Interview II

1
Interview II

• We have identified that, in any interview
  situation, the objective of the interview must be
  known and understood by both parties. Interview
  success will occur only if suitable preparation
  is made by the interviewer and interviewee,
  rapport established early in the interview, and
  control exercised by the effective use of
  questions by the interviewer. Guidelines have
  been given for managers dealing with specific
  incidents and situations at work.
• To handle an interview successfully, you must be
  prepared. Know about the firm, the job, the
  interviewer, and have the facts about yourself so
  that you can present them in clear, concise
  language.

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PREPARATION FOR THE INTERVIEW

• Prepare yourself for the interview. Don't let the
  job you want slip by because you are unprepared.
  You've spent considerable time developing
  marketable job skills, but the short time you
  spend in the interview can determine your future
  use of these skills.
• There are several things you should do before the
  interview. Job interviews can be stressful, both
  for the applicant and for the interviewer. The
  better prepared you are, the greater your chances
  are for a successful interview. To handle an
  interview successfully, you must be prepared by
  knowing whatever you can about

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PREPARATION FOR THE INTERVIEW

• 1. The firm, the job, and the interviewer.
• 2. Have the facts about yourself in order so that
  you can present them in clear, concise
  language.
• The major emphasis is to collect data!!!
• Both employee and employer want to collect
  enough data to make a rational decision regarding
  the employment position.

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Review Qualifications

• Once you have chosen an occupation, you must
  show that you qualify for the job. As a job
  hunter you work hard at selling yourself to a
  prospective employer so that she will hire you.
  Review the job description and be prepared to
  show the employer that you qualify for the job.
  Pick out the skills that are required for the job
  and be ready to tell where you used those skills.
  If you have not used them in a job, show that
  you've used them in your everyday life. Life
  experiences can become job skills.

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Research the Company

• Employers expect you to know something about
  the company you want to work for. You will
  favorably impress the interviewer by showing that
  you know something about the company. You can
  collect this information by talking with
  employees of the company, procuring a policy
  booklet from the company, using the Yellow Pages,
  or using the Business Directory at the Chamber of
  Commerce.
• You might also want to look it up in the
  library and even check its annual report if it
  has one. Record the facts so you can readily
  discuss them accurately in the interview. Take a
  few minutes before the interview to review these
  facts.

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Anticipate Interview Activities

• The purpose of the interview is to allow the
  interviewer to learn about you your attitude
  toward people and work, your education, your work
  experience, and your career plans. The interview
  also gives you a chance to gather more
  information about the company and the job.
  Interviews serve as a screening tool, so you must
  anticipate the interview activities.
• Most interviews are similar and most
  questions can be anticipated!!!

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Anticipate Interview Activities

• For many, the interview is the most
  frustrating and delicate step in the employment
  process because it seems the applicant must be so
  many people wrapped into one, but this experience
  does not have to be frustrating if you're ready
  for the interview.
• The interviewer will be expecting you to
  answer questions. Come willing to give
  information. This is an opportunity for you and
  the interviewer to see if you and the company are
  a good match. Anticipate the trick questions. Be
  aware that the answers to trick questions are not
  what the interviewer desiresyour reaction is
  really what he or she is after. You should give a
  response that fits your personality - a response
  that will persuade the interviewer to like you
  and to hire you.

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Anticipate Interview Activities

• The interviewer will expect you to know
  something about the company so you can discuss
  what they do, but guard against excess verbiage.
  Be concise. Be assertive and attentive. Listen to
  the interviewer with your eyes and ears for what
  impresses him/her most in your resume and expand
  on that.
• The interviewer will also expect you to ask
  questions, so be armed with the right
  questions!!!

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Come with Information that Recruiters Want to
Know

• 1.  Basic credentials
• 2. Relevant background
• 3. Your career history and work record.
• Bring everything you need to the interview.
  Take a pen and pencil, basic credentials, your
  social security card, a copy of your resume or
  personal data sheet, even if you have sent one.
  You may want to bring examples of your previous
  work, such as an article you wrote or a report
  you compiled. Remember, you are selling
  yourself!!!

