Approaching Interview Questions with Confidence

1
Approaching Interview Questions with Confidence

• What does an employer really want to know?

2
The information exchange

• A successful interview is one in which both the
  interviewer and the interviewee gain accurate
  information and can make an informed decision
  about the fit between that job and that
  applicants personality and skills.

3
Laying the foundation for good answers

• Research the organization and have as much
  information as possible about the job you are
  considering.
• Try to understand the organizations major
  challenges and how you might contribute to a
  solution.

4
Foundation, cont.

• Have examples ready to illustrate the skills and
  personality traits and experiences that you want
  to highlight. Use problem-action-results stories
  (behavioral interviewing).
• Listen carefully to the question if it is
  specific, answer it directly. If it is broad and
  general, focus the answer on what you want to
  say. If it is vague, ask for clarification.

5
Foundation, cont.

• Take a few seconds to think out an answer if
  necessary. You dont have to respond instantly.
• Keep your answers brief. Successful candidates
  usually talk about half the time in an interview.
  Listening to the interviewer is important and
  engaging.

6
Foundations, cont.

• Eye contact and body language be aware of what
  you are projecting
• Your relaxation, your confidence in yourself
  and your manner are far more important than the
  words you use in your answer. (H. Anthony Medley)

7
The 5 Basic Questions (Richard Bolles)

• Why are you here? They mean, Why are you
  knocking on my door, rather than someone elses
  door?
• What can you do for us? They mean, Would you be
  part of the problems we already have or part of
  the solution to these problems? What are your
  skills and how much do you know that is of
  interest to us?

8
5 Basic Questions, cont

• What kind of person are you? They mean, Do you
  have the kind of personality that makes it easy
  for people to work with you and do you share our
  values?
• What distinguishes you from 19 other people who
  can do the same tasks that you can? They mean,
  Do you have better work habits, more knowledge,
  maintain higher standards orwhat?

9
5 Basic Questions, cont.

• Can we afford you? They mean, If we decide we
  want you, how much will it take to get you, and
  are we willing to pay that, governed as we are by
  our budget and by our inability to pay you as
  much as the person who would be above you on the
  organizational chart?

10
12 Key Assessment Areas (Steven Carline)

• Adaptability
• Competence
• Experience
• Manageability
• Interpersonal Skills
• Attitude

• Initiative
• Maturity
• Stability
• Emotional Control
• Integrity
• Values

11
Classic Interview Questions

• Tell me about yourself.
• Key Can the candidate sort and prioritize
  information that is relevant to this job and this
  organization?
• Strategy Give brief experience/education
  history, emphasizing how it led you to your
  interest in this career area/organization.

12
Questions, cont.

• Why are you interested in this position?
• Key a why are you here question.
• Do your interests mesh with the job that really
  needs doing?
• Will you stay engaged and interested?
• What do you hope to give and what do you hope to
  gain?

13
Questions, cont.

• Where do you see yourself five years from now?
• Key
• Is your future vision compatible with the
  direction this job and this organization will
  take you?
• Are you worth investing in or will you leave
  quickly?

14
Questions, cont.

• Tell me about a project where you used SPSS (or
  GIS or SAS, etc) to analyze data. How did you
  approach it and what were the results?
• Key Do you have technical (or subject)
  knowledge that you claim to have?
• Strategy PAR examples, using appropriate terms

15
Questions, cont.

• Other than the ones required, what skills do you
  have that you feel could enhance this position?
• What have you learned from previous jobs you have
  had? How could you apply this knowledge to our
  position?
• Please tell me about a specific area of
  responsibility you have enjoyed.

16
Questions, cont.

• What is your greatest strength? Your greatest
  weakness?
• Key
• Are you self-aware and analytic?
• Do you take responsibility for weaknesses and
  correct them?
• Can you discuss strengths in a way that relates
  them to the job to be done?

17
Questions, cont.

• Tell me what you have been criticized for in the
  past two years? Why were you criticized and how
  did you respond?
• Has there been a time when anothers anger was
  misdirected at you? Why and how did you respond?

18
Questions, cont.

• Describe your most ideal and least ideal boss.
  Why did you like or dislike those
  characteristics?
• Why did you leave your last position?
• Key Never criticize former colleagues, bosses
  or organizations. Focus answers around issues of
  fit, need for new challenges, factual issues (the
  project ended, the business closed, etc).

19
Questions, cont.

• What motivates you to improve and progress in
  your career?
• Have you had to make and/or implement an
  unpopular decision? What was the situation, what
  problems arose, and how did you deal with them?
• What professional situations cause you to feel
  awkward?
• What past achievement are you most proud of and
  why?

20
Handling illegal questions

• Illegal questions are those asking for personal
  information not related to the job requirements.
• For the employer, the focus must be What do I
  need to know to decide whether this person can
  perform the functions of this job?

21
Areas to be aware of

• National origin/citizenship
• Age
• Marital/family status
• Affiliations
• Religious beliefs
• Height/weight

• Disability
• Medical history (physical or mental)
• Arrest record
• Military discharge

22
Responding to illegal questions Your Choices

• Answer the question (give them information that
  may prejudice your chances)
• Refuse to answer the question (appear
  uncooperative and confrontational)
• Answer their concern (not the question) by
  reassuring them that you can perform the
  requirements of the job

23
Framing the answers

• If you were a member of Jesse James gang and
  people asked you what you were, you wouldnt say,
  Well, Im a desperado. Youd say, I work in
  banks. or Ive done some railroad work. (Ray
  Blount, Jr., American author)