Interview Tips Chaz Palisoc Agenda Successful Interviewing Tips

Interview Tips Chaz Palisoc

Agenda Successful Interviewing Tips Interview Prep Types of Interviews Closing the Interview 2

Interview Prep • Know as much about the job as possible before you go in for the interview • Be prepared to apply your skills and accomplishments to the potential new position • Practice. • Be on time! It is better to arrive early, than late • Follow the interviewer’s lead on shaking hands, sitting, and introduction • Be prepared to give the interviewer a copy of your resume when you begin the interview, even if they were previously given a copy • Make eye contact, smile and remember the name of the person interviewing you • Manage your time! Avoid going into great detail for every question. Typically the interviewer has 10 or more questions to ask. Make sure you have time to answer all of them • Maintain good posture and relax • Be prepared with questions to ask the interview at the end of the interview • Use proper English during the interview. Prior to the interview, you may want to do a mock interview and record yourself in order to capture any of the following slang words and terms; “Yea, Yep, Un Huh, Ya know 3

Behavioral Interview 4 Focus: Use past experiences to demonstrate use of skills and work behaviors How: Questions usually start with the following: - Tell me about a time - Give me an example when - Describe a time Why: A story provides the interviewer a context and understanding of how you apply skills on the job

Behavioral Interview – Earning Points Situation: Did the interviewee present a situation and set it up in a timely manner 0 points Action: Points are earned based on the skills and behaviors. Did the interviewee demonstrate and display them effectively 1 to 5 pts Result: 5 Was the result reasonable and believable? 0 points

Behavioral Interview • You will be given 1 point if you show the skills many times - Leadership - Collaboration - Creativity - Initiative - Communication - Customer Service - Organization • Reminder • Use “I” not “We” when talking • Don’t pack the answer with many skills • Tell the story and discuss the true skills that were used 6

Behavioral Interview Example Question: Tell me about a time when you had to convince someone to do something? 7

Behavioral Interview Example Question Situation : In my current business class, I was given a product that needed to be sold in order to benefit a specific organization. The product that was assigned to me was popcorn. Action: My idea was to sell multiple flavors of popcorn and sell them in 3 different sizes. I created a list of potential beneficiaries and began the process by asking local charities and not for profit organizations. I organized a team that consisted of members from Jack and Jill company along with several other volunteers. I arranged for the product to be delivered and sold during the schools annual spring festival. Prior to the event, I listened to all the concerns from the team and noted all issues that needed to be addressed. I also did a trial run to ensure customers would be satisfied with the product. Outcome: As a result, attendees were able to purchase multiple bags and donate $200 to the local afterschool program. 8

Types of Interview • Traditional • Interviewer asks direct questions • Fact finding questions • Tricky and Double sided • Example • “Why should I hire you? ” • “What are you looking for in a job? ” • “What is your greatest strength? ” • Combination of Behavioral and Traditional • Flow will be different • Will go back and forth • Example • Tell me about yourself. • Tell me about a time in which you had to handle a difficult change in the workplace? 9 • Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?

Closing the Interview • Ask questions at the end • Describe the daily work environment? • What are your expectations? • What is the next step in the hiring process? • Do not leave with out knowing when a decision will be made • Express your interest • State why you would be a good fit • Say Thank You • Thank the interviewer for his or her time • Follow up with a thank you letter or email within 24 hours 10

Questions Chaz Palisoc