1

Interviewing

2

The Informational Interview The informational interview is one where you drive the

content. Sample Agenda:

• Get information (individual, organization)

• Ask for career advice

• Get referrals to others (organization/target companies)

• Discover a hidden job

3

Compare an informational interview to a job interview:

Job InterviewTough to get Tense atmosphere They ask questions Review credentials on their terms Little possibility for a created position No possibility for referral Limited possibilities to stay in touch

Informational InterviewEasier to getRelaxed atmosphere You ask questions Review credentials on your terms Possibility for a created positionExcellent possibility for referral Excellent possibilities to stay in touch

The Informational Interview

http://mgt.ncsu.edu//career_resources/manual.php

4

How to Ask for theInformational Interview

Referral Approach

“I was talking with Robert Redford the other day and he suggested that I speak with you. I am in the MBA program at NC State and am in the process of making some important career decisions. He thought you could offer some valuable advice. My goal is to get some insights into the marketplace, your company, and your field……….

I would appreciate 30 minutes of your time whenever it would be convenient for you.”

5

“

The Advice Approach

I am in the process of making some important decisions about my ultimate career path when I finish the MBA program at NC State. I am trying to learn more about the field of Supply Chain Management to determine if it would be right for me.

Your insight and experience would be very valuable to me…… I would only need about 30 minutes of your time, whenever and wherever it is convenient for you…”

How to Ask for theInformational Interview

6

“

The Changing Career Approach

I am completing my MBA degree and am in the process of a career change. I was hoping to be able to meet with you for 30 minutes at your convenience.

I would appreciate your professional feedback and advice. I was hoping to share my strategy with you and hear any suggestions you might have.

I would appreciate 30 minutes of your time whenever it would be convenient for you.”

How to Ask for theInformational Interview

7

What If?Ask for meeting

Set date/time

Thank you and Goodbye

May we do this by phone?

Is now a good time? Ask for a referral

Start Informational Interview

When? Set date/time

Get informationThank you and Goodbye

(Y)

(Y)

(Y)

(N)

(N)

(N)

(N)

8

Tips for Setting upInformational Interviews

1. PREPARE 2. Mention your connector first3. Primary objective: face to face meeting 4. Calendar, names, and dates of previous contacts

available5. Express thanks and confirm meeting details6. Be prepared to work with gatekeepers (ally/ask

for their help) 7. Be friendly but persistent 8. Be prepared to do meeting over the phone9. Practice makes perfect

9

The Informational Interview Step by StepThe Informational Interview Step by Step

1. Express appreciation for the person’s time.

2. Review briefly your career accomplishments.

3. Ask about their career and positions they have held

4. Share your career goals, what you are looking for, including target companies or industries. Ask if they know anyone in those companies or industries.

5. Solicit advice about your career or job search.

6. Ask for names of other suggested contacts who may be of help to you.

7. Follow up with a personal handwritten thank you note

10

Purpose of the Interview When companies interview you they are trying to answer three

questions:

CAN YOU DO THE JOB?Skills, knowledge, experience and accomplishments, learning potential

WILL YOU DO THE JOB?Your interest in the industry, company, position, your work ethic, your energy level, any influences that may affect your ability to perform

DO YOU FIT IN?Chemistry, communication, values, style, dress and appearance

11

What Employers Want to Know

• Can you add value to the bottom line?

• Can we save significant cost by hiring you?

• Can you demonstrate that you can improve our

profitability?

• Can you make a contribution to quality?

• Can you add to our ability to compete?

12

What Employers Want To Know

• Can you show how you can deliver a payback on

our investment in you?

• Can you think on your feet?

• Can you grasp opportunities that could be an

advantage?

• Can you perform in an environment with

increased demands and fewer resources?

13

Types of Interviews1. Format

a. One-on-One d. Half Day, All Day or Multiple Days

b. Panel

c. Round Robin

2. Location

a. Face-to-Face

b. Distance

1. Telephone (may do this to pre-screen applicants)

2. Video conference

3. Computer

3. Structure

a. Behavioral-Based Interviews- What have you done?

b. Situational – What would you do?

c. Stress

d. Presentation/White Board

e. Case Studies

f. Personality tests or Simulation work tests

14

15

What Makes The Difference “What are the qualities that allow one person to be asked for a second interview and another person not to be?” The major attributes sought were:   

• Ambition and motivation • Ability to communicate • Good personality fit • Fit with company and goals • Creativity and intelligence • Specific college courses taken • Dress and appearance • Experience, initiative and responsibility   

• Potential to adapt • Leadership ability • Teamwork capacity • Past record of achievement • Strong work ethic • Broad range of interests• Strong interpersonal skills

16

Interview Sequence

Introduction

Personal Experience Questions

Case Analysis (optional)

Your Questions

Closure

Follow-up

17

18

First Impressions/Introduction• Dress appropriately• Arrive early • Professional Note Pad and Pen• Copies of Resumes, Cover Letters and

Needs Contribution Statement• Shake hands• Wait to be asked to take a seat• Use interviewer’s last name

19

20

Behavior-Based Interviewing

S = Situation• Context of the situation

T = Task• Specific problem/challenge that you faced • What you were expected to do

A = Action• Your specific action, be detailed

R = Result• Impact and benefit of what you did – quantify

21

STAR Answer: What has been your most rewarding accomplishment at your last job?

