JOBTALKS Interview Issues Indiana University Kelley School of Business C. Randall Powell, Ph.D Contents used in this presentation are adapted from Career Planning Strategies and used with the permission of the author.
INTERVIEW ISSUES Offer withdrawal discrimination application blanks interviewing for experience
NERVOUSNESS n Important Natural Feeling n Builds Alertness n Important Motivator
NERVOUSNESS How to Minimize Preparation Builds confidence Diminishes Uncertainty Experience Interviewing Familiarity Breeds Confidence How to Minimize Preparation Builds confidence Diminishes Uncertainty Experience Interviewing Familiarity Breeds Confidence
GRADES grades relate to past achievement good grades - tout them poor grades - accentuate positive Recruiter’s Crutch: “grades predict future”
TURNDOWN LETTERS Confidence Destroyers The Best Get Them: Be Prepared Don’t Read Into Them Don’t Get Defensive Confidence Destroyers The Best Get Them: Be Prepared Don’t Read Into Them Don’t Get Defensive
REJECTION CORRESPONDENCE Your Credentials: Not You Compared to…. Your Competition and/or the job description Feedback… Legally unwise to give you reasons!
DISCRIMINATION Sex RACE Need Facts - Not Hunches Sex RACE Need Facts - Not Hunches
OFFER WITHDRAWALS not uncommon Moral Issue; not Legal issue pressure to accept is legal! set decision target date together set high ethical standards The Bad News Is...
APPLICATION BLANKS name experience education salary
DISCOURAGEMENT bounce back seek advice get feedback don’t give up bounce back seek advice get feedback don’t give up
Feedback Issues Not Employer’s Role Market Conditions Influence Timing is Important
DELAYS Usually Between 2 & 8 Weeks Why? –Correspondence Backlog –Waiting For Other Responses –Complete Candidate Base –Not Recruiter's Decision Alone
why mention plans? Graduate School
INTERVIEWING FOR EXPERIENCE BAD IDEA!!! insincere attitude rejection results confidence destroyers insincere attitude rejection results confidence destroyers
rehearse your presentation Friends Mirror Video or tape recorder Network Partner Practice Makes Perfect
Best Interviews
COMPENSATION job worth philosophy qualifications
è outside competition è salary schedule JOB WORTH
pay less pay average pay top Employer Compensation Philosophies
Candidates Qualifications Experience Education Field-occupation Activities Competitiveness
COMPENSATION seldom key factor in job choice varies little from basic mean rarely negotiable offers occasionally are withdrawn seldom key factor in job choice varies little from basic mean rarely negotiable offers occasionally are withdrawn
LACK OF ADEQUATE FOLLOW-UP Destroys many great interviews Destroys many great interviews
“Thanks so much Ms. Blatantly. I really hope to hear from International Fools.”
WHAT RECRUITERS SEEK *Evidence Of Competencies *Desire To WORK *Ambition: Goals *Ability To Communicate *Compatible Attitude *Education *Grades *Experience *Future Career Plans *Interview Presentation MATCH Job Requirements Your Evidence
Fifteen Knockout Factors Ill-Defined Goals Shopping Around Lacks Confidence Over Aggressive Not Prepared Ill-Defined Goals Shopping Around Lacks Confidence Over Aggressive Not Prepared Restricted Location Poor Communicator Poor Questions Salary Oriented Evasive Restricted Location Poor Communicator Poor Questions Salary Oriented Evasive Little Interest & Enthusiasm Poor Personal Appearance Not Academically Qualified Little Evidence Of achievement Wants Too Much Too Soon Little Interest & Enthusiasm Poor Personal Appearance Not Academically Qualified Little Evidence Of achievement Wants Too Much Too Soon
“I could tell by the interviewer’s body language that I wasn’t doing well…she got up and left the room.”
FOLLOW-UP make notes immediately thank you correspondence evaluate results
Follow-Up Strategy maintain extensive employer file recontact at designated intervals set reasonable time frame force closure within reasonable time maintain extensive employer file recontact at designated intervals set reasonable time frame force closure within reasonable time
1. analyze self 2. conduct employer research 3. prepare presentation 4. attend to follow-up
THE COMPANY AVERAGE ON CAMPUS INTERVIEWING Interviews invite visit offer acceptances
“I take it this isn’t your first interview, Fred!”
JOBTALKS Interview Issues Indiana University Kelley School of Business C. Randall Powell, Ph.D.
If you would like to learn more, Career Planning Strategies textbook will supply additional information on this topic.