Interview Skills Building

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Interview Skills Building

• Keely Johnston
• Central Alberta Career Prep

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What is the purpose of an interview?

• Allows candidates and employers to meet each
  other
• Creates a place for asking questions
• Determines if an appropriate working match is
  made
• Serves to determine if a job applicant meets the
  job requirements

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What type of interviews are out there?

• Phone Interviews
• Could be used to initiate contact
• Could be used if there is a large distance
  between you and the employer

• In-person
• One-on-one
• panel

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When the employer calls to arrange an interview

• Date/time/place
• Who is doing the interview (get their names)- is
  it a panel or one-on-one?

• Confirm that you have a portfolio and would like
  to bring it
• Confirm that the interview is for the job you
  applied for
• Ask for a job description

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• Must do your research before the interview!
• By researching you are demonstrating organization
  and preparation skills. It will build your
  confidence!
• You will want to know about
• The work you will be doing
• The company
• The expectations of the job

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What questions may you be asked?

• Employers will ask questions about your PAST,
  PRESENT, the FUTURE.

• PAST
• Performance, experiences and education
• PRESENT
• Current availability, abilities, certifications
  and skills
• FUTURE
• How will you handle the responsibilities of the
  position? Future performance

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What questions may you be asked?

• Tell me about yourself.
• Describe your last job.
• Why did you leave your last job?
• What is your favorite school subject? What is
  your least favorite?
• What are your 3 greatest strengths?
• What do you consider to be an area for
  development?
• Where have you demonstrated responsibility in
  your past?
• What are your interests outside of school?

• Why are you interested in this position?
• What 3 words best describe you?
• What kind of work environment would you like to
  work in? How can you ensure your workplace is
  this way?
• Describe a time when you demonstrated initiative.
• Describe a time when you handled a situation
  poorly what did you learn? How could you act
  differently next time?
• Why should I hire you?

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What questions CANNOT be asked?
Anything relating to religion, marital status,
sexual preference, ethnic origin, age, gender,
weight, criminal record, disability, and other
health issues are OFF LIMITS!
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What questions could you ask in your interview?

• What are some of the responsibilities of this
  position?
• Why are you hiring?
• What are the busiest times of business?
• How can I make a difference to this business?
• What are the hours of work?

• How is technology changing this occupation?
• What training do you offer your employees?
• What are the advancement opportunities within the
  organization?
• Where does this company expect to be in 5 years?
• What is the expected dress code?

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Should you ask about money?!

• It is important to ask the question in a way that
  shows the employer that wages are not your
  greatest interest!
• What is the entry-level pay for a job like this?
• What is the pay range for this position?

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Why is it important for us to know our skills and
abilities?

• When we know our skills and abilities we are able
  to speak confidently and in detail so the
  employer knows what we have to offer
• The best way to demonstrate your skills is to
  tell a brief story about your skill and the way
  you have used it in the past, then relate the
  skill to the potential job

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Examples

• During football practice, I have to keep daily
  attendance and prepare equipment prior to
  practice. My coaches have described me as
  reliable, independent, and as a person who takes
  initiative.
• I am responsible for the daily feeding and care
  of four horses. This requires that I be outside
  working in all weather without being asked. This
  demonstrates my ability to be motivated,
  punctual, and responsible which you have
  indicated are all important to this work.
• I was a babysitter for a family with 3 children.
  I prepared meals and did general house clean up.
  I babysat for this family for 2 yrs the family
  has given me a reference letter that describes me
  as responsible, caring, and tidy. This letter is
  in my portfolio if you would like to read it.

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Out of the hat practice questions

• Think of one challenging question you may be
  asked at an interview write it on a small piece
  of paper.
• Choose a piece of paper read the question to
  your classmates and then answer it to the best of
  your ability.
• The class will have the opportunity to add to
  other ways the question could be answered.

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Game Show

• 3 groups of students, 3 individual judges
• Each group will have a position they are applying
  for
• Playground supervisor
• Fast food restaurant worker
• Golf course maintenance worker
• Farm hand
• Hair salon assistant
• Grocery carry-out person

• Choose the best answer to the 3 questions based
  on the position you are applying for

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Interview Day

• What are the red flags that employers watch
  for?!

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What do these red flags say to an employer?

• Late
• Forgot your resume/ portfolio
• Untidy hair
• Overload of jewelry, piercings/tattoos
• Smell of cigarette smoke
• Poor posture
• Poor speaking skills, slander, profanity
• Responding with only yes and no answers
• Speaking poorly of previous employer
• Talking too much about topics not relevant to the
  question
• Wearing a ball cap or sunglasses in the interview

• Lack of enthusiasm or confidence
• Not demonstrating where you can add value
• Not prepared for basic interview questions
• Does not listen well, cuts interviewer off
• Leaves without asking any questions
• Does not follow up with a thank you card
• No firm handshake
• No eye contact
• Dressed in street clothes- crumpled, dirty, shoes
  untied or dirty
• Forgetting to bring 3 references

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Follow Up

• Send a thank you note or email, thanking them for
  their time and consideration.
• Provide any information you may have forgotten or
  clarify a specific interview question.
• If you do not get the position, call and ask for
  constructive feedback.
• Remember that each interview is a valuable
  experience!

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Things to remember

• An interview is a TWO-WAY process
• The only way to get the best match is for each
  party to interview each other
• Interviews require you to plan and practice
  selling your skills and abilities