Career Services Workshop Series Interviewing Types and Preparation

Career Services Workshop Series: Interviewing Types and Preparation

Career Development Interview Skills Career Exploration and Skills Assessment Value Proposition Development Negotiation and Job Preparation Career Search Competencies Interview Skills Applications and Search Process Management Networking Resume and Cover Letter Creation

The Purpose of Interviews Interviewers try to address four areas: 1. What does the candidate want to do? 2. Can the person do the job? (Ability) 3. Will the person do the job? (Willingness) 4. Will the person be compatible with the existing team/organization? (Fit) …Out of all candidates interviewed, who BEST meets these four criteria?

Types of Interviews: Informational Interviews Features Strategies • Initiated by the candidate • Typically not in reference to a specific open role the organization is trying to fill • Purpose is to gain information and advice about a targeted role and / or organization • Target appropriate contacts based on organization, role, or areas of common interest • Come prepared with a list of questions • Lead the conversation • Let the flow of the conversation dictate additional areas of discussion • Be sure to promote yourself and articulate your interest / fit • Inquire about additional people they would recommend • Tee up next steps

Types of Interviews: Phone Interviews Features • Often the first step in the formal interview process • Used to “screen” for basic qualifications and fit • Often conducted by HR / Recruiting Managers Strategies • Choose a quiet location • Use a landline if possible • Lay your materials out in front of you as “cheat sheets” for the call: • Resume • Job description • Notes with key themes to convey • Questions • Smile as you speak • Expect short periods of silence and do not rush to “fill the space”

Types of Interviews: One-on-One Interviews Features Strategies • Most common form of interview • Conducted by a Hiring Manager or HR • Questions to assess: • Your background and experience • Your ability and desire to do the job • Your fit with a team or organization • Prepare according to 3 -4 “themes” that define you as a candidate and the value you will add to the organization and role • Bring extra copies of your resume • Bring a notebook and pen • Be prepared with questions

Types of Interviews: Panel Interviews Features Strategies • One candidate is interviewed by two or more employer representatives • Often composed of reps from different parts of the organization • Interviewers take turn asking questions the are most relevant to their areas • Allows interviewers more opportunity to form opinions about you in a short period of time • Address the person who asked the question, as well as all other members of the panel • Ask how different panelists may have different perspectives on the organization / role

Types of Interviews: Group Interviews Features Strategies • Candidate is jointly interviewed with other candidates • Assesses ability to interact with others while demonstrating your leadership style and unique abilities • Assess your competition: what do you have that the others do not? • Play nice: do not interrupt or “steamroll” other candidates • Stand out: demonstrate leadership by answering questions first – and asking intelligent questions

Types of Interviews: Case Interviews Features • Typically used in consulting, banking, and some marketing/brand management interviews • Case types include business cases, brainteasers, and quantitative/”guesstimates” • Can be given verbally or written • Tests the candidate’s ability to think on their feet, create a logical analytical framework, and break down a complex problem into manageable pieces Strategies • Prepare with a practice case guide (e. g. , Vault Guides, Case in Point, Cracking the Case) • Practice • During the case: • Take notes • Focus on the approach • Think out loud • Be creative • Finish strong

How to Approach a Case Interview 1 Understand the Problem 2 Develop a Logical, Structured Approach 3 Conduct Analysis 4 Summarize and Wrap Up §Clarify the question being asked §Show the interviewer how you are going to approach the problem using a framework or outline §Use your structure to ask targeted questions and explore key business issues to move toward a solution §Summarize your analysis, provide recommendations, and state next steps

Types of Interviews: Stress Interviews Features Strategies • Typically used by investment banks and consulting firms • May include impossible tasks, uncomfortable physical conditions, or intentionally harsh interviewers • Tests candidate’s ability to stay cool under pressure • Assesses mental toughness • Stay calm • Stay tough • Remember that it is normal to feel uncomfortable – they are looking for how you react • Refer back to the 3 -4 themes you need to convey

