2015 10-28 - interview training

WHY ARE YOU NOT
GETTING THE JOB???
Prepared by: Angie Botes 2

• Let’s begin with a few of assumptions.
• Since you got the interview your cover letter and resume were obviously
effective.
• You arrived on time, were dressed conservatively, smiled, gave a firm
handshake, had the right attitude, did all the basics of Interviewing 101.
• But you still did not get the offer.
HAVING TROUBLE GETTING A
JOB OFFER?

1. You Answered Questions Negatively
• How did you deal with “negative” questions?
• Did you end your answers on a negative or a positive?
2. You Were Negative About Former Colleagues
• What did you say when you were asked about former employers or colleagues? Were you at all negative?
3. You Didn’t Do Your Research
• How much research did you do on the employer? Did you only study their website? Did you Google them? Did you
dig deep?
4. You Didn’t Connect With The Interviewer
• How much research did you do on the interviewers? Were you able to make a personal connection with them? Did
you impress them with your meeting preparation skills?
5. You Didn’t Ask Good Questions
• What questions did you ask? Were they about the job? Were they about the company? Were they about the
interviewers? Did they show that you had done in-depth research?
6. You Talked Too Much
• Did you give direct answers to questions? Did you talk too much?
7. You Didn’t Listen
• Did you listen? Did you really hear what the interviewers were saying? Did you pick up on clues?
8. You Didn’t Thank The Interviewer
• Did you thank each interviewer at the start and conclusion of each meeting?
9. You Didn’t Express Interest In The Position
• At the end of the interview did you express interest in the position?
REASONS WHY YOU NOT GETTING THE
JOB OFFER?

• If you had an interview, then you already know you met the minimum
qualifications for consideration – But so did your competition.
• What you don’t know is how well they – your competition – prepared and
how they responded to questions.
• Nine times out of ten, that’s where candidates fail.
• They do not succeed in differentiating themselves from their competition.
DIFFERENTIATING YOURSELF

INTERVIEW TIPS

• When you have successfully mastered cover letters, resumes, and job
applications and are receiving requests for interviews, it’s time to
understand how to succeed in the job interview so that you are ever closer
to your goal of obtaining one or more job offers.
BEST JOB INTERVIEW TIPS FOR
JOB-SEEKERS

1. Conduct Research on the Employer, Hiring Manager, Job Opportunity.
• Success in a job interview starts with a solid foundation of knowledge .
• You should understand the employer, the requirements of the job, and the background of the
person (or people) interviewing you.
• The more research you conduct the better you’ll be able to answer interview questions.
2. Review Common Interview Questions and Prepare Responses.
• Another key to interview success is preparing responses to expected interview questions.
• Your goal is composing detailed yet concise responses, focusing on specific examples and
accomplishments.
• A good tool for remembering your responses is to put them into story form.
• No need to memorize responses (in fact, it’s best not to), but at least develop talking points.
INTERVIEW TIPS 1 AND 2

3. Dress for Success.
• Plan out a wardrobe that fits the organization and its culture.
• It’s always better to be overdressed than under — wear clothing that fits, is clean and pressed.
• Keep accessories and jewellery to a minimum.
• Try not to smoke or eat right before the interview .
4. Arrive on Time for the Interview — and Prepared for Success.
• There is no excuse for ever arriving late for an interview — other than some sort of disaster.
• Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled interview to complete additional paperwork.
• Arriving a bit early is also a chance to observe the dynamics of the workplace.
• The day before the interview, pack up extra copies of your resume or CV and reference list.
• If you have a portfolio or samples of your work, bring those along too.
• Finally, remember to pack a pen and a pad of paper to jot notes.
• Finally, as you get to the offices, shut off your cell phone. (And if you were chewing gum, get rid of it.)

