Teaching Successful Interviewing

1
Teaching Successful Interviewing

• Thomas Allison
• Assistant Director of Career Services
• University of Nebraska - Lincoln

2
Helpful Resources for Interviewing

• Quintessential Careers
• http//www.quintcareers.com/interviewing_articles.
  html
• UNL Career Services - Interviewing
• http//www.unl.edu/careers/jobsearch/interview.sht
  ml

3
(No Transcript)
4
(No Transcript)
5
Prepare for Behavioral Interviews

• Behavioral interviews assume that the best
  predictor of future performance is past
  performance. The interviewer asks for examples of
  times when you demonstrated specific skills or
  traits. Candidates respond with examples from
  real-life experiences that show what they did do
  rather then what they would do. If they do not
  have the direct experience requested, they
  provide examples from similar situations.
• They should tell stories with emphasis on what
  they did and the results.

6
Encourage Clients To Prepare

• Know their strengths
• Research the job organization
• Prepare strength stories

7
Know Their Strengths

• Identify strengths (learned skills, personal
  qualities, etc.)
• What have you been told are your strengths?
• Ask friends, family employers for more ideas
• What do you enjoy doing?
• Parts of past jobs you enjoyed?
• Hobbies, interests that could be related to work?

8
Research the Job Organization

• Research the organization
• Organization web site
• Talk to organization employees
• Talk to customers
• Research the job
• Obtain a job description
• Talk to people in this and/or similar jobs
• Connect strengths to the job employer
• What can you contribute to this job?
• What can you contribute to this organization?

9
Prepare Strength Stories

• Be specific to tell the story by providing
• A Context
• Actions taken
• Results

10
Use Strengths to Answer Questions

• Tell me about yourself.
• First chance to show one or two strengths
• Why should we hire you?
• You will benefit from these strengths
• Why do you want this job?
• Chance to apply these strengths
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
• With your organization, finding new ways to apply
  strengths
• What are your strengths?

11
Use Strengths For Tough Questions

• Tell me about a time you failed.
• Didnt use my strengths
• Tell me about the worst boss you ever had.
• He/she didnt let me use my strengths
• Rate yourself on a scale from 1 to 10.
• Strengths (rate 9 always room to improve)
• What are your weaknesses?
• Opposite of strengths
• Illegal questions
• Refocus on strengths

12
Show Strengths When Asking Questions

• Prepare questions in advance
• Use your research of the organization
• Ideal
• Show you did your research (I see on your
  website)
• Highlight a strength (Your seeking hard workers
  and when I worked at XYZ my ratings for
  reliability were always in the outstanding
  category)

13
Prepare For Alternative Interview Formats

• Telephone
• Have resume, strength notes, and be in a quiet
  environment
• Dress up, smile!
• Stress/High Pressure
• Stay professional, calm
• Panel
• Address individual asking a question
• Maintain eye contact with everyone

14
Avoid Possible Snags

• Before the Interview
• Do a dry run to interview site check out
  parking
• Obtain appropriate interview attire
• Optional Prepare a folder with your stories and
  extra resumes
• Day of Interview
• Be clean, neat polished
• Arrive 10 minutes early review your folder
• Take cell phone and employer number
• Cash for parking, emergencies

15
10 Interviewing Donts

• Dont be late.
• Dont bring a lot of baggage.
• Dont ramble, dominate, or interrupt.
• Dont be vague.
• Dont undersell yourself.
• Dont argue with the interviewer.
• Dont let your cell phone ring.
• Dont talk money or benefits.
• Dont mention other offers.
• Dont ask how you did.

16
10 Interviewing Dos

• Be polite to everyone
• Listen well
• Express focused goals
• Give specific examples of accomplishments
• Make notes, reference as needed
• Ask questions along the way
• Keep conversation moving, stay focused
• Clarify, summarize interviewers key points
• Express enthusiasm for the job
• Obtain business cards

17
Thank You Note

• If you send one
• Send it the same day as the interview
• Keep it short
• State your enthusiasm for the position because it
  matches well with your strengths

18
Final Thoughts For The Interview

• Anxiety will be reduced if you focus upon
  remembering the strength stories
• Show interest in the position
• Thank interviewer and staff
• Critique yourself, learn from experience