The Job Interview

1. The Job Interview Successful Interview Strategies June 2005

2. The Job Interview - • Why are interviews necessary? • Interviews remain the most popular method of assessment for selection.  You are unlikely to get a job without being interviewed as part of the selection process. • Interviews: • give both candidate and employer a chance to meet face to face • allow you to question them as well as vice versa

3. The Job Interview - • There are different types of interviews: • Competency Based Interviews • Focus on particular areas of competence which are important to a job. • Are clearly related to the job in question. • The questions will relate to particular abilities or styles, for example: “Tell me about the time when you had to meet a tight deadline.  How did you cope?  What was the outcome?” • You will need to come up with lots of examples of situations, from your work experience, leisure activities or home life.

4. The Job Interview - • Biographical Interviews • The most traditional format. • Focus on the kind of information for example: - Work experience - Educational background - Leisure interests - Aspirations • Look at what you have done in the past • Sometimes the link between the questions and the job you’re applying for may not be apparent.

5. The Job Interview - • Situational Interviews • Questions ask you to imagine yourself in a given hypothetical situation and ask what you would do. • The situations may be taken directly from the job in question or may be more general.

6. Getting the Interview - • Before you can get an interview you must first submit a resume. • Follow Up Quickly on All Resumes You Send • Follow up within three to five business days. You can follow up by phone, or by email if replying to a blind ad or the ad specifies no calls.

7. Resume Follow Up - • When following up by phone, try saying something like, "Hi, my name is ______ and I submitted my resume for your ______ opening. I'm extremely interested in this opportunity, and I just wanted to touch base with you on how I can benefit your operation…"

8. Resume Follow Up - • If you are following up by email, your message should be brief. Here's an example: Dear Name (or "Hiring Manager" if name is unknown): I recently applied for your ______ opening, and I just wanted to follow up to make sure my resume was received. My strong background in ______, ______ and ______ appears to be an excellent match to the qualifications you are seeking, and I am very interested in your opportunity. I realize you may not yet be at the interview stage, but I am more than happy to answer any preliminary questions you may have, and I can be reached at ______. Thank you for your time and kind consideration. Sincerely,

9. How do I Select the Interview Candidates- • I look at the job as a complete circle made up of technical requirements and interpersonal skills. • I select candidates to interview based on the completeness of their circles. • Meaning what portion of the posted job circle do they possess, and what will it take to complete their circles.

10. Candidate Selection - • Did you know that you interview everyday? • As you perform your day-to-day tasks • You display your technical skill level • You display your ability to problem solve • You display your interpersonal skills • You display how you handle conflicts • I usually start by asking my team • Who stands out in a group? • Who are the top performers?

11. The Job Interview - • What I look for – • Knowing the technical requirements of the job, I look for skills/skill sets that match. • I look for people skills/behaviors that compliment the existing team. • I look for a solid foundation to build upon, a foundation that’s adaptable.

12. Preparing for the Interview - • Well, your resume worked and now you have an appointment for the all important job interview. You have done your homework. You are confident that you can answer anything the interviewer throws at you. Finally the big day arrives and the final important choice must be made. What should you wear? • It is no secret that how you look has everything to do with the first impression you make. A first impression is made in the first 27 seconds. If you are too formal in your appearance, you might give the impression of being rigid and stuffy. If you are too casual, you may send the signal that you do not take the interview or the job very seriously.

13. Preparing for the Interview - • Begin by talking to employees of your potential new employer and find out what the dress code is and how seriously management takes it. If you can't find out this information, you should choose clothing that is professional in the impression it gives. • If you do not already own clothing that will work on an interview, you should go to a store where you can get good advice from the sales person. Be prepared to have the clothes tailored. No human being completely fits in clothes that are off the rack. To make the best impression the clothes must be altered to fit and accent your best features.

14. Preparing for the Interview - • The following ideas can never be neglected: • Look clean and neat. Make sure that your hair is done appropriately. Women - do not wear wild hairdo's Men - get a trim of head and facial hair. • Do not wear a perfume or cologne as many people are allergic. Bathing with a good quality bath soap will leave a light scent. You will be nervous and a gentle scent can mask the perspiring you may be doing. An unscented antiperspirant can be used. • Cover any tattoos and avoid gaudy jewelry. Definitely limit pierced jewelry to ears only. Do not wear nose or tongue jewelry.

15. Preparing for the Interview - • MEN • Wear a suit or sport jacket with color coordinated trousers. • The color should be neutral or dark - blue, black or gray is best. • Wear a tie - even if you will never wear one after you get the job. • Shoes should be leather - clean and polished - black is best. • Make sure your nails are trimmed and that they are clean.

16. Preparing for the Interview - • WOMEN • Wear a classic suit or a simple dress with a jacket. This is not a time to be provocative or sexy. Some appropriate colors are navy blue, black, dark green, dark red, burgundy, or gray. • Dress in a higher style then the position calls for but do not attempt to out dress everyone there. • Avoid wearing clothes that are tight, revealing or trendy. It may be the very latest fashion but it will not impress the interviewer. • Fingernails should be trimmed to a length that doesn't leave an observer wondering how you keep from stabbing yourself. The polish should be closer to a color your mom might wear than to a color that your kid sister would go for.

17. The Job Interview - • Usually the interview starts with – “Tell me about yourself” The toughest question in the Interview • Your answer can make are break you as a candidate.

