Interview Skills Building

Keely JohnstonCentral Alberta Career Prep

What is the purpose of an interview?

Allows candidates and employers to meet each other

Creates a place for asking questions Determines if an appropriate working

match is madeServes to determine if a job applicant

meets the job requirements

What type of interviews are out there?

Phone Interviews Could be used to

initiate contact Could be used if

there is a large distance between you and the employer

In-person One-on-one panel

When the employer calls to arrange an interview…

Date/time/place Who is doing the

interview (get their names)- is it a panel or one-on-one?

Confirm that you have a portfolio and would like to bring it

Confirm that the interview is for the job you applied for

Ask for a job description

Must do your research before the interview!

By researching you are demonstrating organization and preparation skills. It will build your confidence!

You will want to know about: The work you will be doing The company The expectations of the job

What questions may you be asked?

Employers will ask questions about your PAST, PRESENT, & the FUTURE.

PAST Performance, experiences and education

PRESENT Current availability, abilities,

certifications and skills FUTURE

How will you handle the responsibilities of the position? Future performance

What questions may you be asked?

Tell me about yourself. Describe your last job. Why did you leave your last

job? What is your favorite school

subject? What is your least favorite?

What are your 3 greatest strengths?

What do you consider to be an area for development?

Where have you demonstrated responsibility in your past?

What are your interests outside of school?

Why are you interested in this position?

What 3 words best describe you?

What kind of work environment would you like to work in? How can you ensure your workplace is this way?

Describe a time when you demonstrated initiative.

Describe a time when you handled a situation poorly; what did you learn? How could you act differently next time?

Why should I hire you?

What questions CANNOT be asked?

Anything relating to religion, marital status, sexual preference, ethnic origin, age, gender, weight, criminal record, disability, and other health issues are OFF LIMITS!

What questions could you ask in your interview?

What are some of the responsibilities of this position?

Why are you hiring? What are the busiest

times of business? How can I make a

difference to this business?

What are the hours of work?

How is technology changing this occupation?

What training do you offer your employees?

What are the advancement opportunities within the organization?

Where does this company expect to be in 5 years?

What is the expected dress code?

Should you ask about money?! It is important to ask

the question in a way that shows the employer that wages are not your greatest interest!

What is the entry-level pay for a job like this?

What is the pay range for this position?

Why is it important for us to know our skills and abilities?

When we know our skills and abilities we are able to speak confidently and in detail so the employer knows what we have to offer

The best way to demonstrate your skills is to tell a brief story about your skill and the way you have used it in the past, then relate the skill to the potential job

During football practice, I have to keep daily attendance and prepare equipment prior to practice. My coaches have described me as reliable, independent, and as a person who takes initiative.

I am responsible for the daily feeding and care of four horses. This requires that I be outside working in all weather without being asked. This demonstrates my ability to be motivated, punctual, and responsible which you have indicated are all important to this work.

I was a babysitter for a family with 3 children. I prepared meals and did general house clean up. I babysat for this family for 2 yrs; the family has given me a reference letter that describes me as responsible, caring, and tidy. This letter is in my portfolio if you would like to read it.

Examples:

Out of the hat practice questions… Think of one challenging question you

may be asked at an interview; write it on a small piece of paper.

Choose a piece of paper; read the question to your classmates and then answer it to the best of your ability.

The class will have the opportunity to add to other ways the question could be answered.

Game ShowGame Show 3 groups of students, 3 individual judges3 groups of students, 3 individual judges Each group will have a position they are Each group will have a position they are

applying forapplying for Playground supervisorPlayground supervisor Fast food restaurant workerFast food restaurant worker Golf course maintenance workerGolf course maintenance worker Farm handFarm hand Hair salon assistantHair salon assistant Grocery carry-out personGrocery carry-out person

Choose the best answer to the 3 questions Choose the best answer to the 3 questions based on the position you are applying forbased on the position you are applying for

Interview DayInterview Day

What are the “What are the “red flagsred flags” that ” that employers watch for?!employers watch for?!

What do these “What do these “red flagsred flags” ” say to an employer?say to an employer?

LateLate Forgot your resume/ portfolioForgot your resume/ portfolio Untidy hairUntidy hair Overload of jewelry, Overload of jewelry,

piercings/tattoospiercings/tattoos Smell of cigarette smokeSmell of cigarette smoke Poor posturePoor posture Poor speaking skills, slander, Poor speaking skills, slander,

profanityprofanity Responding with only yes and no Responding with only yes and no

answersanswers Speaking poorly of previous Speaking poorly of previous

employeremployer Talking too much about topics not Talking too much about topics not

relevant to the questionrelevant to the question Wearing a ball cap or sunglasses Wearing a ball cap or sunglasses

in the interviewin the interview

Lack of enthusiasm or confidenceLack of enthusiasm or confidence Not demonstrating where you can Not demonstrating where you can

add valueadd value Not prepared for basic interview Not prepared for basic interview

questionsquestions Does not listen well, cuts Does not listen well, cuts

interviewer offinterviewer off Leaves without asking any Leaves without asking any

questionsquestions Does not follow up with a thank Does not follow up with a thank

you cardyou card No firm handshakeNo firm handshake No eye contactNo eye contact Dressed in street clothes- Dressed in street clothes-

crumpled, dirty, shoes untied or crumpled, dirty, shoes untied or dirtydirty

Forgetting to bring 3 referencesForgetting to bring 3 references

Follow UpFollow Up Send a thank you note Send a thank you note

or email, thanking them or email, thanking them for their time and for their time and consideration.consideration.

Provide any information Provide any information you may have forgotten you may have forgotten or clarify a specific or clarify a specific interview question.interview question.

If you do not get the If you do not get the position, call and ask position, call and ask for constructive for constructive feedback.feedback.

Remember that each Remember that each interview is a valuable interview is a valuable experience!experience!

Things to remember:Things to remember:

An interview is a An interview is a TWO-WAYTWO-WAY process process The only way to get the best match The only way to get the best match

is for is for each partyeach party to interview each to interview each otherother

Interviews require you to plan and Interviews require you to plan and practicepractice selling your skills and selling your skills and abilitiesabilities