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Effective Interviewing Skills: A Self-Help Guide 1 THE INTERVIEW What Is An Int

Effective Interviewing Skills: A Self-Help Guide 1 THE INTERVIEW What Is An Interview and Why Is It So Important To The Job Seeker? The interview, ideally, is a predictable, two-way question and answer conversation in which both the employer and the interviewee are equal partners. The purpose of the interview is to find out information about the job while presenting yourself as positively as possible. The interview allows YOU, the job seeker, the opportunity to make an oral presentation of your strengths, credentials, qualifications, and potential contributions to the company/organization with whom you are interviewing. The interview allows the EMPLOYER to meet you, to assess your strengths, credentials, qualifications, and to determine if you are the best candidate for the position. The interview is one of the most important aspects of your job search. Consequently, preparation for the interview should begin long before you enter the interviewer's office. In an interview setting, your presentation of yourself involves both your verbal and non-verbal behaviors. Appearance, self-expression, self-confidence, enthusiasm, company knowledge, and your ability to relate to the interviewer all create an impression. Prior preparation provides you with the edge to make a POSITIVE impression. 2 Preparing Before the Interview: Besides having proper credentials in your field, preparation is the key to success in the interview. Before interviewing for a job PREPARE thoroughly. This preparation consists of gathering as much information as possible about yourself and about the prospective employer. 1. Analyze your strengths and weaknesses and be able to communicate these in a positive, candid manner. 2. Evaluate any problem areas in your background and be prepared to offer a strong case for these during the interview, if necessary. 3. Have clearly defined career goals and plans. Employers look for people who have done their career planning, who know what they want and where they are going. The interviewer will not guide you in your career planning or goal setting during the interview. He/she expects you to do prior self-assessment to determine how your academic preparation, previous work experiences, and other activities will meet the qualifications of the job. 4. Thoroughly research the position and organization. Your research should be aimed towards answering the following questions: a. What are responsibilities of the position? What skills are required for the position? What is the approximate dollar worth of the position? What is the organizational structure of the department/division to which the person in the position will report? b. What kind of organization is this? What product or services does it provide? Is the organization large or small? Is it for-profit or non- profit? Is it local, national, or international? What is the population it serves? What is its competition? How long has the organization been in existence? c. What industry is the organization in? What are trends in this industry? d. What is the future of the organization? Are any new initiatives planned? Have any new products or services been introduced recently? Is the organization financially stable? e. What is the future of the industry? Is the industry growing and 3 4 dynamic? Is it dependent on government policies or programs? This information may be obtained from people in the field, company literature (e.g., annual reports), trade journals, business magazines, and directories. Most university and public libraries have a variety of directories which provide invaluable company information, including financial data, information about stocks, names of key executives, addresses, and products or services delivered. A listing of suggested sources for researching companies and organizations is included in this packet. 5. From the information you have gathered about yourself, the position, and about the organization, analyze and be able to communicate where you could fit into the organization and how you could contribute to its productivity and success. 6. Prepare answers to possible questions from the interviewer and prepare a list of well-researched questions for the interviewer. (Sample questions are included in this packet). Practice answering interview questions with a friend or career counselor. 7. Know the name, title, and level of responsibility of each individual with whom you are to meet. You may ask this when scheduling the interview. 8. Know exactly how to get to the organization and be prepared to arrive early and stay late. 9. Dress to project an image of confidence and success. Do not wear clothing that is distractive. Your total appearance should be appropriate to the job. 10. Take two or three copies of your resume and list of references with you. Give copies of these to the interviewer if requested. Take a pad and pen along for any notes you may wish to make immediately after the interview. Taking notes during the interview may be distracting. Save your note taking until after the meeting. 5 During the Interview - Important Tips to Remember: 1. Greet the interviewer with a confident, natural smile and a firm handshake. 2. Be aware of your body language (non-verbal communication). Do not fidget, slouch, smoke, or chew gum during the interview. Maintain appropriate eye contact. 3. Convey sincerity, a dedication to achievement, confidence, and enthusiasm. These attributes are communicated through your words and actions. 4. Listen carefully to what is said and answer questions as directly as you can. Take time to organize your thoughts before you speak. Ask for clarification of any questions you do not fully understand. 5. When relating past experience, emphasize your accomplishments, increased responsibility, and potential for solving the employer's problems. 6. Do not volunteer negative information about yourself OR about a former employment situation. 7. Let the employer be the first one to bring up SALARY, but: ! Research the salary range ahead of time; ! Assess how much the job/experience is worth to you in the long run. 8. Be concise in representing yourself. Give examples to demonstrate your skills. 9. Be sensitive to the interviewer's non-verbal behavior (if you are talking too much you may be able to tell by the interviewer's behavior of backing off, yawning, or change in eye contact). 6 After the Interview: After each interview, it is helpful for you to reflect on what occurred. What did you feel good about? How might you improve your performance for future interviews? This type of analysis is intended to be constructive and helpful for the next time. You may wish to use the Post-Interview Debriefing Sheet enclosed in this packet to assess each interview. Write and send the employer a thank you letter within 24 hours of the interview. Use the letter as an opportunity to: 1. Reemphasize your strongest qualifications. 2. Restate your interest in the position. 3. Provide supplemental information not previously given. 4. Describe the good match between your qualifications and the job requirements. Thank you letters are one of the most important yet least used tools in a job search. They demonstrate your interest, assertiveness, and ability to follow through. If you are not contacted by the interviewer within the specified time, call to restate your interest. Use the interview as a learning experience. Think about your performance and ways you can improve for your next interview. 7 TYPES OF INTERVIEWS Interviews take different formats depending on the organization's priorities and the interviewer's style. It is important for you to be familiar with the various types of interviews. Knowing the format upon which your interview is structured will help you feel better prepared and more at ease during the experience. Discussed below are the most common types of interviews: 1. Screening Interview 2. Selection Interview 3. Panel Interview 1. Screening Interview ! Interview may be for specific amount of time; format may be very structured. ! Usually conducted by person who is trained in interviewing techniques. ! Interviewer may use direct questioning technique, designed to obtain facts and a better understanding of your background. ! Interviewer will assess your background based on needs/requirements of the position. ! Know something about the organization and "sell" your qualifications in a positive and effective manner. ! Establish guidelines for post-interview procedures or "next steps" to take. ! Be prepared, professional, articulate, and confident - Do your homework before you get to the interview. 8 2. Selection Interview ! Usually one-to-one with the person who will make the hiring decision. ! Format may be indirect and open-ended, focusing on broad questions such as: Tell me about yourself. Why do you want to work for Organization X? Where do you see yourself in five years? What do you feel are your strongest abilities and how do they relate to this position? Why do you feel you would make a good candidate for this position? ! Your ability to describe your interests in the position, your qualifications, and your relevant skills will be evaluated. ! Your enthusiasm for the position, level of confidence, knowledge of yourself, familiarity with the organization, and general demeanor will be assessed. ! Use the interview situation as an opportunity to sell yourself by highlighting your education, experience, and relevant skills for the position. 3. Panel Interview ! 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