Module 26: Managing the Interview Process

Question 1

What’s the Best Interview Strategy?

Answer 1

Prepare.

Question 2

three questions. to prepare for an interview

Answer 2

1. What do you need to know about the job and the organization to decide whether it is a fit for you
2. What do you want the interviewer to know about you?
3. What disadvantages or weaknesses do you need to minimize?

Question 3

Network as Part of Your Strategy

Answer 3

Network to better prepare for the interview

Question 4

What Details Do I Need to Think About?

Answer 4

Decide what you’ll wear, how to get there, and what you’ll take with you.

Question 5

What to Wear

Answer 5

Your interview clothing should match the job: it’s important to look the part you’re hoping to play.

Question 6

How to Get There

Answer 6

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

Question 7

What to Take to the Interview

Answer 7

Take extra copies of your resumé.

Question 8

What Notes to Take

Answer 8

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

Question 9

What Do I Practise Before the Interview?

Answer 9

Practise everything, and often; practice builds confidence.

Question 10

Parts of the Interview

Answer 10

Every interview has an opening, a body, and a close.

Question 11

opening

Answer 11

2-5 minutes

good interviewers will try to put you at ease

Question 12

The body

Answer 12

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

Question 13

In the close

Answer 13

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

Question 14

What Do Successful Candidates Do?

Answer 14

They prepare and practise to take an active role in the interview process.

Question 15

Successful applicants prepare and practise so that they can

Answer 15

Use the company name during the interview

Support their claims with specific details

Ask specific questions about the job, the company, and the industry

Question 16

How Do I Answer Traditional Interview Questions?

Answer 16

Choose answers that fit your qualifications and your interview strategy.

Question 17

Interviewers frequently ask the following questions during interviews:

Answer 17

1. Interviewers frequently ask the following questions during interviews
2. What makes you think you’re qualified to work for this company?
3. What two or three accomplishments have given you the greatest satisfaction?
4. Why do you want to work for us? What is your ideal job?
5. What college or university courses did you like best and least? Why?
6. Why are your grades so low?
7. What have you read recently? What movies have you seen recently?
8. Show me some samples of your writing.
9. Where do you see yourself in five years?
10. What are your interests outside of work? What campus or community activities have you been involved in?
11. What have you done to learn about this company?
12. What adjectives would you use to describe yourself?
13. What is your greatest strength?
14. What is your greatest weakness?
15. Why are you looking for another job?
16. What questions do you have?

Question 18

How Do I Prepare for Behavioural and Situational Interviews?

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

Behavioural interviews

Answer 19

ask the applicant to describe actual behaviours, rather than plans or general principles

Question 20

Situational interviews

Answer 20

put you in a situation that allows the interviewer to see whether you have the qualities the company is seeking.

Question 21

How Do I Prepare for Phone or Skype Interviews?

Answer 21

Prepare as you would for the in-person interview. Practise until you feel comfortable.

Question 22

Three strategies are important when preparing for a phone interview.

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

How Should I Follow Up the Interview?

Answer 23

Send a letter that reinforces positives and overcomes any negatives. Use PAIBOC analysis to clarify your message content.

Question 24

Thanking an interviewer for their time

Answer 24

Page 495

Question 25

In your letter, be sure to

Answer 25

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.

Question 26

What If My First Offer Isn’t for the Job I Most Want?

Answer 26

Phone your first-choice employer to find out where you are on that list.