Acing your Interview Key Tips for Success Developed

Acing your Interview Key Tips for Success Developed by: Fabio Comana, MA. , MS. NASM CPT, CES & PES; ACE CPT & HC; ACSM EP-C; CSCS; CISSN Engage. . Ignite. . Empower. . ©

Guidelines … Guidelines to Successful Interviewing Goal of Resume – Probable v. possible; opportunity to meet. 1. Prepare: • Learn about the company: Their mission – values – promises (MVP) and how you align with their MVPs (visit company Website, Facebook, Linkedin, etc. ). • Learn about the interviewer(s): Passions, interests and accomplishments (talk with scheduling manager). • Complete your own self-assessment inventory: Write down your strengths, motivators, values and personality traits – why? o You will want to share them during interview. o You will need to show these + your experiences align with the nature of the position.

Guidelines … Guidelines to Successful Interviewing 2. Anticipate the Questions: • Although never perfect, there always key staple questions. • Don’t telegraph by being cookie-cutter – pause, contemplate, take a breath and then answer. • Traditional Questions: o Tell us about yourself – be concise, but talk about you as a person not just a professional (i. e. , where you’re from, and how your life connects to this job – e. g. , first experience with a coach if applying to be a S&C coach). o Why this job? o Your biggest strength? o What did you like about your last job? o What would you previous boss say about you?

Guidelines … Guidelines to Successful Interviewing 2. Anticipate the Questions (cont. ): • Traditional Questions: o Almost always…. . Your biggest weakness? § What is a weakness? A downside to a strength – you MUST clearly recognize and demonstrate the opportunity of how you are addressing this weakness (think S. W. O. T. ) – get a nod of approval from interviewer(s). § Example #1: “I keep a busy schedule and thrive on being productive, but sometimes it is hard for me to take a moment to breathe and get a perspective” Solution = I have learned that I need to delegate work to my team so I can be as effective as possible. § Example #2: “I know I completed my undergraduate degree at SDSU and don’t bring a different perspective from another school” Solution = I do know the department faculty intimately and have worked to gain different perspectives with the diverse instructors we have”

Guidelines … Guidelines to Successful Interviewing 2. Anticipate the Questions (cont. ): • Traditional Questions: o Almost always…. . Provide an example of how you …. ? § Handled a situation? Do you see the value of internships? § Handles a conflict? § Handled a pressure situation? o PAR anecdote: § Problem – describe it. § Action – what you did. § Result – the outcome. o Last question – in 60 -to-120 seconds, tell us why we should hire you? § Your extended elevator pitch. § Key traits and experiences need to align with company MVPs.

Guidelines … Guidelines to Successful Interviewing 3. Dress appropriately: • Professional and polished (think personal hygiene), but fitting for the position (when in doubt … overdress). • Patterns and Colors: Solid patterns; navy, dark gray, and black basis with some touch of color (not too bright – distracting). Men Women Business Casual Slacks, shirt and tie Shirt and blazer Slacks with shirt / sweater Dress (high cut line, below the knee) Business Formal Suit and tie Slacks and blazer or business suit Dress (high cut-line, below the knee) Moderate heel height 4. Be punctual: • Plan to arrive at least 10 minutes early – allows you time to relax/prepare. • Teddy Roosevelt – “To be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late, and to be late is to not be forgiven. ”

Guidelines … Guidelines to Successful Interviewing 5. Rules of the road: • Do not bring a food or a drink with you to or into the interview – unprofessional, distracting and spills. • Turn your phone off. • Bring 3 copies of your resume (quality discussed in resume workshop). 6. Clean up your social media accounts: • 91% of employers search your social media for validation of your professionalism (2011, perhaps 100% today). 7. Scheduling: • • Opt for Tuesday – Thursday interviews (no Monday/Fridays = bookends), Schedule mid-morning – not hungry and distracted; afternoons = sleepy. Get names and contact emails (for thank-you’s) of interviewer(s). Ask questions (e. g. , dress code, allotted time, etc. )

Guidelines … Guidelines to Successful Interviewing 8. On-site at the Interview: • Reception Area: o Stand, don’t sit (reminder to receptionist that you are present) o Hands behind back – confidence. • Entry into Interview Room: o Don’t hesitate walking in – maintain normal speed. • Approach: o Put things down – allow person to briefly look you over. o Shake hands – be attentive to your handshake (invite, don’t obligate). o Sit as directed – if opposite interviewer = 1 2 turn chair slightly or orientate your body to slight offset position. 3 Group Positions o Unbutton jacket / blazer if worn as you sit 1 = most influential, unless door is down to initiate interview. behind (people to right), then 2, then 3

Guidelines … Guidelines to Successful Interviewing 8. The Interview: • 3 common mistakes where an interview goes wrong: Mistake #1 Mistake #2 Mistake #3 Too nervous and cannot think clearly. Unprepared for questions. Cannot articulate why you are a good fit. Do at-home and preinterview exercise. Review guidelines #1 & #2. Believe it yourself first – self assessment inventory (strengths, motivators, values, personality traits) and align your personality, experience to position.

