interviewing tips and techniques

Interviewing: How to Succeed

Shahin Akhavan, Sebastian Correa Delgado, Craig Flannery, Meghan Kenney, Ryan Shuman

Interview Attire

Men’s Interview Attire

Men’s Interview Attire

A two piece suit in a dark color with tie

Button down dress shirt

Polished dress shoes No earrings! Take

them out! Get a haircut Minimal cologne

Women’s Interview Attire

Women’s Interview Attire

Suit in navy or black with skirt

Skirt length below the knee Blouse should be cotton or

silk Pantyhose should be

flawless (no issues) Basic pumps with 1”-2” heal Make-up should be minimal

and neutral

How to Prepare

How to Prepare

Do your research! Know about:

The Person The Company The Job

Nothing looks worse than not knowing the above

How to Prepare

Job description Memorize it

Know exactly what they are looking for

You can direct your qualifications towards it

How to Prepare

Practice Prepare clear

answers to common questions

Practice in front of the mirror

You will be talking to a stranger Know how you act

How to Prepare

Logistics Find out:

The time of the interview

What to expect during it

Who you are speaking to

How long you are there for

Will help you prepare

How to Prepare

Resumes Bring extra ones Always have the contact

info of your references In case you are asked for

them It looks very bad if you

do not hand them one Even if they have one,

offer it

Interview Etiquette

Interview Etiquette

Proper conduct before and during an interview

Proper Conduct Before

Show up 15 minutes early.

If you are running late, call ahead and inform the interviewer.

Leave all distractions in the car. Especially a cell phone.

Proper Conduct During

First Impressions Firm handshake Warm smile Giving thanks

The Perfect Handshake

Proper Conduct During

Have enthusiasm! Sit upright and lean

forward Maintain good eye

contact Question: What is the

right amount of eye contact?

Do not bring up salary

Interviews

Information Interview Audition Interview Group Interview Stress Interview Tag-Team Interview

Types of Interviews

Information Interview

Not a job interview A chance to get

advise From a professional

Still be prepared and do your research

Audition Interview

Evaluates candidate’s skills in a given task

Make sure you understand the instructions

Not a common type

Group Interview

Being interviewed at the same time as another candidate

Object to see how you react in group environment

Try to avoid conflict of power

Respect others

Stress Interview

Put the interviewee under pressure

Consist of: Long waiting times Cold looks Verbal abuse

(sometimes)

Tag-Team Interview

One of the more difficult interviews

Mostly used for companies with team oriented environments

Be prepared to use and show more energy

Interview Questions

Types of Questions

Straight-forward Behavioral Situational Brainteasers/Skill tests

Straight-forward Questions

Managers will ask: The position a

candidate The specific tasks

that it requires.

Behavioral Questions

Interviewers often inquire about past behaviors because they believe it will give an accurate prediction to how one will act in the future.

Behavioral questions require an interviewee to reach back into their own history, and give a depiction of their personality and interpersonal interaction skills. "Describe a time when you confronted [insert

some difficult problem or situation here]..."

Situational Questions

Situational questions force an interviewee to tell how they would deal with a specific problem or scenario; similar to behavioral questions.

You may not have the right answer to this question; do your best to answer it as truthfully and logically as possible. "How would you respond to [insert a particular

situation or problem]?"

Brainteasers/Skill Tests

Some super-competitive companies like Google or Facebook are renowned for putting candidates through elaborate tests involving use of sophisticated coding or logical reasoning.

Why Ask Questions?

Interviews are not only for employers to ask questions; candidates being interviewed should ask questions as well.

Asking the interviewer questions can give potential employees insight on whether or not they would like the job.

Asking questions also makes you stand out from the competition; it shows how interested in the company you are.

Follow Up

Write a thank-you letter

Reiterate your interest in the job

Keep it short Be conversational Do not be demanding Proof read it

5 Points to Take Away

1. BE PREPARED, CALM AND ATTENTIVE AS WELL AS PROPERLY PRESENTED.

2. TRY TO ARRIVE EARLY TO DISCUSS ANY QUESTIONS BEFOREHAND.

3. SHOW INTEREST, THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU NOT THE INTERVIEWER.

4. LEAVE DISTRACTIONS AWAY.5. RESEARCH THOUROUGHLY IF YOU ARE A FIT

FOR THE COMPANY AND IF THE COMPANY IS A FIT FOR YOU.