The Ins and Outs of Interviewing

1. The Ins and Outs of Interviewing Dr. Debra Graham-Gosha Coordinator Educator Recruitment & Placement Alabama State Department of Education

2. Interviewing-What is it? - A structured meeting between you and an employer • Interviewing is a skill- like riding your bike • PRACTICE makes PERFECT

3. Interviewing is a two-way street • Employers are attempting to determine if you are an appropriate fit for the job and their culture • You decide if the environment is right for you.

4. Types of Interviews • Phone: used as an initial screen of candidates or to narrow the pool of applicants • One-on-One: most common interview style and incorporates you with the potential employer • Panel or Group: allows many individuals to interview you at once • Meal: used to see how you interact or function in a social setting • Second or On-site Interview: this allows one to get a tour of the facility, meet the staff, and additional questioning from different employees and/or administration

5. Pre-Interview Preparation • Research position, school & school system • Know yourself and be able to articulate skills, strengths, accomplishments, and career goals • Prepare necessary materials (Copies of resume, references, portfolio/pen, palm pilot or organizer, breath mints) • Ask for directions and where to park

6. Arriving • Be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to arrive at your destination (you may want to conduct a dry run prior to your interview day) • Try to arrive 10-15 minutes early at the site to allow you to park, walk to the interview, use the restroom, or just gather yourself

7. Greeting & Introduction Only 1 chance to make a good 1st impression • Dress appropriately • Smile • Maintain eye contact • Firm handshake • Remain poised and confident

8. Positive Signals Leaning forward = interest Smiling = friendly Nodding = attentive and alert Eye contact = curious and focused Negative Signals Crossed arms = defensive Fidgeting hands or tapping feet = nervous or bored Lack of eye contact = untrustworthy Leaning back= discomfort Body Language: What signals are you sending?

9. Standard or Traditional- targeting your education, work experiences, and career goals Sample Questions Tell me about yourself? What is your greatest strength? Weakness? Why did you choose to interview with us? What did you like most about your last job? Least? What are your short and long term career goals? Types of Interview Questions

10. Behavioral Questions -These focus on your actions and/or behaviors in a previous setting. Past behavior provides clues to future behavior Sample Questions Describe a time you had to make a difficult decision? Tell me about a time you worked under a deadline? What do you do when a team member is not pulling his/her weight? Think about a time you made a mistake. What did you learn from it? Types of Interview Questions

11. Inappropriate or unethical questions - Questions which probe into your private life or personal background - Questions about your ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disabilities, marital status Sample Questions How old are you? Do you have children? Do you have a disability? What religion do you practice? Types of Interview Questions

12. Questions asked by the interviewee To determine if you are an appropriate fit for the school and position, prepare a list of questions for the interviewer Sample Questions What type of assignments can I expect within the first year? What do you like most about this school /school system? What is the biggest challenge facing the school or particular grade or subject right now? What skills are you looking for in this position? What is the next course of action? Types of Interview Questions

13. General Interview Strategies -Be prepared to talk about yourself and your experiences -Master the art of storytelling -Provide specific and concrete examples of your results/accomplishments -Remain positive, enthusiastic, poised, and confident throughout the interview process

14. General Interview Strategies • Remember an interview is a formal conversation--avoid filler words like “Um”, “Ah”, & “You know” • Avoid indecisive phrases like: “I think,” “I guess,” “probably,” or “pretty good” • Think before speaking • Avoid long verbose answers--limit your response to 1-2 minutes • If you do not hear or understand a question, ask them to repeat or clarify it for you

15. General Interview Strategies • Remain calm, relaxed, and be yourself • Try to focus on the message you are trying to convey--NOT how well you are doing!

16. Dressing for Success-Men • Suit-Single or double breasted • Polished shoes • Solid white shirt • Conservative tie • Neatly groomed hair, beard, and mustache • Avoid strong colognes, earrings, and body piercing

17. Dressing for Success-Women • Pant or skirt suit • Pumps with small to medium heels • Light makeup, perfume, and jewelry • Wear neutral color hosiery

18. FOLLOW-UP • Ask good questions • Thank the interviewer • Request a business card • Inquire about next steps in the process

19. FOLLOW-UP CONT • Send a thank you note within 24 hours • Letter may be handwritten or typed; e-mail is also acceptable • Tailor each one to the individual.

20. Final Thoughts • Remember that only 15% of the success of an interview is out of your control • Take some time to reflect - Overall, how well did I do? - What went well? - What steps can I take next time to improve?

21. Suggestions • Conduct a test run the day before the interview • Practice! Practice! Practice! •Obtain a list of practice interview questions and jot down short answers • Stand in front of a mirror and rehearse your answers •Schedule an appointment for a mock interview with Career Services • Get a good night’s sleep-be well rested and alert for the interview • Be relaxed and be yourself!

22. Need additional help? Dr. Debra Graham-Gosha Coordinator Educator Placement & Recruitment 334 – 694-4594 dgosha@alsde.edu