Making An Entrance

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Making An Entrance

• Preparing for that next job interview.

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Outline topics

• Finding the Jobs
• Preparing for the Interview
• Resume vs. Curriculum Vitae
• Preparing a Cover Letter
• Doing Your Research
• Marketing Yourself
• Packaging Yourself
• The Interview
• Telephone Interviews Face to Face Interviews
  Group Interviews
• Behavioral Interviewing
• Following Up After the Interview

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Finding the Jobs
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Where Do I Find Out About Jobs?

• Word of Mouth / Networking
• Program directors
• Friends
• State/Regional and National meetings
• Advance Magazine
• http//laboratorian.advanceweb.com/
• Websites
• Hot Jobs

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Preparing for the Interviews
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Résumés and Curriculum Vitaes

• Whats the difference?
• Résumé
• Will work for most jobs
• CV
• Used more in academic settings

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Résumé

• Objective Dedicated cytotechnology graduate
  dedicated to become an outstanding
  cytotechnologist providing the best patient care
  possible
• Education
• Skills
• Previous work experience

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Curriculum Vitae

• CURRICULUM VITAE/BIBLIOGRAPHY
• Name
• 1. PERSONAL INFORMATION
• Place of Birth
• Citizenship
• 2. PRESENT ACADEMIC RANK AND POSITION
• 3. EDUCATION (include degrees and dates)
• College/University
• 4. BOARD CERTIFICATION(S)
• 5. MEDICAL LICENSURE
• 6. HONORS/AWARDS
• 7. MILITARY SERVICE (include branch of service,
  place, and date)
• 8. PREVIOUS PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS AND MAJOR
  APPOINTMENTS
• (Academic, Research, Clinical - list
  chronologically beginning with earliest
  appointment)
• 9. PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND SOCIETIES
  (Extramural only)
• 10. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
• A. Curriculum/Course Development
• B. Teaching Activities
• 11. INSTITUTIONAL/DEPARTMENTAL ADMINISTRATIVE
  RESPONSIBILITIES, COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS, AND
  OTHER ACTIVITIES

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Cover Letters

• Brief introduction
• State position applying for
• How you meet minimum requirements (HR often takes
  first read)
• Something unique?

Suggestion Use the job description or job
posting to generate a worksheet with direct
comparison between the job requirements and your
qualifications and turn this into a cover letter.
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Do Some Research

• Learn as much as you can about the organization.
• How big is the organization?
• What is unique about the organization?
• What is the culture and mission?
• Is it a place youd like to work?
• What skills does the organization value most?
• Doing some research can separate the hired from
  the not hired!

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Marketing Yourself
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Marketing Yourself

• DO YOUR HOMEWORK!
• Identify your strengths / competencies prepare
  examples that demonstrate them. (Q-statements)
• Identify your weaknesses.
• List your accomplishments be prepared to talk
  about them.

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Competencies Employers are Looking for

• Analytical skill
• Attentiveness
• Compliance
• Customer focus
• Decision making
• Ethics and values
• Flexibility
• Goal setting
• Innovation
• Leadership

• Motivation
• Planning skills
• Problem solving
• Self confidence
• Sensitivity
• Team skills
• Time management
• Tolerance
• Verbal skills
• Writing skills

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Experienced versus Brand New Grad

• Questions will be different
• New grads no real skill sets to evaluate from
  previous jobs
• Result may be more focused on soft skills
• Organizational fit
• Team skills
• Response to authority
• Coachable
• Be ready to discuss your productivity and
  accuracy during your clinical experience.

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Packaging Yourself
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Packaging Yourself

• Your dress
• Well groomed
• Fit the company

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Pay Attention to the Details

• Dress conservatively
• Avoid wearing more than one ring per hand and one
  pair of earrings.
• Remove visible body piercing jewelry.
• Avoid using or wearing anything that is strongly
  scented.
• Avoid wild or unusual hairdos.
• Always bring a pad of paper and a pen or pencil
  for taking notes.

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Whats the Big Deal About My Appearance?

• It is one of the MANY signals you will send to
  the interviewer during the first 20 seconds.
• Its not about the clothes, jewelry or hair, but
  rather it shows you took the time to put yourself
  together and a sign of respect.
• 93-97 of our communication is actually
  non-verbal.

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Body Language

• Be conscious of your non-verbal communication
• Smile
• Active listening
• Look directly at the interviewer
• Lean forward to indicate your interest
• Nod when the interviewer is talking to indicate
  you are engaged and connected.
• Do not interrupt or rush to finish the
  interviewers question
• Use silence effectively
• Monitor your gesturing

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The Telephone Interview
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Telephone Interviews

• It wasnt an interview, it was just a phone
  call.
• It was still an interview. And it could affect
  your potential career with an employer.
• So treat it with all the respect due a full
  interview.

