Perfecting the InterviewProcess

Kathleen E. High, M.Ed., Adjunct Career Counselor

Career Planning Center

Counseling Dept., Cypress College

Perfecting the Interview Process

• Purpose

• Prepare

• Practice

• Presentation

• Positive Endings

Purpose

•Your Objective – Get a Job Offer

•Convince Them:

• You are the Best Candidate

•You Have What They Want

•Be Prepared: Don’t Miss a Great Opportunity

Prepare

•Review the Job Description and Duties

•Research the Company:

•Its Products, Services, and Customers

•Its Strengths, Challenges, and Activities

•Key People and Co-Workers

•Organizational Structure, History, Culture

•Know What They Are Looking For

Performance•How You May Be Interviewed:

• Only Once or Multiple Times

• Screening

• Telephone/Online

• Individual

• Group or Committee

• Taken Out for a Meal

• Follow Up –

• To Narrow Down the Applicant Pool

• Introduced to Co-workers and/or Subordinates

• Approval from Hiring Person’s Supervisor

Performance•Different Types of Interview Questions:

• Traditional / General

• Behavioral Situation

• Competency-Based

• Identifies key competencies required of job or employer

• Task or Performance-Based

• Ask you to perform a work-related task during the interview

• Stress

• See how you respond to stress

• Psychological

• Assessing your mental/emotional stability

Performance•Types of Interview Questions

• Behavioral – Situation

How have you acted in employment –related situations in past? (i.e. past behavior predicts future behavior)

• Response: STAR - Situation, Task, Action, Result

• Provide real-world examples

Practice

•Identify What Needs They Are Trying to Fill

•Anticipate What Questions They Might Ask

•Identify How Your Background Fits

•Formulate Responses That Meet Their Needs – Not Yours

•Identify Difficult Questions – Prepare Response

•Practice & Practice Your Responses

•Take a ‘Dry Run’ Drive the Day Before

Presentation

•Dress Professional, Conservative, Current

•Arrive 10 Minutes Early (no more)

•Don’t Smoke, Chew Gum, etc.

•Turn Off Your Phone

•You Are Being Observed from the Beginning:• First contact (phone, email, online apps, etc.)

• Internships

• Arrival on the facility

• Encounters with Receptionist/Greeter

Presentation (Cont’d.)

•Observe Your Surroundings and Behaviors

•Respect Everyone!

•Be Mindful of Differences

•Sell Yourself as the Solution

Professional Responses

•Show Genuine Interest in the Position

•Sell Yourself as the Solution to Their Problems

•Tailor Your Responses to Their Benefit

•Keep Things Positive – Don’t Complain

•Give Specific Examples to Questions

•Ask Intelligent Questions

•Recap for Them Why You Are a Good Fit

•Listen for a Clue That It Is Over & Accept It

Professional Responses (Cont’d)

•Address Their Concerns:

• Can You Do the Job?

• Will You Do the Job?

• Will You Get Along?

• Will They Regret Hiring You?

• What makes you stand out compared to the other candidates?

Positive Endings

•When Closing the Interview:

•Notice What They Say

•Ask for Lead Time and Next Steps

•Thank Everyone as You Exit

•Debrief Yourself ASAP

•Send ‘Thank You’ Letters to All

•Politely and Respectfully Follow Up

Tools & Resources –On Campus

• Career Planning Center

• Computerized Résumé Writing Programs

• Links to Job Search/Resume Websites

• Handouts, Books and Other Resources

• Workshops (Handouts Available)

• Career Counselors

• Résumé Critiques

• Fullerton College – Workforce Center (Job Placement)

Tools & Resources –Off Campus

• Local One-Stop Career Centers

• Computerized Programs

• Handouts, Books and Other Resources

• Workshops

• See Handouts

• Career and Job Coaches for Hire

• List of Job Search Websites

Handouts Available

• Website Resources

• “Tell Me About Yourself”

• So How Do You Find Your Dream Job or Career?