Hire Heroes USASuccessful Interviewing Techniques Workshop

Course Learning Objectives:

• Understand types of interviews

• Prepare for an interview

▫ Research, Dress Code, Etiquette

• Gain realistic expectations as to the outcome

• Learn successful interviewing tips

Hire Heroes USA

100 North Point Center East, Suite 200

Alpharetta, GA 30022

1-800-915-HERO. www.hireheroesusa.org

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Section 1

Interview Basics

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Getting An Interview

Finding the right positions▫ Match your knowledge, skills and abilities with job description requirements and

employer needs.

Resume: • Send out your resume in response to job opportunities in newspapers, databases, job

boards (Including LinkedIn), placement agencies, etc.

#1 Network, Network, Network: • Often, it is not ―what you know‖ but ―who you know!‖ • These contacts can put you in contact with others, but they will not get you the job.• 75-85% of all jobs are filled through the ―informal‖ market, highlighting your

network.• Cultivate your contacts and keep them appraised of your situation. They will not call

you! Keep them informed and follow up.• Keep a database of contacts, such as: Friends on Facebook, Linked In, Myspace, job

fairs, and your personal address book.

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What does the Employer or

Interviewer Want to Know?

• Can they communicate effectively, take direction, listen?

▫ Express a time in which you communicated to a team, what was the number of listeners, what was the successful result?

• Can they work as part of a team?

▫ List the different teams you have been on and the number of people in the team. Provide one example of the success of that team.

• Can they solve problems on their own?

▫ Give an example of a problem and your solution. List the number of people impacted by your solution.

• Do they exhibit leadership skills?

▫ Provide examples of the number of individuals you led and an example of your leadership style and characteristics. How did you communicate? How effective was your communication?

Always think of results:

What percentage of success do you have that can be thought of in numbers?

▫ Did you help decrease a budget?

▫ Did you create or establish a $X Million dollar contract?

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Section 2

Types of Interviews

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Telephone Interview Telephone Interview (Screening Interview):

• Often used to discuss basic questions with candidates before scheduling a face to face interview. The call could last anywhere from 2 minutes to 60 minutes or beyond.

Telephone Interview Tips

• After sending out job applications, always try to answer your phone when an unknown number calls – it could be the employer.

• If you cannot answer immediately, call back and schedule a time when you can speak.

• Prepare yourself when calling back: that could be your interview!

• Treat it as a formal interview- sit up straight and be conscious of your surroundings.

• Never ask or answer a salary question - always deflect the question:

• I can certainly understand your interest in wanting to know my salary requirements; can you tell me what the position would pay?

• I can certainly understand your interest in wanting to know my salary requirements but I would like to learn more about the work environment before we discuss compensation.

• Control your background noise: no dogs barking, kids screaming, music, etc.

• Use a land line if possible so that you do not lose reception.

• GOAL: to make it to the next round of face-to-face interviews.

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Behavioral Interview Behavioral:

• Employer makes assumptions about your potential and future performance based on past behaviors and attitudes.

• Requires that you offer concrete, specific examples to demonstrate your skills.

Sample Behavioral Questions:

▫ ―Tell me about a time when you exhibited teamwork.‖

▫ ―Give me an example of a challenge you experienced and how you dealt with it.‖

Behavioral Interview Tips

• Use the “STAR" framework to structure your responses:

• What was the SITUATION?

• What was your TASK?

• What ACTION did you take?

• What was the RESULT?

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Case InterviewCase-Method/Case-Based:

• Commonly used interview method in business and consulting fields.

• Interviewee is asked to analyze a problem/situation and present a solution.

• Employer assesses analytical ability /thought process, not necessarily the accuracy of the response.

Case-Method/Case-Based Examples:

• How many gas stations are there in the U.S.?

• You have eight balls, one of which is heavier than the others. All the balls appear

identical. You have a balance-type scale, and you can perform trials on the balls. What is the minimum number of trials required to determine which is the heaviest ball?

Case Interview Tips

• Listen to the provided information and take notes.

• Take time to think through the problem and identify the key issues.

• Frame your answer towards action; identify what steps you would take.

• Share your ideas or thoughts that brought you to your proposed solution.

• Identify resources you would use/seek.

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Committee (Panel) InterviewCommittee Interview

• Very common

• Several members of a company have a say in whether you are hired, or different departmental perspectives are desired

• Can be a second round or final interview

• Often designed to determine leadership potential

Tips for Committee Interview

• Speak to the person who asked you the question

• Up to you whether you maintain eye contact with all parties

• May be asked to demonstrate problem solving skills

• Will be asked for specific examples, and for reasons why you acted a specific way or what you would do differently

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Technical InterviewTechnical Interview

• Conducted by subject matter experts who will require you to perform tasks associated with the job or who might have you discuss your familiarity with the position, while evaluating your professional knowledge.

• Common for technical fields such as IT, engineering, or automotive mechanics.

Tips for Technical Interview

• Don’t present yourself as competent if you have only a passing familiarity with a particular database or software.

• You either know it or you do not; bad idea to try to smoke show the experts.

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Section 3

Preparation

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How To PrepareStep 1:• Conduct research prior to the interview about the:

▫ Industry▫ Company▫ Products▫ Competitors▫ Interviewer▫ Latest positive activity, articles, press releases▫ Job Description

Step 2: • Create and maintain folders/binder for each company that you apply for,

along with the job description.• Include in the binder:

▫ Information you found from research▫ Copy of the job description

Read the job requirements and highlight at least 3 of the requirements that you possess Write specific examples of when you successfully demonstrated the requirements

▫ Extra copies of your resume and business card▫ Your Value Proposition for that job

Step 3: • Prepare to sell yourself for the specific position and company.

