The Internal Interview

1
The Internal Interview

• How To Put Your Best Foot Forward

2
The Internal Interview

• Purpose of the Interview
• What to expect during the interview process
• How to put your best foot forward

3
Purpose of the Interview

• For the Selection Committee to evaluate the
  candidates fit for the position.
• For the candidate to evaluate the position for
  fit with their personality and career goals.

Selection Committee
Candidate
4
What To Expect During the Interview

• To be questioned about your work experience and
  education as it relates to the position.
• To be evaluated in respect to personality fit for
  the position.
• To be tested to see if you have the core
  competencies to be successful in the position.
• To be given a chance to ask questions of the
  selection committee.

5
How to put your best foot forward

• Too many of us miss out on the job we have
  wanted for so long because we did not represent
  our skills and experience to the best of our
  abilities.
• These days, you cant just show up at an
  interview without doing your homework first and
  expect to ace it.
• To make sure that you are as prepared as
  possible

6
How to put your best foot forward

• Research
• Review
• Rehearse!

7
Research

• Research the job, the department and the College
  by going to the web site. Read the 5 Year
  Strategic Plan, the Departments website and
  anything else you can find.
• You will want to be able to answer the
  following how the department fits into the plan
  and how does the position help the department
  reach the goals set out in the plan.
• Call Human Resources Services and ask for a copy
  of the Job Description.
• Talk to people in the area of the job to get
  feedback on the position, the managers style and
  the work environment

8
Review

• Review the job description and job posting and
  write down the skills, education, competencies
  and experience that are required for the job.
• Review your skills, education, experience and
  accomplishments that are applicable to the job
  you are applying for.
• Write out a T graph and on one side list the jobs
  requirements and on the other map your skills,
  experience and accomplishments to them.
• They Need Ive Got/Done

9
Review

• Develop an example of past situations where you
  have shown those skills, behaviors or
  competencies.
• BE SPECIFIC!
• Give facts, figures, dates, where, when and how.
• Write out the examples. This not only
  crystallizes and organizes your thoughts, but
  logs the details in your mind.

10
Behavioral Interview

• Behavioral interviewing is based on the premise
  that the best way to predict future behavior is
  to determine past behavior.
• This technique is designed to minimize personal
  impressions that can effect the hiring decision,
  by focusing on actions and behaviors, rather than
  subjective impressions.
• Instead of asking how you would behave in a
  particular situation, you will be asked to give
  an example of how you did behave in the past to
  the same kind of situation.
• You will be asked to provide details. This is
  why you have written out all those examples in
  the first place.

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Behavioral Interview Examples

• The person in this position needs to be
  innovative and proactive. Can you describe some
  things you have done to demonstrate these
  qualities?
• What examples can you cite of your ability to
  apply prudent judgment in a delicate situation.
• A. Why was the situation delicate?
• B. What did you do?
• C. Why did you do it?
• D. What was the outcome?
• 3. Give an example on how you dealt with an irate
  student/client.

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Behavioral Interview Examples

• 4. Tell me about a time when you had a major
  conflict with another employee.
• A. What was the cause of the conflict?
• B. What things did you do to alleviate the
  problem?
• C. What were the results?
• 5. Give me an example of your involvement in a
  successful team effort.
• A. What role did you play?
• B. Why was the effort successful?
• 6. Tell us about a time when you were feeling
  overwhelmed in your job?
• A. What were the circumstances?
• B. How did you handle the situation?

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Behavioral Interview Examples

• Please give us an example of a time when you had
  to make a decision to satisfy a client, but when
  you were unable to consult with a manager. Be
  specific.
• Please tell us about a time in your work history
  in which your manager has assigned you with a
  number of tasks. Explain how you prioritized them
  and your rationale for doing so.
• Would you please describe your organizational
  skills and provide us with concrete examples
  which demonstrate these skills?

14
Other Difficult Interview Questions

• What key accomplishments can you cite that
  suggest you are an excellent candidate for this
  position?
• Please describe your key strengths
• A. What two or three major accomplishments best
  demonstrate your key strengths?
• Each of us have areas where we could improve
  performance. In what areas could you improve
  your overall performance?
• Youre aware of the qualifications for this
  position. Could you outline how your experience
  fulfils these qualifications?

15
Rehearse

• Rehearse your answers for the difficult types of
  question until you have them down pat.
• Rehearse your accomplishments until you know them
  inside out and backwards. You want to be able to
  highlight any skill or competency that you think
  can be thrown at you.
• Rehearse the interview in your head. All the
  great athletes visualize success before they go
  and compete. Do the same, play the interview in
  your head and see yourself confidently answering
  all those questions easily. By the time you
  actually are interviewing, it will be like an old
  hat, as this is at least the fourth time you've
  gone through it.

16
Body Language and Speech Skills

• Dos
• Smile
• Make eye contact
• Firm handshake
• Sound enthusiastic
• Sound confident
• Sit up straight

• Donts
• Mumble your answers
• Be a low talker
• Cross your arms in front of you
• Dont touch your face or play with your hair
• Avoid nervous habits, such as tapping your
  fingers

17
Final Preparation

• Expect the unexpected..
• Bring extra copies of your resume (just in case)
• Plan for an early arrival
• Double check your appearance (dress to impress!)
• Have a list of references available
• Bring your notes and a pen
• Relax