5. Make Good First Impressions — to Everyone You Encounter.
• A cardinal rule of interviewing: Be polite and offer warm greetings to everyone you meet —
from parking attendant or receptionist to the hiring manager.
• Employers often are curious how job applicants treat staff members — and your job offer
could easily be derailed if you’re rude or arrogant to any of the staff.
• When it’s time for the interview, keep in mind that first impressions — the ones interviewers
make in the first few seconds of greeting you — can make or break an interview.
• Make a strong first impression by dressing well (see #3), arriving early (see #4), and when
greeting your interviewer, stand, smile, make eye contact, and offer a firm (neither limp and
nor bone-crushing) handshake.
• Remember that having a positive attitude and expressing enthusiasm for the job and
employer are vital in the initial stages of the interview; studies show that hiring managers
make critical decisions about job applicants in the first 20 minutes of the interview.
INTERVIEW TIPS 5

6. Be Authentic, Upbeat, Focused, Confident, Candid, and Concise.
• Once the interview starts, the key to success is the quality and delivery of your responses.
• Your goal should always be authenticity, responding truthfully to interview questions.
• At the same time, your goal is to get to the next step, so you’ll want to provide focused
responses that showcase your skills, experience, and fit — with the job and the employer.
• Provide solid examples of solutions and accomplishments — but keep your responses short
and to the point.
• By preparing responses to common interview questions (see #2), you’ll ideally avoid long,
rambling responses that bore interviewers.
• Always attempt to keep your interview responses short and to the point.
• Finally, no matter how much an interviewer might bait you, never badmouth a previous
employer, boss, or co-worker. The interview is about you — and making your case that you are
the ideal candidate for the job.
INTERVIEW TIPS 6

7. Remember Body Language, Avoiding Bad Habits.
• While the content of your interview responses is paramount, poor body language can be a
distraction at best — or a reason not to hire you at worst.
• Effective forms of body language: smiling, eye contact, solid posture, active listening, nodding.
• Detrimental forms of body language: slouching, looking off in the distance, playing with pen,
fidgeting in chair, brushing back hair, touching face, chewing gum, mumbling.
8. Ask Insightful Questions.
• Studies continually show that employers make a judgment about an applicant’s interest in the
job by whether or not the interviewee asks questions.
• Thus, even if the hiring manager was thorough in his or her discussions about the job opening
and what is expected, you must ask a few questions.
• The smart job-seeker prepares questions to ask days before the interview, adding any
additional queries that might arise from the interview.

9. Sell Yourself Throughout and then Close the Deal.
• An adage in interviewing says the most qualified applicant is not always the one who is hired
— which means the hired candidate is often the job-seeker who does the best job in
responding to interview questions and showcasing his or her fit with the job, department, and
organization.
• Some liken the job interview to a sales call. You are the salesperson — and the product you
are selling to the employer is your ability to fill the organization’s needs, solve its problems,
propel its success.
• Finally, as the interview winds down, ask about the next steps in the process and the
timetable the employer expects to use to make a decision about the position.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON JOB INTERVIEW SUCCESS
Succeeding in job interviews takes research, practice, and persistence. The more effort you put
into your interview preparation, the more success you’ll see in obtaining job offers — especially if
you remember and follow these 10 job interviewing tips.
INTERVIEW TIPS 9

TYPES OF INTERVIEW
QUESTIONS

To get started, have a look through our list of sample interview
Q & A’s and professional tips.
From example responses to salary negotiation guidance, we’ve
given you the helpful advice you need to ace your next interview.
INTERVIEW Q & A

TYPES OF INTERVIEW
QUESTIONS
Job History Interview Questions:
Up skill yourself and prepare on interview
questions about your past work experience,
your former job duties, and your career
expectations.
Common Interview Questions:
Get prepped to answer the typical interview
questions on every hiring manager’s list.
Personal Opinion Interview Questions:
Sharpen your knowledge of the interview
questions that require you to assert an opinion,
establish your beliefs, or show off your
personality.
Behavioral Interview Questions:
Be ready to respond to those pesky interview
questions that challenge you to reflect on how
you acted in the past in order to give recruiters
insight into what you’ll do in the future.
Situational Interview Questions:
Take the right steps to prepare for the
interview questions that demand you solve a
problem or react to a possible future situation.