▫ Connect your resume to the position when answering questions▫ Create your Value Proposition

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How To Prepare

Step 4:

• Utilize network/mentors▫ Tips on Interviewing

▫ Gaining insight into the company or industry culture

Step 5:

• Practice answering typical interview questions; practice your value proposition and explaining your specific examples ▫ Get comfortable- Use a mirror or friends to help reduce nervous habits

Step 6:

Etiquette

• Hide tattoos; conservative jewelry and clothing; avoid faddish or eccentric clothing and hairstyles; hygiene

• Dress appropriately, neatly and conservatively—

▫ Men dress in slacks/khakis, button down shirt, and tie. If available wear a blazer. Avoid colorful shirts; starched white is best, with a conservative tie.

▫ Ladies dress in a business suit: black, gray, or brown

▫ Find one interviewing outfit and stick with it. Then there is no panic of what to wear.

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During the Interview

• Bring a business card (Optional)– You are your own successful candidate now. You have value. Have a card made at Vistaprint.com. Include your name, phone number, email. No address. Then add 1 - 3 bullets with value points:

▫ Retired _______

▫ Strong/Detailed experience in _________

These are reminders for the hiring managers once you leave the interview that set you apart from the others.

• Be on time - Arrive 10-15 minutes early. Know the exact time and location of your interview; know how long it takes to get there, park, find a rest room to freshen up, etc. Arrive early!

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During the Interview

• Allow the interviewer to tell you where to sit—avoid leaning or placing anything on his/her desk. Exchange business cards, if possible (in order to get the correct spelling, title, telephone number).

• Be polite and personable to everyone you encounter; people hire people that they like.

• Avoid showing signs of nervousness—scratching, drumming fingers, etc. Relax. Interviews are never fatal and can be satisfying if you relax.

• Try to read the interviewer for cues—if he or she wants details, provide them. If the person is interested in ideas or concepts, focus accordingly.

• Focus on your strengths—your experience, results and ability to overcome problems, are the indicators of your value to the organization. Prepare your weakness statement ahead of time and make sure it is not something that can be interpreted the wrong way.

• Project optimism—demonstrate confidence, interest, and enthusiasm because that’s the way you are, not because you need a job. Never speak negatively about your current or former employer or co-workers.

• Avoid military jargon – try to avoid using acronyms and words that many outside of the military would not understand.

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During the Interview

• Never talk to an interviewer about personal problems—your problems will weaken your case, and sets a negative tone for the meeting. Do not get emotional in an interview -no drama or intimate personal stories.

• Do not engage in a salary discussion—don’t talk money until your value has been built and understood. Do not give the impression that you are primarily concerned about ―what’s in it for me.‖ It’s all about them!

• Be an interested listener and observer—what you say and ask will be relevant and meaningful to the interviewer. Watch for signs of confusion, agreement, or strong interest, and react accordingly

• Maintain a comfortable pace—build interest toward your objective.

• Above all, be yourself—not what you think someone else expects.

• Close the interview well—summarize what you’ve heard. Ask, ―Is there anything we have discussed or you have read in my resume that would keep me from being a viable candidate for this position?‖ Thank the interviewer and express sincere, genuine interest in the position. Confirm that you could call them in the next 5 business days to get an update on their hiring process.

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QuestionsQuestions to Ask Employers:

Employers will often open the floor to you to ask questions at the end of the interview.• Always ask at least one question but preferably no more than five.• If able, ask a question related to specific discussion points from the interview, to

show that you paid attention and are involved• Ask positive questions • Ask specifically what the job entails• Ask the timeline for when the company wants to fill the position, and when they

desire the candidate to begin work.• Possible advancement opportunities/Career track for the position

Examples of types of questions to ask:• How do you like working here?• Do you have an organizational chart I could see?• How will this position be evaluated?• Why is this position open?• What is the most important objective to accomplish in the next 3 months?• Tell me about the culture of your company.• Can you describe a typical week?• What is your time frame for filling the position?• Did you see or hear anything today that would keep me from being considered as a

serious candidate?

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Questions Not to Ask

Questions NOT to Ask Employers:

• Don’t ask questions about only one topic.

• Don’t ask questions that can be perceived as demands for you to fill the position.

• Don’t ask questions that raise warning flags: Work weekends, Overtime, etc.

• Avoid questions about retirement, company cars, benefits, DAYS OFF. (You will no doubt get this info in a second interview when they are ready to offer you the job.)

• It is usually not a good idea to ask questions until they ask you their questions first.

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Post-Interview Strategies

Follow Up:

• Take a business card so that you have the correct name and spelling of the individual with whom you interviewed. You will also gain phone #’s, emails, and mailing address of possible contacts for your personal network.

• Within 24 hours send a Thank You.

▫ You can send an email or a hand written letter.

▫ Best to send email if you interview in a Committee (Panel) Interview

▫ Best to sent hand written letter if interviewed by one person

• Check back one to two days after the ―get back to you date.‖

• Assess your performance and learn from any possible mistakes or successes.

▫ Did you get to state your examples, value proposition, etc?

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Hire Heroes USASuccessful Interviewing Techniques Workshop

Thank you for your participation.

Hire Heroes USA

100 North Point Center East, Suite 200

Alpharetta, GA 30022

1-800-915-HERO. www. hireheroesusa .org

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