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Basics of interview preparation.

Natalya Ostrovskaya

Workshop Objectives
Workshop Contents
Introductions
Setting Intentions for the workshop
Basics of interview preparation
Self-Development and practical exercises
Top 10 Interview Myths
Top 10 Traits Hiring Managers are looking for
Top 10 Types of Job Interview
Understanding of skills/dimensions and
Interview model
Practice use of specific verbs
Homework assignment

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Instructors Introduction
Introduce yourself:
Professional background (position/role, type of
work)
Setting SMART Goals (intentions and
expectations)
Your biggest fear when it comes to interviewing

Specific - Explain the objective and how it needs to be

achieved
Be sure the objective clearly states the end result, output,
or intent so there is no room for misinterpretation. Use
concise verbs such as to establish, to increase, to
reduce .
Measurable Define quantity, quality, cost
Is it measurable and quantifiable? Some general categories
and examples associated with measuring objectives
include:

Quantity: number of units produced, items processed, calls
taken, contacts made

Quality: number of specs met, percentage of error rates,
number of complaints received

Cost: dollars spent, dollars saved, percentage within
budget, dollars spent on overtime

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Aligned

State the link to your long term goal

Identify the link of your short term intention with your long term
goal

Realistic Challenge, but within reason

There is a reasonable chance that the objective can be achieved

Timely
Identify specific timeframes and deadlines
State the specific timeframe in which the goal will be met.
Identify dates with as much specificity as possible

This is how you'll be scored during interviews:

50%... Good chemistry. Can you "fit" into the organization?
30%... Competence and ability. Can you do the job?
20%... Willingness and enthusiasm. Will you do the job?
50%... Good chemistry -- Can you "fit" into the organization:

Grooming/General appearance: Does candidate fit our image

Social fit: Communicates and listens well, good fit with coworkers, customers, management

Shared Values: Personal interests and beliefs consistent with the
company's goals and objectives

Present/Future/Leadership potential: Honest, mature, stable,
likable, relates well to others

Attitude: Positive and upbeat with a can-do attitude, follows
directions, accepts criticism

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30%... Competence and ability -- Can you do the job:

Technical Fit: Has the skills, talents and ability to do the
job
Expertise: Has the background and experience to do the
job
Education: Has the required knowledge to do the job
20%... Willingness and enthusiasm -- Will you do the job:
Ambition: Has the desire to learn, grow and excel
Intelligent/Energetic/Motivated/Team Player:
comprehends and adapts quickly, achievement oriented

Advertize yourself - Sell yourself- Your brand!!!

90 second impression Look Professional
I can do it attitude
Build your self-confidence

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Exercises I can do it and I deserve the job I

want
Focus on what you WANT instead of lack of it

Understand the employer's perspective

Make a good first impression
Communicate interest and enthusiasm
Focus on what you can do for the company
Prove that your skills, talents and abilities match
the employer's needs

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Show that you can quickly contribute value and

profit to the organization
Have a list of questions to ask that were not found
when researching the company
Never bring up salary, perks or benefits unless a
job is offered
When interview concludes, say "I've enjoyed our
time together, where do we go from here?"
After the interview, make notes of what you did
well and what you need to improve upon
Always send a thank you letter/note within 24
hours of your interview

Myth #10: The interviewer is prepared.

Myth #9: Most interviewers have been trained to
conduct thorough job interviews.
Myth #8: It's only polite to accept an interviewer's
offer of refreshment.
Myth #7: Interviewers expect you to hand over
references' contact information right away.
Myth #6: There's a right answer to every question
an interviewer asks.
letter/note within 24 hours of your interview

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Myth #5: You should always keep your answers

short.
Myth #4: If you've got great qualifications, your
appearance doesn't matter.
Myth #3: When asked where you see yourself in five
years, you should show tremendous ambition.
Myth #2: If the company invites you to an
interview, that means the job is still open.
And the #1 myth about job interviewing: The most
qualified person gets the job.

1)Enthusiasm- Its contagious and employers want

employees that are excited about the firm, the job and
the overall opportunity.
2)Motivation- No firm wants an unmotivated
workforce. Convey to the prospective employer that
you are self driven.
3)Integrity- Ethics and high personal values are always a
key hiring trait.
4)Resilience- Do you demonstrate perseverance or are
you a complainer when tasks or goals are tough?
5)Ability to learn- Every job requires some level of new
training. Can you articulate and provide examples of
your ability to self improve?

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6)Self Awareness- Do you truly understand where you

fit in the corporate hierarchy and are you honest as well
as realistic about your skill set.
7)Pride- Do you value your work product or are you
punching the clock and collecting the check?
8)Task Accomplisher- Talk is cheap and actually can
slow progress. Managers want employees that get stuff
done!
9)Technologically Comfortable- Candidates must
communicate comfort with technology. Comfort is very
different from expertise.
10)Logical- If you can demonstrate some level of
deductive reasoning, it typically resonates with hiring
managers. Clearly communicate you have strong
common sense.

1)Screening: In Person or via Telephone

2)Directed Traditional (One-on-One)
3)Panel or Committee
4)Behavioral
5)Lunch or Breakfast
6)Group (of applicants)
7)Audition (Working Interview) dental offices use
this one; movie reviewers
8)Stress
9)Serial or Follow-up
10)Informational

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1) Screening: In Person or via Telephone TIPS:

Write your resume to match the job you are trying to fill and keep a record of
where you apply so you will remember the companies when they call.
Keep your resume by the telephone or with you in a folder.
Put a business-like greeting on your voice-mail or answering machine.
Answer questions immediately, with good grammar and a confident voice. No
slang or mumbling!
Verbally point out accomplishments and skills that match the job description.
If asked, give a moderately wide range of income figures.
DON'T answer your Call Waiting when you are interviewing.
DON'T eat, chew gum, or drink anything on the phone.
DO ask when you can come in for a full interview.
In-person screening is done when there is a Job Fair or an Employment Open
House in which a company is taking applications on the spot. They will have
interviewers that will speak very briefly with all applicants and invite the ones who
are qualified to the company office for a full interview.