1. Are you willing to relocate for your job?
2. Are you willing to travel for your job?
3. Describe some of the toughest situations you've faced in your job.
4. Describe the best job you've ever had.
5. Describe the workload in your current (or most recent) job.
6. Describe your ideal company, location and job.
7. Do you have to deal with a significant amount of conflict in your job?
8. How has your job affected your lifestyle?
9. How much job security do you have in your position?
10. If you could change anything about your job, what would it be?
11. If your job progresses as you like, what would be the next step in your career?
12. Is multi- tasking a skill that is required for your job?
13. If you needed someone to assist you in your job, what tasks would you assign them?
14. What are the educational, requirements for your job?
15. What are the major frustrations of your job?
16. What is the average length of time for an employee to stay in the job you hold?
17. What is the one thing you’ve learned in your current job?
18. Why are you looking at leaving your present job?
19. When were you most satisfied in your current job?
20. What makes you think this position will be different than your current?
JOB HISTORY
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

1. How well do you work with other people?
2. Do you prefer working alone or in teams?
3. Tell me about the one thing in your life you proudest about?
4. What gets you up in the morning?
5. What kind of goals would you have in mind should you be successful?
6. Why are you interested in working for us?
7. Who has impacted your career most and why?
8. What is the most important reward you expecting from this job?
9. What is your number one priority in life?
10. What is the skill most important to deliver in this job?
11. If you could change anything what could it be?
12. Did you deliver on the tasks at hand?
13. Do you think you are the correct person for this job?
14. What do you have to offer us?
15. Do you believe in second chances?
PERSONAL OPINION
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

1. Are there aspects to your job that are repetitious?
2. Are you good at delegating tasks?
3. Are you willing to relocate?
4. Are you willing to travel?
5. Can you work under pressure?
6. Describe an important project you worked on?
7. Describe your relationships?
8. Describe the best supervisor you've ever had.
9. Describe yourself?
10. Describe your work style?
11. Discuss your educational background ?
12. Give me an example of your creativity.?
13. Have you considered starting your own business?
14. What can you offer us that someone else cannot?
15. What makes you qualified for this position?
COMMON
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

1. If I were to ask your last supervisor to provide you additional training or exposure, what would she
suggest?
2. Are there other things you are expected to do outside of work?
3. If the company had unlimited resources for creating new positions, which areas should those
positions be created?
4. What's the most difficult decision you've made and how did you come to that decision?
5. Describe how you would handle a situation if you were required to finish multiple tasks by the end
of the day, and there was no conceivable way that you could finish them
6. How do you feel about reporting to a younger person?
7. How do you plan to achieve your career goals?
8. What do you really want to do in life?
9. What do you look for in terms of culture?
10. What personalities to you work well with and why?
11. What motivates you to do a good job?
12. Are there sacrifices you are prepared to make to succeed in this job?
13. How well do you adapt to new situations?
14. What’s more important to you: The work itself or the salary paid for the Job?
SITUATIONAL
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

1. What would you say to your boss if he is crazy about an idea, but you think it stinks?
2. Give me an example of when you've demonstrated your customer service skills.
3. Would you consider yourself a big-picture person or a detail-oriented person?
4. What is the three positive characteristics you wish you had and why?
5. Are you seeking employment in a company of a certain size? Why?
6. Can you describe a time when your work was criticized?
7. Give examples of ideas you've had or implemented.
8. Do you participate in social activities with your coworkers?
9. Do you have plans for continued study? An advanced degree?
10. Does your company encourage you to be better?
11. Do you consider yourself a leader?
12. Do you think a leader should be feared or liked?
13. Do you find your job exciting or boring? Why?
14. Do you ever take work home with you?
15. Describe a typical day at work?
16. Are you a leader or a follower?
BEHAVIOURAL
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

