successful INTERVIEWING
SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEWS
A successful interview starts before a candidate even arrives. The best candidates go to their interview prepared and ready and can quickly identify their skills, knowledge, and abilities to the employer. There are several ways candidates can prepare for a successful interview.
INTERVIEW PREPARATION
Research the Company:
Find out their history, mission, reputation, and successes.
Understand the size, structure, and organization.
Note statistics, publicity, and company profile.
Know the job description of the position and how you can contribute
Prepare questions to ask the interviewer regarding the position and the company.
Know Yourself
Know and articulate what contributions you have to offer.
Prepare a 1-2-minute presentation about yourself that includes your background and qualifications
Be prepared to discuss both strengths and weaknesses and how you are overcoming weaknesses.
Be prepared to provide a statement about why you are the best candidate for the job.
Be ready to highlight accomplishments, skills, abilities, and potential.
The First Impression
Arrive on time or early: Be conservative about travel time; plan for traffic, parking, and delays. Arriving 10 minutes early is ideal.
The interview starts once you walk in the door: Remember to be professional and friendly from the moment you arrive. Often the receptionist and other staff can influence the hiring committee’s decision.
Dress appropriately: Your appearance forms the hiring committee’s first impression.
Smile & be friendly: Channel your most positive, outgoing, assertive, friendly, and genuine energy.
REMEMBER:
Do not arrive with another person.
Turn off your cell phone.
Throw away chewing gum.
Avoid distracting mannerisms
Make direct eye contact with all members of the interviewing team and not just the individual asking the question.
Thank everyone and shake hands at the conclusion.
Behavioral Interviewing
Interviewers want examples that indicate past performance as a means of predicting future performance.
Be sure to include skills; don’t get carried away by the story and forget to highlight your skills and abilities.
Do not say what you “would do” in a particular situation, rather what you “have done.”
Use examples from school or home to demonstrate your ability to perform under similar circumstances.
Briefly relate the problem and then focus on the positive aspects of your solutions and improvements.
Ask questions that demonstrate your interest and research about the organization. Don’t ask questions that indicate you know nothing about the company.
Use S.A.R.
Answer all questions as thoroughly, yet concisely as possible. Try to give specific examples for each question to show why you are qualified. Highlight accomplishments (actions) to make it easy for employers to see your potential within their company. The SAR formula can help add impact and cover all information concisely.
Situation
Action
Results
Do Not Forget to Ask Questions
Always ask the interviewer at least two questions.
Ask questions that help you decide if the position and organization are a good fit.
Ask questions that demonstrate your interest and research about the organization. Don’t ask questions that indicate you know nothing about the company.
Concluding the Interview
Reiterate how you are the best fit for the position.
Restate interest in the position. Ask about the follow-up time.
Thank the interviewer(s) for their time and ask for a business card.
After the Interview
Follow up the interview with a thank you note. While traditional handwritten notes are appropriate, emails are gaining popularity. Remember that the thank you note is a gracious way to remind an employer of your strengths and potential. Some employers only consider candidates who send a thank you note. Be sure to send a thank you note to everyone you interviewed with, including all members of the interview committee.
Sample Questions You May Be Asked
Give an example of a time when you were able to successfully communicate with another person/group even though that person/group may not have liked what you were saying.
How do you build support for ideas/goals with people who do not report to you and you have no authority over?
Tell me something interesting/awesome or a fun fact about yourself that is not currently on your résumé?
Give an example of what you have done to keep up to date in your area of expertise.
Tell me about the last decision you made.
Give an example of a time when you had to deal than an expected situation. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?
Describe a major project in which you needed help. What did you do? Why did you ask particular people to help you?
Tell me about a time you were asked to do something you didn’t agree with or want to do and how did you handle it?
Give some examples of project you have started on your own.
Tell me about the last think you did for self-improvement, what was it, and what motivated you to do it?
What is your process for solving a problem? Walk me through it.
Tell me about the best team you have ever worked on or with and why? What was your role? What did you achieve?
Give an example of how you organize and prioritize your work.
What is your greatest/proudest accomplishment?
Give an example of tasks or projects that you have done outside of your job description.
Tell me about a time when you accepted a difficult project or task and were able to overcome challenge situations.
Identify some constraints you have had when performing a job. How did you manage these constraints?
Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond to complete a task that you were not asked to do.
Give an example of a situation where old solutions did not work. How did you resolve that problem?
Describe an experience in which you turned a failing project into a success.
Tell me about the best idea you shared and how it was adopted.
Sample Questions You Could Ask
How would you describe your company culture and environment?
Tell me why you love working here?
What is your vision for your department over the next 2-3 years?
What major challenges are you currently facing as a manager?
What has been your career path within the organization?
What will be the measurements of my success in this position?
What are the organization’s goals?
Are there any plans to expand the company or bring out any new products or services?
What is the company’s policy on providing seminars, workshops, and training so employees can develop new skills?