interviewing like a pro, october 2016

Interviewing like a pro: How TO STRIKE THE RIGHT NOTE WHEN TALKING ABOUT YOURSELF

Interviewing like a pro: How TO STRIKE THE RIGHT NOTE WHEN TALKING ABOUT YOURSELF

10/29/16

Marcy Porus-Gottlieb Consulting3

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What are we here to learn?Learn how do the proper preparation and research- both internal and external - to get ready for interviews and other important conversationsTell the Big Story of YouCraft succinct and compelling answers to a variety of common interview questions Master other critical non-verbal aspects of how you present yourself

Please ask questions!

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Talking situationsInterviews: Job (and informational)Pitches: Networking events, formal pitch meetingsDaily Conversations: anywhere, anytime, any place! Different situations with different goals require different words (tone and message too). Today were focusing on INTERVIEWS10/29/16Marcy Porus-Gottlieb Consulting5

meExecutive Coach, Career Development SpecialistMBA, UC Berkeley20 years experience in marketing, operations and people managementMBA Lecturer, UW Bothell and Tacoma 1:1 Coaching, Team building, meeting and group facilitation www.marcypgconsulting, twitter: @marcycoaching


youWho are you?

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Whats challenging about talking about yourself in interviews ?


Purpose of the interview10/29/16Marcy Porus-Gottlieb Consulting9

So that meansThat you really need to know how to talk about how your skills, experience and interests match up with a company, role or opportunity10/29/16


What important to rememberStriking the right note when you talk about yourself means:Being AuthenticBeing HonestShowing Self Awareness (which means a lot of things- being confident, knowing whats great about you and things youd like to get better at, and other EQ qualities)10/29/16Marcy Porus-Gottlieb Consulting11

Other Interview TruthsInterviewing is Storytelling- so you need to make sure your stories are memorableIts not just an interview for a job, its about a relationship youre starting to build with a company or organizationLikeability is vital, as is communicating your accomplishments, your relevant experience and some other stuff


Internal PreparationKnow your Personal Brand (what is uniquely great about you and what you are excited/passionate about)Craft and practice your most relevant stories of achievementThink about your key value add and your Achilles HeelAnticipate the tough questions explaining a career change, what arent you good at, etc.


External preparationResearch companies and positions that interest you and know why you want them Network around target positionsKnow how what you have to offer is relevant to the roles you seekKey onto the specific skills and qualities that the jobs youre looking at need


And Remember to show the Skills that most jobs requireJudgment and Decision MakingEmotional IntelligencePeople Management CreativityService OrientationInnovation

Complex Problem SolvingCoordinating with others (teamwork)ResourcefulnessResilienceCritical ThinkingNegotiation


And these too!

Curiosity: a penchant for seeking out new experiences, knowledge, and candid feedback and an openness to learning and changeInsight: the ability to gather and make sense of information that suggests new possibilitiesEngagement: a knack for using emotion and logic to communicate a persuasive vision and connect with peopleDetermination: the wherewithal to fight for difficult goals despite challenges and to bounce back from adversity10/29/16Marcy Porus-Gottlieb Consulting16

It all starts with your personal brand


Your Personal Brand- What it Does10/29/16


Lets start defining what is YOUR brand?What are three words you would use to describe yourself?What are three words others would use to describe you? What are you seen as the go-to person for? What do you want to be known for? What do you want your contribution(s) to be?Take a few minutes and write down your answers


What are your Values?


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What are your strengths and interests?Strengths: Think about your strengths as a combo of your best talents, skills and areas of expertise. Focus on your energizing strengths and strength combinationsInterests/Passions: Think about what kinds of tasks/jobs/things you love/love to do- both personal and professional. Think about what youre engaged in doing when you lose track of time or feel in flow, the moments in which youve felt the happiest and most accomplished


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Goal: to Create your personal brand statement

I AM A _____ WHO _____ AND WHY

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Dont forget the why- (Simon Sinek)The power of why: People don't buy what you do. They buy why you do it.

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My Brand Statement I am a coach, teacher and inspiring partner who uses a combination of insight, curiosity and professional expertise to compassionately guide clients to their sweet spot- where their best skills and passions dovetail with what theyre doing- and then help to maximize their growth, impact, and success!


More Brand StatementsSitting at the intersection of technology and business, Im a storyteller who uses my passion for words to help IT professionals express themselves in ways that businesspeople understand.

A true tech industry native, Im passionate about contributing my learned and deep perspective to develop and clarify high level strategy. I have an innate knack for pattern recognition and am skilled at connecting disparate ideas and opinions and creating substance from concept.

A true Mad Man, I have a passion for creating campaigns that connect emotionally with an audience and tell a story that enables better and easier decision-making. I love turning company centric messaging into a story that puts the customer needs first.


BASIC QUESTIONS: THE OPENER- TELL ME YOUR STORYTell me about yourself or Walk me through your resume (aka- Tell me your story)A good opener is a compelling story of your experience and interest relevant to the job (2 minutes or less)Includes: Your personal brandBrief overview of your relevant experience (past to present order)1-2 big wins/achievements relevant to positionIndication of why interested in position

Should explain why your butt is in that seat 10/29/16Marcy Porus-Gottlieb Consulting26

The Opener: Outline frameworkThanks for the opportunity- glad to be here!Brand (Im a ---- who---- (and why))Outline professional experience, starting with first relevant job or set of jobs. Move forward to the present time, highlight building skills/expertise through work in target field or function up to the present dayPlant interest in or passion for the role in your openerInsert 1-2 big wins (no details- save for later)Again, happy to be here and explore the fit!


