Top 10 Tips to Align, Define and Differentiate YOU for a Successful Interview 1 BOSTON COLLEGE...

Top 10 Tips to Align, Define and

Differentiate YOUfor a Successful

Interview

BOSTON COLLEGE WORLD-WIDE WEBINARS:

Donna Sullivan ’85

Vice President, General Manager Transition Solutions

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Discussion for Today

You should walk away with-

Strong understanding of the Interview

How to prepare Yourself

What to Expect

What to Do/Not to Do

How to follow-up

HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR OPPORTUNITIES

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Top Ten

David Letterman has nothing on the BC Community!

Let’s get it done!

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What is an Interview?

# 10. – Know what an interview IS!

1. An audition?

2. A history lesson?

3. An effort to find the most talented person?

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What is an Interview?

….It is a Sales Process for the Best Fit!

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You are the Product

# 9. – Know the Product

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You are the Product

SKILLS

INTERESTS

STRENGTHS

Know What You Are Selling

Know WHO You are Selling To

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We Live in a Soundbite World

# 8. – Have a 30 Second Commercial

30 Second Commercials

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Overview of YOU – The Product

Keys to Success Succinct

Strength Driven

Backed by FACT – (Accomplishment)

Connection to the Company or Organization

Did I mention Succinct??!!

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Example of a 30 Second Commercial

• My name is Madonna. I am a singer and songwriter.• My Strengths include the development and

presentation of cutting edge rhythmic and lyrical music, the selection of highly skilled musicians for international impact as well as the strong ability to lead diverse creative and musical groups from all across the globe.

• Most recently I completed a world wide tour including over 15 countries and 25 cities playing more than 50 new and classic songs.

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Product Differentiation

# 7. – Know the WHY YOU

Product Differentiation

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Most Candidates will have same or similar functional experience…

Sell more than skill sets – no one else has your accomplishments!

Be precise – ACTION and RESULTS

Give them the Proof with the Pudding!

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Understand the Interview Process

# 6. – Know What to Expect

The Interview Process

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Screen

Qualifications

Culture

Interviews

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Qualifications

Screening – Recruiters/Internal

and then….

Sell Yourself through Alignment

Match Your Skills & Experiences with Their Needs

Culture

And then finally…

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Different Interviewers are Looking for Different Things

# 5. – Understand Who is Interviewing You

Types of Interviewers

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Screeners

Technical Experts

Tactical Focus

Culture: Behavioral

Culture: Style

Recruiters

Functional Heads

Line Managers

Peers

Subordinates

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# 4. - Practice the Questions to Expect

Interviewing Isn’t Natural

Most Frequently Asked Questions

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• Tell me about yourself?

• What are your greatest strengths?

• How much money do you want to make?

• What is a weakness?

• What are your long term/short-term plans?

• Why do you want to leave your current position

• Why should I hire you?

Why Behavioral Interviewing?

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• What are the Technique Differences – Conventional vs. Behavioral

• Core Competency Reviews

• Critical Factors

• Industry and company specific

• Past Behavior - Indicator of Future Behavior

Interview Approach

The questions will all be open ended!

Examples of Behavioral Questions

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Describe something you’ve done that shows how you pro-actively inform others about relevant developments

Tell me about a situation where you responded constructively to a difference of opinion.

Think of a project that required you to lead in the face of persistent challenge.

Describe your behavior in a situation that was contentious /volatile.

Describe a time when you had to gather info and data in order to diagnose a problem before taking action. Talk me through your actions.

Tell me about a challenging situation when you earned the trust and credibility within your team.

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# 3. - Product Packaging:First Impressions Matter

Your Appearance Counts

Image

Dress appropriately

You are a product.

They do NOT have to love you for who you are.

Movement and MannerismUse names & ask for feedback.

Listen!!It’s quality of communication – not quantity.

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# 2. - Interview Do’s/Don’ts

What does SuccessLook like?

Keys to SUCCESS!

Answer with the job in mind

Connect to their “pain”

Be succinct – answer directly

Creating a “conversation” rather than an “interrogation”

Being prepared – with questions, research, resume, notes, and references (when requested)

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Closing the Meeting

• Always ask for next steps

• Ask for timelines

• “Is there anything that concerns you about my candidacy?”

• Send emails to everyone in process – personalized and with a connection made!

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Keys to Failure!

Going there without your research done

Not being prepared – physically and emotional (packaging matters!)

Not following the process from beginning to end

Not following up with professionalism

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# 1. - Begin the Process at the Highest Value for YOU and Work Your Way UP from there

Set YOUR VALUE

Keys to Success

• Know the Product - YOU

• Know the Market - THE JOB

• Be Prepared – Research beyond the numbers!

• Understand the process early on.

• Connect with and understand all the Interviewers – not just the decision maker.

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The Best Candidate isn’t always selected – it’s the Candidate that Sells the Best!! PRACTICE.

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Review and Emphasis

• # 10. – Know what an interview IS!• # 9. – Know the Product• # 8. – Have a 30 Second Commercial• # 7. – Know the WHY YOU• # 6. – Know What to Expect• # 5. – Understand Who is Interviewing You• # 4. - Experience Matters• # 3. - Product Packaging/First Impressions Matter• # 2. - Interview Do’s/Don’ts

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Number 1 Way to Maximize Success

# 1. - Begin the Process at the HighestValue for YOU and Work Your Way UP from there

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• Questions?

Are You Ready?

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Resources

• The Interviewing Cheat Sheet LinkedIn• What to Expect During an HR Interview Forbes• 12 Surprising Job Interview Tips Forbes• Book: What I Wish EVERY Job Candidate Knew: 15 Minutes

to a Better Interview by: Russell Tuckerton• Find it on Amazon here.

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• Transition Solutions is an international outplacement organization – headquartered in Quincy, MA. We have over 30 years experience helping corporations and organizations across all industries through change of all kind- acquisitions, mergers, rightsizing and downsizing

Donna Sullivan ’85

Vice President

Transition Solutions

dsullivan@transitionsolutions.com

A little about Donna Sullivan