18. “Tell me about yourself” – The toughest question in the Interview When you, as a job seeker, are asked the most common, and toughest, interview question, "Tell me about yourself," your answer can make or break you as a candidate. Usually job seekers will respond with their "30 second commercial," and then elaborate on their background. Most social psychologists recognize four basic personality styles: Analytical, Amiable, Expressive, and Driver. Usually, each of us exhibits personality characteristics unique to one of the styles. However, we also possess characteristics to a lesser degree in the other styles.

19. Here are the characteristics that are most commonly associated with each of the styles: Analytical:Positive Traits: Precise, Methodical, Organized, Rational, Detail OrientedNegative Traits: Critical, Formal, Uncertain, Judgmental, Picky Amiable:Positive Traits: Cooperative, Dependable, Warm, Listener, NegotiatorNegative Traits: Undisciplined, Dependent, Submissive, Overly Cautious, Conforming Expressive:Positive Traits: Enthusiastic, Persuasive, Outgoing, Positive, CommunicatorNegative Traits: Ego Centered, Emotional, Exploitive, Opinionated, Reacting Driver:Positive Traits: Persistent, Independent, Decision Maker, Effective, Strong WilledNegative Traits: Aggressive, Strict, Intense, Relentless, Rigid

20. Personality Styles - Gaining an in-depth understanding of your personality style has enormous value in your career as well as your personal life. Once you have learned about your own style and have studied the other styles. You can determine the styles of others; you can often identify styles by observing a person's demeanor, conversation, body language, appearance, and possessions.

21. Personality style examples: Analytical Style: Financial Manager (or programmers, engineers, and accountants). They like systems and procedures. They are slow to make decisions because they will analyze things to death—but their decisions are usually very sound. They prefer working independently and are usually not very good in team environments, but they are also dependable. They buy cars with good resale value and great gas mileage. They are conservative dressers. At the party, they want to know why so much money was spent on Michelob when we could have purchased Busch. They come to the party with their laptops.

22. Personality style examples: Amiable Style: Human Resources Manager. Very people-focused. They are dependable, loyal and easygoing; very compassionate. They will give you the shirt off their backs and the last nickel in their pockets. They are good listeners and value team players that do not "rock the boat." They are usually conformists and followers—rarely leaders. They avoid conflict and are not good decision makers. They drive four-door sedans or mini-vans to take the kids to sporting events. They usually clean up after the party is over.

23. Personality style examples: Expressive Style: Sales Manager. Very outgoing and enthusiastic, with a high energy level. They are also great idea generators, but usually do not have the ability to see the idea through to completion. Very opinionated and egotistical. Money motivated. They can be good communicators. They prefer to direct and control rather then ask and listen. They drive red convertibles with great stereos; to heck with the gas mileage. They come up with the idea for a company party, but never help clean up. They are on their way to another party.

24. Personality style examples: Driver: Corporate CEO. Intelligent, intense, focused, relentless. They thrive on the thrill of the challenge and the internal motivation to succeed. Money is only a measure of success; it is not the driving factor. They are results/performance oriented. They have compassion for the truly disadvantaged, but absolutely no patience or tolerance for the lazy or whiners. They drive prestige cars, not because the car attracts attention, but because it was a wise investment. They want to know why we had a party; what were the benefits of the party, and did we invite the banker?

25. Interview examples using the different personality styles: You will be interviewing with the human resource manager, the finance manager, the sales manager, and the CEO. The first question each of them will ask you is: "Tell me about yourself?" How should you respond? Remember; focus on the needs of the people in the organization. Here are just a few examples of how to respond to that question: "Tell me about yourself?"

26. "Tell me about yourself?" Response to Finance Manager: "I have been successful in my career by making well-thought-out decisions based on careful analysis of all factors. I approach problems with logic and sound reasoning. I would enjoy working with you in developing the appropriate systems and procedures to make our two departments function efficiently together."

27. "Tell me about yourself?" Response to Human Resource Manager: "My career has been characterized by my ability to work well with diverse teams. I seek out opportunities to involve others in the decision-making process. This collaboration and communication is what has enabled me to achieve success in my department. People are the most valuable resource of any organization."

28. "Tell me about yourself?" Response to Sales Manager: "Throughout my career I have always adhered to the principle that everyone in the organization must be sales-focused. My department is always trained in customer service, providing outstanding support to the sales team and to our customers. Without sales, the rest of use would not have a job. I look forward to helping you drive sales in any way possible."

29. "Tell me about yourself?" Response to CEO: "I have achieved success in my career because I have been focused on the bottom line. I have always sought out innovative solutions to challenging problems to maximize profitability. Regardless of the task or challenge, I always established benchmarks of performance and standards of excellence. I have never sought to maintain the "status quo." An organization that does not change and grow will die. I would enjoy working with you to help define new market opportunities in order to achieve the organization's goals."

30. Response summary - In each instance, the response is to the "needs of the individual." It is almost guaranteed that, when you respond appropriately to the diverse needs of the different managers, you will become the standard by which all of the other candidates will be measured. The challenge is for you to learn about your personality and leadership style, learn about the styles of others, and learn how to think on your feet when responding to questions. Whether you are seeking a job or you are gainfully employed, by understanding the needs of others you will become a more valuable person, employee, manager and leader.

31. After you have the job - • Even after you are successful in getting the job, you should continue to pay attention to your wardrobe. Interviewing for that first job is only the beginning in the role clothing will play in your career. • You should regularly add pieces made of high quality, long wearing fabrics. It is best to buy separates that you can mix and match with the pieces that you already own. Each piece you buy adds to the variety of looks you can achieve. You may ask why this is important? The reason is that even after you have the job you sought, you might like to be considered for advancement and promotion. The impression you leave on the job every day will be added to your performance when the boss looks around for someone to promote.