Guidelines … Guidelines to Successful Interviewing 8. The Interview (cont. ): • Too nervous and cannot think clearly. • Solution: o Acknowledge fears and anxieties – normal, implies you want the job. o Role play exercise – “Ask the expert” o Reduces cortisol by 25% and can boost confidence by 20% o Step A: Strike a Superhero pose with wide stance, hands on hips, chest out and look to horizon (or into mirror), and hold for 1 -to-2 minutes o Step B: During this time, take 60 -sec to answer – what is the best movie of all time and why, or best bar in town and why (conviction)? o This technique gets mind in gear – reduces anxiety and gets you in rhythm of rolling answers off your tongue v. having thoughts trapped in your mind.

Guidelines … Guidelines to Successful Interviewing 8. The Interview (cont. ): • Listen actively – not with the intent to response (passive listening). o It is OK to pause after a question to think of your answer. • Be clear, concise and specific – limit your responses to under 60 -to-90 sec when possible. o Example: “I think injuries are climbing therefore we should understand corrective exercise” v. “I’ve been following injury claims on workplace MSD’s which now exceed $300 million. Given this 20% rise over 3 years, I cannot expect to be proficient in my job without knowing how to effectively implement corrective exercise solutions. ” o Think PAR anecdote and highlight your personal successes plus attributes you contributed to teams and organizations – this reflects skills, qualities and values you posses and how they align to this job. • Don’t badmouth previous employers or employees. Do you see the value of internships?

Guidelines … Guidelines to Successful Interviewing 8. The Interview (cont. ): • Be engaging don’t just answer questions. . Ask! o Why did you first come to work here? o What keeps you inspired working here? o How do my qualifications not only fit, but thrive in this position? o Show something unique about you (e. g. , I am fluent in Spanish, and curious how many Spanish-speaking clients you interact with? ) o And if you are bold… “Have I said anything in this interview or given you any reason to doubt my ability as a strong fit for this role? ”

Guidelines … Guidelines to Successful Interviewing 9. What You Don’t Say: • Use Expressive Hand Gestures. o Emphasize points, hands are trust indicators (visible) and retention improves when message conveyed using words and hands. o Don’t overuse – distracting. • Steeple when Speaking. o Conveys wisdom, confidence and credibility. • Eye Brows to Accentuate. o Calls attention to face and speaker. • Subtle Lean-in. o Strategic as if sharing something special. • Facial Expressiveness. o Demonstrates charisma, makes you more memorable.

Guidelines … Guidelines to Successful Interviewing 9. What You Don’t Say: • Slight Head Tilt. o Conveys message that you are keen to listen and be receptive to their message (relatable). • If Asked to Teach / Demonstrate, Move Purposefully. o Not aimlessly (i. e. , pacing), but with purpose (i. e. , strategic pauses). o Eyes gravitate to moving objects – focuses attention upon speaker.

Guidelines … Guidelines to Successful Interviewing 9. Follow-up – Thank-you’s: • You MUST follow up with a thank you email within 24 -hours (best if immediately following interview). • Write personalized note to each interviewer – get contact information from scheduling manager. o 1 st paragraph: Intent (appreciation); who you are and job you just interviewed for. o 2 nd paragraph: Personalize it to person (comment on specific question(s) asked, etc. ). Reiterate your skills and include any information forgotten during interview. o 3 rd paragraph: Express appreciation once again and offer to provide any additional information needed to make a decision. • Do not state negatives. • Do not mention of money – let company take first on salary of position is offered.

Guidelines … Guidelines to Successful Interviewing 9. Follow-up – Do-over: • • You MUST follow up immediately with an email following interview. Briefly explain what went wrong. Emphasize your interest in the job. Offer to meet a second time or arrange a phone interview should it be an option. • Reiterate the option to contact your references.