Interviewing Skills

UNLV Career Services

301 Student Services Complex

895-3495

http://hire.unlv.edu

Purpose of an Interview

The mutual exchange of information relevant to the employment opportunity and the candidate’s qualifications – a two-way conversation

Your Role in the Interview

Highlight experience, skills, personality traits, and potential contributions

Evaluate the position and organization Get a glimpse of your possible

supervisor and co-workers

Employer’s Role

Assess your qualifications Evaluate your communication skills

(both verbal and non-verbal), appearance, and how well you fit with the position and organization

Before the Interview –Be Prepared!

Know yourself – review your skills, experiences, and personality traits in relation to the position and organization

Know the organization – research products, services, new projects, competitors, fiscal health, etc.

Before the Interview – Be Prepared!

Logistics – confirm interview time and length, place, and personnel

Logistics – map out and run through route to the location of interview (should arrive 10 – 15 minutes early)

Have extra copies of your resume and references (and any other requested material)

The Interview - Opening

Arrival – prepare yourself mentally and physically

Greetings/Introductions - first impressions are both verbal and non-verbal (handshake, smile, eye contact, general body language)

Small Talk – weather, parking, etc.

The Interview - Body

Candidate’s background and qualifications for position

Overview of position and organization Questions from candidate

Sample Interview Questions

Tell me about yourself What attracts you to this

field/position? What are your

strengths?/weaknesses? Tell me about an accomplishment that

you are proud of

Sample Interview Questions

What motivates you? What are your tactics for working

under pressure? Talk about a mistake you made, and

what you learned from it Why should I hire you over the other

candidates I will be interviewing?

Behavior-based Questions

The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior

“Tell me about a time when you had to…”Work as part of a teamMeet a deadlineDeal with a difficult customer

Answering Behavior-based Questions

“Tell a story” that:Explains the situation/sets the sceneIllustrates your approach to the

situationHighlights results/outcomes

Answering Questions in General

Develop and rehearse your responses Know yourself well, and how you fit

with the position and organization Support your answers with solid

examples Incorporate skills and personal

qualities/attributes into your answers

Answering Questions in General

Be confident and enthusiastic Relax and smile – an interview is a

conversation Actively listen – follow the lead of the

interviewer

Personal Questions

Questions should focus on functions of the position

Do not volunteer personal information such as age, medical background, marital status, religion, etc. Focus on your qualifications for the

position

Responding to Personal Questions

You can answer the questionYou are giving information that isn’t

related to the job You can refuse to answer the

questionYou may risk appearing uncooperative

or confrontational

Source: Rochelle Kaplan, NACE

Responding to Personal Questions You can analyze the question for its

intent and respond with an answer as it may apply to the jobPersonal Question - “How old are

your children?”Intent of Question – “Would you be

able to travel as needed for the job?”Answer – “I can meet the travel

schedule that this job requires”

Questions From the Candidate

You are interviewing the company just as much as they are interviewing you

Be prepared with a list of questions

Questions From the Candidate

Questions to ask may include:How is the orientation and training

structured/How much training?How will I receive feedback about my

performance, and how often?How did this position become

available?

Questions From the Candidate

Questions to ask may include:What are some of the challenges the

organization faces?What are you looking for in the ideal

candidate?What do you like about working here?

The Interview - Close

Clarify follow-up proceduresTimeline for hiringAdditional materials neededGet a business card from

interviewer(s)

The Interview - Close

Leave with a positive impressionReiterate your qualifications and fit for

the positionReiterate your enthusiasm for the

position

After the Interview

Send a thank-you note (within 24-48 hours is best)Personalize it (specific topic

discussed, etc.)Reiterate interest and qualifications for

the positionDetermine format (e-mail, typed on

paper, hand-written on stationery)

After the Interview

Keep recordsEvaluate yourselfFollow-up timeline

Phone Interviews

Organizations conduct phone interviews as a cost-savings technique

Phone interviews can be one-on-one or with a panel

Phone interviews can last anywhere from 10 minutes to one hour

Phone interviews do not provide the opportunity for non-verbal feedback

Phone Interview Tips

Be prepared for the callFifteen minutes before actual time

(account for time zone differences)Create a quiet zoneHave documents and notes in front of

you – resume, cover letter, job description, paper for note taking, etc.

Phone Interview Tips

Be prepared for the callIf using a cordless or a cell phone,

make sure it is chargedHave water handy to wet your mouth

Phone Interview Tips

During the callGreet everyone by name when

introducedSmile when you talk – your

enthusiasm will be heard by the interviewer

Speak loud enough and at an understandable pace

Don’t eat, chew gum, or smoke

Phone Interview Tips

During the callDon’t walk around the room – it may

affect your signalDon’t get distracted by using a

computer, having other people in the room, etc.

Thank everybody at the conclusion of the interview – first impressions are conveyed over the phone as well

Interview Apparel

WomenDark coordinated suits (skirt or pants)

with matching dress blouseSkirt length no more than one inch

above the kneeDress shoes with moderate heel (no

open toe)Neutral colored hose

Interview Apparel

WomenDress watchMinimal, conservative jewelryHair past shoulder length pulled away

from faceNatural looking make-upClear or conservatively colored nail

polish

Interview Apparel

MenDark suitsDark dress shoes (no loafers)Dark dress socksConservative neck tieDress watch

Interview Apparel

MenWell-groomed facial hairNails – trimmed and clean

Both Men and Women

No visible tattoos No visible body piercing No purple, green, etc. colored hair No heavy cologne/perfume Fresh breath Freshly showered (use deodorant) Freshly pressed clothing

UNLV Career Services

Mock Interview Individual Counseling Appointment SSC 301 895-3495 http://hire.unlv.edu