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Consider Appearance

• Your appearance is an extremely important part
  of the interview.
• Make sure your appearance is just right
  before you go to the interview. It may seem
  elementary to mention personal appearance, but it
  is sometimes surprising to see how people dress
  when applying for a business position. It is true
  that modern day living tends toward informality,
  but the importance of a neat, well-groomed
  appearance cannot be overemphasized.
• When you appear for your interview, you make
  your first impression.
• Your first impression is important because
  you will never have a second chance to make that
  first impression!!!

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Consider Appearance

• Your entire appearance should be conservative,
  complimentary, and stylish, but not to the degree
  that your appearance excludes your other
  abilities.
• Dressing for success is an idea as old as
  business itself, and so is the basic business
  look, but dressing for success is not all about
  clothes. You will score a bigger hit if you
  concentrate on impressing the interviewer with
  your skills and abilities as well as with your
  good taste in clothes.
• If you don't have self-confidence, the poise,
  and the positive self-image, you won't wear the
  clothes well anyway!!!

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Here are some tips for a conservative look

• ?     Wear a suit or a basic dress (simple style)
  with "covered-up" look.
• ?       Wear conservative jewelry that doesn't
  jangle, no shining baubles.
• ?       Wear nylon hosiery rather than ankle sox.
• ? Remember that gloves look right with or
  without a hat, no matter what time of year.
• ?       Wear simple shoes. Open sandals are for
  resort and vacation wear this is no picnic.
• ?       Carry a handbag that has been cleared of
  clutter. You should have a pen and note pad for
  on-the-spot use.
• ?       Should you decide to wear a hat, be sure
  it does not hide your face. Keep it simple and
  uncluttered. Don't wear hair ornaments such as
  flowers or fancy combs to an interview.

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Appearance

• Makeup. Cosmetics should be used sparingly.
  Office makeup usually includes foundation, blush,
  small amounts of eye makeup, powder, and lip
  color. Conservative makeup or the natural look is
  excellent.
• Hair. A well-groomed and styled haircut is
  appropriate and indicates cleanliness and
  efficiency. For both men and women, the most
  important rule for business hairstyles is
  neatness. To keep your hair looking neat, no
  matter what style you choose, you need a good
  haircut.
• A good haircut will give your hair
  manageability and line.

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Appearance

• Scent. Scent should be subtle or nonexistent.
  However, if you want to wear a fragrance while at
  work, follow these two guidelines
• 1.Keep the scent light.
• 2.Make sure that you don't wear conflicting
  aromas, for example, aftershave that has one
  scent and cologne that has another.

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PREPARE FOR INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

• Your interview may be long or short, formal or
  casual, warm or cool. Whatever its form or
  character, it's really a game of eight questions.
  Learnand understandthe implications of these
  fundamental areas of inquiry. Then prepare your
  prime responses.
• (Have subsidiary answers ready, too, in case
  the interviewer probes a given area from many
  angles.)

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Here are some of the basic questions you'll
encounter in one form or another in almost every
job interview. And here, too, are the answers
that can help you get the job.
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How would you best describe yourself?

• The hidden question here is, "What can you do
  for us and how well would you fit in here?"
• What qualities and skills do you need for
  this job? If it's a sales representative job,
  you'll concentrate on sales experience you've had
  at school or in an organization or in another
  job.
• Emphasize any personal characteristics that
  fit the target occupation. "Even when I sold
  part-time during school, I enjoyed developing
  strategies that would move the product faster.
• "I like the give-and take that goes with
  selling.
• "When I was in school, I always sold the most
  tickets to our club's dances."

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In any job, basic traits that are useful to
mention in answer to any variation of this
question include, "I'm never sick. I work well
with all kinds of people." And instead of
reciting an unbroken list of talents, spice up
your response with quotes from others "My
professors and summer bosses always tell me I'm
quick to learn and a hard worker, good at
organization" (whatever is appropriate for the
demands of the desired job).
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What makes you interested in this job?

