AGENDA

Understanding US work culture

Getting in the door

Informational Interviews

Interview roles and structure

Phone interviews

Leveraging the recruiter

In person interviews, how to succeed

Following up after the interview

Tips & Tricks (Final thoughts)

Questions

AMERICAN WORK CULTURE

Americans work a lot Average 2 weeks vacation per year Americans work 350 hours more each year than the average

European Tend to be informal – sometimes seen as disrespectful by other

cultures Interviews however, tend to be more formal then the general work

culture Communication style is very direct Enjoy debate (in general); expectation that you will speak up but

not be pushy

UNDERSTANDING US WORK CULTUREEtiquette for Meetings & Greetings:

Greet with firm handshake and make direct eye contact This shows sincerity, signals interest, and confidence

Use proper title and name at initial greeting They will let you know immediately how they prefer to be addressed

Be prepared to participate in small talk at the beginning of the meeting Suitable topics: Weather, sports, travel and food Avoid topics: Religion, politics, and personal matters

Americans tend to value their personal space Be mindful of spatial boundaries. They may give you a cue by moving further away

from you. Not to be rude, it’s simply a cultural norm in America.

Let’s Practice!

THIS IS HOW IT SHOULD LOOK:

GETTING IN THE DOOR

Utilize informational interviews Network Search daily Outreach to recruiters Post your resume online LinkedIn Job fairs

INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWSWhat is an informational Interview?Meeting where you gather information on a particular

company or career with a person who may be able to help you get a jobLow key, informal conversation2 ways to get one, referral and cold callGreat practice for the real dealhttp://jobsearch.about.com/od/jobinterviewtypes/

a/informal-interviews.htm

INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS STRATEGY

Getting Ready:Do your research, company, person, jobsPlan your strategy/questions based on how you got the interviewDress your best but remember it’s not a job interviewExpress gratitude first thing, they are doing you a favor

INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS QUESTIONS

Plan for 5 key questions: (what can’t you find out for yourself on the web)How did you get into the field?What advice would you have for someone starting out

in this field?Who succeeds in this field?What characteristics are needed?What do you see happening in this field over the next

few years?

INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS

Closing: Don’t ask for a job, ask for advice: let them know you’d like to

work there and are hoping to get some guidance on how best to do that Bring your resume If they don’t give them, ask for referrals: Is there anyone else I

should speak with?Whole interview shouldn’t last more than 30 minutes Always follow up with a thank you note or email, keep networkingGood article: www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/12/11

/how-to-land-and-ace-an-informational-interview/

INTERVIEW ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Interviewer Has to get information about your knowledge, skills and abilities, to determine if they think you can do the job, are a good fit for their team, company culture, or have potential for future roles/responsibilities

Interviewee Is expected to research the job and the company before the interview. Has to give information that shows they have the knowledge skills and abilities to do the job, get information about if they WANT to do the job, then sell the interviewer that they can do the job, & follow up

TYPICAL INTERVIEW STRUCTURES

80/20 Rule Give, Get, Give 5/50/5 10/40/10 2nd Round interviews are differentThe merry-go-round (long)Double check (short)Presentations/work samples/show your work

PHONE INTERVIEWS

Recruiters role •Determine if it’s worth the Manager’s time

Managers role •Determine if it’s worth other people’s time

Other scenarios•Group phone interviews• Recruiter and manager phone interviews• These are the same as an in person interview

What do they want to know?

• Can you do the job?•Will you do the job?• Can they afford for you to do the job?

PHONE INTERVIEW RECOMMENDATIONS

Don’t answer your phone if you can’t

talk, have kids in the car, tv or radio on, etc.

Smile and RelaxResearch the company, job,

interviewer, before the call

Ask about the next steps, or other possibilities?

Follow up

ASK THE RECRUITER Company culture

Dress for the interview

Background on the participant(s)

Time frame for their process

What to expect from the process

They’ve asked me to come in for an in person interview now what?

WHAT DO I WEAR?

Did you ask the recruiter? Research company culture on the internet Take cues from the pictures on the internet Professional attire, what’s that mean? Industry norms When is a suit not the right thing to wear? Hair, make up, shoes and jewelry (conservative) No smoking (if you do, be sure to wash hands before the

interview) Cover tattoos if needed (know the culture)

HOW DO I ACT?

