top 10 tips to align, define and differentiate you for a successful interview 1 boston college...
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Top 10 Tips to Align, Define and
Differentiate YOUfor a Successful
Interview
BOSTON COLLEGE WORLD-WIDE WEBINARS:
Donna Sullivan ’85
Vice President, General Manager Transition Solutions
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Discussion for Today
You should walk away with-
Strong understanding of the Interview
How to prepare Yourself
What to Expect
What to Do/Not to Do
How to follow-up
HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR OPPORTUNITIES
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Top Ten
David Letterman has nothing on the BC Community!
Let’s get it done!
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What is an Interview?
# 10. – Know what an interview IS!
1. An audition?
2. A history lesson?
3. An effort to find the most talented person?
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What is an Interview?
….It is a Sales Process for the Best Fit!
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You are the Product
# 9. – Know the Product
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You are the Product
SKILLS
INTERESTS
STRENGTHS
Know What You Are Selling
Know WHO You are Selling To
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We Live in a Soundbite World
# 8. – Have a 30 Second Commercial
30 Second Commercials
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Overview of YOU – The Product
Keys to Success Succinct
Strength Driven
Backed by FACT – (Accomplishment)
Connection to the Company or Organization
Did I mention Succinct??!!
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Example of a 30 Second Commercial
• My name is Madonna. I am a singer and songwriter.• My Strengths include the development and
presentation of cutting edge rhythmic and lyrical music, the selection of highly skilled musicians for international impact as well as the strong ability to lead diverse creative and musical groups from all across the globe.
• Most recently I completed a world wide tour including over 15 countries and 25 cities playing more than 50 new and classic songs.
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Product Differentiation
# 7. – Know the WHY YOU
Product Differentiation
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Most Candidates will have same or similar functional experience…
Sell more than skill sets – no one else has your accomplishments!
Be precise – ACTION and RESULTS
Give them the Proof with the Pudding!
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Understand the Interview Process
# 6. – Know What to Expect
The Interview Process
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Screen
Qualifications
Culture
Interviews
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Qualifications
Screening – Recruiters/Internal
and then….
Sell Yourself through Alignment
Match Your Skills & Experiences with Their Needs
Culture
And then finally…
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Different Interviewers are Looking for Different Things
# 5. – Understand Who is Interviewing You
Types of Interviewers
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Screeners
Technical Experts
Tactical Focus
Culture: Behavioral
Culture: Style
Recruiters
Functional Heads
Line Managers
Peers
Subordinates
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# 4. - Practice the Questions to Expect
Interviewing Isn’t Natural
Most Frequently Asked Questions
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• Tell me about yourself?
• What are your greatest strengths?
• How much money do you want to make?
• What is a weakness?
• What are your long term/short-term plans?
• Why do you want to leave your current position
• Why should I hire you?
Why Behavioral Interviewing?
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• What are the Technique Differences – Conventional vs. Behavioral
• Core Competency Reviews
• Critical Factors
• Industry and company specific
• Past Behavior - Indicator of Future Behavior
Interview Approach
The questions will all be open ended!
Examples of Behavioral Questions
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Describe something you’ve done that shows how you pro-actively inform others about relevant developments
Tell me about a situation where you responded constructively to a difference of opinion.
Think of a project that required you to lead in the face of persistent challenge.
Describe your behavior in a situation that was contentious /volatile.
Describe a time when you had to gather info and data in order to diagnose a problem before taking action. Talk me through your actions.
Tell me about a challenging situation when you earned the trust and credibility within your team.
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# 3. - Product Packaging:First Impressions Matter
Your Appearance Counts
Image
Dress appropriately
You are a product.
They do NOT have to love you for who you are.
Movement and MannerismUse names & ask for feedback.
Listen!!It’s quality of communication – not quantity.
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# 2. - Interview Do’s/Don’ts
What does SuccessLook like?
Keys to SUCCESS!
Answer with the job in mind
Connect to their “pain”
Be succinct – answer directly
Creating a “conversation” rather than an “interrogation”
Being prepared – with questions, research, resume, notes, and references (when requested)
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Closing the Meeting
• Always ask for next steps
• Ask for timelines
• “Is there anything that concerns you about my candidacy?”
• Send emails to everyone in process – personalized and with a connection made!
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Keys to Failure!
Going there without your research done
Not being prepared – physically and emotional (packaging matters!)
Not following the process from beginning to end
Not following up with professionalism
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# 1. - Begin the Process at the Highest Value for YOU and Work Your Way UP from there
Set YOUR VALUE
Keys to Success
• Know the Product - YOU
• Know the Market - THE JOB
• Be Prepared – Research beyond the numbers!
• Understand the process early on.
• Connect with and understand all the Interviewers – not just the decision maker.
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The Best Candidate isn’t always selected – it’s the Candidate that Sells the Best!! PRACTICE.
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Review and Emphasis
• # 10. – Know what an interview IS!• # 9. – Know the Product• # 8. – Have a 30 Second Commercial• # 7. – Know the WHY YOU• # 6. – Know What to Expect• # 5. – Understand Who is Interviewing You• # 4. - Experience Matters• # 3. - Product Packaging/First Impressions Matter• # 2. - Interview Do’s/Don’ts
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Number 1 Way to Maximize Success
# 1. - Begin the Process at the HighestValue for YOU and Work Your Way UP from there
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• Questions?
Are You Ready?
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Resources
• The Interviewing Cheat Sheet LinkedIn• What to Expect During an HR Interview Forbes• 12 Surprising Job Interview Tips Forbes• Book: What I Wish EVERY Job Candidate Knew: 15 Minutes
to a Better Interview by: Russell Tuckerton• Find it on Amazon here.
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• Transition Solutions is an international outplacement organization – headquartered in Quincy, MA. We have over 30 years experience helping corporations and organizations across all industries through change of all kind- acquisitions, mergers, rightsizing and downsizing
Donna Sullivan ’85
Vice President
Transition Solutions
A little about Donna Sullivan