Successful Interviewing

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Successful Interviewing

• Iona College
• The Gerri Ripp
• Center for Career Development

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Why are Interviews Conducted?

• Meet the candidate first-hand to see if he/she is
  a good fit for the job or organization.

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Preparing for the InterviewConduct Thorough
Research

• Research both the position and organization.
• Visit the company website to learn more about
  their mission, culture, job openings, and media
  news.
• Know who you are interviewing with
  (individual(s) or a panel) and the approximate
  length of the interview.
• Know geographic directions and take a dry run if
  necessary.

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Know Yourself and How to Market Yourself

• Assess your strengths including skills,
  knowledge, and personal traits.
• Determine how your strengths match the employers
  needs and how they will benefit the organization.
• Review your resume and be able to discuss
  in-depth. Be aware of red flags in your resume
  i.e. lack of G.P.A., limited work history or
  activities.

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Practice Makes Perfect

• Practice with Career Development Staff and
  schedule a mock interview.
• Recognize your strengths in interviewing and what
  you need to improve upon.
• Work on challenging areas through practice with a
  friend or in front of a mirror.
• Obtain sample questions and prepare your
  responses.

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How to Dress?

• Dress appropriately a suit is always
  appropriate.
• Dont make the mistake of dressing too casual
  even if the company dress code is business
  casual.
• Accessories, makeup, and perfume/cologne should
  not be overstated.
• Cover any visible tattoos.
• Hair should be neat and clothes pressed.
• What you wear wont get you hired but the wrong
  attire/presentation will often screen you out.

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Typical Interview Structure

• Everyones interview style is different, but
• a common format includes the following
• Introduction
• Interviewer asks detailed questions
• Candidate asks questions
• Closing summary
• Typical duration of an interview is at least 30
  minutes.

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First Impressions Count

• Employers form first impressions early on.
• Greet the interviewer with enthusiasm, a smile,
  and a firm handshake.
• Be personable and prepared to make small talk.
• Be polite to support staff (their input matters).
• First impressions can affect the rest of the
  interview.

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Non-Verbal Factors Matter

• Be aware of your non-verbal habits and
  expressions.
• Maintain good eye contact, posture, and positive
  expressions i.e. smiling or hand gestures where
  appropriate.
• Avoid fidgeting and nervous expressions.

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Verbal Factors

• Use proper grammar and communicate in a
  professional manner.
• Reflect confidence in your voice tone.
• Try avoiding ums, you knows and likes.
• Stay focused on answering the questions in a
  specific and succinct way.
• Ask for clarification if you are not sure what
  the interviewer wants.
• Choose responses and verbal statements that
  promote you.
• Be prepared to give specific examples from
  previous positions/experiences to back up your
  answers.

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Answering Interviewer Questions

• Organize your answers to commonly asked
  questions.
• Listen carefully try to look at the question
  behind the
• question - what is the interviewer looking for?
• Prepare by practicing responses that reflect your
  strengths.
• Be prepared to talk about your skills, personal
  traits,
• accomplishments, experiences, goals and work
  values.
• Practice giving specific examples from classroom
  work, extracurricular, volunteering or life
  experiences.
• Be prepared for probing questions that ask for
  more details than you have already given.
• Dont be afraid to sell yourself.

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Examples of Common Questions

• Tell me about yourself.
• Why do you want to work for our organization?
• Why should we hire you?
• What are your strengths (and weaknesses)?
• How did you choose your college and major?
• What are your short-term and long-term career
  goals?
• What makes you a unique candidate for this
  position?

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Illegal Interview Questions

• Employers are not allowed to ask questions that
  relate to the following
• Age
• Religious/Spiritual Identity
• Marital/Family Status
• Ethnicity
• Do not volunteer any personal information. If
  you are asked any of these questions, feel free
  to say
• Can you tell me how knowing this information
  relates to the position?, or
• I do not feel comfortable sharing this
  information, however Id be happy to answer any
  other questions related to my qualifications for
  this position

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Behavioral Interviewing Techniques

• Many employers use Behavioral Interviewing
  questions.
• Behavioral interviewing focuses questions on past
  performance.
• The basic premise is that past behavior is the
  best predictor of future behavior.
• Employers will probe to solicit specific examples
  and to
• get details on how you conducted yourself in a
  particular situation.

