Prepare for Your Interview Chapter 10 Prepare for Your Interview Prepare for Your Interview

Prepare for Your Interview Chapter 10 covers: Preparing for pre-employment tests Preparing for common interview styles Preparing for typical interview questions Asking questions that stand out Prepare for Your Interview

Prepare for Your Interview Job Search Journey The goal in Phase 4, Steps 1 and 2 is to: Gain confidence for pre-employment tests Develop interview skills Prepare answers to commonly asked interview questions Learn to ask questions in interviews Prepare for Your Interview

1. Prepare for Pre-Employment Tests Gain confidence by knowing what to expect: Personality test: Answer all questions honestly. Skills test: Review, practice, and improve your skills. Technical test: Try to get sample tests and practice. Computerized tests: Can be any of the types of tests above. Relax and don’t overthink the questions Drug screening tests: Take them seriously; find out about employers’ drug policies and report any prescriptions ahead of time in case of false positives Prepare for Your Interview

2. Prepare for Common Interview Styles General Types: Structured or Unstructured General Tips Be prepared. Focus on why you want to work for this employer. Be professional, courteous, and friendly. Be factual in your answers; be brief yet thorough. If you need time to think about a question, avoid using repetitive phrases to buy time. As the interview wraps up, ask what about next steps. Follow up. Prepare for Your Interview

2. Prepare for Common Interview Styles Interview Types and Methods Screening Computer-based Campus interview Phone Interview Video Interview Behavioral Interview Panel Interview Team Interview Prepare for Your Interview

2. Prepare for Common Interview Styles How to handle these types of interviews: Behavioral Interviews Ask about specific examples of when and how you used your skills Be ready with a collection of stories about your past success and learning Stress Interviews Used for high-stress jobs to test behavior, logic, and emotional control under stress Some techniques: Silence after your answer Rapid questions Irritating questions Criticism of your responses Prepare for Your Interview

3. Prepare for Typical Interview Questions Common Categories of Interview Questions General information questions Behavioral questions Character questions Difficult or “stress” questions Inappropriate questions Prepare for Your Interview

3. Prepare for Typical Interview Questions General Information Questions Why do you want this job? What type of work do you enjoy most? What are your strongest skills? Are you a team player? What are your long-term career goals, and how do you plan to achieve them? Do you have a geographic preference? Are you willing to relocate? With what type of manager have you had the best relationships? Prepare for Your Interview

3. Prepare for Typical Interview Questions Behavioral questions probe your past performance and behaviors because these are the best indicators of future behavior. Be ready with your stories. A four-step model is a good way to answer these: Describe the situation. (What) Explain the actions you took. (How) Describe the outcomes. (Importance) Summarize what you learned from the experience. (Insights from you) Prepare for Your Interview

3. Prepare for Typical Interview Questions Behavioral Questions: Common Examples Tell me specifically about a time when you worked under great stress. Describe an experience when you dealt with an angry customer or coworker. Give me an example of your ability to adapt to change. Explain what problems you have encountered. How did you overcome them? Prepare for Your Interview

3. Prepare for Typical Interview Questions Character Questions: Common Examples How would you describe yourself? What rewards do you look for in your career? What career accomplishment are you most proud of? Do you work well under pressure? Prepare for Your Interview

Caution: Tell Me About Yourself This question can build rapport. Answer it effectively. Do not ramble on about your life history. Focus on your qualifications and how the employer would benefit by hiring you. Highlight your positive qualities—personal attributes, accomplishments, skills, training, experience, etc. After answering, you can ask a question: What would you like to know about my experience (or education, skills, activities, etc.)? Is there anything you would like me to expand on or clarify? Prepare for Your Interview

3. Prepare for Typical Interview Questions Difficult or “stress” questions—asked to understand your fit with the company. Answer the way you rehearsed. Common Stress Questions Why should we hire you? Why are you the best candidate? Why do you want to leave your current job? Why have you held so many jobs? What is your greatest weakness? Have you ever been fired from a job? Does your current employer know you are planning to leave? Prepare for Your Interview

3. Prepare for Typical Interview Questions Make It a Habit: Savvy Q&A Strategies Pause to think before you reply. Be candid and honest. Understand the motive behind the question. Give appropriate context. Fill in the gaps. Prepare for Your Interview

3. Prepare for Typical Interview Questions Inappropriate questions—about age, gender, race, marital status, children, religion Effective Ways to Respond Answer politely and honestly. Don’t offer detailed personal information. Steer the conversation back to your ability to meet the employer’s expectations: “This issue does not affect my ability to perform the job.” “I am confident I can perform the duties of this job.” Prepare for Your Interview

4. Ask Questions That Stand Out Treating interviews as a two-way communication displays your confidence. Ask three to five well-chosen questions to learn more about the employer, company culture, and position. Interject questions throughout the interview; don’t save them all up for the end unless interviewer requests this. Avoid questions about salary, compensation, and benefits. Prepare for Your Interview

Prepare for Your Interview You, Online Stay Relevant! Use social media to stay up to date on news about your perspective employers and the industry. Shortcuts to save time: Review Twitter feeds from prospective employers. Use news aggregators (e.g., Reddit or Digg). Do a Google News search for your industry or a company. Knowing the headlines is enough to get a conversation started. Prepare for Your Interview

Real World Scenarios composite stories from real people Jacob: Sample testing online Not a good test taker Used sample tests to prepare Relaxed, knowing he was prepared What tactics can help you to be calm when stressed during tests or interviews? Sam: Library of stories Prepared well with stories Researched the company Used good body language In the interview, he tailored his stories to the questions Result: Good interview! What are your best stories that can be tailored to answer a variety of questions? Prepare for Your Interview

Prepare for Your Interview Think About It “Those who prepare show the best of themselves when put to the test.” “Write the answer to every question you think you may be asked—and every question you hope you won’t be asked.” Prepare for Your Interview

YOUR Job Search Journey I can make it happen. Prepare for Your Interview