The Art of the Interview

1
The Art of the Interview

• Val Richardson, M.A.
• Palmetto Health-Workforce Development

2
The First Impressions

• How do you look?
• What does your body language say?
• How do you sound?
• How well do communicate (listen)?

3
How do you look?

• Dress conservatively to communicate a
  professional image
• Select clothing that is appropriate for the work
  setting.
• Hairstyle should be neat, but not extreme
• Use deodorant, but avoid heavy perfumes and
  colognes
• Save flashy jewelry and accessories for the
  weekend

4
Body Language

• Greet the interviewer with firm handshake and
  smile
• Use good posture while sitting or standing
• Maintain good eye contact, but dont stare
• Be careful to avoid fidgeting, leg bouncing, pen
  tapping, etc.

5
How do you sound?

• What you say and how you say it is vitally
  important.
• Avoid um or you know
• Pause if you need to think about what to say
  nextsilence is OK.
• Allow the interviewer to initiate the next
  interchange.

6
How well do you communicate?

• Listen carefully before you answer.
• If you dont understand the question, ask the
  interviewer to explain it.
• Use active listening techniques such as
  restatement.

7
Getting Ready for the Interview

• The interviewer will judge you based on your
  appearance, your communication skills, your job
  skills, your professional goals and more.
• Prepare yourself the night before the interview.
• Make sure your clothing is clean, wrinkle-free,
  and fits properly.
• Complete the application, resume, and other
  appropriate documents thoroughly.
• Place interview documents, directions, and
  appointment information together for easy access
  before you leave for the interview.

8
Getting Ready Continued

• Get enough rest before the interview.
• Eat at least two hours before the interview.
• Rehearse your responses, if necessary.
• Look good, smell good, speak well with
  confidencesmile.

9
Types of Interviews

• Screening Interview- short, determines if the
  candidate has basic skills and knowledge of the
  job
• One-on-One Interview- interviewee and only one
  hiring representative
• Panel interview- interviewee and a panel or a
  team of staff members

10
Questions often asked during the interview

• Tell me about yourself?
• Do you have any work experience related to this
  job?
• Tell me about a time you worked in a team
  environment.
• Tell me about your most recent work experience.
• Tell me about a time when you made a mistake and
  how did you handle it.

11
Questions Continued

• Tell me why you consider yourself a responsible
  person?
• If I called you previous supervisor, what would
  they say about you?
• Tell me about a time when you worked with a
  difficult person.
• Why should I hire you for this position?
• Can you provide examples of your accomplishments
  or major contributions you made?

12
Questions you may ask?

• Why is this position open?
• What are the initial day-to-day responsibilities
  of this job?
• What is the most challenging aspect of this job?
• What is the management structure of this
  department?
• What career paths are available?
• In your opinion what type of person is most
  successful in this company?
• Adapted from Building Your Career Piece by Piece

13
Closing the Interview Process

• Make sure you have asked and/or clarified all
  questions regarding the position and the
  interview process.
• Thank the interviewer for their time and interest
  in you and request a business card.
• Send a thank you note.

14
Common reason for rejection

• Lack of goals
• Lack of appropriate job skills
• Lack of enthusiasm or interest in the
  job/business
• Inability to communicate well
• Poor personal appearance
• Lack of credible references
• Lying on the application

15
Reasons Continued

• Unrealistic salary demands
• Inability to clear health screening
• Inability to clear background investigation