• Behind the smokescreen this time is the query,
  "Do you have a realistic idea of what's involved
  in this job?" If you pay attention, interviewers
  often hand you the perfect answer. In their
  opening comments, interviewers usually say what's
  uppermost on their minds. When, for instance,
  they talk about all the pressures and deadlines
  involved, you can understand what they're hoping
  to find in you. Though there may be many reasons
  you want this job, you'll concentrate on what
  they've told you is most important to them.

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What makes you interested in this job?

• So you'll explain you're interested because
  you understand that the job offers what you
  enjoyfast work pace, deadlines, and a chance to
  demonstrate ability under pressure. If possible,
  you'll cite examples of having put these
  abilities to effective use. They don't have to be
  earthshaking. Something like the semester you
  carried more courses than usual, worked
  part-time, yet managed to earn excellent grades
  would make the point.
• Tip If you come to the interview through an
  ad or agency referral, you'll probably be shown a
  written job description in advance!

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How would you best describe yourself?

• Use it to ferret out other clues to the
  responsibilities that interest the prospective
  employer and shape your replies accordingly.
  Wherever you can during the interview, find a
  place to tie your desire to work for them to the
  company's goals.
• Perhaps during your pre-interview research
  you learned they're coming up fast in the
  industry. Maybe they're now number three. When
  you declare you'd enjoy helping the organization
  advance to number two or even number one, you're
  moving away from the role of an outsider looking
  for work.
• Instead you're becoming a possible
  teammateone of us!

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What is your experience?

• In other words, tell me what you know, what
  you've learned in any part of your life that will
  be useful in handling this job.
• Again target your reply! Focus on the areas
  of expertise that fit the job, the company's
  problems, and its goals. Once more, draw on your
  research. If supervising and delegating
  responsibilities are important for this position,
  perhaps you can talk about your success in
  training and supervising new clerks at your
  summer job in a supermarket.

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Or maybe you can prove your cost-cutting and
supervisory abilities by telling how, during
the year you were house manager of your
sorority/fraternity, you instituted new food
purchasing methods that saved 15 percent on
annual food bills. And how, at the same time, you
worked so well with the cook, house porter, and
maids that turnover in those jobs dropped to
zero.A typical mistake citing examples and
experience that are irrelevant.
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What do your family and friends criticize or
tease you about?

• Confess anything serious and you're finished.
  There are many variations of this question
  ranging from "What are your greatest weaknesses?"
  to "What areas of your professional development
  would you like to work on?" to a friendly
  interviewer's "After all, nobody's perfect. What
  do you think your friends would object to about
  you?"
• No matter how sweetly it's put, beware. Your
  new "friend" will definitely count it against you
  if you reveal a genuine flaw. Confess to a fault
  that really is an asset for this kind of job. For
  instance, "Sometimes friends tease me because I
  get so involved in my work that I forget to go to
  lunch."

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Which of your accomplishments have given you the
greatest satisfaction?

• By now you realize you're really being asked,
  "Are you good at any of the things we have a
  problem with and/or are important for the job?"
  The interviewer wants to know the kinds of tasks
  and work climate you function best in. For a job
  where you'll have to work with many different
  kinds of people, you might be able to report that
  you worked very successfully during summers and
  vacations as a temporary. Now you tie this
  accomplishment into the company's needs.

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Which of your accomplishments have given you the
greatest satisfaction?

• You mention that though many people find temping
  exhausting because of the constant changes in
  locale, coworkers, and duties, you enjoyed it.
  Temping showed you that you can get along well
  with all kinds of people and adapt easily to
  different situations.
• Does the job demand problem-solving skills? Then
  among your proudest accomplishments you might
  bring up with convincing detailthe times you
  solved problems at school, on the job, or
  elsewhere.

