Interviewing Techniques

The Handshake

Keep your right hand free Meet the other persons hand web to web Keep hand in a vertical position Shake from the elbow, not the wrist Two to three smooth pumps

Workshop Topics

Purpose of the Interview Preparing for the Interview Typical Structure of the Interview Typical Questions After the Interview

Purpose of the Interview

The Candidate
Clarify responsibilities of the position Determine if you can/will do the job Determine fit

The Interviewer
Evaluate candidate based on qualifications and

employer needs Determine fit

Questions When Scheduling

How long will the interview last? How many candidates will be interviewing? With whom will I be interviewing? Is there anything I should bring with me?

Know the Employer

Product or Service Sales/Assets Competition History Field Offices Industry Trends Chain of Command Size

Know Yourself

Why do you want to work for the firm? What can you do for the company? Your accomplishments/experience Your strengths/weaknesses Your initiative, goals and attitudes Your responses should be unique and specific

What to Bring to the Interview

Portfolio Copies of your resume List of Professional References College transcripts Two quality pens Notepad

Breath mints

Ten Tips

Arrive on time Introduce yourself in a courteous manner Read company literature while you wait Use body language to show interest Listen

Smile, nod, give nonverbal feedback Ask about the next step in the process Thank the interviewer Obtain a business card Write a thank-you letter to anyone you have spoken to

Typical Structure of an Interview

Small talk Tell me about yourself! Discussion of your background and how it relates to the position Your opportunity to ask questions Conclusion

The tell-all question: Tell me about yourself. The surprise question: Whats your passion? Strengths and weaknesses questions Questions about the future: What are your long-term goals? Scenario questions: What if?

Five Tough Interview Questions

Questions to Ask in an Interview

What will my duties entail? What kind of work can I expect to be doing? Can you describe a typical day? Where does this job fit into the organizational structure of the company? Who would I report to? Who would I be working with? What is the size of the department I would be working in? What is its structure? How is it organized? May I see it?

More Questions to Ask

Does the company offer any training opportunities? How would you describe the ideal candidate for this position? What qualities do you want in the person who fills this job? What do you feel would be the greatest challenge for me? What is the selection process/timeline from here? May I contact you if I have any further questions?

After the Interview

Write a thank-you letter to anyone with whom you have spoken

Use standard business letter format Thank the interviewer Reference a point of conversation which was of

mutual interest Recap how your skills and qualifications fit the position based on your interview conversation Communicate your continued interest in the position

Practice, Practice, Practice!

Mock interview Internet

Ten Interview Questions
http://www.careercity.com/content/interview/during/tenquest.asp

Virtual Interview
http://pound.thepavement.com/career/tvirtual.html

NEGOTIATING

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION

Understanding The Process

The Interview The Offer The Negotiation Process

UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS

What It Is Not
saying I want more money

What It Is
Meeting and discussing a subject Mutual agreement of issues

UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS

When does negotiation begin

Telling about yourself With the initial interview
Dont reveal your salary requirements too early in the negotiation process.

UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS

Evaluation
Answer these questions:

What is the Salary range? What is the lowest salary that I will consider? What makes me worth a higher salary?

UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS

Some Employer Objections To Your Request For More Money

You dont have enough experience

Other employees arent making more

The budget wont permit Thats what we are paying new hires

UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS

Your Positive Response To An Objection To Pay You More

In response to the other employees arent making

more statement, you might give a response such as: I see. (short pause) What is the range for this position? What would it take to get to that higher level within that range?

Remember, you are asking questions not delivering an ultimatum.

