Interview Essentials

Human Services Practicum

Key Elements of Successful Interviews

• Attitude• Dress• Positive Body Language• Speak Well for Yourself• Awareness of Business Etiquette

Your Attitude – The No. 1 Factor

• Concentrate on being likeable• Project an air of confidence and pride• Demonstrate enthusiasm• Demonstrate knowledge of and interest in the

employer• Perform at your best every moment • Understand that an interview is a two-way

street

Dress for Success

• By the time you have walked in the room and sat down, the interviewer has decided whether you will be considered for the position.

• Dress Conservatively• Be Perfectly Groomed• Look the Part

Use Positive Body Language

• Appear Relaxed• Develop Assertive Body Language

– Give a firm handshake & make eye contact– Walk briskly– Sit, stand, and walk with your head up and your back straight– Make eye contact– Aim for a pleasant, uplifted facial expression– Don’t fidget– Watch the interviewer’s body language

• Shuffling papers, looking around might mean you are too long in your answers

– Subtly mirror the interviewer’s communication behaviors• If interviewer is relaxed, you should relax.

Speak Well for Yourself

• Start off right by greeting the interviewer by name

• State your name and the position you’re seeking• Use energetic, pleasant tone of voice• Modulate your voice – no monotone• Don’t slur your words – or use slang• Use positive words and phrases• Use proper grammar

Speak Well for Yourself• Emphasize how you fit the job• Keep the interview businesslike• Don’t ramble• Concentrate• Try to demonstrate a sense of humor

– Without being silly• Emphasize your strengths – even when discussing an error you

made– Being honest, candid and sincere are strengths

• DO NOT LIE during an interview• Be prepared to state why you left a previous job if you’re asked• Focus on your goal

Be Aware of Business Etiquette

• Expected professional behavior in the workplace

• Business Etiquette No-no’s– Leaving cell phone on or checking phone during

conversation– Emailing in a text message language

Prepare Your Interview Marketing Kit

• Have a portfolio (documents ready for the employer)– Job-related samples of your work– Required licenses or certificates– Extra copies of your resume– Letters of recommendation– List of references appropriate for the job

• For your use only– an outline of your 30 second commercial– A notebook with potential questions– Your appointment calendar

Inside the Interview

• Structured Interview– Asks each job candidate the same questions with

the goal of comparing candidates objectively• Unstructured Interview– Interviewer seeks to learn about each person

being interviewed as an individual. Questions change for each candidate

• Be prepared for both styles

Typical Interview Questions

• General Information Questions– Obtain factual information

• Behavioral Questions– Probe the applicants past performance and behaviors

• Character Questions– Asked to learn about your persona attributes

• Stress Questions– Asked to determine how you perform under pressure

General Information Questions

• Why do you want this job?– My skills and experience are directly related to this position,

and I’m very interested in this field.– Never say you want the job because of pay and benefits

• What type of work do you enjoy most?– Use prior research of the company and tailor this answer to

fit the job you are applying for• What are your strongest skills?

– Use the info from your 30 second commercial• Are you a team player?

– Give examples of your successful team roles

General Information Questions• What are your long-term career goals?

– Emphasize your strengths, state that your goal is to make a strong contribution in your job and you look forward to developing the experience necessary for career growth

• Do you have a geographical preference?– Important if job requires relocation

• With what type of supervisor have you had the best relationship?– I’ve had a good relationship with all of my supervisors. Communication

is important; I make sure I understand what I’m supposed to do. That’s especially important when I’ve been given new responsibilities so that we can get off to a good start. I think supervisors appreciate someone who takes responsibility for his or her job. (Give example of responsibility taken)

Behavioral Questions

• Tell me specifically about a time when you worked under great stress– Choose a relevant example that would be considered

stressful in a work environment. Describe the elements that made is stressful and how you maintained your cool and got the job done

• Describe an experience when you dealt with an angry customer or coworker– Give an answer that highlights how you value

communication and know that conflict can lead to personal growth and opportunity

Behavioral Questions

• Give me an example of your ability to adapt to change.– “When the new firm took over management of our new

site, I focused on the positive outcomes rather than looking back and comparing management styles. I encouraged my coworkers to remain flexible and patient”

• Explain what problems you have encountered. How did you overcome them?– Focus on what you learned from the negative experience

or how you improved the situation

Character Questions

• How would you describe yourself?– Emphasize your strongest attributes and focus on

those that are relevant to your target job. Review your capabilities and accomplishments.