3 C’s Calm

Confident in your skills and abilities

Control, of your body, voice, words

Authentic & Genuine

We want to know how you’ll be to work with

What you’ll say and how you’ll act

We assume how you are in the interview is how you will be on the job

AMY CUDDY’S TED TALK

Here’s an expert on body language:

Amy Cuddy TED Talk

AMY CUDDY’S TED TALK

Key take-a-ways for preparing for an interview: Interviewers will make sweeping judgment's based on body language

Interviewees are influenced by their own body language prior to the interview

When you pretend to feel confident/powerful you are more likely to feel that way

Practice “power posing” 2 minutes before the interviewit influences how you feel about yourself how the interviewer evaluates you

Make small adjustments in your body language during the interview, it can lead to changed outcomes

WHAT TO DO…

Smile

Ask if you can take notes

Sit forward Look the interviewer in the eye

Have a firm hand shake

Put your arms to the side or in your lap

Have the tone of your speech and facial

expressions match your enthusiasm

Look your interviewer in the eye, and nod your head occasionally to

show interest and enthusiasm

Cross your feet at the ankles

WHAT NOT TO DO… www.careerbuilder.com/article/cb-746-interview-tips-the-interview-body-language-dos-and-donts/

Fidget

Lean back in your chair

Lift your arms

Chew gum Play with your hair

Point your finger, or chop the air with your hand

Cross your arms or legs

Nod your head too much

Put your hands in your pockets

Don’t have shifty eyes

Don’t stare, remember to

blink

Don’t over share, keep each

answer to 2-3 minutes

WHAT DO THEY WANT TO KNOW?

Behavioral interview questions

Past behavior is the best predictor for future behavior

Positive and negatively framed questions

It’s ok to tell us you’ve made a mistake, we want to know you are human and you’ve learned from mistakes or problems you’ve encountered

STAR Answers Situation

Action/Task

Result

The Close They want to know that you want the job and expect that you will try to sell them on your ability to do the job

They want you to have questions

TALKING TOO MUCH OR TOO LITTLE?

How to read the signs: What is their body language telling you? Did they stop writing? Is the interview going very fast? Is the interviewer looking at their

watch?

HOW TO BE AUTHENTICGreat Articles:http://crosswalknc.com/my-best-

interview-advice-be-authentic/http://www.blueskyresumes.com/free-

resume-help/article/interviewing-authentically/

SUGGESTIONS FOR AUTHENTICITY

Your goal is to build trust with the hiring authority, if you lie to them

you’ll negate that process, we want the truth, even if it isn’t

pretty

You are human, we all make mistakes, don’t be afraid to admit

them

Practice before the interview how you’ll respond to negatively

framed questions

Understand who you are, what you want, and how to articulate it

We want know what you are good at and what you are passionate

about, but don’t be arrogant, share credit where it’s due

Be respectful of our time, be concise

Be curious about me, my company and this job, if you are not, I’ll think your not interested

Be open minded, this job might not be perfect for you but this company may be, or maybe I

know some one else who’d be interested in your background,

keep networking

Don’t show me how desperate you are for this job, it’s

unattractive

Don’t tell me about your kids, religion, favorite sports team, or weekend activities. Most of this

information is against the law for me to know. Keep the focus on your ability to do the work and your why you are a fit for my

organization

CLOSING THE INTERVIEW

Is there anything else you’d like to share about

your background or experience as it relates to

this position?

This is your opportunity to tell

me why you are the best candidate, I

expect you to “sell” your skills and

abilities to me or summarize why you are the candidate I

should hire

Be sure to tell me you are interested

in the position

Ask Questions: we expect you to ask them, and we never tell you everything, ask about the interviewer, company culture, success

factors

Ask what the next steps are and when

you’ll hear back, get business cards

from the participants

Unless it’s a final interview don’t ask about benefits or

pay

HOW OFTEN CAN I FOLLOW UP?

Sending an email thank you the same day as the interview is the best follow up, but within 24 hours is ok too

If you send it in writing, make sure your writing is neat and legible Send something to everyone you talked to, ask for business cards

so you’ll have the correct email/address Don’t send an email 1 week later Don’t call more than once every 2 weeks unless you are told it’s

ok Do follow up Send recruiter and interviewers request to connect on LinkedIn

FINAL TIPS AND THOUGHTS

Greetings (no kissing!)

Your goal is to move forward in the process

Questions to ask, is there anything about my background experience that needs clarification or that would prevent me from moving forward in the process?

It’s ok to ask for clarification if you didn’t understand a question

It’s ok to think about it for a minute and compose your answer

Work status authorization, there should be a question on the application about it, don’t bring it up until after they’ve made you an offer

How to politely refuse to answer a question, redirect, or ask another question

Insider information from recruiters

QUESTIONS??Lisa Franklin, Lead Employment & Recruiting ServicesTwitter: Franklin_LisaRFacebook: www.facebook.com/CaltechEmploymentLinkedIn: Lisa (Mendlen) Franklin Invite me to connect Thanks to Ilana Smith and Laura Flower Kim for

inviting me to speak with you today!

RESOURCESHand Shake Bias Article:http://www.ere.net/2013/08/05/the-many-perils-of-interview-handshakes-and-why-they-cause-

you-to-lose-top-candidates/Informational Interviews:http://jobsearch.about.com/od/jobinterviewtypes/a/informal-interviews.htmwww.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/12/11/how-to-land-and-ace-an-informational-

interview/Amy Cuddy TED Talk:http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are?language=enInterview Body Language:www.careerbuilder.com/article/cb-746-interview-tips-the-interview-body-language-dos-and-donts/Authenticity:

http://crosswalknc.com/my-best-interview-advice-be-authentic/http://www.blueskyresumes.com/free-resume-help/article/interviewing-authentically/