1. Program Support Specialist
Interview Skills
Put together by:
Eboni Williams Sankoe
Program Support Specialist

2. Workshop Objectives Preparation Introductions and Greetings
Typical Interview Structure
Behavioral Interviews
Interview Preparation & Practice

3. Prepare Yourself Appearance Firm Handshake/Eye Contact
Smile appropriately and nod
Be confident

4. Introduction/Greeting
First impressions count
Appearance is important
Good eye contact
Firm handshake
Introduce yourself
Slow, clear pronunciation of name
Have resume in hand

5. Interview Preparation & Practices

6. Behavior Based Interviewing
Previous behavior predicts future behavior
Recruiters ask for examples that demonstrate your level of skill with a behavior that is important to the firm.

7. Other Common Questions to Prepare For
Tell me about yourself? or Walk me through your resume
Tell me about a time when you had an opportunity to lead others. What did you learn from it?
What are your strengths/weaknesses?
What achievement are you the most proud of?
Why do you want to work for ______ company?

8. Tell me about yourself? (Walk me through your resume)
Include
Tie your story to their business needs
Demonstrate 2 or 3 strengths related to position or why you chose (company)
How you can contribute to company
Don’t include
Personal/family information
Politics
Create a 60-second sound byte

9. Tell me about yourself? (Walk me through your resume)

10. How to ace behavioral interviews?
Work on your STARs
S ituation
T ask
A ctions
R esults
STAR provides an outline for answers

11. Effective STAR response?
Q: Tell me about a time when you had an opportunity to lead others. What did you learn from it?
A: During a training exercise, our team leader was not present to delegate. Everyone was looking around for someone to step up to the plate. I volunteered to stand in his place.
I was able to assess the strengths from each of my team mates and delegate the proper responsibilities. We were able to ensure the success of our task.
I learned that I am trusted to step up and do the job no matter how large or small the task is.

12. Ineffective STAR response?
Q: Give me an example of your ability to use analytical skills?
A: I’m good at Excel and have created several spreadsheets to improve processes.

13. What is missing from this STAR?
Didn’t describe the Situation/Task
Actions are missing
Results are vague
Interviewer will likely ask follow up questions

14. Prepare your STARs
Understand what skills the company considers critical to success there
Some common areas covered in behavioral interviews:
Leadership
Teamwork
Initiative
Analytical Ability
Creativity/Innovation
Problem Solving Skills
Customer/Client Relations

15. What are your strengths?
Relate them to the job
Give examples of where you have demonstrated them
How were they developed

16. What are your weaknesses?
Admit you have a weakness
Make it into a positive.
Rarely take breaks.
Identify what you are doing to improve or learned from this weakness
Sometimes I have to take a quick break to recharge my batteries.

17. Need more time? Good question, let me think about that a minute.
So, you are asking if…..
No one’s ever asked me that one before…

18. How to prepare for an interview?
Research the company
Review your resume
Prepare STAR responses
Prepare questions for interviewer
Prepare yourself

19. Research the Company Know the industry Know the company
Know the job duties

20. Review your Resume How do your career goals align with position?
Do you have successful stories for each point on your resume?
Anticipate questions

21. Salary Questions

22. Prepare Questions for Interviewer
Consider multiple areas
Corporate values
Employment trends
Work environment
Quality of work
Personality factors
Demonstrate your knowledge of the industry and company
Are there any questions I have not answered for you?

23. Prepare Questions for Interviewer

24. Closing Always thank them for the interview
Clarify if they haven’t told you next steps
End with you are looking forward to hearing from them and really enjoyed talking to them.
When you leave, be sure to ask for a business card. Perhaps mail them a personal thank you letter.

25. Questions
Any questions?

26. Program Support Specialist
Contact Information
Thomas Korth
Program Support Specialist