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What are Your Outside Interests?

• Tricky translation Will your lifestyle or
  leisure activities embarrass us or keep you from
  giving your best? If the purchasing agent for the
  firm's biggest customer is your tennis partner,
  by all means mention it. If you're on speaking
  terms with some of the town's business tycoons
  because of your work on an environmental
  committee, do tell them about it. Indeed, any no
  controversial community activities can be helpful
  as an indication that you work well with a group
  or have leadership qualities.

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Also worth mentioning are leisure pursuits which
reinforce your job credentials. Most experts warn
against talking about religious or political
activities. No interviewer can control reflex
prejudices and you never know what you'll trigger
when religion and politics enter the discussion.
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If your leisure activities afford you no business
clout, then bring up only those which won't alarm
your interviewer, such as swimming, photography
and soon. Better ignored are diversions like
motorcycle racing, hang gliding anything that
could cause an injury that might keep you off the
job and increase the company's group medical
costs.
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How would you define your long-range career
goals?

• If we hire you, are you likely to stay for a
  while and is this job really the kind of work
  you're interested in? It's usually best to
  indicate general goals rather than specific.
  Naming a particular job, a definite salary, or
  even the bold, "I want the president's job"
  usually work against you. Interviewers generally
  see such answers as indicating an inflexible,
  narrow view of your future. Better to say
  something to this effect "I hope I'll have had
  promotions and will be making steady progress in
  this field." Or, "As hard as it is to predict the
  future, I'm very committed to a career in this
  field and I hope to stay here as long as I can
  make a useful contribution."

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Do you know what salary we're paying for this job?

• Two possible meanings
• Maybe we can get you at the bottom of our salary
  range.
• Are your expectations realistic?
• Try to delay the answer to this question
  as long as you can, preferably until you get the
  job offer. If the question comes early in the
  interview, sidestep with the reply that you
  understand that salaries are commensurate with
  the responsibilities and opportunities of the
  position, and you'd like to explore them further.
  If you ask for a high salary before you've
  convinced them that they need you that often ends
  the interview. But once they've made up their
  mind and invited you to join the organization,
  they're in a different mood. At this point
  they're inclined toward making some salary
  concession to get you.

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Do you know what salary we're paying for this job?

• It is best then if you request a high but
  realistic salary. (You should check the going
  rate for this kind of work in your area before
  the interview from newspaper ads, placement
  agencies, friends in the industry.) Trying to
  look like a bargain by naming a low salary often
  backfires. You may indeed land the job but at
  significantly lower pay than if you'd spoken up
  and suggested somewhere near the top of the
  salary range. You'll probably have to compromise
  and settle for less than the sum you named
  asking a higher-end figure usually brings you
  better final terms than you'd win with any other
  strategy. Ultimately you'll graciously compromise
  and accept "because the job offers such a great
  opportunity."

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Do you know what salary we're paying for this job?

• Tip Try hard to draw a first salary suggestion
  from the interviewer. You can always name your
  own figure and negotiate for a very different
  amount if the interviewer's initial sum is
  unsatisfactory. But an opening salary from the
  interviewer protects you from the tragedy of
  asking for less than they expected to pay.

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The Universal Link

• If you look over the hidden meanings in each
  question we've discussed, you'll discover a
  common denominator. On the surface the questions
  all appear to be about you. In truth, they are a
  tool for discovering what you can do for the
  employer. For an organization that's thinking of
  putting responsibility in your hands, it's a
  reasonable attitude. Whatever the question, take
  a moment to think, "What details of my abilities
  and experience could be useful to them?" and
  you'll have your answers. You'll be giving the
  interviewers what they're looking for. They, in
  turn, will offer you what you came fora good
  job!

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Consider Ways to Distinguish Yourself!

