Interviews: Dos and Donts

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Interviews Dos and Donts PD Seminar Session
3 Sept. 23, 2009
Gordon Jin Pat Sullivan
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Interview dos and donts

• Introduction
• Interview Goals
• Preparing for the Interview
• Conducting the Interview
• Non-verbal Communications
• Verbal Communications
• Conclusion

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Introduction

• Purpose of the Interview
• To see what you know
• To elaborate upon information
• Determine mutual suitability
• Determine your interpersonal skills
• To get to know you Personally

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Introduction

• Purpose of the Interview(Contd)
• Ability
• Willingness
• Fit

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Interviews Dos and Donts

• Interview Goals

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Interview Goals - Employer

• Select a
• Competent candidate
• In a timely manner
• Who is a good fit for the organization
• and monitor for potential future employment

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Interview Goals - Interviewee

• Determine more information about job
• Confirm fit and interest in job
• Get hired

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Interviews Dos and Donts

• Preparing for the Interview

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Preparing for the Interview

• Research!
• Anticipate!
• Plan!

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Preparing for the Interview

• Research
• Yourself
• The Job
• The Company
• The Industry

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Preparing for the Interview

• Research the Job
• Major Responsibilities
• Required Skills, Knowledge, etc..
• Typical Environment
• E.G.
• Industrial/Manufacturing
• Office
• In the Field (construction etc.)
• Combination

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Preparing for the Interview

• Research the Company
• Products
• Management
• Projects
• Organizational Structure
• Revenues

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Preparing for the Interview

• Research the Industry
• Suppliers
• Major Customers
• Competitors
• Government
• Technology
• Economy

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Preparing for the Interview

• Research!
• Anticipate!
• Plan!

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Preparing for the Interview

• What are the employers looking for?
• Qualifications
• Motivation

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Preparing for the Interview

• Anticipate! Information Requirements
• What are they looking for?
• Determine the five most important things this
  employer is looking for.
• Write them out.
• Think about what you have.
• Think about how you will elaborate upon those
  aspects.

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Preparing for the Interview

• Anticipate! The Type of Interviews
• General / traditional
• Behavioral
• Situational
• Technical
• Structured / unstructured
• Stress interviews

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Preparing for the Interview

• Anticipate! The Questions
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Personal and Motivational
• Skills and Abilities
• Career Goals / Objectives
• Extra-curricular Activities
• Academic Performance
• Ice-Breakers

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Preparing for the Interview

• Frequently asked Questions
• Why did you apply for this Job?
• I see from your resume that you worked
• What is your greatest strength/weakness
• What are you most proud of?
• What do you know about our company?
• What would you like to be doing in five years?

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Preparing for the Interview

• Frequently asked Questions
• What do you know about
• Explain a time when you
• How would you design a Questionnaire?
• Why should I hire you?
• What is necessary for success in this field?
• What have you done which shows you have initiative

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Preparing for the Interview

• Research!
• Anticipate!
• Plan!

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Preparing for the Interview

• Plan! Your Attack
• Determine your selling points
• Base it on the Job Description and other
  research.
• E.g. Work Experience
• Overseas Experience
• Volunteering, etc...

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Preparing for the Interview

• Plan! Questions you should ask
• General Questions
• Career Motivation Questions
• Job Responsibility Questions
• Work Environment Questions
• Quality of Work Questions
• Long-Term Employment Questions

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Interview Dos and Donts

• Conducting the Interview

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Conducting the Interview

• The Interview Structure
• Introduction
• Exchange of Information
• Conclusion

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Conducting the Interview

• Keys to Success
• Knowledge
• Appropriate Background
• Personality
• Obvious Enthusiasm
• Presentation

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Conducting the Interview

• Interview Checklist
• Appearance (bearing, expression)
• Education
• Amount of preparation
• Job knowledge
• Motivation
• Personality

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Conducting the InterviewNon-Verbal Cues

• Pitch
• Volume
• Tone of Voice
• Articulation
• Vocal Fillers
• Acknowledgement

• Facial Expressions
• Eye Contact
• Posture
• Gestures
• Dynamism/Confidence

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Conducting the Interview

• Dress Code (Men)
• Suit
• Shoes and Socks
• Shirt and Tie
• Grooming
• Jewelry

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Conducting the Interview

• Dress Code (Women)
• Suits
• Blouses and Scarves
• Shoes and Stocking
• Grooming
• Jewelry
• Makeup

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Conclusions

• Dos
• Be prepared
• Pause and think
• Ask for clarification
• Answer all questions honestly and factually
• Be well-groomed
• Be pleasant
• Be enthusiastic

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Conclusions

• Dos (contd)
• Ask pertinent questions
• Arrive on time
• Make Eye-Contact
• Have a firm handshake
• Express appreciation for the interview
• Be calm

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Conclusions

• Donts
• Talk about irrelevant information
• Dress inappropriately
• Be aggressive or combative
• Appear bored
• Use inappropriate forms of Address
• Smoke
• Be quiet

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Conclusions

• Donts (contd)
• Ask about salary
• Downplay your successes
• Arrive late
• Chew gum
• Bring your ipod or cell phone
• Criticize previous employers

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Questions?