Fred Burke, Executive Director

The Career Center

Hofstra University

Purpose of today’s workshop

Objectives of the interview Types of interviews Preparation for the interview Role of the interviewer and applicant Second Interviews

Objectives of the first interview Allows you to convey important information

about your qualifications for the position Enables you to gain additional information

about the employer Helps the employer know if you have the skills,

personality, and interest to do the job Determines if you are seriously interested in

the position being discussed

Breakdown of a first interview

25%To learn more about

the company

75%To sell yourself to the

employer

25%

75%

What is an interviewer looking for?

Ability/SkillsDoes the applicant have the ability to do the job?

WillDoes the applicant have the will to do the job?

PersonalityWill the applicant get along with others in the

company? Fit

Will the applicant fit into the environment?

Types of interviews Screening interviews (First Interviews)

The initial interviewMay be conducted by HR professionals and may be

on the phonePurpose: To weed out unacceptable candidates

Selection interviews (Second Interviews)Conducted after you have passed the screening

interviewGenerally conducted in the employer’s office (aka

“site interviews”)May be conducted by future supervisorPurpose: To make hiring decisions

Typical screening interview structureIntroduction- 5 minutes Make 1st impression, establish rapport

Background-10 minutes Gather information, skill evaluation

Discussion-10 minutes Sell yourself and ask questions

Close Discuss next steps

Preparing for an interview Know thyself, including:

Skills and interests that qualify youYour valuesYour short and long range goals

Know thy organization, including:Information about the position for which you are

interviewing (specific and general)General understanding of the industryKey details about the specific

organization

Ways to obtain organization/industry information Internet

Organization websiteHoover’s, Vault.com, Google, Lexis Nexus, Plunkett,

Occupational Outlook Handbook

Otherprint resources, newspapers, corporate literatureLinkedIn, Twitter, Blogs, Google AlertsInformational interviews with people working at the

organization or in the industry

Ways to prepare information about yourself Review your resume/history of

accomplishments and achievements – prepare stories to tell

Prepare a “30 second commercial” Review sample interview questions Schedule a “mock interview”

So, tell me about yourself

The most common interview opener

Interviewer is looking for a brief introduction to who you are: what makes you interesting? What are your unique activities or involvements?Why are you interested in the position? (p. 15 in the

Blue Book for more details.)

Remember to keep your response natural and conversational!

Types of interview questions Credentials: What is your greatest strength?

Experience: Tell me about your internship at {organization name}.

Behavior: Tell me about a time when you worked with a team to solve a problem.

Opinion: What do you think about our recent acquisition of {organization name}?

Case/Brainteaser: Why are manhole covers round?

Answering Questions Consider why the interviewer is asking this question

Expand answers, avoid yes and no…give details, examples, tangible results!

Tie in strengths to jobs and activities

Weaknesses - go full circle

If stumped, buy a minute or say, “ I am uncertain, but this is what I might do...”

Answering behavior-based questions Use the STAR technique!

S-Situation

T-Task

A-Action

R-Result

Tell me about a time when you… … worked with a team to solve a

problem. Interviewee #1: “I did a lot of group work

in my ‘Contemporary Issues in Education’ class”

Interviewee #2 uses the STAR technique…

Using the STAR technique… S-Situation

You were asked to collaborate with other teachers to develop a interdisciplinary unit

T-Task The unit had to be on China

A-Action I helped lead the group with a plan to meet once a week to meet to

develop our unit. In the weekly meetings I took on a leadership role the role to organize the meetings. I asked each person in our group to take a on a part of the project where they could use their expertise. Each week everyone in the group contributed.

R-Result We developed an extensive Unit that was approved by the school

leadership and then was integrated into the overall curriculum. The students enjoyed the unit and China night was organized which was well received by parents.

Questions for the interviewer DO prepare questions to ask the interviewer!

(page 74)Demonstrates your level of interestAvoid asking questions that are answered in

recruiting literature

Sample questions:Tell me about a typical day for a {job title}What are you looking for in the ideal candidate for

this position?What is your favorite thing about working for this

organization? Least favorite?

The Selection (Second) InterviewCongratulations—you made it through your first-round interview!

•Build on your previous performance

•Demonstrate why you are the best candidate for the job

•The second interview is crucial in expressing your “fit” with the organization, as well as your particular skills and knowledge

•Employers are looking to see which candidate has the best ability to get the job done and to work effectively on a team

•Employers will evaluate your interaction with others, your job-related abilities, your company and industry knowledge, and your enthusiasm

What to Expect

You will usually meet with a number of individuals during a second interview

Typically, you meet one-on-one with employers in back-to-back appointments; however, you may meet with several employers (all at once) in a group interview setting

Expect to meet with a full range of your potential co-workers, peers, superiors, and junior employees

They will evaluate not only your own performance, but also what impression your potential co-workers make on you. For example, would you like to work in this type of environment, with these supervisors and colleagues? If not, why?

How to Prepare

Research - even more than the first interview! Clearly articulate even further your knowledge of

the organization and how you would be a good fit Network with current and former employees People within the Industry Faculty and Alumni Use LinkedIn, Twitter, etc Follow Blogs Read industry literature from relevant publications and

websites

Second Interview Questions

Questions posed during the second round interview are often more specific and focus more on the particulars of the job and your understanding of the company

Company culture and significant plans and objectives -

and its industry

Research the technical aspects of the job and anticipate specific questions posed in the language of the industry

Behavioral questions are common so be prepared

Employers may ask about the way you handled past situations in order to assess what your future performance may be like

Questions you should ask?

Much further detailed.. For example… I am very interested seeking out a mentor.. How does

XXX train their new employees..

I noticed from your website that X is happening.. How does that impact the organizations five year plan?

This is an excellent training program over the next 12 months. Can you discuss the career path for employees after the training program?

How are employees evaluated and what constitutes a good job?

Beyond the questions…

Communication styleToneSpeed of speaking/Clarity

Body languageEye contactFidgetingHand gesturesPosture

Beyond the questions…

AppearanceInterview dressGroomingAccessories

Overall presentationMotivationConfidenceInterestPreparedness

Final suggestions… Be on time Be positive and enthusiastic Maintain eye contact and a good

posture (be aware of body language!) Do not take notes SMILE! Make sure the cell phone/blackberry is

OFF

More final suggestions… Have an appropriate e-mail address on your

resume/cover letter – and voicemail message on your home, cell, room, etc.

During the job search only pick up your cell phone in an area when you can speak with the employer

Professional on-line presence: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter?Make sure your Facebook profile picture is

appropriate, untag yourself in photos, and check your profile settings

More final suggestions…

Make sure your clothes are ready before the interview

Ask for the interviewer’s business card Bring extra copies of your resume,

portfolio and references Send a thank you letter within 24 hours

(via e-mail is acceptable) to everyone you met (first and second interviews)

Handling illegal/inappropriate interview questions Know what questions are inappropriate

(see page 75)

Tactics to use if you are posed with an inappropriate question:Ask the interviewer how it would be relevant to

the job you are applying forSkip around the questionPolitely decline to answer the question

Questions