2) Directed (Traditional) One-on-One Interviews

The interviewers have a definite plan for the interaction and
you must follow it. They likely ask the same questions of
every applicant so follow their lead, listen carefully and
answer questions fully. Supply information you think is
important but that they did not ask, ask your own questions
about the company, and ask when the selection process will
be completed.
3) Behavioral Interviews

Interviewers use a set of questions related to specific JOB
SKILLS. You will be asked about problem-solving skills,
leadership, conflicts, initiative etc.

TIPS:Practice talking about you skills and qualifications that fit
the new job. Think about your work, volunteering, and
education and prepare stories that feature your skills.

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4) Panel or Committee Interviews

These interviews are good for companies that require
teamwork. You may be interviewed by the head of HR,
the department head where you will work, your future
co-workers, or other important people.
5)Lunch or Breakfast Interviews

This is still a business interview. Use good table
manners. The presence of food sometimes makes an
applicant relax and reveal all their negative points, so
be careful. DON'T sit until the interviewer does. Order a
meal slightly less expensive than the interviewer. DON'T
start eating until they do. DON'T order anything messy.
If they order dessert, DO also order a dessert - it can be
as simple as fruit.

6)Group Interviews

These interviews set one job applicant against two or
more others in a group. It will show your style,
professionalism, and leadership skills. You are actively
competing against other job applicants; much like The
Apprentice TV show. There may have multiple
interviewers as well. TIPS: Develop your communication
skills and reasoning in a group setting. Treat everyone
with respect, even when you disagree. DON'T get into a
shouting match and DO pay attention to the main
interviewer.
7)Auditions

Dancers, singers, graphic artists, computer
programmers, and others must often audition by
showing their skills firsthand.

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8)Stress Interviews

Be rested, alert and calm. If you encounter a seemingly rude
or abusive type of interview, think a lot about it before
accepting a job with this company.

They may sit silently staring at you during the interview and
act disgusted with you for no reason you can determine. They
will challenge you strongly and try to insult you. Your reaction
to all this shows how you will stand up to the management
and staff, clients, vendors, and others associated with this
organization.

TIP: Memorize your major discussion points so that they will
come to mind immediately, even if you are caught off guard.
Be polite and smiling, no matter what they say or do to you. If
they cross one of your personal boundaries or become
physical, thank them for the interview and make your exit.

9)Serial or Follow-up Interviews

You may be called back for a second, third, or fourth
interview. In a company that had 1,000s of job
applicants, the resume scanning and interviewing
process goes through many weeding "cuts.

Be patient and be ready for a series of interviews.

If you meet the same interviewer again, use this time to
restate your qualifications, then to build rapport and
more firmly establish that you will be an asset to the
company and also fit their operational culture.

You may meet with the interviewer's supervisor, a
department head, or even the vice president or
president of the company.

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10)The Final Selection Interview

There is usually one final decision maker in the hiring
process

You will meet this decision maker at some point.

With each additional interview, you have survived the
list of applicants that have been examined and cut.

Continue to have patience and continue the interviewing
process to its natural end.

All of the interviewers' OPINIONS will be considered by
the final decision maker. This person may even ask the
janitor and the receptionist what they think of you. Be
friendly, polite, and professional to everyone and give
them all equal respect while selling your qualifications
to each one.

Ability to Learn

Team Work /Cooperation

Oral Communication

Initiative

Attention to Detail

Ability to work under stress

Adaptability

Customer Service Orientation

Motivational Fit

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Situation - Action Result

Have several examples in your back
pocket

Interview guide worksheet and
homework

Initiated
Led
Tested
Coordinated
Implemented
Designed
Verified
Managed
Resolved
Assisted
Communicated
Organized
Analyzed

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What is Your Greatest Strength?

When I'm working on a project, I don't want just to meet
deadlines. Rather, I prefer to complete the project well
ahead of schedule.
My time management skills are excellent and I'm
organized, efficient, and take pride in excelling at my
work.
I pride myself on my customer service skills and my ability
to resolve what could be difficult situations.

What is Your Greatest Weakness?

When you're asked what your greatest weakness is, try to
turn a negative into a positive. For example, a sense of
urgency to get projects completed or wanting to triplecheck every item in a spreadsheet can be turned into a
strength i.e. you are a candidate who will make sure that
the project is done on time and your work will be close to
perfect.
When I'm working on a project, I don't want just to meet
deadlines. Rather, I prefer to complete the project well
ahead of schedule.
Being organized wasn't my strongest point, but I
implemented a time management system that really
helped my organization skills.

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How Did You Handle Challenges ?

When the software development of our new product
stalled, I coordinated the team which managed to get the
schedule back on track. We were able to successfully
troubleshoot the issues and solve the problems, within a
very short period of time.

I handle a challenges situation by putting myself stay cool

and not get panicked so that I can think well for the possible
solution of the problem the soonest possible. If the problem
is beyond my knowledge and power then I informed the user
to give me ample time to study the problem. Once I have a
solution, I will approach them immediately.

Develop and practice affirmations

Finalize SMART Goals for the workshop
Review Top 10 Traits Hiring Managers are looking for and
come up with personal examples to illustrate those
Prepare personal examples to illustrate Skills/Dimensions

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