The Interview

Some Ideas To Help You During The Interview Process As It Pertains To The Salary Issue
Good listening skills

Try not to be the first to mention money

If asked what salary you are looking for, say you have a

range but that it really will depend on the total package If pushed, have a range in mind If asked what your current pay is, tell the truth

THE OFFER
Give answer in 24 hours unless you are

considering other options. Or ask for a window of time. Ask about other important fringe benefits before accepting the job Avoid telephone negotiations

THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS

Here Are Some Examples Of How A Salary Discussion

Might Go Company: We would like to offer you a salary of $55,000/year. You: Alternative answer #1: Im delighted that you are interested in me. Based upon my experience and also because of a variety of expenses associated with the cost of living in (this city), I would like to make around $60,000. How do you feel about that?

THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS

Alternative answer #2: I like the opportunity, and I know that I could contribute, but I have several other opportunities that are in the $60,000 range. Is there a way we could work this out?
Alternative answer #3: Ive completed a very valuable education and anticipated $60,000 as a minimum. Is there a way we can work that out? I love the opportunity and would like to work here if I can get that amount. What do you think?

THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS

Ask if you can get periodic reviews to let your

future employer know that you are concerned with providing the highest level of service.
Before asking for more money, mention

positive statement that reflects your skills and why you are qualified for the job.

Techniques of Effective Interviews

INTERVIEW

& SUCCESS

Interview
Essentially a conversation with several special features

Features of an interview
- A specific purpose - Follows a fairly structured pattern - Time - Place - Length - Participants

- Subject matter

and

Features of an interview
Most important

Questions

and

Answers

Interviewer

Interviewee

Of Course ..
Both do not feel completely at ease

Why Interviews ?
Need to hire perfectly

Interviews Focus on

- Competencies
- Data Gathering - Motivation fit

Interviews Focus on ..

Competencies describes the knowledge, motivations and behaviours associated with success or failure in a job.

Interviews focus on .
Data Gathering Educational History / Certifications / skills Specific experiences

Interest / Desires
Past behaviours Observable behaviours Observing interview behaviour

Some questions
Where the candidate study
Licenses & certifications obtained Ability to use specific software Familiarity with industry / production Time the candidate sold an idea to his/her group Conflict resolution A Major project for which candidate developed a budget.

Interviews focus on .
Motivational Fit - Nothing but will do competency - Overlap between what a person likes and what is

available in the job to keep individual satisfied

Motivational Fit

Job fit

Organizational fit

Location fit

Competencies Expected for a Technical/Professional Job

Technical / Professional knowledge planning & organizing
- Adaptability - Initiative - Passion - Motivational Fit - Individual Leadership / Influence - Analysis / Problem assessment

- Judgment / Problem solving practical learning

- Team work / collaboration - Communication oral / written - Creativity

Will you now be able to list out how you need to present as an

interviewee

For many people the time before an interview is a nerve racking, adrenalin pumping period.

Preparing for the Interview

Make your best impression on the interviewers.

Research the company

Know your own strength

Know your weakness

Make your best Impression

- Present yourself in a positive way

- Reflect on personal qualities

Research the company ..

- Investigate about the products & try them if appropriate

- Look out for their advertisements

- Update with the latest on the company

- Understand the companys priorities

Know your own strength ..

- Relate your skills with the job

- Rate yourself in terms of creative thinking, leadership qualities etc.,

- Jot down the instances where you have displayed these

Know your weakness..

- Look at your C.V. and pick out areas that might give negative

impression

- Prepare for giving positive answers about these weak areas

Example
- Between 1995 and 2000 you had quite a few different job

why was that ?

The positive answer .

At that time I was unsure about the direction, I wanted my career to take. I felt the need to test my strengths & weakness in various employments so that I could find out what I could do best. I learnt wide range of skills from them which will always be useful at work etc.,

The Interview
- Presenting yourself

- Interviewees behaviour

- Taking Questions

- Concluding the interview

Presenting yourself
- A last minute rush means you will arrive flustered.

