St. Andrew’s Career MinistryMock Interview Session

November 8, 2012

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St. Andrew’s Career MinistryMock Interview Session

November 10, 2011

TOPIC PRESENTER TIME ALLOTMENT

7 Steps To Job Interview Preparation Cindy Gier 20 Minutes

Interview Formats & Mike Sweeney 15 MinutesQuestions

**Open Up - Questions & Answers** 20 Minutes

Practice Interview Volunteers (Facilitate)& Process As A Group Job Seekers (Participate) 35 Minutes

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Step 1: Know Your Goals For The Interview!

What Do You Want To Accomplish?• Differentiate Yourself From The Crowd• Communicate Your Value• Communicate Past Accomplishments (As an example of what you will contribute in the future – CAN DO the job)• Communicate Important Qualities (e.g. Problem-Solving, Creativity – WILL DO the job)• Establish Rapport and Fit (Know the style and culture of the environment – FIT for the job) • Gather Information About The Job, The Company, Organizational Priorities, etc.

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Step 2: Assess & Know Your Skills!

What Are Your Skills (Value Proposition)? Professional Expertise:

Certifications/Awards Training Accomplishments Due To Applying Your Profession Technology (Windows XP Operating System, XML, Java Script, HTML, etc.)

Communication Skills: Presenting Writing Listening Interviewing

Interpersonal Skills: Listening Negotiating Resolving Conflict Problem Solving Motivating Collaborating

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Step 3: Find The Flip Side of Your Challenge Areas!

What Are The Upside of Your Challenge Areas? Demonstrate your awareness, learning & growth . . .

Challenge Area Awareness, Learning, Growth . . .Detail Oriented I have focused on the details in the past; however, I

have learned that when I am getting too steeped in thedetails, to step back and apply the 80/20 rule and obtainfeedback from fellow co-workers. I applied this approachto a recent health care project and found I moved quickerthrough detail oriented work with the support of my leaderand team members.

Individual Contributor Many of my past jobs were in an “individual contributor”role; however, in my most recent job as a SystemsAnalyst, I collaborated with my colleagues on recenttechniques I applied to my customer’s issues that they benefited from and I learned from their solutions.

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Step 4: Do Your Research and ImproveYour Confidence To Anticipate Questions!

Research The Company: Know the company’s products & services Know what the company stands for and cares about Find out if the company has been in the news and why Talk to someone who works there and inquire about the culture Check out the industry’s best practices and be ready to discuss Research the company’s history, challenges, flagship products & achievements Research the competition! Be prepared to answer why you would like to work at this company versus their competitor Check out the interviewers on LinkedIn

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Step 4 (cont’d): Do Your Research and ImproveYour Confidence To Anticipate Questions!

Research The Job: Obtain a job description Ensure you know as much as possible about the job Compare the job to similar jobs you are familiar with Brush up on job skills, terminology, recent developments, or other key information Understand the typical reporting relationships, accountability, responsibility in this type of job Talk to a friend, neighbor or family member that has been in a similar role

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Step 5: Practice, Practice, Practice!

Practice Your Interviewing: Practice in front of a mirror, video camera, with a friend, family member Have polished answers to questions you know will be asked Prepare for responses to “off-the-wall” questions Practice being brief When responding to questions, mention actual Situations or Tasks you performed, Actions taken and Results (STAR) rather than just “telling” the interviewer you have a skill Prior to commencing the interview, consider asking the interviewer:

“What are the short-term deliverables for this position? Or, “What skills, experience, competencies in my resume’ peaked your interest as a match for this position?”

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Remember . . . . Be Confident! Don’t just talk – Listen! Every question is an opportunity Body language counts (gestures, facial expressions) Choose words well (diction) Stay on topic If you don’t understand, ask (hint: repeating question gives you time to focus) Be prepared to ask questions you have concerning the job/companyo Conclude the interview with a “thoughtful” question

Remember your goals! Take notes after the interview to capture key learning points

Step 5 (cont’d): Practice, Practice, Practice!

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Step 6: Interview Dress & Logistics

Interview Dress & Logistics: Know who you are seeing, their job title, your potential working relationship with that person Time, date, parking, directions and other logistics Time you are expected to begin interview (plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to interview time) Dress neat and conservatively Allow interviewer to show you where to sit and relax and be yourself BECAUSE YOU ARE PREPARED!