Collegegrad.com
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The telephone interview is used to

• Fill in missing information on the candidate's
  resume
• Question the candidate to determine his/her level
  of interest
• Get a feeling for the candidate's communication
  skills
• Ask some questions to get a sense of the
  candidate's technical qualifications
• Decide whether to invite the candidate for a
  personal interview.

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Setting Up Interviews

• Phone interviews
• Weeding out
• Need to be just as prepared as for personal
  interviews
• Sell yourself more
• Be memorable in a good way

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Three Types of Telephone Interviews

• You initiate a call to the Hiring Manager and he
  or she is interested in your background. The call
  from that point forward is an interview.
• A hospital/lab calls you based upon a previous
  contact. You will likely be unprepared for the
  call, but it is still an interview.
• You have a preset time with a representative to
  speak further on the phone. Also an interview.

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Telephone Interviews

• Resume handy
• Employer research nearby
• Notepad and pen
• Glass of water
• Turn off call waiting,background noise,
  distractions etc.

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During the telephone interview

• Smile!
• Stand up while youre talking
• Personality matching
• Listen extra carefully
• Keep your answers to less than 90 seconds
• Vary the pitch or tone of your voice
• Do not EVER discuss salary on the phone

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The Face to Face Interview
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Find out as much as you can about the interview

• Who will you be talking to?
• What are the interviewer's expectations?
• Will there be a slide test?
• Get directions to the office. Plan to leave
  early. Keep a phone number to call if you get
  stuck on the bus or in traffic. If you arrive
  late and stressed, the interview will not go
  well.
• If you don't have a detailed job description, ask
  for one.

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What Do I Wear?
Campus fashions and work fashions are two
different worlds. Collegegrad.com
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From worst interview experiences

• "I went to one of my first job interviews with
  dress sandals on. I was hired but they sure let
  me know that the sandals were inappropriate for
  the interview.
• The interviewer asked if I knew how to use an
  iron.

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Employers responding to a recent survey had
plenty to say about "worst interview" experiences
with college students, including

• "The student came to the interview dressed in a
  sequined suit with a gold cowboy hat and white
  boots."
• "The student showed up in her prom gown because
  she was told to wear the nicest thing she owned
  in lieu of a suit."
• "The student discussed drunken exploits in the
  interview."
• "The student spoke on her cell phone for 38 of
  the 45 minutes of the interview."
• "The student fell asleep in the middle of the
  interview."
• "The student entered the interview chewing gum
  and proceeded to stick it under the interview
  desk when he thought no one was looking.

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How about the flip side?

• "The interviewer ate while I was talking."
• "The interviewer kept calling me by someone
  else's name."
• "Four interviewers kept asking questions one
  after the other however, most of the time I was
  asked another question while I was answering the
  previous one."
• "The interviewer was an hour late."
• "I left feeling like I knew everything about the
  interviewer and that he knew nothing about me."
  

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Top Ten

• Arrive on time.
• Introduce yourself in a courteous manner.
• Read company materials while you wait.
• Have a firm handshake.
• Listen.
• Use body language to show interest.
• Smile, nod, give nonverbal feedback to the
  interviewer.
• Ask about the next step in the process.
• Thank the interviewer.
• Write a thank-you letter to anyone you have
  spoken to.

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Dressing for the interview

• Men and Women
• Conservative
• Clean, polished conservative shoes
• Well-groomed hairstyle
• Clean, trimmed fingernails
• Avoid strong scented colognes or perfumes
• Empty pocketsno bulges or tinkling coins
• No gum, candy, or cigarettes
• Light briefcase or portfolio case
• No visible body piercing (nose rings, eyebrow
  rings, etc.) or tattoos

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What does this define?

• A short ritual that is commonly done upon
  meeting, parting, offering congratulations, or
  completing an agreement.
• Its purpose is to demonstrate good will, and
  possibly originated as a gesture showing that the
  hand holds no weapon.
• Please demonstrate with your neighbors.

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Use Positive Body Language

• A firm handshake
• A pleasant greeting
• A positive can-do attitude

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Behavioral Interviewing

• Behavioral interviewing asserts that "the most
  accurate predictor of future performance is past
  performance in a similar situation.
• Currently, 30 percent of all organizations are
  using behavioral interviewing to some degree.

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Behavioral Interviewing, cont . . .

• Behavioral interviewing emphasizes past
  performance and behaviors
• http//www.brockport.edu/career/behave.htm
• Questions are created to address predetermined
  skill sets applicable to the particular position
• Employers are unlikely to ask you directly if
  you possess these skills, but they will be
  looking for them in your demeanor, in the stories
  you tell, and in the way you tell them.

