Interviewing Success Claiming your power in the interview Presented by the Humphrey School Career...
-
Upload
sabastian-spruce -
Category
Documents
-
view
214 -
download
0
Transcript of Interviewing Success Claiming your power in the interview Presented by the Humphrey School Career...
Interviewing Success
Claiming your power in the interview
Presented by the Humphrey School Career Services Office:Lynne Schuman, DirectorMartha Krohn, Assistant Director
Interviewing Success - Agenda
1. Measuring success
2. Preparing, conducting, and
following-up
3. Using the power of story
4. Common interview questions
5. Questions that you ask
6. Handling illegal questions
Measuring Success
Success for employer?
Success for candidate?
Interviewing in three steps:
1. Prepare2. Conduct3. Follow-up
Prepare: The Employer’s Viewpoint
Why is this position important to the organization?What are their needs?How can I demonstrate that I meet those needs?How can I address any concerns they might have?
Prepare: Content“An interviewer controls the flow of the interview,
but the interviewee controls the content. “ H. Anthony Medley
Examples - that demonstrate your accomplishments using skills and abilities important to the employer
Answers - to common interview questions
The question you hope they don’t ask
Questions for the organization
Preparing for Difficult Subjects: Craft Good AnswersWelcome the question or
acknowledge the employer’s concern
Minimize concerns by briefly explaining your solution
Tell employers what they gain by hiring you - be specific
Be proactive if you can minimize a problem by bringing it up
Prepare: Interview Formats
One-on-one interviewsPanel or group interviewsPhone interviewsVideo interviews
Conduct: During the InterviewStrong beginning, strong ending
Listen Slow down. PauseBe professional in ALL interactions
Be wary of using humor
Interview Follow-Up
Two Types of Behavioral Questions
Behavioral - focused on past behavior
Situational – focused on future possible behaviors
Using the Power of Story – to demonstrate past behaviorStructure => S-A-R
◦Situation – a specific situation in which you played a significant role
◦Action – or actions that YOU took
◦Result – the good outcome that was a result of your actions
Preparing S-A-R storiesUsing position description, pick
out important skills, knowledge and duties
Prepare a S-A-R story for each relevant quality you can claim
Practice telling these stories concisely
Teamwork StoryS: I was on a 4 person team in my Economic
Development class. One team member kept missing meetings and not keeping up her part of the work.
A: I volunteered to talk to her. We met outside school & discussed how things were going. She felt completely overwhelmed and unable to keep up. We worked out a schedule for the project that felt more realistic for her. In return, she promised to make the rest of the meetings.
R: The team project came together in good time, and we presented it to the class. The instructor gave us an A for the project and complemented us on our smooth functioning as a team.
Other Common Interview QuestionsTell me about yourself.
Key: Can the candidate sort and prioritize information that is relevant to this job and this organization?
Strategy: Often the first question – prepare a strong response. Give brief experience/education history, emphasizing how it led you to your interest in this career area/organization.
QuestionsWhy are you interested in this
position?
Key:◦ Do your interests mesh with the job?◦ Will you stay engaged and interested?◦ What do you have to give and what do you
have to gain?
Strategy: Prepare a brief explanation as to why your background (experience, training, interests) makes this position a logical one for you. This is where you could address “overqualified” concerns.
QuestionsWhere do you see yourself five years
from now?Key:
◦Is your future vision compatible with the direction this job and this organization will take you?
◦Are you worth investing in or will you leave quickly?
QuestionsWhat is your greatest strength? Your
greatest weakness?Key:
◦Are you self-aware and analytic?◦Can you discuss strengths in a way
that relates them to the job to be done? (Can use a S-A-R story to illustrate)
◦Do you take responsibility for weaknesses, problem solve and correct/mitigate them?
Selecting Your WeaknessAuthenticGeneric, not personalNot essential for this jobA problem that you are solving –
emphasize the solution in your answer
Asking YOUR questionsFill in gaps in informationLearn organizational cultureExplore challenges and trendsExpress interest in and
knowledge of their workClarify the hiring process and
timelines
2/3rds of questions should be about the work & organization
Handling illegal questions
Personal information not related to job requirements
Areas to be aware ofNational
origin/citizenshipAgeMarital/family
statusAffiliationsReligious beliefsHeight/weight
DisabilityMedical history
(physical or mental)
Arrest recordMilitary
discharge
Responding : Your Choices
1. Answer the question, or2. Refuse to answer the
question, or3. Answer the concern.
Interviewing Well
“In my career I have interviewed a lot of job candidates, and I can tell you the ones who stand out – and get the jobs – are those who project a clear sense of themselves...”James A. Johnson
2006 HHH Commencement Keynote Address
Other Resources on Interviewing
The Six Reasons You’ll Get The Job: MacDougall and Sanders-Park, 2010. Looking at a position through the employer’s viewpoint. Discusses the 6 areas that employers look for in a candidate, whether they know it or not, and ways to demonstrate how you have them.
Sweaty Palms: H. Anthony Medley, 2005.
Going Global: Access through GoldPass.umn.edu – Online resource on career opportunities around the world and how to secure them.
Ted Talk: Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are by Amy Cuddy : http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are.html
Quiet: Susan Cain, 2013. Subtitled “The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking”
HHH Career Appointments: Meet with Lynne or Martha for interviewing coaching or a mock interview: Go to hhh.umn.edu/career & click on “Make An Appointment”