INTERVIEWING TECHNIQUES
Career Information Showcase – 9 March 2005
J. J. Froehlich – Dynamic Aviation
COMPANY RESEARCH
Learn about the company
Internet, newspapers, magazines
Company Literature, Annual Reports
Insiders
Learn about the job
Know and understand job description
Talk to current or past employees
Try to understand hiring manager’s need
Develop your questions about the company
Organization’s future, position’s future
Expectations of the role being interviewed for
Growth and change within the company
PERSONAL PREPARATION
Resume
Focused on job you are interviewing for
Updated and current
Concise and easy to read
References
Select references that are applicable to experiences you are showcasing
Prepare your references for calls from company
Ensure references have good things to say about you
Make yourself a STAR
Write out 10 accomplishments you are proud of
S – Situation
T – Tasks: give listener idea of level of difficulty
A – Actions: verbally emphasize the ACTIONS you took that made a
difference
R – Results: Hard facts or qualitative impact on other people
+ 2 take-aways for each accomplishment
PRACTICE-PRACTICE-PRACTICE
Mock Interview
Videotape yourself
Use a mirror, ask friends and family to help
THE INTERVIEW
Pre-Interview Communication
Complete all pre-interview paperwork (if required) thoroughly
Sign up through prescribed method
Be on time
Appearance/First Impressions
Make your physical appearance appropriate for interview (business attire)
Wear minimal accessories (jewelry, cologne/perfume)
Be careful with what you eat and drink, before and during interview (lunch interview)
Have a strong, dry handshake with good eye contact
Start with a greeting and smile; look pleased to be in the interview
Resume-based Questions
Know your resume thoroughly; be able to walk through it from memory in 2-3 minutes
Be able to verbalize effectively why he/she moved from job to job
Know at least two skills from each job (takeaways) that are relevant to interview/job; Answer questions concisely and effectively
Situational Questions
Be prepared for behavioral questions
Think through question before answering; answer questions thoroughly yet concisely
Use PAR (Problem Action Result) or STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
Functional-Specific Questions
Understand the industry; trends, business needs
Communicate your functional knowledge and apply your background to area of interest
General Interview
Be able to discuss your qualifications and interest in job; be enthusiastic!
Prepare yourself for the difficult questions
Appear very knowledgeable of the job/function being interviewed for
Communication
Make strong eye contact, but don’t be threatening
Watch your non-verbal communication and nervous habits
Avoid fillers in your speech (ah, um, you know, like…)
Be a good listener; speak clearly at a volume appropriate for setting
Closing
Emphasize your interest in the position
Make the sale – tell interviewer why you are a good fit for the position
Request follow-up information – next step
Shake interviewer’s hand and make good eye contact on leaving room
Thank interviewer for his/her time
Post Interview Communication
Make notes about the position, company, and other clues
Write a follow-up letter within two days; write a letter to each individual you met.
Express appreciation and re-emphasize main points
Emphasize enthusiasm and your fit for the position
HELPFUL HINTS
Non-Verbal Reminders
SOLER
S – Square up
O – Open posture
L – Lean slightly forward
E – Eye contact
R – Relaxed
What to bring
Copies of resume, references
Neat portfolio/notebook
Nice conservative pen, blue or black ink
Turn off cell phone, pagers before interview
What to wear
Business attire, unless interviewer specifies otherwise
Good quality clothing, not flashy
Shoes – conservative, in good repair
Minimal jewelry, minimal cologne/perfume
Posture
Standing – relaxed hand position, stand tall
Sitting - hands on table (elbows off), feet close together or crossed at ankles
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