• Situation:– A rewarding accomplishment at my last job was that I was sent

to one of our lower performing branch banks. The branch was not growing their loan base. It had logged only $75,000 in new loans in an 18-month period prior to my arrival.

• Task: – My job was to increase loan production

• Action:– I streamlined the loan process and was successful in the

solicitation and booking of many new loans

• Result:– I booked $700,000 in new loans in my first six months at the

branch.

22

STAR Answer:Describe one of your most stressful experiences and how you coped with the situation.

• Situation:– Less than two months after starting in a new position in quality assurance for a

medical device company, the FDA arrived for a full quality system inspection. The company had received a warning letter from the FDA the prior year.

• Task: – My challenge was to support the audit from a quality assurance and validation

perspective.• Action:

– I immediately familiarized myself with the company’s quality systems by reviewing the process maps and documentation. I also identified the key knowledge holders and business process owners in each area. I felt it was most important to have the right process in place and the right people available. I also helped to set up the organization for the audit to follow allowing for proper preparation, review and traceability. This also required a lot of cross department communication to keep everyone involved and informed.

• Result:– After five long weeks, the audit ended. The organization and communication was

greatly improved from the past and the team worked very well together. Although we did get some observations, the level of compliance had greatly improved and we did not receive another warning letter or any other type of regulatory action.

23

STAR Answer: Tell me about a situation where you had to deal with a very difficult or disagreeable person. What did you do to handle it?

• Situation:– While working with a process improvement team on a manufacturing process, I

had to work with an individual who was adverse to change. He had worked for the company for 20 years and always did things the same way and did not want to start doing it differently.

• Task: – My task was to improve the efficiency of the process to increase yield and

improve quality.• Action:

– The first thing I did was spend time educating the individual on process improvements and explaining our goals. I also explained that the improvements were to increase yield and quality and not reduce headcount, so his job and the jobs of others that he worked with were not at a risk. After explaining the process to him, I let him tell me what the process currently involved and what he felt would improve it. Since he was the one who worked with it everyday, I emphasized that he would know how to best improve it, and his recommendations were important to us. Once we began discussing it, there were areas that he felt could be improved. We also worked with his whole team to make sure everyone was involved and everyone’s voice was heard.

• Result:– As a result, we met our goals for increased yield and quality. We also improved

the communication between the quality department and the manufacturing line personnel. The people in manufacturing also reported they were more satisfied with their jobs after being involved in the process improvement project.

24

Avoid…

• Birth date or age• Gender• Marital status• Children• Religion• Health status

Do NOT include:

25

Interviewing Steps

Case Analysis (optional)Consulting, Management, Marketing Interviews

Your Questions

Closure

26

• Send a thank you letter within 24 hours • Elements of the letter:

  Thank them for their time    Mention specific strengths    Plan next steps

• Know when to follow-up.  How? Ask! • If you are turned down, send a gracious

response. You never know when you'll meet again!

Follow-up

27

Interview Do’s

• Be positive • Be an interested listener• Keep eye contact • Follow the interviewer’s pace• Mirror language • Answer directly, but be brief• Talk in concrete terms • Make connections for the interviewer• Be yourself • YOUR HOMEWORK (industry, company, job and

people)

28

Interview Don’ts

• Don’t talk too much • Don’t discuss controversial issues• Don’t discuss any personal problems • Don’t discuss salary prematurely • Don’t be modest • Don’t exaggerate, use boisterous talk or

tell risky jokes• Don’t slouch • Don’t talk about your need for the job• Avoid speaking negatively about your past

employers

29

Interview Mastery Interview Mastery is the Internet's first and only web-based eLearning application designed to rapidly improve job seeker interviewing skills. It is the leading software of its kind and is used in 21 countries worldwide. This fully web-enabled application delivers before, during, and after interview skills. Interview Mastery shows job seekers how to turn job interviews into job offers and give them a competitive advantage.

INTERVIEWMASTERYhttp://www.interviewmastery.com/login.cfm?returninguser=1&affiliate=ncsu

username: mba@ncsu.edu, password:mba

30

Expect These Questions 1. Tell me about yourself

2. What are your strengths?

3. What are your weaknesses?

4. Why did you leave your job/pursue your MBA?

5. What is your biggest accomplishment?

6. What is your biggest failure?

7. What is your work style?

8. What is your management style?

9. What are your future career plans?

10.What do you like to do in your free time?

11.How would your peers describe you?

12.Why should we hire you?

31

Interviewing Wisdom1.Know yourself

2.Know your resume

3.Know the company/industry

4.Look great, exude confidence. You don’t get a second

chance to make a first impression.

5.Smile, stand tall, make eye contact

6.Listen two thirds of the time, speak only one third

7.Ask only open ended questions

8.Focus on your benefit to the company

9.Ask for the job!

32

Resources

http://www.mgt.ncsu.edu/career_resources/students/manual.php

Leane, Shelly (2004), How To Interview Like A Top MBA. McGraw-Hill, New York, NY.

Chernev, Alexander (2005), Mastering the Job Interview.

Brightstar Media, Inc., Chicago.