Interviewing Strategies - PowerPoint Presentation

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Interviewing Strategies

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3.Learning Objectives

You will learn how to:PREPARE yourself before the interviewPRESENT at your best during the interviewFOLLOW UP for best results after the interview

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4.Interviewing is a SALES PROCESS

Know Your

Product (You)

Understand Needs of

Buyer (Employer)

Sell Yourself to Match their

Needs (Job)

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5.Can Will FitDemonstrate MATCH…between You, Employer & Job

FIT Chemistry Communication Values & Priorities Style (work & mgmt)Dress & appearance Flexibility & Adaptability

WILLInterest in position, company, industry Energy level Compensation expectations Career objectives & growth

Connect with interviewer

Keep brief, to the point

Listen carefully

Don’t defend/argue

You & Interviewer must answer YES!

CANSkills Knowledge Experience & accomplishments Learning potential

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HR Screening

Reference Check

6.Interview Stages

Recruiters

Human Resources

Hiring Manager

CAN

SCREENING

QUALIFYING

APPROVAL

Hiring Manager

Technical Expert

Peers

WILL & FIT

Manager’s Manager

Department Head

WILL & FIT

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PREPARE

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8.Research – Know Your Market!

Company & Industry

Company website (including recent press releases)

Search engines (Google.com)

Your Networking (LinkedIn

®

,

Facebook

)

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7.Research – Know Your Salary!

Salary (Market Value) Information

Recruiters

US-CareerSearch.net; Canada-DirectoryOfRecruiters.com; SearchFirm.com

Your network

Professional Associations

Salary websites

indeed.com/salary

,

salary.com, payscale.com, bls.gov, Glassdoor.com

salary.careerbuilder.com, onetonline.org,

acinet.org

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9.C-A-RFocus on Accomplishment Stories

C

hallenge

Describe problem/situation

A

ction

Verbs to describe what you did

R

esult

Outcome, business result or impact

Quantify outcome or result

(#,$,%)

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10.Guidelines for Answering Interview Questions

Keep it briefStop talking when you’ve answered questionListen carefullyDon’t be modestDon’t exaggerateTalk in concrete termsMake connections for interviewerNever defend/argue view

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11.Most Commonly Asked Interview Questions

Tell me about yourself.What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses (or areas of development)?Why did you leave your last job?What is your management/work style?What are your future career plans?How did you get along with your last manager?Why are you interested in our company?How would your peers/manager/subordinates describe you? What are your salary requirements/history?

Sample

Interview

Questions

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12.90-sec CommercialTell Me About Yourself – 90-Second Commercial

Branding Statement/Target Position:I’m a (functional job title) with expertise in (function/industry). My key strengths include (top strengths and/or value).Most Recent Position:My most recent position was (job title & company name) where I was responsible for (job functions). While I was there, I (share 1-2 accomplishments).Career History:My career history includes (previous organizations & positions). Another example of how I use my strengths is (share 1-2 accomplishments).Reason for Leaving: (optional)Future Focus:My goals for the future include/I am currently exploring (target position) where I can use my (re-state strengths).

Tell

me About Yourself – 90-Second Commercial

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13.Sandwich ModelResponding to Difficult Questions The Sandwich Model

When questions are designed to elicit “negative” responses:Start with: PositiveSandwich: NegativeEnd with: Positive

I

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14.Reason For Leaving Statement

Communicates business reason leading to exit from last employerShould be ShortPositive HonestForward thinking

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Defer “I prefer to learn more about the position and how I could contribute to your team before discussing salary.”Respond with Market Information “Based on my research I understand that salaries are between $X and $Y for similar positions. Is this consistent with your salary range?”Toss Back “What range are you considering for this position?”

15.

Handling Salary Questions

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16.Behavior/Competency-Based Questions

Past Behavior is the Best Predictor of Future Behavior Identify past successes that LINK your experience and skills to potential position and employer

Tell me about the most difficult ____ and how you handled it.

Describe a time…

What have been some of the most difficult…

Give me an example of a time…

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17.Typical Behavior-based Questions

Describe a situation in which your work or idea was criticized.Tell me about a time you had a major conflict with a colleague. How did you approach problem resolution?Can you tell me about a time during your previous employment when you suggested a better way to perform a process?Describe a time you were under pressure and had to go the extra mile.Tell me about a time you made a mistake at work.Describe a time you disagreed with your co-worker/manager.Describe a time you saw someone do something unethical or against work rules/policies.When your boss puts extreme pressure on you, how do you generally respond?What event has had the greatest influence on your career?

Behavioral

Interviewing

Strategies

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18.Handling Difficult Situations

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCESAren’t you overqualified for this position?Why have you changed jobs so frequently?How long have you been looking for another position? Why has it taken so long?Since you have worked in a large/small company environment for so many years, won’t you find it difficult to work at a small/large company like ours?

SENSITIVE QUESTIONS

Questions not relevant to job (e.g. age, marital status, children, religion etc)

Be aware of body language (remain calm, cool,

professional

)

Ask for clarification on how question might relate to job

Keep discussion about business

Answer question behind the question

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PRESENT

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19.Communication Impact

_____ VERBAL – your words (message/content)_____ VOCAL – your voice (inflection, volume, pace, projection…)_____ VISUAL – your look (facial expression, body language, dress…)100%

7%

38%

55%

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22.Types of Interview Formats/Venues

PhoneOne-on-OneRound RobinPanelVirtual Lunch/DinnerPsychologicalDemos/Presentations

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Be PREPARED! If unexpected call, ok to set another timeHave resume, job description, cover letter, 90-second commercial with branding & notepad Take call in quiet location, landlineUse Strong Non-VerbalsStand/sit up straightBreathe, speak slowly & clearlySmile!Advise when thinkingUnderstand next step in process

23.

Phone Interviews

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24.Face-to-Face & Virtual/Video Interviews

Non-Verbal CommunicationPostureArrive early – 10-15 minutesEye ContactSmile!Firm HandshakeDress & AppearanceWhat to Bring to the interviewPortfolioExtra resumesReference SheetHave questions written downNote pad (take notes)Calendar

Get 1 chance to

make 1st impression

Interview DOs and DON’Ts

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25.Preparing Questions You Should Ask

Don’t wait until the end – ongoing dialogue!Investigate opportunity—determine if GOOD FITAsk questions to:Determine company’s needsShow how you meet needsObtain info/perspectives from:Hiring Manager, Human Resources, Peers, Manager’s Manager

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27.Closing the Interview

Ask questions that haven't been answeredAre there any gaps between what you’re looking for & what we’ve discussed?Get business cards from all contacts (contact info if phone interview)State interest in positionAsk about next steps if interviewer hasn't explained Ask permission to follow up (open door for future communication)

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FOLLOW UP

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AFTER interview:Make notes about the interviewSend thank you letter and/or emailComplete any commitmentsMake follow up calls Respond to turndowns

If you have questions, contact

us!