Homework: Create your OpenerCreate an opening statement- Story of You- keeping in mind your target position. (Refer back to your personal brand statement and other work weve done to help you.). Then get with a partner and try it out! Give and get feedback. 10/29/16


Basic Inverview Questions: Passion PieceThese questions gives you a chance to express why youre interested in the opportunity Questions:Why do you want to work at Amazon? Why do you want to do Product Management? Why technology, why finance?Why go from individual contributor to Manager?

Think about this hard as you prepare- do research and make sure your answer can set you apartBe enthusiastic and authentic- they want you to want them!!!

What if youre not interested in job but in company and just want a way in?


Other Basic QuestionsThese questions explore your level of self awareness:What is your greatest strength? Greatest weakness?Why should we hire you? (think about your best skills/passions/brand)What motivates you?What are your long term aspirations?What were your greatest failures?


And more basic questionsWhat do you hope to achieve in your first three months?(do you get the needs underlying the role, can you fit in, and can you deliver?)Why are you here today? (do you talk about the value to you or do you think about what you can add to the organization?)Why were you in this position so long?How do you explain this gap?Tell me about when you were 8. Who did you want to be?Whats your biggest dream in life?


PracticeThink about the basic questions weve covered. Create some responses and then practice asking and answering! 10/29/16


Behavioral QuestionsLets you tell stories of past accomplishments and show how you will be successful in the new role Tell me about your greatest accomplishment? > How do you measure/define success? How did you solve XYZ problem? > Problem solving processTell me about a recent project you managed and the systems and processes you put into place to ensure success. > Managing thingsTell me about a time you had a project you had to complete very quickly, yet you didnt have all the information you needed. What did you do? > Dealing with ambiguity


Behavioral Questions (cont.)Think hard about your experiences, projects, difficult moments, times when you achieved RESULTS, and create your stories (look at resume bullets for ideas)Use the CAR construct (will cover this later)Prepare 5-7 of these stories (in CAR format) to use (make sure to include different success stories and types of problems you solved)Use the job description for clues as to what kinds of behavioral questions will be asked


Behavioral QuestionsHow to construct a CAR storyContext: Describe the project or assignmentSpecificity with the task/assignment- but not too much detail- and mention your desired outcome/goal Actions: Describe the actions you took to get the assignment accomplishedHighlight the skills used in doing them they should be the same ones the job description calls outResults: What happened? Was the goal accomplished?What value did you add to the organization?What happens with a failure? Do you show learning or growth?


Behavioral Questions: ExampleTell me about your greatest accomplishment

CONTEXT:I was project manager at XYZ company, tasked with a large deliverable which needed to be successfully completed and sold to senior management in 6 weeks.10/29/16Marcy Porus-Gottlieb Consulting36


ACTIONS:First I created a project management timeline to ensure all work could get completed in the short time frame (> planning, organizing, strategic thinking)I then brought the team together to assign tasks and determine risks and feasibility (> teamwork, leadership)During the work process, I troubleshot problems quickly and ensured that user group was consulted and satisfied (>smarts, customer focus)



RESULTS:My team and I were able to conceive, develop and deliver the project on time and on budget. I led the presentation to our senior manager and the project received high marks. Im really happy and proud that the program we created is currently being implemented and will be utilized in other areas of the company as well.


Behavioral Question ExerciseDevelop a behavioral answer/story, using CAR, to answer this questionWhat is your greatest accomplishment?Use a bullet point from your resume as example if it fitsTake turns asking and answering question with a partner 10/29/16Marcy Porus-Gottlieb Consulting39

Questions for the Interviewer- Theres a Strategy to this!Huge opportunity for differentiation between you and others if you ask thoughtful questions; shows them youve done your homework and are genuinely interestedPrepare questions ahead of the interview and target them to interviewer appropriatelyAvoid generic questions that could be asked of anyone, any company, or easily found through your own researchAsk questions related to position specifics, company strategy, or interviewers experience that you want to tap into Be prepared to have any question you ask flipped to you!


Questions for the Interviewer: Examples

What are the biggest challenges the person in this position will face?What is the top priority for this position over the next 3 months? What are the big things the person needs to do during the first year in order to be considered highly successful? How does this position fit in with the short- and long-term goals of the company?Do you have any hesitations about my candidacy? Can I address them?10/29/16Marcy Porus-Gottlieb Consulting41

Phone Interview TipsMake sure you have a good connection (if on a cell)Choose a quiet placeOk to use notes (but no shuffling papers)Dress biz casual to get yourself in the right mindsetStand -> keeps you focused and helps w/vocal intonation, power (Amy Cuddy)Smile -> they can hear you Avoid speaking too quickly


Video interview tipsMake sure youre in a quiet place/good connectionBe ready/early! Choose an appropriate place/backgroundChoose appropriate dressMake sure to look into the camera MOST of the timeAvoid looking down at papers, shuffling things on deskSMILE and be/look enthusiastic!


Interviewing: Face, Voice, words and tone

Honor the silenceMaintain eye contactKnow the difference between confident and cocky and avoid the latterBe succinct and pace your speech- have gravitas


Interviewing: how you gain powerIts a two way street- you have to want them too! Be strategic during the interview- know your goals and what you must achieveKnow your resume stories inside and out (CAR format)Show the value of learning from your mistakes

And enjoy the experience!!!


Thank you so much!

10/29/16


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