15 Interview Techniques Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc After studying these topics, you will benefit by: • Implementing pre-interview strategies and activities • Conducting company- and job-specific research for interview preparation • Creating a powerful and unique personal commercial • Compiling an interview portfolio and e-portfolio • Practicing interview techniques and appropriate responses to common interview questions Implementing pre-interview preparation activities Copyright â 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc After studying these topics, you will benefit by (cont.): • Demonstrating winning behavior during face-to-face and technology-based interviews • Naming and describing common interview methods and types of interview questions • Explaining key areas of employee rights and knowing how to respond to discriminatory questions • Formulating appropriate responses to special circumstances and tough questions • Preparing for post-interview activities including salary negotiation, employment screenings, tests, and medical exams Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc THE INTERVIEW • More than dressing sharply • Advanced preparation • Confidence • Strategy for before, during, and after • Goal is to communicate visually and verbally that you are the right person for this job Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc THE INVITATION TO INTERVIEW • Most invitations occur via phone or e-mail • Regularly check and respond to phone and e-mail messages • Maintain a professional voice mail message and e-mail address Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc THE INVITATION TO INTERVIEW • Attempt to identify – How much time is scheduled for the interview – How many applicants are being called to interview – Be friendly, respectful, and professional when asking for this information • Try to arrange interview at a time that puts you at advantage – First and last are most memorable – Morning is best • Ask for the name of the interviewer Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc COMPANY SPECIFIC RESEARCH • Research and identify as much as you can about the company • Research better prepares you for interview, increases confidence, and provides greater advantage over other candidates – The target company – Department of the target job – Its leadership team, strategy, and current events – Products, competitors, and accomplishments Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc COMPANY SPECIFIC RESEARCH • Sources include: – Internet search, use ONET – Company website, brochures, materials – Industry journals – Interviews with employees and business leaders • Share specific research information during the interview • Identify if the company is the right fit for you and your career goals Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc TOPIC SITUATION Tomasz’s Interview Preparation TOPIC RESPONSE: What specific details should you identify when researching a company? Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc THE PERSONAL COMMERCIAL • Personal Commercial: a brief career biography that conveys your career choice, knowledge, skills, strengths, abilities, and experiences that make you uniquely qualified • Sells skills and ties these skills to the target job in a brief two-minute statement • Adapt statement to the requirements for each target job Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc 10 TALK IT OUT Role-play an interview During the interview, ask one legal question and one illegal question Practice answering the illegal question with confidence but in a non-offensive manner Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc 33 SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND TOUGH QUESTIONS • Negative work-related experiences – Potentially devastating if not handled properly • Fired, poor performance evaluation, poor/no job reference, behaved in a negative manner prior to leaving old job • Do not disclose event – Only exception is if current/former boss has potential to provide a negative reference Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc 34 SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND TOUGH QUESTIONS • Be honest and factual – Do not go into details – State the facts – Tell interviewer that you have matured and realized that you did not handle the situation appropriately – Do not speak poorly of current/previous employer, boss, or coworker – Do not place blame on who was right or wrong Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc 35 SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND TOUGH QUESTIONS • Time gaps – Be prepared to explain, but not share details – Identify a key skill you learned – Share volunteer work • Felony record – Be honest and factual – Explain how you have made restitution – Sell your strengths and skills • Every experience is a learning experience Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc 36 CLOSING THE INTERVIEW • At close of interview, you may be asked if you have any questions • Have question (s) prepared – Current event – Next steps – Additional training • Do not ask selfish questions regarding salary, benefits, vacations, or general company questions See Table 15.4 Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc 37 CLOSING THE INTERVIEW • Restate personal commercial • Ask for the job – The purpose of the job interview is to sell yourself – An interview isn’t successful if you don’t close the sale • Make a positive last impression Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc 38 CLOSING THE INTERVIEW • Interviewer will signal that interview is over • Hand interviewer your personal business card • Secure a business card • Shake hands • Thank him or her for his or her time • Communicate confidence, friendliness, and professionalism • Immediately after leaving the interview, write the thank-you note and deliver it Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc 39 AFTER THE INTERVIEW • Congratulate yourself • Prior to leaving company property, make notes Evaluate impression of company Copyright â 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc 40 SALARY NEGOTIATION • If you are offered a second interview or job offer – Contact references to prepare for reference checks • Interviewer may ask about salary requirements – Conduct and compare research to job posting – Sell skills • Start a few thousand dollars higher than your desired starting salary – Consider experience and/or lack of experience • If offered unacceptable salary, use silence Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc 41 TOPIC SITUATION Bret Helps Isacc Prepare for a Second Interview TOPIC RESPONSE: Why is it important to research, know, and state a desired salary when asked during an interview? Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc 42 PRE-EMPLOYMENT TESTS, SCREENINGS, AND MEDICAL EXAMS • Pre-employment tests determine – Knowledge – Skills – Abilities • May be online, physical, measurable Must be job related Copyright â 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc 43 PRE-EMPLOYMENT TESTS, SCREENINGS, AND MEDICAL EXAMS • Common types of screenings: – – – – – – – – Criminal checks Education verification Driver’s license history Security checks Employment checks Credit checks Reference checks Drug testing Depend on relevance to the job Copyright â 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc 44 PRE-EMPLOYMENT TESTS, SCREENINGS, AND MEDICAL EXAMS • Medical exams – Legally, employers can require medical exams only after a job offer is made except for drug testing – Exam must be required for all applicants for same job – Exam must be job-related – Common exams include: vision, strength testing, preemployment drug tests – Cannot be conducted without your permission Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc 45 WHEN YOU’RE NOT OFFERED A JOB • Job search is a full-time job • Do not be discouraged • Evaluate résumé and cover letter – Typographical or grammatical errors – Listed important skills that reflect needs of job – Have someone review cover letter and résumé • Make every experience a learning experience Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc 46 WHEN YOU’RE NOT OFFERED A JOB • Review each step in interview process and assess yourself – Pre-interview preparation – Interview day appearance – Interview answers – Ability to interject company research into answers – Body language and attitude • Maintain a good attitude Practice Copyright â 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc 47 ... why you enjoy the skills learned • Make yourself stand out by including a unique hobby or skill • Do not include personal information such as marital status or other private information • Use personal... Support response with examples of skills and/or experience and sell your skills – Listen carefully, but ask for clarification if needed • Avoid nervous gestures by practicing See Table 15.2 Copyright... that conveys your career choice, knowledge, skills, strengths, abilities, and experiences that make you uniquely qualified • Sells skills and ties these skills to the target job in a brief two-minute