Interview Improvement

1

Students and alumni for the right job, start
here.

• Interview Improvement
• What it Takes to Succeed

2
Keys to Success

• Know yourself
• Research what the employer requires
• Relate your skills to the needs of the employer
• Confidently discuss your skills and competencies
  in a positive way

3
Interview Types

• Screening
• Panel
• Testing
• Behaviour Descriptive Interview
• Case/Scenarios
• Group Process
• Telephone, usually pre-screening

4
Interview Stages

• Greeting and Introduction
• Employers Questions
• Candidates Questions
• Closing
• Follow-Up

5
Behaviour Descriptive Interviews (BDI)

• Highly structured process
• Questions four to six key dimensions
• Concept the best predictor of future
  performance is past behaviour
• No right or wrong answers

6
Preparing for BDI

• Target Analyze job posting to identify key
  success factors (dimensions of the job)
• Prepare relevant anecdotes to support the skills
  you will present (tell stories)
• Be prepared to discuss negative examples in a
  positive way (always end on a positive e.g.
  from that I learned.)

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Preparing for BDI

• Cite examples from all parts of your life
• Be honest no inflating your experiences or
  results no fabricating a story
• Use the STAR principle to frame your answers
  focus on the R

8
Answering Questions

• Think about what the position requires and
  respond in a way the employer will know you have
  the skills to do the job (this is targeting!)
• Use concrete examples, with numbers whenever
  possible
• Ask for clarification if you do not understand
  the question
• Pause, think STAR before answering, take your
  time
• Watch for clues from the interviewer that you are
  on track trust your instincts

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Sample Question

• Describe a time when you had a conflict with a
  classmate
• S ituation
• T ask
• A ction
• R esult

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• In every work situation, conflicts can arise.
  Tell me about a conflict you have had with a
  colleague or classmate. What was the situation?
  What did you do to resolve it? What was the end
  result?
• Who was your best boss? What made him/her the
  best boss for you?
• Describe how you managed multiple priorities
  during a particularly busy time as a university
  student. What were the priorities? What was the
  result?
• Describe the most frustrating time you had
  getting a concept across to a client or
  colleague. What strategies did you use to get
  beyond the initial communication difficulty?
• Weve all experienced times when we were too busy
  to check all the details of a project. Tell me
  about a time this happened to you, and some
  errors slipped through.
• Describe a situation when your creativity had a
  positive influence on the outcome of a project.
  What was creative about your idea and what
  difference did it make in the result?
• Tell me about a time when you were involved in a
  team project. What was your role? What did you
  do? How did you react to problems that arose
  with the project?
• Describe any travels that you have undertaken and
  exposure to other cultures. What have you learned
  from these experiences?
• Describe a time you went above and beyond the
  call of duty. What was your motivation to exceed
  expectations? How has the resulting recognition
  influenced your work since?
• How did you react when one of your ideas was
  strongly opposed in a discussion. Give an
  example.
• Tell me about an experience in which you felt you
  gained something because you persisted for a
  length of time.
• What is the biggest decision you have made in the
  last year? Tell me how you went about it. What
  alternatives did you consider?

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Company Research

• What to research
• Who are they? Mission Statement
• What do they do? Products and services
• Who do they serve? Customers and their needs
• What is it like to work for them? Company
  culture
• Where do they operate? Especially large
  companies
• Where to find the information
• http//www.ucalgary.ca/careers/students/Job_search
  _links/associations_and_directories.html
• http//www.calgarypubliclibrary.com/links/lkcompan
  .htm
• Professionals in the industry or company

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What to bring

• Extra resumes
• Copies of your references
• Transcripts, if required
• Questions you have prepared
• Projects, papers or publications
• Small portfolio or briefcase one bag only

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First Impressions

• A firm handshake
• Eye contact
• Appearance and demeanor
• Poise, confidence and manners

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What to Wear

• Dress
• Err on the side of conservative
• Fit the company/industry dress code
• Dress to meet your most important client
• http//amdt.wsu.edu/research/dti/index.htm

15
The buttons on the blouse are pulled suggesting
that it is to small. Makes

the person's appearance to
be dishevelled. Technical Field
Too "trendy" and flamboyant to project a serious
and professional first

impression. Insurance
The necklace is too bold for interview. Biochemic
al Field Perfect work attire. Hotel Restaurant
Management
Neat, clean, and professional, no problem.
Technology Field
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Very smartly dressed. At one point I felt that if
meeting with a client, men always wear a tie
now the culture seems to be more flexible even in
that situation.--Engineering Consultant
While this is the way many of our engineers look
on the job, it is inappropriate for an
interview. I'd expect him to ask me if I'd like
to go shoot
some hoops after.
Technical Field
The pants should coordinate better with the
jacket. Communications

Company Is that a "soul patch"
on his face??? It's GOT to go!!!!--Hotel

Restaurant
Management
Great attire. It's classic---appropriate in
almost any situation. Hotel and Restaurant
Management
17
Presentation

• Positive, professional image
• Appear confident good posture, lower voice at
  end of sentences
• Strong voice tone and quality
• No distracting nervous habits, smile and relax

18
Asking questions

• Have a question to ask
• Ask risk-free questions without using the word
  why it is confrontational
• Ask about next steps in the process if the
  interviewer forgets to mention it

19
Follow-Up

• Thank the recruiter
• At the end of the interview
• Thank you letter (best), e-mail (second best)
  powerful impact
• Evaluate your performance and look for ways to
  improve

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Salary Negotiations

• Make sure you are the right person for the job
  before discussing salary not during the
  interview
• If salary requirements come-up?
• Application
• Ignore
• Fair Market Value
• Interview
• Fair Market Value considering education and
  experience
• I understand new graduates average (give a
  range)

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Salary Negotiations

• Other things to know
• Research what youre worth
• Ask for time to consider an offer, 72 hours is
  reasonable
• Let employer make an offer first, but be prepared
  to state salary requirements
• Consider and understand all parts of benefits
  package e.g. medical/dental insurance
  flexibility training

22
Group Mock Interviews

• Tuesday, January 17, 1000 1130
• Kinesiology Complex, Block B, Room 128
• Thursday, February 2, 300 430
• Science A, Room 119
• Wednesday, March 1, 100 230
• Social Science, Room 113
• Monday, March 27, 1200 130
• Science A, Room 124A

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Conclusion

• Preparation is key
• Develop concrete examples to back-up behavioural
  questions
• Interview two-way communication
• Follow-up with thank-you note

24

• MSC 188
• 220-8020
• recruit_at_ucalgary.ca
• http//www.ucalgary.ca/careers/students