- Before you speak you will be seen

The interviewees behaviour

- Greeting

- Body language

- Establishing rapport

The Greeting
- Greet interviewer by name ( if you know)

- Be polite & assertive

- Handshake to be firm

- Stand with good posture, smile & meet interviewer's eyes

- Be friendly without being familiar

- Just keep in mind-it is a business meeting

Body Language
- Sitting if you have option dont sit in a chair with low soft arm - Avoid putting elbow on the arm of the chair - Sit upright with your back firmly supported by the chair - Have an Open posture - Make sure body language is sufficiently receptive

Establishing rapport
- Listen carefully - Wait for interviewer to finish - Answer questions directly - Dont answer a question not asked - Answers to be short - Respond with energy, speak clearly & use facial expressions.

Taking Questions

- Common questions

- Difficult questions

Some common questions

Why did you apply for this job? What makes you want to work for this company achievement in you career so far?

What do you think has been your greatest achievement in your career so far? years Give me an assessment of your strengths and weaknesses-as a person and in the work you have done. What did you like best/least about your last job? How do you envisage your future? Where would you like to be in ten time? How do you spend your leisure hours? Would you have any problems relocating if you were offered this job? What was you last boss like? Describe your ideal boss.

Taking Difficult Questions

- Pause, think and take your time in answering - Ask interviewer to repeat if you have not understood - Order your thoughts - Dont give up unless your are stuck & cannot answer - Dont invent an answer to fill the silence. Ignorance is more impressive than bluster. - Show your eagerness to learn.

 Do keep Once you have completed your answer, indicate to the interviewer that you have finished what you wanted to say. One way to do this is to drop the pitch of your voice on the last syllable of your final sentence. Do ask the interviewer to repeat a question if you did not fully understand it. Or try paraphrasing it, and ask the interviewer if you have understood the question correctly. Do end your answers with positive points whenever you can. For instance, if you offer some criticisms of the company that last employed you, try to end your comments with a couple of positive remarks about that company, You want to show that you are not biased, that you are able to make an even-handed assessment of your employers pros and cons. Do be wary of using jargon to impress the interviewer. Technical or specialized language is fine if you are absolutely sure of its use. But if you misuse it, you will look foolish. When in doubt use plain English.

Dos When answering questions your sentences short and to the point.

 thoughts. think things answer.

Donts When answering questions Dont launch into an answer without taking time to assemble

your The interviewer will wait for you, and will be impressed if you through in silence and then provide a well-constructed

Dont think that you have to keep talking until you are interrupted. Decide for yourself when you have answered the question, and stop. If the interviewer keeps interrupting, you are not answering concisely enough. Dont play for time Dont make comments such as, Thats an interesting question! while nodding your head sagely a head that is all too obviously empty of ideas. If you would prefer to return to a difficult question later, ask the interviewer if that would be possible. If it is not, and you cannot answer the question, say so.

Dont talk in the abstract. This may give the impression that you cannot or will not commit yourself to a firm opinion. Dont use words

Donts When answering questions

Dont undersell yourself by being apologetic. For example, dont say, Ive had only five months experience in this kind of work. You are inviting the interviewer to see you as underqualified. If you are not sure of your ground, say so. But avoid long, apologetic introductions such as, Of course its just my opinion, and I may be wrong, but I think perhaps

Dont dwell unnecessarily on failures or bad luck. If you are forced to confront something unpleasant in the past, point out the positive side of what at first glance seems negative.
Dont exaggerate your current salary in the hope that this inflated figure will be matched or bettered by your prospective employer. An experienced interviewer will probably be able to estimate your income fairly accurately, and will know when you are misleading him.

Concluding
End of interview - questions invited. Ask positive & constructive questions. Keep questions short, genuine & relevant. Opportunity to show initiative & imagination

Finally
Smile, shake hands finally & thank the interviewer for the time he/she has given you.

May be you could write a thanks letter.

You may be the best candidate for a job, but that is no guarantee that you will be offered it

Experience and Qualifications are important, but you may also have to sell yourself as the best person for the post.

Interview does not require

you to take on the role of a victim

Remember no applicant is
expected to know everything but he or she is expected to be

educable

THANKS