1. What Separates the Winners From the Rest of the Crowd
Interviewing
What Separates the Winners From the Rest of the Crowd
By Ron Hittle, Career Planning & Placement Center, Sinclair Community College

2. Job openings are not filled with the most qualified personnel.
Credentials
Credentials
Credentials
Credentials
Credentials
Credentials
Jobs are offered to the people who best know how to market themselves.

3. A great resume and effective interviewing skills are the best preparation to assure getting the most desirable job.

4. Personalize and Clear Job Focus
I prepared just for you.
Know thyself
Research, Research, Research...
Dress for Success
Where?
Practice makes perfect
Professionalism

5. Three Parts to the Interview Process
Preparation before the interview
The interview
Follow-up 2 3 1

6. Preparation Before the Interview
Know yourself.
Strengths and weaknesses
Skills and abilities
Research the occupation.
Research the target company.
Internet, CPPC, library, personal visit
Select proper attire.
Dress for success

7. Preparation Before the Interview
Know where the interview is located.
Practice answers to interview questions.
Prepare questions to ask interviewer.
Carry a portfolio binder.
Write out key skills and questions to ask.
Bring along your professional portfolio.

8. The Interview
Companies are spending more time, effort, and money to select the right person.

9. Interview Formats Phone interviews – Pre-screening Multiple interviews
Committee interviews
Tour of work setting

10. The Interview Game
Begin with a firm hand shake and “Thanks for seeing me.”

11. The Interview Game Interviewers can use 5 different type of questions.
Directive
Non-directive
Hypothetical
Behavioral
Stress

12. Directive Interview Questions
Interviewer determines the focus of your answer.
Information the interviewer wants is very clear.
Example:
What skills do you have that relate to this position?

13. Non-Directive Questions
You determine the focus of your answer.
Interviewer does not ask specifics.
Examples:
Tell me about yourself.
Describe your weaknesses.

14. Non-Directive Questions
Interviewer wants to know how your background and personality qualify you for this job.
The focus is on your education, related experience, skills and abilities, and personal attributes.
How do they relate to the job you are seeking?
Decide your response before starting to speak.
Keep response concise – never over 2 minutes.

15. Hypothetical or Scenario Questions
Interviewer describes a situation which you may encounter in the position and asks you how you would act in a similar situation.
They’re a good test of your problem solving abilities.

16. Problem Solving Model to Answer Hypothetical or Scenario Questions
Gather information.
Evaluate the information.
Prioritize the information.
Seek advice.
Weigh the alternatives.
Make a decision.
Communicate the decision.
Monitor the results and modify if necessary.

17. The Best Predictor of Future Performance is Based
Behavioral Questions
The Best Predictor of Future Performance is Based
on Past Success.
They have become increasingly popular in interviews.
They involve weaving a story.
Examples:
Give me an example of a work situation in which you were proud of your performance.

18. Behavioral Questions Examples:
Give me an example where you faced some challenge in your life and how you’ve overcome it.
Give me an example where you’ve used creativity.
Give me an example where you were a member of a team and how it solved problems.
Interviewer will continue to probe until they get a satisfactory, complete answer.

19. S–T–A–R Method of Answering Behavioral Questions
Situation – describe beginning as bleak
Task – what it involved
Action – you took to solve
Results – glorious

20. Effective Ways to Answer Behavioral Questions
Think of your life experience – both personal and work-related.
Review the skills and qualities that the position would require.
Link past experiences with a current experience.
Link a personal experience with a work-related experience.

21. Effective Ways to Answer Behavioral Questions
Relate your experiences from the past that best demonstrate the traits desired in the position that you are interviewing for.
They’re a great way to answer your weaknesses.

22. Stress Questions
These may surprise you and make you feel uncomfortable.
Examples:
If you were an animal, which would you be?
Name 5 people, who are deceased, that you would invite to dinner.
The desire is to see how you react to difficult situations.