• Your interviewer is interested in your
  alertness, your ability to learn, and your
  willingness to adapt to new ideas and procedures.
  What the interviewer really wants to see is an
  intelligent attitude.
• Distinguish yourself the following ways
• ?       Use positive information.
• ?       Put most important information first.
• ?       Show a good work history.
• ?       Avoid being average.
• ?       Be consistent.
• ?       Give direct honest answers.
• ?       Show that you have confidence.
• ? Show that you can make a contribution to the
  company.

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Expect the Unusual!!!

• There will be highs and lows during the interview
  process. Expect the unusual. Perhaps you're
  always a cool, calm person, but at an interview,
  you might find that you're nervous. Rubbing your
  hands together seems to help burn off anxiety and
  breathing deeply provides oxygen.
• Although you sent a resume to the interviewer,
  expect him/her to ask you if you have a copy. The
  interviewer might want to see how prepared you
  are, or he/she might have temporarily misplaced
  the copy you sent.
• The job you discuss during the interview may not
  be the job you applied for. It may be an upgraded
  or downgraded version of the job you applied for,
  or a totally different job from the one applied
  for. Write down the technical name of the job
  discussed in the interview so that you can refer
  to it intelligently and ask questions about it
  when, and if, another contact is made.

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Last-Minute Suggestions

• Write down the exact interview day of the week,
  date, and time.
• Write down the address of where the interview
  will take place.
• Obtain the correct spelling and pronunciation of
  the interviewer's name and title. Record the room
  number and the telephone number.
• Make parking arrangements in advance.

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InterviewBeginning to Ending
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THE BEGINNING

• Arrival. Arrive at least ten to fifteen minutes
  early. Announce yourself clearly and precisely.
  Speak in a cheerful tone and always be pleasant.
  Keep in mind that the clue to your personality is
  not only in what you say, but also in how you say
  it. You can make a good or a bad impression on
  other people just by the way you express
  yourself. The best way to do this is to say, for
  example, "I have an appointment at nine o'clock
  with Mr. Snow. My name is Lois Cole." Remember
  not to use Mr. or Ms. when saying your name.
  Another way to make a good impression is to
  display some specific concern in the person to
  whom you are talking. Learn the person's name and
  use it.

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Arrival

• The receptionist will probably introduce you
  to the interviewer. Her body language will give
  the interviewer a clue as to how she sees you.
• The receptionist has the power to compliment
  or degrade you with just a subtle glance, raised
  eyebrow, or facial expression. She, in some
  cases, can make or break you. After you have let
  the receptionist know you have arrived for your
  interview, wait for his/her instructions as to
  what is next.
• Arriving early gives you time to fill out an
  application, if necessary, and it also
  illustrates your promptness and helps you to
  avoid that rushed feeling!

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Introduction to Interviewer

• If the receptionist introduces you, you have
  only to say, "How do you do?" If you must make
  the introduction, you immediately say, "How do
  you do Mr. Snow? I'm Lois Cole .
• Today, it's up to the interviewer to offer to
  shake hands first. Always have your right hand
  free, just in case. Wait until you have been
  asked to be seated.
• If the receptionist did not take your coat and
  if you aren't told where to place your things,
  put them on a nearby chair in a neat pile.
• Never put anything on the interviewer's desk!

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Posture. Sit straight in the chair or toward the
front edge of the seat. Put your hands in your
lap and clasp them together to avoid
unconscious drumming of fingers or sporadic hand
movements. Keep both feet on the floor to avoid
that lounging look. If crossing legs for the
ladies makes you more comfortable, do it in a
manner that is not revealing!Smoking. Never
light up a cigarette at a stranger's office
without permission.Don't ask for permission,
wait for the interviewer to make the offer.
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DURING THE INTERVIEW
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Direction of the Interview

• After you enter the interviewer's office some
  light conversation will usually take place.
  This is the interviewer's attempt to make you
  comfortable. After a couple of minutes, the
  interviewer will shift to the business at hand.
  Ideally, the direction of the interview is up to
  the interviewer. You'll run into all kinds of
  personalities, however, so be prepared.
• Answer all questions honestly and openly! You
  can stop for a couple of seconds to organize your
  thoughts. You do not have to be instantaneous
  with your responses.