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Examples of Behavioral Interviewing
Questions

• Tell me about a time where you demonstrated
  strong teamwork during college.
• How did you go about exercising leadership in a
  part-time job or internship?
• Give me a specific example of when you offered
  extraordinary service to a customer.
• When have you felt a great deal of pressure and
  how
• did you deal with it?
• Describe a situation where you demonstrated the
  ability to multi-task.

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The Telephone Interview

• Treat the phone interview like any interview.
• Arrange to avoid interruptions and allow plenty
  of time.
• If possible try to use a land line phone or make
  sure you are in a place with good cell phone
  reception.
• Remember that clear articulation and strong
  communication skills are especially important in
  phone interviews.
• Keep your resume and notes at your fingertips.

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Group Interviews

• Some interviews are conducted by several key
  personnel in an organization.
• Attempt to learn who will be interviewing you and
  their position.
• Address each individuals question taking into
  account what is important to them based on their
  position.
• Make eye contact with everyone you are being
  interviewed by when answering questions.
• Strive for consistency in your responses if your
  interviews are conducted separately by a number
  of people.

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Always Prepare Questions

• Prepare at least 3 questions for the end of the
  interview.
• Questions should be well thought out and indicate
  that you did your research.
• Generate a list of questions in advance about the
  position, the organization and the hiring
  managers expectations.
• Develop questions that demonstrate your level of
  interest and intelligence.
• Questions should show interest in the company,
  but also help you decide if the position is right
  for you.

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Examples of Questions to Ask

• What would you say are the most important
  qualities needed in order to be successful in
  this position?
• Describe a typical work day.
• How will I interact with other employees and
  managers throughout the company?
• What are some of the challenges facing the
  company and the organization?
• How would you describe the culture of your
  company?
• What type of training will I receive?

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Examples of Questions that Reflect Research

• I read on your website that you will be
  acquiring businesses to increase your customer
  presence. How
• will this impact your organization?
• A Wall Street Journal article of 2 weeks ago
  stressed your companys commitment to innovative
  marketing strategies - Can you elaborate on those
  strategies?

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Questions to Avoid Initially

• Avoid questions in the initial interview about
  the following
• -Salary
• -Vacation
• -Medical/Dental Benefits
• -Health and Retirement Benefits/ 401K
• -Tuition Remission
• -Promotions
• They may reflect misplaced priorities.
• Wait until the second interview or at the job
  offer.

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Closing

• Time for either side to ask final questions
  summarize.
• Find out the next steps. When will you hear from
  them?
• Express interest (if appropriate).
• I have enjoyed this interview and am
  excited about this opportunity
  with your company. I hope you will invite me
  to the next step.
• Ask for a business card (necessary for follow-up
  and thank you notes).

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After the Interview

• Always write a thank you note
• - Reiterate your strengths and your enthusiasm
  for the company/position.
• - Include any important omissions
• - Email or send a typed note through mail as
  soon as possible after the interview.
• Keep a log
• - Any follow-up items
• - All the important facts
• - Any advice you were given
• - Your key impressions

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Following-Up

• Take any steps suggested by the interviewer
• - Providing references
• - Contacting an employee or manager
• - Completing application forms or exams
• Stay in pursuit
• - Follow-up with them if necessary
• - Let them know of your interest

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Learn from Your Interviews

• Learn from every interview and make improvements.
• Use the interview to assess your career interests
  and goals.

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Additional Interviewing Resources

• The Next Step Career Guide - Interviewing Section
  (available online or in print)
• Online resources for interviews
• Mock Interview Practice with a Career Advisor