– I learn quickly, I like solving problems for example…• What rewards do you look for in your career?– Emphasize your desire to improve your skills, make

a valuable contribution to the field and become better educated.

Character Questions

• What accomplishments are you most proud of?– “I recognized the need to improve communications

between…. I designed a questionnaire that was completed by representatives from each department. Management made several changes and communications were improved in those areas”

• Do you work well under pressure?– Don’t answer with a yes or no– Don’t miss an opportunity to sell yourself

Tell Me About Yourself

• Purpose is to see whether you focus on your qualifications for the job and how the employer would benefit from hiring you

• Do not ramble on about your life history• You can ask “what exactly would you like to know

about my experience or skills?• Your objective is to highlight your positive qualities.• After you think you have covered these topics, ask,

“Would you like me to clarify or expand on any area for you?”

Stress Questions

• Why do you think you are the best candidate for the job? Or Why should I hire you?– Ask the interviewer to highlight the important

objectives for the job and explain how you can handle them. Focus on how you can benefit the employer. Give specific examples

• Why do you want to leave your current job?– Accentuate the positive. You are seeking a new

challenge or are seeking advancement for your career. Avoid discussing problems with current job

Stress Questions

• Why have you held so many jobs?– Employers like to see stability and dependability. Emphasize

that while you may have previously wanted to obtain a broad base of experience, your goal now is the apply yourself to long-term employment and the development of a career.

• What is your greatest weakness?– “My weakest area is accounting, so I am taking a course in

beginning accounting at the community college.” The objective is to acknowledge a weakness that is low on the employer’s list and to explain your steps to improve the weakness.

Stress Questions

• Have you ever been fired from a job?– Say laid off, let go or employment ended because

they sound less negative– Be honest, explain what you learned from the

situation• Does your current employer know you are

planning to leave?– Be honest– Assure the interviewer that you will give a two weeks

notice once a job offer is made

Inappropriate Questions

• Do you have any children?• How long has your family been in this country?• Questions like this are illegal or inappropriate

because answers can be used to discriminate against you

• Questions that focus on age, gender, race, marital status, language, children, criminal record, national origin, religion, or disability are inappropriate

What do you do if inappropriate questions are asked?

• Weigh the situation– Did the interviewer have malicious intent– Do you want to work for a company or person

who asks an offensive question?• Most effective approach is to answer the

question in a polite, honest manner.• Don’t offer detailed personal information• Steer the conversation back to your ability to

meet the employer’s expectations

Inappropriate Questions

• Do you have any children?– Yes, and I’m thorough in arranging dependable

child care. Or I’m available to work the hours required of this position, including overtime and travel with advance notice

• Turn the question back to your qualifications

Your Questions Count

• Asking appropriate questions – demonstrates interest and confidence, – showcases your knowledge– gives you an active role in the interview.

• Prepare 3-5 questions that will help you learn what you need to know about the employer, organizational culture and position

• Don’t ask all questions at the end of the interview• Do NOT discuss salary until a job offer has been

made.

Sample Questions• Do you have a training program for this position? If so, will you

describe it?• Can you tell me about the duties and tasks of this position in a typical

workday?• May I have a copy of the written job description?• Will the responsibilities of this position expand with time and

experience on the job? Can good performance in this job lead to opportunities for career growth?

• Can you tell me about the people I would work with?• Do you need any more information about my qualifications or

experience• When will you be making your hiring decision? May I call you if I have

additional questions.

Questions to Avoid

• What does this company do?• How much sick leave and vacation time will I

get?• Will I have an office?• What time do I have to be at work in the

morning? How long do you allow for lunch?• How long do I have to work before I am

eligible for a raise?