Interviewing Techniques

Cascade Career Services Student Services Building, Room 104 503-978-5600

Visual Interview INTERVIEW STRUCTURE (Inverted Funnel)

BEGIN BEGINNING Begin broad and narrow down subject matter

30%

• Review your strong points • Ask questions

“Tell me about yourself” “What did you like about our ad?”

Rate Your Skills

MIDDLE Narrow area - focus on specific qualifications

Introductions, settle in, mood is set interview begins, position is described.

60%

• Drop lead in comments you want the employer to ask more about Cover major points in job description • • • • •

Experience Education Ability Skills/ Strengths Personal qualities

END Begin narrow end broad

10%

Is there anything you would like to add?

Summarize self and skills, thank them, ask for the job and the next step in the process.

END

Purpose of an Interview The interview is the employer’s chance to test three things in a face-to-face meeting:  Fit  Motivation  Professionalism

Qualities Interviewers Look For          

Competence/Expertise Adaptability Motivation Communication Skills Decision Making Problem Solving Skills Professionalism Sincerity Thoughtfulness Energy level

Some of these are personal attributes, not technical skills. Remember as you prepare for your interview that the attitude and image you project are as important as what you know how to do!

Preparing for the Interview: Self-Assessment Consider your motivation in applying for the job with this company by asking:  What do I have to offer?  What do I know about this employer?  Why do I want this job?  What do I expect from this job?  Where does this fit in my plans?  How does it match my values, skills, interests?

Preparing for the Interview: Research  Job Description or career information on olmis or CIS  Company Information – history, products/services,

opportunities and goals, corporate culture  Where to Turn – company web site, PCC’s

CareerConnections, trade journals, newspaper on-line indices, facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and blogs

Preparing for the Interview: Personal Readiness Appearance – Show your professionalism  Make sure overall appearance is clean, neat and    

business appropriate In conservative industries: Use caution with showing piercings and tattoos Refrain from wearing perfume/cologne Don’t smell of smoke/food or body odors Don’t chew gum or bring in food/drink

You want to be remembered for your WORDS and not your appearance

Preparing for the Interview: Personal Readiness Interview Materials:  Bring extra copies of your resume, reference list or letters of recommendation, work/writing sample  O.K. to bring pen/note pad and planner Timeliness:  Plan your route to the interview – arrive early Body Language:  Practice Mindfulness – handshake, smile, posture Remember the Interview Begins in the Parking Lot

Interview Formats  One-on-One – common format; can be used as a screening

interview  Committee  Group  Phone  Second/Technical  Other – includes lunch/dinner interviews, portfolio presentation,

second-party interviews

Interview Questions: Preparation  Questions May Cover Many Topics – your 

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qualifications, interests, even your personality Thinking Through Responses Creates Confidence – formulate what you want the employer to know about you and bring examples of past successes to the forefront of your memory Practice, but don’t Memorize – practicing helps your mind become more limber Develop your agenda of what you want to cover Listen to the agenda behind the question if you are confused Know How much time you have for the interview

Interview Questions: Preparation Cultivate Narratives about Your Experience  Interviewers are looking for stories reflecting your successes. Demonstrate your skills by describing situations you’ve faced, what actions you’ve taken, and what the results were.  Think back on internships, jobs, volunteer opportunities, class

projects, hobbies, club or student government experiences to develop these stories.  Structure your stories using these steps:     

State your Situation Provide Details of who, what, where, when and why Give numbers, if possible, to support your story Describe the positive results of your action Show the employer how your story relates to this position

Interview Questions: While in the Interview  Think positively  Remember body language  Maintain a professional attitude  Pace yourself  Listen to questions – it is ok to ask for them to be

repeated, and to pause and think before answering  Don’t misinterpret interviewer reactions or (lack of)

Interview Questions  Tell me about yourself.  What makes you a good candidate for this position?  What interests you most about this job?  Why do you want to work for us?  What are your strengths and weaknesses?  What did you like best and least about your last job?  What jobs have you enjoyed most? Least? Why?  What is your energy level like? Describe your typical day.  What have you learned from jobs you have held?  What is your energy level like? Describe your typical day.

Interview Questions Cont.  Can you work under pressure? How do you handle stress?  How long will it take to make a contribution to our company?  How would your supervisor describe you?  What are your outstanding qualities?  What can you do for us that someone else cannot do?  Do you prefer to work individually or as part of a team?  Where do you see yourself in 2 -3 years?  What does a perfect working environment mean to you?  Can you describe a perfect supervisor?  Why should we hire you?

Behavioral Interview Questions (How Past Experiences Determine Future Success) Tell me about a time when…  You handled a difficult situation with a co-worker  You were creative in solving a problem  Your work or idea was criticized  You were forced to make an unpopular decision  You did not fulfill a commitment to someone

Behavioral Interview Questions (How Past Experiences Determine Future Success) Tell me about a time when…  You exceeded someone’s expectations.  You convinced others to use your ideas.  You had to speak up in order to make sure other people

knew how you thought or felt.  You had to be relatively quick in coming up with a decision.  You contributed to a team work environment (be specific).

Questions to Ask your Interviewer  How is a new employee assimilated into the organization?  What will be expected of me as a new employee?  What is the nature of training and supervision given in

the early years of employment?  Does your organization provide opportunities for on-going

training and education?  What do you find most rewarding about working for this

company?

 What are the opportunities for growth/advancement?

Questions to Ask your Interviewer  How will my performance be evaluated?  Has your organization hired other graduates from PCC? If

so, could you talk about their performance and advancement?  How would you describe the characteristics of the most

outstanding employees in this position?  What challenges did the previous person in this position

face?  When will you make a hiring decision?

After the Interview – Review  What did you learn about the job/company?  Are you still interested in the job?  How well did you interview? What questions caught

you off guard?  What might you do differently next time?

After the Interview – Follow up Thank you letters set you apart from the competition  Write and send within 24 hours of an interview  Typed or Handwritten – either format but keep it

professional  Remind them of your skills and abilities and why you

are a good fit for the job  Let them know you are still interested!

Employer Disqualifiers  Arrogance, overt aggression

 Makes excuses – doesn’t

 Criticism of previous     

employer Discussion of personal problems Dishonesty Intolerant – strong prejudices Lack of enthusiasm – passive and indifferent Lack of interest in company – shopping around

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accept responsibility Overemphasis on money Plans on keeping job only a short time Poor communication skills Poor personal appearance Tardiness Wants too much too soon Only money motivated

Other Resources Interview Stream: Software – contact Career Center or link to it from www.pcc.edu/staff/tmaldona Books: Sweaty Palms – Career Center On the Internet: www.jobweb.com www.careerjournal.com/jobhunting/interviewing www.rileyguide.com

Salary Negotiation  Not a first interview topic unless the employer

brings it up.  Expect to start at the beginning when entering a new field despite your age,or past earning level  Ask questions about the position get as much information you can to make an informed decision.  Speak in ranges i.e. $12-$15  Research the salary range on olmis.org, salary.com etc.