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Direction of the Interview

• You can create a favorable impression by using
  words correctly. Speak loudly enough to be heard
  and be specific with the pronunciation of your
  words. You should do your utmost to be clear and
  concise. You must be able to use an appropriate
  word, first to attract the attention of a person
  and then retain his interest. Never talk about
  yourself for more than one minute! Never fear not
  using big words, as most of the big long words
  are little things. Most great things have small
  names such as life and death, day and night, or
  love and peace. You should use little words m a
  big way! Be sure to smile from time to time! Be
  conscious of your facial expression!

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Job Duties

• Be sure you know exactly what the job entails
  exactly what will be expected of you. You may
  not have all of the skills required to perform
  the job duties.
• The interview is the best time to discover
  thatnot the first day on the job.
• Remember, you will be performing for eight hours
  a day so make sure you know exactly what you're
  getting into!

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Salary

• The question of salary is academic until you
  are actually offered a job. Ideally it is a
  question which should be brought up by the
  interviewer, however, if salary is a crucial
  issue for you, and it is for most people, go
  ahead and ask about salary if the job is offered
  you.
• This is important to know before you accept
  the job! One word of warning Many young people,
  with little or no experience remember that
  talking about money is a delicate exchange!!!

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ENDING
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When to Go

• When is the interview over? There is no clear
  cut answer. Usually the interviewer will close
  the interview with some remark such as, "Well, Ms
  Cole, we expect to make a decision by Friday. If
  you are chosen we willin touch with you. You
  have to listen for cues, and the cues are vary.
  They range from Thank you for coming in," to a
  preoccupied stare that silently says, "Please
  go." Sometimes the cue is more of a feeling than
  a definite statement. Once you sense it, gather
  up your things and go into your thank-you
  speech.As you leave it is the interviewer who
  should be the first to offer to shake hands and
  suggest what you may expect next. If this
  information is not given it is acceptable for the
  applicant to ask how soon a decision will be
  made.

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Interview Questions

• There are two basic ways of interviewing. One
  method is for the interviewer to simply ask you
  to talk about yourself.
• If this happens, you must do most of the talking!
• Be sure to discuss your qualifications for the
  job. It is also a good idea that you are
  interested in the company. Give some specific
  reasons to work for the company. This is why it
  is important to learn about the company as much
  as possible before you go to the interview.
• In the other type of interview, the interviewer
  finds out about your qualifications by asking
  specific questions. This is probably the most
  common type of interview.

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AFTER THE INTERVIEW

• After each job interview, take a few minutes
  to evaluate your performance. Look at yourself
  through the interviewers eyes and rate yourself
  on the following points
• Appearance
• Verbal presentation and nonverbal signals
• Honesty
• Determination
•  Self-confidence
•  Imagination
•  Manners
• Attitude.

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AFTER THE INTERVIEW

• Appearance This includes health, grooming,
  hygiene, posture, dress, and social graces.
• Verbal presentation and nonverbal signals This
  includes your tone, grammar, pronunciation, and
  vocabulary.
• Honesty Tell the truth. Remember you're selling
  yourself. Say what you can do, but remember you
  can't do everything.
• Determination A willingness to tackle a job and
  get it done, and take on responsibility.
• Self-confidence Self-confidence is an important
  trait. Believe in yourself. Program yourself for
  success. Develop a feeling of importance.

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Imagination Use your imagination in turning
your weak points into strengths. Focus on
your assets and counter your weaknesses with
them.Manners This includes your attitude,
enthusiasm, friendliness, tact, as well as social
graces.Attitude Your state of minda positive
mental attitude. The way to start is to take the
first steps toward being positivechange your
negative attitude. Look pleasant, smile. Be
interested in what is going on around you.If you
evaluate yourself after each interview, you will
learn from each experience. You will get better
and better at making a good impression in an
interview.
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