INTERVIEW
DO’s AND DON’T’s

INTERVIEW DO’s
Here are the keys to successful job interviewing. Job-seekers who follow these simple rules and guidelines
should achieve success in this important phase of job-hunting.
DO’s:
1. Do take a practice run to the location where you are having the interview — or otherwise be sure you know
exactly where it is and how long it takes to get there.
2. Do your research and know the type of job interview you will encounter. (See types of job interviews.) And do
prepare and practice for the interview, but don’t memorize or over-rehearse your answers.
3. Do dress the part for the job, the company, the industry.
4. Do plan to arrive about 15 minutes early. Late arrival for a job interview is never excusable. If you are running
late, do phone the company.
5. Do greet the receptionist or assistant with courtesy and respect. This situation is where you make your first
impression with the employer.
6. If presented with a job application, do fill it out neatly, completely, and accurately.
7. Do bring extra resumes to the interview. (Even better, if you have a job-skills portfolio, do bring that with you
to the interview.)
8. Do greet the interviewer(s) by title (Ms., Mr., Dr.) and last name if you are sure of the pronunciation. (If you’re
not sure, do ask the receptionist about the pronunciation before going into the interview.)
9. Do shake hands firmly.
10. Do wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. And do remember body language and posture: sit upright
and look alert and interested at all times.
11. Do make good eye contact with your interviewer(s).
12. Do show enthusiasm in the position and the company.

INTERVIEW DO’s
13. Do avoid using poor language, slang, and pause words (such as “like,” “uh,” and “um”)
14. Do have a high confidence and energy level.
15. Do avoid controversial topics.
16. Do make sure that your good points come across to the interviewer in a factual, sincere manner.
17. Do stress your achievements.
18. Do show off the research you have done on the company and industry when responding to
questions. (See our Guide to Researching Companies.)
19. Do remember that the interview is also an important time for you to evaluate the interviewer
and the company she represents.
20. Do always conduct yourself as if you are determined to get the job you are discussing. Never
close the door on an opportunity until you are sure about it.
21. Do show what you can do for the company rather than what the company can do for you.
22. Do try and delay salary talk until you have an offer.
23. Do ask intelligent questions about the job, company, or industry.
24. Do close the interview by telling the interviewer(s) that you want the job and asking about the
next step in the process. (Some experts even say you should close the interview by asking for
the job.)

INTERVIEW DONT’s
1. Don’t chew gum during the interview.
2. Don’t rely on your application or resume to do the selling for you. No matter how qualified you
are for the position, you will need to sell yourself to the interviewer.
3. Don’t have a limp or clammy handshake!
4. Don’t fidget or slouch.
5. Don’t tell jokes during the interview.
6. Don’t smoke, even if the interviewer does and offers you a cigarette. And don’t smoke
beforehand so that you smell like smoke. Do brush your teeth, use mouthwash, or have a
breath mint before the interview.
7. Don’t be overly aggressive.
8. Don’t be soft-spoken. A forceful voice projects confidence.
9. Don’t act as though you would take any job or are desperate for employment.
10. Don’t say anything negative about former colleagues, supervisors, or employers.
11. Don’t ever lie. Answer questions truthfully, frankly and succinctly. And don’t over-answer
questions.

INTERVIEW DONT’s
12. Don’t offer any negative information about yourself.
13. Don’t answer questions with a simple “yes” or “no.” Explain whenever possible. Describe those
things about yourself that showcase your talents, skills, and determination. Give detailed
examples.
14. Don’t bring up or discuss personal issues or family problems.
15. Don’t respond to an unexpected question with an extended pause or by saying something like,
“boy, that’s a good question.” And do repeat the question aloud or ask for the question to be
repeated to give you a little more time to think about an answer. Also, a short pause before
responding is okay.
16. Don’t answer cell-phone calls during the interview.
17. Don’t inquire about salary, vacations, bonuses, retirement, or other benefits until after you’ve
received an offer. Be prepared for a question about your salary requirements.
18. Don’t ever not ask any questions — it shows a lack of interest.

GO BE THE SUPERHERO
YOU WERE MEANT TO BE

FOR MORE CAREER GUIDING
AND OPPORTUNITIES

2015 10-28 - interview training

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