common Questions
How would you answer these?
Tell me about yourself.
What are your strengths/weaknesses?
Why interested in position? Organization?
Tell me about a time when…
Practice your answers
15. Let’s Practice
Get into groups of 2-3
Practice answering these questions:
– Tell me about yourself.
– What is your greatest strength?
– What is your greatest weakness?
16. What Else?
Prepare questions for them
Dress appropriately
Arrive 10-15 minutes early
Be polite to everyone
Follow-up
Remember, you’re always being evaluated
17. Summary
Why people don’t get offers
How to prepare
– Research position & company
– Dress appropriately
– Provide specific answers and questions
– Practice
Common questions
Follow-up
Express self clearly – fail to articulate their skills or relate to job
Bad impression – conceited, arrogant, or only interested in money/benefits
Skills – communication, integrity, strong work ethic
Knowledge – appropriate degree for job
Experience – done an internship?
Characteristics – ?
People who work in your field of interest are the best source of information!
Who they are and what they do – major products/services
What’s the industry like – employer rank, target market, current issues
Culture – would you fit-in?
ProQuest “preparing for the job/internship search on our website
Behavioral interviewing – questions are asked based on past behavior
“Past behavior is the best predictor of future performance.”
Virtually all companies conduct behavioral interviews
Describe a situation in which you were able to influence others?
Tell me about a time when you were unable to resolve a conflict?
Specific examples – like behavioral interviewing, don’t be vague, they want the details
Answer their question – you may ramble, don’t be afraid to check-in that the question was answered
Prepare questions based on research or interview - shows further interest in position/company
Dress – for almost all interviews means a business suit and dress shoes
Thank you – hand written or email by the next day