Interviewing 1 The Informational Interview The informational interview

Interviewing 1

The Informational Interview The informational interview is one where you drive the content. Sample Agenda: • Get information (individual, organization) • Ask for career advice • Get referrals to others (organization/target companies) • Discover a hidden job 2

The Informational Interview Compare an informational interview to a job interview: Job Interview Tough to get Tense atmosphere They ask questions Review credentials on their terms Little possibility for a created position No possibility for referral Limited possibilities to stay in touch Informational Interview Easier to get Relaxed atmosphere You ask questions Review credentials on your terms Possibility for a created position Excellent possibility for referral Excellent possibilities to stay in touch http: //mgt. ncsu. edu//career_resources/manual. php 3

How to Ask for the Informational Interview Referral Approach “I was talking with Robert Redford the other day and he suggested that I speak with you. I am in the MBA program at NC State and am in the process of making some important career decisions. He thought you could offer some valuable advice. My goal is to get some insights into the marketplace, your company, and your field………. I would appreciate 30 minutes of your time whenever it would be convenient for you. ” 4

How to Ask for the Informational Interview The Advice Approach “I am in the process of making some important decisions about my ultimate career path when I finish the MBA program at NC State. I am trying to learn more about the field of Supply Chain Management to determine if it would be right for me. Your insight and experience would be very valuable to me…… I would only need about 30 minutes of your time, whenever and wherever it is convenient for you…” 5

How to Ask for the Informational Interview The Changing Career Approach “I am completing my MBA degree and am in the process of a career change. I was hoping to be able to meet with you for 30 minutes at your convenience. I would appreciate your professional feedback and advice. I was hoping to share my strategy with you and hear any suggestions you might have. I would appreciate 30 minutes of your time whenever it would be convenient for you. ” 6

What If? Ask for meeting (Y) Set date/time Thank you and Goodbye (N) May we do this by phone? (Y) (N) Ask for a referral Is now a good time? (Y) Get information Start Informational Interview When? Set date/time (N) Thank you and Goodbye 7

Tips for Setting up Informational Interviews 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. PREPARE Mention your connector first Primary objective: face to face meeting Calendar, names, and dates of previous contacts available Express thanks and confirm meeting details Be prepared to work with gatekeepers (ally/ask for their help) Be friendly but persistent Be prepared to do meeting over the phone Practice makes perfect 8

The Informational Interview Step by Step 1. Express appreciation for the person’s time. 2. Review briefly your career accomplishments. 3. Ask about their career and positions they have held 4. Share your career goals, what you are looking for, including target companies or industries. Ask if they know anyone in those companies or industries. 5. Solicit advice about your career or job search. 6. Ask for names of other suggested contacts who may be of help to you. 7. Follow up with a personal handwritten thank you note 9

Purpose of the Interview When companies interview you they are trying to answer three questions: CAN YOU DO THE JOB? Skills, knowledge, experience and accomplishments, learning potential WILL YOU DO THE JOB? Your interest in the industry, company, position, your work ethic, your energy level, any influences that may affect your ability to perform DO YOU FIT IN? Chemistry, communication, values, style, dress and appearance 10

What Employers Want to Know • Can you add value to the bottom line? • Can we save significant cost by hiring you? • Can you demonstrate that you can improve our profitability? • Can you make a contribution to quality? • Can you add to our ability to compete? 11

What Employers Want To Know • Can you show you can deliver a payback on our investment in you? • Can you think on your feet? • Can you grasp opportunities that could be an advantage? • Can you perform in an environment with increased demands and fewer resources? 12

Types of Interviews 1. Format a. One-on-One b. Panel c. Round Robin 2. d. Half Day, All Day or Multiple Days Location a. Face-to-Face b. Distance 3. 1. Telephone (may do this to pre-screen applicants) 2. Video conference 3. Computer Structure a. Behavioral-Based Interviews- What have you done? b. Situational – What would you do? c. Stress d. Presentation/White Board e. Case Studies f. Personality tests or Simulation work tests 13

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What Makes The Difference “What are the qualities that allow one person to be asked for a second interview and another person not to be? ” The major attributes sought were: • • • Potential to adapt Ambition and motivation • Leadership ability Ability to communicate • Teamwork capacity Good personality fit • Past record of achievement Fit with company and goals • Strong work ethic Creativity and intelligence • Broad range of interests Specific college courses taken • Strong interpersonal skills Dress and appearance Experience, initiative and responsibility 15

Interview Sequence Introduction Personal Experience Questions Case Analysis (optional) Your Questions Closure Follow-up 16

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First Impressions/Introduction • • Dress appropriately Arrive early Professional Note Pad and Pen Copies of Resumes, Cover Letters and Needs Contribution Statement • Shake hands • Wait to be asked to take a seat • Use interviewer’s last name 18

