BOSTON COLLEGE WORLDWIDE WEBINARS Top 10 Tips to

BOSTON COLLEGE WORLD-WIDE WEBINARS: Top 10 Tips to Align, Define and Differentiate YOU for a Successful Interview Donna Sullivan ’ 85 Vice President, General Manager Transition Solutions

Discussion for Today You should walk away with- ü Strong understanding of the Interview ü How to prepare Yourself ü What to Expect ü What to Do/Not to Do ü How to follow-up HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR OPPORTUNITIES 2

Top Ten David Letterman has nothing on the BC Community! Let’s get it done! 3

What is an Interview? # 10. – Know what an interview IS! 4

What is an Interview? 1. An audition? 2. A history lesson? 3. An effort to find the most talented person? …. It is a Sales Process for the Best Fit! 5

You are the Product # 9. – Know the Product 6

You are the Product SKILLS INTERESTS STRENGTHS Know What You Are Selling Know WHO You are Selling To 7

We Live in a Soundbite World # 8. – Have a 30 Second Commercial 8

30 Second Commercials Overview of YOU – The Product Keys to Success ü Succinct ü Strength Driven ü Backed by FACT – (Accomplishment) ü Connection to the Company or Organization Did I mention Succinct? ? !! 9

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. 10

Product Differentiation # 7. – Know the WHY YOU 11

Product Differentiation 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! 12

Understand the Interview Process # 6. – Know What to Expect 13

The Interview Process Qualifications Screen Culture 14

Interviews Screening – Recruiters/Internal and then…. Qualifications And then finally… Culture Match Your Skills & Experiences with Their Needs Sell Yourself through Alignment 15

Different Interviewers are Looking for Different Things # 5. – Understand Who is Interviewing You 16

Types of Interviewers Recruiters Screeners Functional Heads Technical Experts Line Managers Tactical Focus Peers Culture: Behavioral Subordinates Culture: Style 17

Interviewing Isn’t Natural # 4. - Practice the Questions to Expect 18

Most Frequently Asked Questions • 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? 19

Why Behavioral Interviewing? Interview Approach • What are the Technique Differences – Conventional vs. Behavioral • Core Competency Reviews • Critical Factors • Industry and company specific • Past Behavior - Indicator of Future Behavior The questions will all be open ended! 20

Examples of Behavioral Questions v Describe something you’ve done that shows how you pro-actively inform others about relevant developments v Tell me about a situation where you responded constructively to a difference of opinion. v Think of a project that required you to lead in the face of persistent challenge. v Describe your behavior in a situation that was contentious /volatile. v 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. v Tell me about a challenging situation when you earned the trust and credibility within your team. 21

Your Appearance Counts # 3. - Product Packaging: First Impressions Matter 22

Image Dress appropriately You are a product. They do NOT have to love you for who you are. Movement and Mannerism Use names & ask for feedback. Listen!! It’s quality of communication – not quantity. 23

What does Success Look like? # 2. - Interview Do’s/Don’ts 24

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) 25

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! 26

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 27

Set YOUR VALUE # 1. - Begin the Process at the Highest Value for YOU and Work Your Way UP from there 28

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. The Best Candidate isn’t always selected – it’s the Candidate that Sells the Best!! PRACTICE. 29

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 30

Number 1 Way to Maximize Success # 1. - Begin the Process at the Highest Value for YOU and Work Your Way UP from there 31

Are You Ready? • Questions? 32

Resources • • The Interviewing Cheat Sheet Linked. In 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. 33

A little about Donna Sullivan • 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 dsullivan@transitionsolutions. com 34