Objective
· Facilitate an exchange of information
· For the employer: general fit, personality, poise, ability to think on one’s feet, energy, genuine interest, knowledge of content area, how your accomplishments/background relates to needs of job
· For you: general fit, atmosphere of office, management style of potential supervisor, job duties, colleagues
Types of Interviews
· Informational
o Initiated/requested by you, not necessarily a position
o Purpose: seeking advice and information for career exploration; furthering your network
o Content
§ Info about the field: daily work, likes, dislikes
§ Trends: direction of field? Job security?
§ Breaking in: career path, background and training, skills/classes/languages preferred/required, places to find job opportunities
§ Environment: hot spots? Competitors?
§ Location: social life, service availability, support
· Traditional
o Telling about yourself
o Employer takes your statements as facts
o Sample questions: Where did you go to school? Why did you choose that particular college/program? What are your strengths/weaknesses?
· Behavior-based
o Employer questions your past experiences
o Purpose: pinpoint behaviors you have exhibited through examples in order to predict future behavior
o Content
§ Prepare by identifying a list of recent experiences you’ve had that demonstrate traits such as leadership, teamwork, initiation, problem-solving, using data or other qualities listed in the job posting
§ Main parts (STAR)
· Situation: context, overall situation
· Task: the goal trying to accomplish
· Action: strategy/methods you pursued
· Result: the outcome of your actions
§ Keep it concise and give details about one specific situation only; stop when you have covered the major points
§ May also share what you learned or would do differently
o Sample questions: Tell me about a time when you demonstrated teamwork. Tell me about a time when you had to analyze numbers to solve a problem. Tell me about a time when you engaged in conflict management.
· Case-method
o Employer provides candidate with a problem/situation and candidate is asked to analyze it or offer a solution
o Purpose: Assess critical thinking ability and thought processes, not necessarily the correctness of the response
o Content
§ Listen carefully, take notes
§ Take your time
§ Identify the key issues
§ Explain your chain of thought; support your answer
§ List the resources you would use
o Sample questions: How many gas stations are in India? How could you measure the height of the Taj Mahal using only 5-rupee pieces?
How to Prepare
1. Self-Assessment
o Strengths, weaknesses, interests, skills, abilities; how do they relate to the position for which you’re applying?
o Specific list of your accomplishments to site during the interview that demonstrate clearly why you are the best-suited for the job
2. Exploration and narrowing it down
o What are the options? Talk, talk, talk…read papers, visit career center (if at school), talk with mentors, family members, colleagues, friends…
o Which organization is the best fit? Consider your skills, who you know
3. Research field/employer
o Use as many resources as possible (Web, brochures, contacts at the employer, similar organizations, etc.)
o Articles on trends in field as well any recent news about employer
4. Research interview process
o Interview workshop
o Understand typical stages of an interview
1. Introduction/small talk
2. Your background (education, previous job experience, related activities, interests, goals)
3. What you would bring to the position
4. Company background, opportunity for questions
5. What to expect as selection process progresses
5. Develop an interview strategy
o Based on your research, what is their ideal candidate? How do you fit?
o Five points (qualities, career goals, accomplishments)
6. Prepare for the day
o Gather materials (resume, cover letter, portfolio, notepad/pen)
o Develop a list of questions to ask the interviewer (stuff you couldn’t find during your research!) Why?
1. Show you have invested in the process by doing preparatory research
2. Convey that to make decisions, you gather as much information as possible
3. Demonstrate that you have the capacity to be a leader and are a critical thinker
o Mock interview
· Like a “dress rehearsal,” so come fully prepared as you would to a real interview
· Consists of both an interview period and a review
o Practice interview
· Out loud!
· Flash cards
o Print directions; test run
o Get a good night’s rest, eat a hearty meal
7. During the interview
o Make eye contact initially but look away at times during interview while speaking; avoid extremes
o Be aware of your facial expressions, body gestures and tone of voice
· Nod
· Sit up straight, lean forward
· Smile
o Take notes if you’d like; ask permission of your interviewer to do so
o Listen to each question carefully; do not be afraid to pause before answering to collect your thoughts or to ask for clarification when you do not fully understand the question
o Provide specific, concise examples
o Do not fill space unnecessarily (um, uh, etc.)
o Observe cues from interviewer
o Treat interviewer professionally, not as either friend or enemy
o Show enthusiasm for position and organization
o Don’t be humble! Be truthful, but sell yourself! Speak positively about your accomplishments; talk about how not only what, and what you have learned
o Address your weaknesses only if asked; be brief
o Thank
o Reiterate interest; summarize skills/objectives as they relate to organization (1-2 sent)
o Ask about next steps (providing references, taking a test, completing an application)
o Ask for a time frame – where are they in their search? When should you plan to hear from them?
o Be sure to get a business card or somehow confirm the name/address of your interviewer
o Follow up with a thank you note within 24 hours
Questions to Prepare For (See worksheet)
· General, open questions about your background
· Knowledge assessment
· Experience/skill assessment
· Goals and motivation
· Behavior-based
Questions to Ask
· Consider avoiding question of salary until second interview (if you know there will be one)
What to Wear/Bring
· Arrive at least 15 minutes early
· Turn off cell phone
· Professional dress, what you would expect staff members to wear into the office; closed-toe shoes (try it all on in advance!)
· Clean – clothing, teeth, hair
· Make-Up – simple, professional; light perfume/cologne only
· Jewelry – nothing too big/distracting
· No gum or food – water only
Following Up
· Send thank you within 24 hours
o Repeat your interest in job and why
o Reference something that occurred or was talked about at the interview (triggers memory) (i.e. excited to hear about a particular initiative)
o Address each interviewer separately and write each a unique letter
o Address company culture (show how you will fit in) (i.e. very passionate about mission, ready to work hard)
o Write in a positive tone
· Reflect on interview/ review notes (what did I do well, where could I improve?)
Wellesley College. (Aug. 31, 2008). Career essentials: Interviewing. Center for Work & Service. Retrieved on November 2, 2008 from http://www.wellesley.edu/CWS.
MIT Careers Office. (Aug. 2005). Winning interview techniques. Workshops. Retrieved on November 2, 2008 from http://web.mit.edu/career/www/workshops/interviewwrkshpAug05.pdf.
Eager, H. (N.D.) Five tips to a successful interview follow-up letter. Interview Tips. Retrieved November 2, 2008 from http://www.123oye.com/job-articles/interview-tips/followup-letter.htm.
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