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Behavior-Based Interviewing S = Situation • Context of the situation T = Task • Specific problem/challenge that you faced • What you were expected to do A = Action • Your specific action, be detailed R = Result • Impact and benefit of what you did – quantify 20

STAR Answer: What has been your most rewarding accomplishment at your last job? • Situation: – A rewarding accomplishment at my last job was that I was sent to one of our lower performing branch banks. The branch was not growing their loan base. It had logged only $75, 000 in new loans in an 18 -month period prior to my arrival. • Task: – My job was to increase loan production • Action: – I streamlined the loan process and was successful in the solicitation and booking of many new loans • Result: – I booked $700, 000 in new loans in my first six months at the branch. 21

• STAR Answer: Describe one of your most stressful experiences and how you coped with the situation. Situation: – Less than two months after starting in a new position in quality assurance for a medical device company, the FDA arrived for a full quality system inspection. The company had received a warning letter from the FDA the prior year. • Task: – My challenge was to support the audit from a quality assurance and validation perspective. • Action: – I immediately familiarized myself with the company’s quality systems by reviewing the process maps and documentation. I also identified the key knowledge holders and business process owners in each area. I felt it was most important to have the right process in place and the right people available. I also helped to set up the organization for the audit to follow allowing for proper preparation, review and traceability. This also required a lot of cross department communication to keep everyone involved and informed. • Result: – After five long weeks, the audit ended. The organization and communication was greatly improved from the past and the team worked very well together. Although we did get some observations, the level of compliance had greatly improved and we did not receive another warning letter or any other type of regulatory action. 22

STAR Answer: Tell me about a situation where you had to deal with a very difficult or disagreeable person. What did you do to handle it? • Situation: – While working with a process improvement team on a manufacturing process, I had to work with an individual who was adverse to change. He had worked for the company for 20 years and always did things the same way and did not want to start doing it differently. • Task: – My task was to improve the efficiency of the process to increase yield and improve quality. • Action: – The first thing I did was spend time educating the individual on process improvements and explaining our goals. I also explained that the improvements were to increase yield and quality and not reduce headcount, so his job and the jobs of others that he worked with were not at a risk. After explaining the process to him, I let him tell me what the process currently involved and what he felt would improve it. Since he was the one who worked with it everyday, I emphasized that he would know how to best improve it, and his recommendations were important to us. Once we began discussing it, there were areas that he felt could be improved. We also worked with his whole team to make sure everyone was involved and everyone’s voice was heard. • Result: – As a result, we met our goals for increased yield and quality. We also improved the communication between the quality department and the manufacturing line personnel. The people in manufacturing also reported they were more satisfied with their jobs after being involved in the process improvement project. 23

Avoid… Do NOT include: • • • Birth date or age Gender Marital status Children Religion Health status 24

Interviewing Steps Case Analysis (optional) Consulting, Management, Marketing Interviews Your Questions Closure 25

Follow-up • Send a thank you letter within 24 hours • Elements of the letter: Ø Thank them for their time Ø Mention specific strengths Ø Plan next steps • Know when to follow-up. How? Ask! • If you are turned down, send a gracious response. You never know when you'll meet again! 26

Interview Do’s • • • Be positive Be an interested listener Keep eye contact Follow the interviewer’s pace Mirror language Answer directly, but be brief Talk in concrete terms Make connections for the interviewer Be yourself YOUR HOMEWORK (industry, company, job and people) 27

Interview Don’ts • • • Don’t talk too much Don’t discuss controversial issues Don’t discuss any personal problems Don’t discuss salary prematurely Don’t be modest Don’t exaggerate, use boisterous talk or tell risky jokes • Don’t slouch • Don’t talk about your need for the job • Avoid speaking negatively about your past employers 28

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Expect These Questions 1. Tell me about yourself 2. What are your strengths? 3. What are your weaknesses? 4. Why did you leave your job/pursue your MBA? 5. What is your biggest accomplishment? 6. What is your biggest failure? 7. What is your work style? 8. What is your management style? 9. What are your future career plans? 10. What do you like to do in your free time? 11. How would your peers describe you? 12. Why should we hire you? 30

Interviewing Wisdom 1. Know yourself 2. Know your resume 3. Know the company/industry 4. Look great, exude confidence. You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. 5. Smile, stand tall, make eye contact 6. Listen two thirds of the time, speak only one third 7. Ask only open ended questions 8. Focus on your benefit to the company 9. Ask for the job! 31

Resources http: //www. mgt. ncsu. edu/career_resources/students/manual. php Leane, Shelly (2004), How To Interview Like A Top MBA. Mc. Graw -Hill, New York, NY. Chernev, Alexander (2005), Mastering the Job Interview. Brightstar Media, Inc. , Chicago. 32