How to fail an interview in 13 easy steps & save yourself (1)

How To Fail An InterviewIn 13 Easy Steps & Save

Yourself

Executive search firm in Communications and MarketingCopyright 2013 by Lynn Hazan & Associates

Lynn Hazan & Associates, Inc.

•Fidget. Sitting is overrated and boring. Spice things up with rapid, erratic

movement.

•Avoid eye contact! The interviewer won’t be able to read you.

•Talk about yourself the whole interview. Get down to business in the last 10 minutes! That way, it will

be too late to talk about anything important.

•Winging it is your strategy for success.

•Write the way you speak – long, rambling, incoherent sentences.

•Resist coaching! You’re already the expert.

•Don’t prepare for an interview: your computer went down, your family needs you. Plus, you already know

everything there is to know about the company.

•Tell a white lie here and there. Everyone lies about their credentials!

•Claim that all of your writing samples are indeed yours. When the hiring manager finds out that your

well-written samples are inconsistent with your current sloppy work, simply shrug it off by stating “I created the first draft and some editor finished it.”

•Be lifeless in your interview. Show no emotion or enthusiasm; be as low key as possible.

•Avoid engaging in conversation with the interviewer. “Yes” and “No” are great ways to nip a

conversation in the bud. DO NOT ask probing questions!

•DO NOT bring samples of your work. •DO NOT bring additional materials to showcase your

work. •DO NOT bring extra resumes.

•Swear. Swear often. I mean, everyone does it. That way everyone knows how cool you are.

• Many candidates sabotage their own chances of success when interviewing. Do you recognize your own behavior here? If so, ask yourself if you want to win or lose at the interview.

• If you want to win, then you need to alter your behavior in order to change.

• To win, alter your behavior.

Why Should I Hire YOU?

Write down your answers.

How to Create Your UPS

What makes you unique?

What makes you special?

What’s your story? ???

????

Preparation

Before the interview:Research the company

1.Use the web and social media tools.

2.Look for recent articles.

3.Check out industry competition.

4.What is company known for?

5.What is the culture?How do you fit?

Tough Questions? Not really*Real interview questions*

Practice your answers!

• “How do you resolve conflict?”• “Describe a time when you had to work as part of a team.

What was your role and what was the outcome?”• “Why should we hire you?”• “Describe your work ethic.”• “Do you have any questions for me?

The Interview

Conversation & DialogueThe interview should be a two-sided conversation.

•Be actively engaged.•Ask probing questions.•Yes/No answers = Conversation Killers.•No Shy Talk.•Be aware of dialog cues / turn-taking.

Role Playing in the Interview

•Be prepared to answer real life questions

-How would you handle…?

•Hypothetical questions / scenarios are on the rise!

-How many tennis balls fit into a school bus?

-How many baseballs are sold in Chicago per year?

Frame the Process: Storytelling at its Best

1.Problem or need

2.Opportunity or challenge

3.Strategies and tactics

4.Results

5.What you did with results

Portfolios

Examples of your work

-Not just for creatives

-Work you did as part of a team

Go Digital!-USB/Flashdrive

-VisualCV, About.me, etc.

-blogs (Blogger, Wordpress, Tumblr)

Money, money, money…

Know salary range for position

-Salary.com, Payscale.com, Monster, Glassdoor

-Consider stalling tactics:

-“What range were you considering?” -“I feel it’s too early to discuss. I’d like to learn more.”

-Don’t get defensive

Wow Project

“Dazzle employers back” with a “Wow!” project.

Shows initiative and capability

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Hazan & Associates:

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Contact Info+ 55 E. Washington St.

Suite 715Chicago, IL 60602

312-863-5401lynn@lhazan.comwww.lhazan.com

@lynnhazan

Lynn Hazan

Lynn Hazan & Associates, Inc.

Copyright 2013 by Lynn Hazan & Associates

Lynn Hazan, Anne Howard & Arthur Hartnett