Types of Interviews: Mealtime Interviews Features • Assesses social skills and ability to balance business and small talk • Tests your ability to stay on task despite distractions • Used to determine cultural fit (Will I enjoy spending time with this person? ) Strategies • Review U. S. (or appropriate culture) dining etiquette • Prepare 2 -3 non-controversial conversation topics that are not directly about the job for which you are interviewing • Order something easy to eat • Take cues from your interviewers on food choice, pace of meal, topics • Do not be all business – use this time to get to know each other • Focus the conversation back to the interview if it gets too far off track

Types of Interviews: Behavioral Interviews Features Strategies • Based on theory that past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior • Asks for specific examples of how you have demonstrated specific behaviors • Usually focused on 2 -3 specific competencies of the job • Tell the interviewer a story • Prepare in advance using your resume • Be concise • Give a STAR response

Creating a STAR Response Action What did you do to complete your task? Situation / Task What was the situation, project, or challenge? Result Story What was the outcome?

Creating a STAR Response Action Created a new training program for sales representatives including innovative techniques and marketing strategies Result Situation Products division was experiencing no profitability and slow sales Grew product sales by 100% in six months by implementing a new training program and introducing employees to innovative sales techniques and marketing strategies Product sales increased from $20, 000 to $40, 000 in just six months

Look Beneath the Surface Please tell me about a time when you we working with someone with whom you did not get along. How did you handle this situation and what was the result? • What are they asking? • What else do they want to know? • What additional information can you add through your answer?

Look Beneath the Surface Please tell me about a time when you were working with someone with whom you did not get along. How did you handle this situation and what was the result? • What are they asking? How do you handle conflict? How do you respond when things do not go your way? • What else do they want to know? How might you handle future situations? • What additional information can you add through your answer?

Look Beneath the Surface Please tell me about a time when you had too much on your plate. How did this make you feel? What actions did you take to make the situation better? • What are they asking? How do you handle multiple projects / assignments? • What else do they want to know? Can you deal with pressure? Are you good at project management? What were the results? • What additional information can you add through your answer?

And the worst one of all… What is your greatest weakness?

And the worst one of all… • Your answer should be honest. • Loving your job too much is NOT a weakness… • Neither is being too much of a perfectionist… • You should express the fact that you are already working to change the fact that this is a weakness. • No employer wants to imagine that you will either continue this behavior at their company or that they will have to work with you to fix it.

Who wants to try… What is your greatest weakness?

Who wants to try… Tell us about yourself…

Who wants to try… Why are you a good candidate for the _____ Industry?

Who wants to try… Where do you see yourself in five years?

How to Prepare For an Interview Know Yourself Know the Position Know the Company

Know Thyself… Know Your Unique Skills Know Your Stories Know Yourself Know Your Resume

Know Your Resume Have a story prepared for every item on your resume

Know the Position and Company Booz Allen Hamilton: Business Management Consultant Work with government organizations to study an organization's mission, value proposition, strategic focus and stakeholder requirements and then envision, define, design, develop, and deploy measure for improvement. Provide expertise based on previous experience to identify major issues facing clients and generate hypotheses against those issues. Serve as a primary thought leader in the development of business solutions. Develop conclusions and strategic recommendations, write reports, and assist with client presentations. Identify opportunities for organization strategy services within a client organization or business area. Serve as task lead for projects by managing delivery and client relationships. Participate in marketing activities to include white papers, proposals, and capability briefings. Demonstrate the ability to build competencies in the areas of basic consulting, assignment performance, and organization strategy.

Know the Position and Company

Know the Position and Company

Know the Position and Company

Know the Position and Company

Know the Position and Company

Know the Position and Company

Know the Position and Company

Know the Position and Company

Interviewer Styles You never know what type of interviewer you will meet… • Directive • Meandering • Nice guy • Tough guy • Peer No matter the type, try to read their style and keep your cool

A Few Last Words Research the employer Be on time and be prepared Be your (professional) self • Attire • Attitude • Ask appropriate questions • Follow-up • Relax… they WANT you to do well! • • •

Communication with Our Office Twitter: JHUCarey. Career carey-jhu-csm. symplicity. com/students/ Facebook: Carey Compass houses: • • Calendar of events • Workshops • Webinars Appointment scheduling Internship and job postings Job search resources Johns Hopkins Carey Business School Career Services

Questions? We look forward to working with you! Phone: 410. 234. 9270 E-mail: carey. careerservices@jhu. edu