Interviewing 101

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Interviewing 101

• Technical Preparation Initiative
• Community College of
• Allegheny County

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The Interview Allows Employers to

• Meet candidates face-to-face
• Assess job skills
• Assess personality
• Assess how candidate will fit into organization
• Have candidate screen themselves out
• Its all about matching!

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Preparing for the Interview

• Research the company.
• What is the companys full name?
• What does it do / make?
• Does it have a good reputation?
• Is it known as a good employer?
• Review your resume.

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Preparing for the Interview (2)

• Confirm your appointment
• Date, time, building and room number
• Full name, title and phone number of interviewer
• Make sure you know how to get there.
• Do you know the complete address?
• Do you know the phone number?
• Check the driving directions. (If necessary,
  call and ask!)
• Check for public transportation routes and
  timetables.
• Check for requisite bus fare, parking money and
  gas.

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Final Preparations

• Make sure clothes are clean and pressed
• Shine shoes
• Check childcare arrangements
• Re-check travel arrangements

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Things to take with you

• Extra copies of resume
• Extra copies of references
• Copies of transcripts
• 2 pens (blue or black)
• Notepad
• Smile
• Confidence

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What not to take with you

• Children
• Family friends
• Shopping bags
• Any big bag
• A backpack
• Bad attitude

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What to do on the big day

• Get ready early.
• Check your appearance.
• Do you have everything that you need?
• Do you have the directions to get there?
• Calculate when you need to leave, and then leave
  10 minutes earlier!

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Arriving at the Interview

• Be 10 minutes early.
• Stop at the restroom first.
• Introduce yourself
• Hi. I am Joan Bagadonuts and I am here to see
  Ms. Whatsherface regarding the position in the
  computer support group.
• Radiate self confidence

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Meeting the Interviewer

• Stand up and smile.
• Use a firm handshake.
• Look them in the eye
• Introduce yourself.
• Be attentive.
• Do as they tell you.
• Let interviewer take the lead.

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Answering Interview QuestionsPreparing for
interview questions DO

• Keep answers short and simple. (KISS)
• Know yourself.
• Know why you want the job.
• Develop a brief, flexible sales pitch.
• Prepare for common questions.
• Know the company.
• Tell the truth.

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Answering Interview QuestionsPreparing for
interview questions DONT

• Do not prepare to answer every possible question.
• Do not inflate your credentials.
• Dont lie.

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Answering Interview QuestionsActive listening

• Listen carefully to the question listen for the
  un-asked question.
• Remember that the purpose of the interview is to
  assess both your skills and your fit with the
  company.

• Answer the question briefly do no harm
• State how your skills or abilities relate to the
  job.
• Think before you speak.

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Answering Interview QuestionsPAR Method of
answering interview questions

• P Problem Describe a work-related
  problem that you handled successfully.
• A Action Describe what action you took in
  response to that problem.
• R Results Describe the positive result of
  your actions.

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Answering Interview QuestionsPreparing for
generic interview questions

• Tell me about yourself?
• What do you hope to be doing in 5 years?
• Why are you qualified for this job?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• How do others describe you?

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Answering Interview QuestionsPreparing for all
other interview questions

• Active listening
• Stick to the topic
• No-nos
• Illegal questions

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Answering Interview QuestionsNo-nos (Things you
should never do)

• Dont answer without thinking.
• Never state anything controversial (e.g.
  religion and politics).
• Never say anything negative about
• Yourself
• Your former boss or job.
• Never be a know-it-all.
• Never be timid.
• Do not lie.
• Never eat, drink, chew gum or smoke.

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Answering Interview QuestionsHandling illegal
questions

• The interviewer asked the question probably
  because they may not know any better.
• Dont jump up and scream.
• Answer the legal question the interviewer meant
  to ask.
• If appropriate, explain briefly why kids,
  criminal record or other concerns will not affect
  job performance.

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At the Interview During the interview

• Relax.
• Radiate confidence.
• Watch your body language.
• Let the interviewer speak.
• Think before you speak.
• Speak clearly.

• Answer the questions, but be sure your message
  about why youre the best is heard
• You are there to sell yourself and your
  abilities. The interview is your chance to
  present your sales pitch.

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At the Interview Why ask questions at the
interview?

• Shows you are interested
• Get information from interviewer about the job
• Springboard for you to state more skills
  qualifications
• Its all about matching!

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At the Interview Questions to ask at the
interview

• Why is the job available?
• What are the key responsibilities of the job?
• Could you tell me how Id be spending my day.
• What specific qualifications or qualities are
  you looking for?
• Who will be making the hiring decision and
  when?
• When would I be expected to start?

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At the Interview Questions NOT to ask at the
interview

• Personal questions of interviewer
• Any questions about money or vacation

• A question just to ask a question, especially
  if that topic has already been covered

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At the Interview

• A Rule of Thumb If you dont ask any questions
  of the interviewer, (s)he wont see that you can
  think on your feet. You probably will not get
  the job.

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At the Interview Ending the interview

• Wait for the interviewer to conclude the
  interview.
• Shake hands and smile.
• Say something positive.
• Ask for a business card!

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At the Interview Why should you get a business
card?

• On one small card you will have
• Your interviewers name (spelled correctly)
• Address
• Contact information
• A perfect place (that wont get lost) to write
  notes the blank flip side.

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What to do after the interview

• Immediately jot down notes on back of her/his
  business card.
• Write and send thank you/ follow-up letter.
• Follow-up with a phone call.

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