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These skill sets could include

• Decision making
• Leadership
• Ethics and values
• Motivation and initiative
• Communication verbal and written
• Interpersonal skills
• Planning and organization
• Critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Team building
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Ability and willingness to learn

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Four Types of Questions

• Straight-forward Questions (SFQ)
• Designed to assess whether you posses the kinds
  of skills, and to what degree you are in command
  of those skills, that the job requires.
• Question behind the Question (QBQ)
• The secret to answering these questions is to
  understand the real intent of the question.
• Stress Questions (SQ)
• Designed to make you defensive, angry, nervous,
  or doubtful and to gain information about how you
  behave under stress.
• Questions you ask the Interviewer

From text Fearless Interviewing by Marky Stein.
McGraw-Hill 2003.
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ILLEGAL QUESTIONS

• Age
• Marital status
• Race / Ethnicity
• Sexual preference
• Disabilities
• Religion
• Arrest record

• Women
• Are you pregnant?
• Do you plan to have children?
• How many children do you have?
• How old are your children?

Acceptable ADA question Do you have any physical
condition that would prevent you from doing this
job?
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How to answer illegal questions

• Excuse me, but Im not sure I understand. Could
  you please rephrase the question?
• Im not sure how my marital status would have
  any bearing on my ability to carry out my job
  responsibilities. Could you please clarify that
  for me?
• Does my race have something to do with the job
  description? I dont think I understand the
  question.

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Questions are selected based on

• The necessary skills required to do the job.
• The skills/competencies that make a successful
  candidate.
• The reasons why people have left the position
  previously.
• Requirements for the most difficult part of the
  job.

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Preparing for Behavioral Interview Questions

• The best way to accomplish this is to use the
  three-step STAR process or1. Situation or Task
  What were your responsibilities?
• 2. Action What did you do to identify the
  issue or resolve the problem?
• 3. Result or outcome What did you accomplish?
  Be specific!

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In preparation for the behavioral interview

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Key to Interviewing

• Know your strengths and be able to provide
  concrete examples of those strengths with
  confidence to present yourself and your skills in
  the best possible light.

The door of opportunity wont open unless you do
some pushing. - Anonymous
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More General Tips for Interviewing . . .

• Avoid speaking in generalities but give specific
  answers to the questions being asked.
• Dont expect the interviewer to connect the
  dots for you.
• 90 of employers state that the primary reason
  they do not hire a candidate is because he or she
  could not clearly state his or her skills.

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5 Types of Skills

• General Skills
• Can be found in almost every profession
• Job-specific Skills
• Those abilities you need to succeed in a
  particular job in your profession
• Personal Traits
• Have more to do with who you are than what you
  do. They bear heavily on your attitude, work
  habits, and how you relate to others.
• Competencies
• Clusters of skills. They make the difference
  between being promoted or passed over. They
  definitely make the difference between people who
  are hired and those who are not.
• Gifts

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Developing your skills arsenal . . .

• Interviewers want to hear specific information.
  If you dont provide them, you will be asked.
  You set yourself apart from other applicants if
  you are prepared to offer them yourself.
• Developing a Q statement (skills statement).
• Verb (Who, What, When, Where, How) Result
• General Statement Im an excellent manager.
• Q Statement I have managed 135 people on
  projects budgeted for over 2.1 million.

From text Fearless Interviewing by Marky Stern.
McGraw-Hill 2003.
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More about Q Statements . . .

• General Statement I am multilingual.
• Q Statement I am fluent in French, Spanish, and
  Chinese.
• Tips
• They are concrete. They do not make a simple
  claim.
• Use actual facts and numbers to specifically
  demonstrate your skills.
• Provide evidence of the skill and a good idea of
  the scope of the skill.

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Its Time to Practice
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Decision Making and Problem Solving

• Give me an example of a time when you had to keep
  from speaking or making a decision because you
  did not have enough information.
• Give me an example of a time when you had to be
  quick in coming to a decision.

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Motivation and Initiative

• Give me an example of a time when you went above
  and beyond the call of duty.
• Describe a situation when you were able to have a
  positive influence on the action of others.

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Communication

• Tell me about a situation when you had to speak
  up (be assertive) in order to get a point across
  that was important to you.
• Have you ever had to "sell" an idea to your
  co-workers or group? How did you do it? Did they
  "buy" it?

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Interpersonal Skills

• What have you done in the past to contribute
  toward a teamwork environment?
• Describe a recent unpopular decision you made and
  the subsequent result.

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Planning and Organization

• How do you decide what gets top priority when
  scheduling your time?
• What do you do when your schedule is suddenly
  interrupted? Give an example.