23. Stress Questions They test your sense of humor.
There is no right answer.

24. Common Interview Questions
What do you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
Why did you choose your major?
What are your career goals?
Where do you see yourself five or ten years from now?
How has your college experience prepared you for this job?

25. Common Interview Questions
Why are you interested in working for our company?
If I talked to your previous employer, what would he / she say about you?
How would your co-workers describe you?
What two or three things are most important to you in your job?

26. Common Interview Questions
What salary do you expect to be paid?
Why should I hire you?

27. Formulate Questions for the Interviewer
Never ask about salary or benefits in the first interview.
What is the philosophy of your company?
What do you consider to be your company’s greatest strengths? Weaknesses?
What are your company’s goals?
What attracted you to this company?
What opportunities exist for training and professional development?

28. Formulate Questions for the Interviewer
Could you describe a typical first-year assignment?
Do you mind if I ask how my qualifications match what you are looking for?

29. Interview Non-Verbals (Body Language)
Non-verbals must agree with the verbals or the interviewer will always believe the non-verbals.
Sit up straight, but not too rigid.
Lean forward slightly.
Maintain eye contact.
Listen actively – nodding.
Elevate chin slightly – it shows confidence.
Show energy / enthusiasm in a way that is natural for you.

30. Value of the Interview Process
The employer learns about you.
Use your communication skills to describe why you are the best person for the job.
You evaluate the employer.
Inquire about the atmosphere, philosophy, technology, and protocol of the company.

31. Value of the Interview Process
Obtain valuable information.
Interest or no interest in the job opening
Discovering new places / niches to use your skills
Perfect your interview skills
Obtain referrals for other job openings – internally or externally

32. Predictors of Success Ability to communicate clearly and concisely
Demonstrated teamwork skills
Demonstrated leadership skills
Demonstrated problem-solving skills
Career-related work experience
Involvement in campus or community activities

33. Predictors of Success
Ability to identify and give good examples of transferable skills
Knowledge of the company / organization
Asking good questions
Flexibility
Enthusiasm
Ambition and motivation

34. Predictors of Success success People skills Good grades
Professional appearance
success

35. Always get their business card.
Follow-Up
Always get their business card.
Thank you letter / card
Mailed within 24 hours
Formal vs. informal
Send to all who could be an influence.
Personalize / express appreciation for the opportunities to interview, tour the facilities, meet other employees, etc.

36. Follow-Up
Mention the day of the interview and the position for which you interviewed.
Express continued interest in the position and the company.
Reemphasize your most important skills and qualifications and how you expect to contribute to the organization.

37. Follow-Up
Include any information you forgot to mention in the interview, if necessary.
Be brief , though.
Close your letter / note with a comment about future contact with the employer.

38. Sample Thank You Letter
100 Livable Way
Dayton, Ohio 45429
March 4, 2000
Ms. Ima Stickler
Human Resource Manager
Stuckney Memorial Hospital
1234 S. 23rd Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90210
I appreciated the opportunity to interview at your hospital on Monday, March 3rd. The tour of the medical facilities and conversations with Stuckney’s laboratory staff gave me a clear overview of the role of technologists at your facility. In particular, I was impressed with the state-of-the-art equipment in Stuckney’s laboratories and the exciting medical research that is being conducted there.

39. Sample Thank You Letter
The entire experience has confirmed my desire for employment as a medical technologist with Stuckney Memorial Hospital. My internship as a lab assistant, along with my microbiology and chemistry course work, has prepared me well for this position. Based on my interview, I am confident I would fit in well with the Stuckney laboratory staff.
Thank you again for the experience of getting to know your organization better. I welcome the opportunity to work for Stuckney Memorial Hospital and look forward to hearing from you. I can be reached by phone at (937) or at
Sincerely,
Shirley U. Needme

40. What Separates the Winners from the Rest of the Crowd?
Preparation + Communication

41. The Universal Hiring Rule
Any employer will hire an applicant so long as he or she is convinced that hiring the individual will bring more value than it cost the company.
Tom Jackson
Did you prove that value in the interview?
Take time to evaluate your performance and build on it.