Module 26: Managing the Interview Process Flashcards
What’s the Best Interview Strategy?
Prepare.
three questions. to prepare for an interview
- What do you need to know about the job and the organization to decide whether it is a fit for you
- What do you want the interviewer to know about you?
- What disadvantages or weaknesses do you need to minimize?
Network as Part of Your Strategy
Network to better prepare for the interview
What Details Do I Need to Think About?
Decide what you’ll wear, how to get there, and what you’ll take with you.
What to Wear
Your interview clothing should match the job: it’s important to look the part you’re hoping to play.
How to Get There
If you’re going to a place you haven’t been before, do a practice run at the same time of day your interview is scheduled for
What to Take to the Interview
Take extra copies of your resumé.
What Notes to Take
During or immediately after the interview, write down the details.
- The name of the interviewer
- The traits/facts the interviewer seemed to like best about you
- Any negative points or concerns that came up that you need to counter in your follow-up letter or phone calls
- Answers to your questions about the job and company
- The date you’ll hear from the company
- Details you’ll want to include in your follow-up thank-you letter
What Do I Practise Before the Interview?
Practise everything, and often; practice builds confidence.
Parts of the Interview
Every interview has an opening, a body, and a close.
opening
2-5 minutes
good interviewers will try to put you at ease
The body
10 minutes to an hour
An all-too-brief time for you to highlight your qualifications and find out what you need to know to decide if you want to accept a second interview
Expect questions that allow you to highlight your strong points and questions that probe any weaknesses evident from your resumé
In the close
2-5 minutes
interviewer will usually tell you what happens next: “We’ll be bringing our top candidates to the office in February. You should hear from us in three weeks.”
CLOSE WITH A POSITIVE
What Do Successful Candidates Do?
They prepare and practise to take an active role in the interview process.
Successful applicants prepare and practise so that they can
Use the company name during the interview
Support their claims with specific details
Ask specific questions about the job, the company, and the industry
How Do I Answer Traditional Interview Questions?
Choose answers that fit your qualifications and your interview strategy.
Interviewers frequently ask the following questions during interviews:
- Interviewers frequently ask the following questions during interviews
- What makes you think you’re qualified to work for this company?
- What two or three accomplishments have given you the greatest satisfaction?
- Why do you want to work for us? What is your ideal job?
- What college or university courses did you like best and least? Why?
- Why are your grades so low?
- What have you read recently? What movies have you seen recently?
- Show me some samples of your writing.
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
- What are your interests outside of work? What campus or community activities have you been involved in?
- What have you done to learn about this company?
- What adjectives would you use to describe yourself?
- What is your greatest strength?
- What is your greatest weakness?
- Why are you looking for another job?
- What questions do you have?
How Do I Prepare for Behavioural and Situational Interviews?
Think about skills you’ve used that could transfer to other jobs. Learn as much as you can about the culture of the company you hope to join.
Behavioural interviews
ask the applicant to describe actual behaviours, rather than plans or general principles
Situational interviews
put you in a situation that allows the interviewer to see whether you have the qualities the company is seeking.
How Do I Prepare for Phone or Skype Interviews?
Prepare as you would for the in-person interview. Practise until you feel comfortable.
Three strategies are important when preparing for a phone interview.
Research the company information, and identify in writing how your qualifications can contribute.
Record yourself so you can make any adjustments in pronunciation and voice qualities.
Practise short answers to questions. After giving a short answer in the interview, say, “Would you like more information?” Without a visual channel, you can’t see the body language that tells you someone else wants to speak.
How Should I Follow Up the Interview?
Send a letter that reinforces positives and overcomes any negatives. Use PAIBOC analysis to clarify your message content.
Thanking an interviewer for their time
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In your letter, be sure to
Thank the interviewer for his or her time and hospitality.
Reinforce the interviewer’s positive impressions.
Counter any negative impressions that may have come up at the interview.
Use the language of the company, and refer to specific things you learned during your interview or saw during your visit.
Be enthusiastic.
Refer to the next step: whether you’ll wait to hear from the employer or you will call to learn about the status of your application.
What If My First Offer Isn’t for the Job I Most Want?
Phone your first-choice employer to find out where you are on that list.