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Other potential questions

• Give a specific example of a policy you conformed
  to with which you did not agree.
• Give me an example of an important goal which you
  had set in the past and tell me about your
  success in reaching it.
• Describe a time when you were faced with a
  stressful situation that demonstrated your coping
  skills.

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Describe a situation you've encountered with a
difficult customer.

• "In my last job I dealt with customers at a
  retail store. One customer wanted to return an
  item she had obviously bought several years ago,
  which was against store policy. I talked to her
  calmly and explained our policies and encouraged
  her to shop and I would exchange the item,
  however, I could not give a refund.
• "I rarely encounter a difficult customer because
  of my excellent customer service.
• "I had a customer once who claimed her steak was
  not cooked correctly....I picked up a knife and
  cut it open and explained that's the way it's
  supposed to be."

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The Slide Test

• Assessment of the basic skills
• Generally
• Routine cases with straightforward diagnostic
  categories
• Looking for proper terminology and differential
  diagnostic capabilities
• Generally not
• Rare diagnostic entities
• Slides with minimal abnormal changes

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The Slide Test - Approach

• Just like any other exam
• Relax and enjoy it ?
• Be mindful of the time you are taking they are
• Review clinical information before rendering
  final diagnosis
• Be ready with criteria if you get a chance to
  discuss the test

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But hopefully we wont be asked to make chairs..

• Or build a microscope

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The Group Interview
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Group Interviews

• Interview with several interviewers at the same
  time.
• The content and your answers will not be any
  different than if it were interviewing with just
  one person.
• 3 tips to keep in mind
• When you enter the room, shake hands with each
  person in the group.
• Make eye contact with everyone in the room.
• Write thank-you notes to all of the interviewers.

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The Lunch Interview
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Meals and the Interview

• Mind your manners
• Put your napkin in your lap.
• Dont order alcohol.
• Don't order the most expensive food on the menu.
• When ordering, think about the mess factor.

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Meals and the Interview

• Also
• Don't talk with your mouth full.
• If asked a question while your mouth is full -
  finish chewing.

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When its your turn to ask questionsHave some!
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Questions for Human Resources (HR)

• Tell me about an employee in your organization
  who is considered to be an outstanding employee.
  What makes that person special?
• How does my background compare with others you
  have interviewed?
• I feel my background and experience are a good
  fit for this position and I am very interested.
  What is the next step?

CollegeGrad.com
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What other questions are good to ask about the
lab/environment?

• Remember all interviews are 2-way. You want to
  know if this is really a place you want to work.
• Is the laboratory CLIA certified and/or CAP
  accredited?
• Does the lab have ergonomic chairs, desks and
  microscopes?
• What safety equipment is available in the prep
  area?
• Are there continuing education opportunities?
• What would be some of my duties the first year of
  employment?
• What would be the ideal candidate for this
  position?

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Questions for Supervisor/Pathologist

• Can you tell me more about the position and the
  type of person you are seeking?
• What would a typical work day be like?
• What are the measurements for success within your
  laboratory/department?
• What will be the measurements of my success in
  this position?
• What is your vision for your laboratory/department
  for the next few years?

CollegeGrad.com
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Questions for Peer Interviews

• Why did you decide to join this organization?
• What were your initial expectations? Were they
  met?
• How have your expectations changed over time?
• What do you consider your organizations
  strengths and weaknesses?
• What can you tell me about working for your
  manager?
• What is the typical management style?

CollegeGrad.com
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AFTER THE INTERVIEW next steps
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Follow Up

• Within 24 hours of interview
• Follow up letter
• (collect names of those you met at the interview)
• Thank you
• Appreciation of time
• Mention something specific about interview that
  made it great
• Reinforce your interest
• Include contact information
• Follow up with a phone call
• Limit you calls to one a week and keep them
  brief.

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Sample Follow Up Letter

• Dear _____________
• Thank you for your time today. I enjoyed the
  discussion and the opportunity to meet a highly
  motivated team of professionals.
• I am impressed with your laboratory and
  department. Your continuing education and
  dedication to quality are of particular interest
  to me. I feel that my program is preparing me
  well for work in your type of laboratory.
• I will be happy to answer any other questions
  you may have.
• Looking forward to hearing from you.
• Yours sincerely,
• Name and contact information.

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Your hire will most likely be based on

• Youre competence and skill in handling the job
  responsibilities. (30)
• Your potential value and scope of your
  contribution to the organization.
• Your chemistry fit with the environment
  culture. (50)
• Your interest in taking the job, your
  enthusiasm. (20)

Hire Me, Inc Interviews That Get Offers. Roy J.
Blitzer
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Good Luck!