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Module 6 Interviewing Techniques
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Introduction and Learning Objectives

• Learn how to prepare for an interview
• Review the four stages of the interview
• Practice how to answer interview questions
• Develop types of questions to ask the interviewer
• Understand the importance of nonverbal
  communication
• Learn what to do after the interview

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What Is an Interview?

• Has anyone ever given an oral report or taken an
  oral test in school?
• Has anyone gone before a panel of officers or
  staff NCOs where you were asked questions as part
  of a promotion board or awards committee?
• What specifically did you do to prepare?
• What is the grade assigned at the end of an
  interview?

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What Is an Interview? (cont.)

• A TEST
• A two-part process that allows an employer to
  find out more about you
• A way to see whether your personality fits the
  organization
• An opportunity for you to find out more about a
  potential employer

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Preparing for the Interview Research

• Researching the organization
• What kind of information should you look for when
  doing research?
• Where might you find this information?
• See Company Research Topics handout
• What are the benefits of doing research before an
  interview?

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Preparing for the Interview Research (cont.)

• Research your own qualifications
• Analyze available job information
• Identify three to five key competencies, skills,
  and strengths that match the job description
• Attend the Job-Search Strategies class for help
• Use these handouts from the class to help
• Know your résumé inside and out
• Attend the next Résumé and Cover Letter Writing
  class

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Preparing for the Interview Research (cont.)

• Provide examples to prove qualifications
• Anticipate answers to questions
• See Common Interview Questions handout
• Know your long-term and short-term career goals
• Attend the Career Decision-
• Making and Planning
• class for help

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Preparing for the Interview References

• What are references and why do employers ask for
  them?
• Choose three to five to prove or back up your
  qualifications
• Ask the references permission first!
• Obtain their up-to-date contact information
• Make references aware of the positions you are
  interviewing for
• Coach references and provide them with a copy of
  your résumé

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Creating a FavorableFirst Impression

• Ever met a Marine for the first time whose
  uniform was dirty or who needed a haircut?
• Ever been to a restaurant that was dirty?
• Ever had a bad customer service experience?
• What was your impression?
• How should you dress for an interview?
• See Dress for Success handout

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Getting There on Time

• Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early
• Get directions in advance
• Make a practice run
• Anticipate traffic and parking
• Fill your cars gas tank the night before

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What to Bring

• What should you bring to the interview?
• What should you NOT bring?
• Make sure you are polite with everyone you meet
  (particularly the receptionist)
• Act conservatively in the lobby
• You never know who is who in the organization!

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Stages of the Interview Introduction

• HALF the interviewers mind is made up within the
  first three minutes
• Four things that make a good first impression
• Proper dress/grooming
• Proper handshake
• What is the proper way to shake hands when
  greeting someone in a business setting?
• Smile
• Eye contact with the interviewer when greeting
  him or her
• Introduction topics

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Employer Questions and Answers

• Ice-breaker questions
• Open-ended questions
• Situational and behavioral questions
• Improper and illegal questions
• Salary questions

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Ice-Breaker and Open-Ended Questions

• See Common Interview Questions handout
• What are ice-breaker questions and how do you
  handle them?
• Open-ended questions
• Understand the question before answering it
• Dont discuss personal interests or information
• Focus on three to five key strengths and
  competencies relevant to the job, and provide
  examples that prove these

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Situational and Behavioral Questions

• What are situational and behavioral interview
  questions?
• How should you answer them?
• See Behavior-Based Interview Questions 1 and 2
  handouts

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Illegal and Off-the-Wall Questions

• See Illegal and Off-the-Wall Questions handout
• Has anyone ever been asked one of these types of
  questions in an interview?
• How should you handle illegal questions?
• Answer them
• Refuse to answer them
• Ask the reason for the question
• Address the question behind the question

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Salary Questions

• Avoid mentioning a specific salary figure
• Answer options include...
• Provide a salary range
• Attend the Job Offer Evaluation and Salary
  Negotiation class for help

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Questions for the Interviewer

• Should you ask the interviewer any questions?
• When and what kind of questions should you ask?
• See Questions to Ask the Interviewer handout for
  examples
• NO pay and benefits questions
• The best question to ask the interviewer

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Conclusion

• Summarize or highlight your qualifications
• Thank the interviewer
• Ask when a hiring decision will be made
• Ask how and when you will be notified
• Ask how and when you can follow up
• Continue to show enthusiasm for the job

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Nonverbal Communication

• Try to avoid
• Slumping, slouching, and leaning
• Pulling/twisting your hair
• Drumming your fingers
• Picking your nails
• Clearing your throat repeatedly
• Fidgeting, sniffling, etc.
• Using verbal pauses frequently
• like, you know, uh-huh, and yeah

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Post-Interview Tasks

• Make some notes about your performance
• Send a thank-you letter
• See Thank-You Letter for Job Interview handout
• Contact the interviewer if you dont hear
  anything by the decision date

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Interview Preparation Checklist

• See Interview Preparation Checklist handout
• See Questions to Help Prepare You for the
  Interview handout
• Checklist helps you remember what to do and
  organizes your efforts

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Summary and Lessons Learned

• How to prepare for an interview
• What to expect at the beginning
• Different types of interview questions
• Questions to ask the interviewer
• Post interview tasks
• Nonverbal communication