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Interview Closing: Thank the interviewer and ask whether there is any additional information they would like you to provide or any next steps for you to take. DO NOT ask how you did or if you are being seriously considered for the job Know the interviewer’s time to select and decide and follow-up if you have not heard from them Send a thank you note within 24 hours (first a short e-mail, followed with a more detailed hand-written note)

Step 7: Interview Closing

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INTERVIEW FORMATS & QUESTIONSMike Sweeney

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Interview Formats

• Informational Interview− Two way non-directed information flow− Typically both parties are exploring potential organizational fit

or interest• Phone Interview− Typically more structured interview process− Allow interviewer to take control of conversation− Typically used when there are multiple openings for a position

• One-On-One Interview− Most common format (interviewer/interviewee)

• Team Interview − Allows position’s peer, superior, customer, etc. to participate

in the interview

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How To Take Control of an Interview

Questions To Ask When Invited For An Interview:− How much time should I plan on for the interview?− What type of interview will I have?− With whom will I interview?− Ask for a detailed job description, if available− Get specific directions and a call back person/number− If appropriate, ask what the deliverables are for the position in

the short-term, 6 months, 12 months or longer

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Interview Question Types - Traditional

Tip: Be Concise and Respond Within 60 seconds! Start by stating your professional title

Share your most recent position and highlight your responsibilities and a couple of your accomplishments

Share your education and any relevant training history

Highlight any prior company experience and/or positions

Then come back to your most current position . . .

Take a breath and turn it back over to the interviewer . . .

Tell Me About Yourself?

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Interview Question Types - Traditional

Why Did You Leave Your Former Job?

Tip: Be honest and succinct . . . Refer to the state of the Industry Impact to your Company Impact to your Department, and finally Impact to You

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Interview Questions - Traditional

Tip: Rehearse and be prepared! −State Your Strengths Followed by STAR Examples

− State Your Key Career Accomplishment Stories (Differentiators!)

− State How Your Work Experience/Accomplishments Align With The Job Requirements

Why Should We Hire You?

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Interview Question Types - Behavioral

Tell Me About A Time When . . .“You didn’t meet a deadline, what did you do?“You made the largest sale, how did you do it?“Had a conflict with a colleague, how did you handle it?

STAR

Situation

Task

Action

Result

Tip: Be prepared and have responses rehearsed

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Interview Day – Come Prepared!

REMEMBER . . . Overdress and be well groomed Arrive early (at least 15 minutes prior to interview appointment) Take a portfolio, calendar, extra copies of your resume’, references, sample work and questions you plan to ask the interviewer When greeted, make eye contact, smile and give a firm handshake At the close of the interview ask “what are next steps?” DO NOT mention salary or benefits until you receive an offer Prepare your list of “must haves” in preparation for an offer:• Salary Range• Benefits• Amount of Travel• Relocation• Shift, Overtime, etc.

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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

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INTERVIEW PRACTICE SESSION

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Interview Practice Session - Instructions

Break-out into groups of 3 (triad) and identify an Interviewer, Interviewee and ObserverInterviewer Interviewee

Observer

Everyone will have a turn as an “Interviewee”; therefore, you will be provided 5 minutes initially to prepare your responses to the 4 interview questions

Observers are to watch, listen and provide Interviewee feedback on:o Body languageo Shortness & conciseness of responseso STAR responses to behavioral questionso Confidence & preparedness

Each triad will be provided 5 minutes to ask/respond to 5 questions (total 15 minutes)

Experienced volunteers are available to assist each table

After all three 5 minute exercises are concluded, we will process the exercises as a group

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Note: Find a group in your same industry

Interview Practice Session - Questions

• Tell me about yourself . . .

• Why did you leave your previous job?

• What are your strengths?

• Tell me about a time you missed a deadline, what did you do?

Remember Observers to watch, listen and provide Interviewee feedback on:

Body language Shortness & conciseness of responses STAR responses to behavioral questions Confidence & preparedness

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Interview Practice Session – Group Processing

What worked well?

What are areas you identified you need to work on?

Share some of your take-away learnings from today’s session . . . .

GOOD LUCK!25