Interviewing What Separates the Winners From the Rest of the Crowd By Ron Hittle, Career Planning & Placement Center, Sinclair Community College

InterviewingInterviewingWhat Separates the Winners From the Rest of the Crowd

By Ron Hittle, Career Planning & Placement Center, Sinclair Community College

Job openings are not filled with the most qualified personnel.

Job openings are not filled with the most qualified personnel.

Jobs are offered to the people who best know how to

market themselves.

Jobs are offered to the people who best know how to

market themselves.

A great resume and effective interviewing skills are the best

preparation to assure getting the most desirable job.

A great resume and effective interviewing skills are the best

preparation to assure getting the most desirable job.

Personalize and Clear Job FocusPersonalize and Clear Job Focus

I prepared just for you.

Three Parts to the Interview ProcessThree Parts to the Interview Process

• Preparation before the interview

• The interview

• Follow-up

Preparation Before the InterviewPreparation Before the Interview

• Know yourself.– Strengths and weaknesses– Skills and abilities

• Research the occupation.

• Research the target company.– Internet, CPPC, library, personal visit

• Select proper attire.– Dress for success

Preparation Before the InterviewPreparation Before the Interview

• Know where the interview is located.• Practice answers to interview questions.• Prepare questions to ask interviewer.• Carry a portfolio binder.

– Write out key skills and questions to ask.

• Bring along your professional portfolio.

The InterviewThe Interview

Companies are spending more time, effort, and money to select the right person.

Companies are spending more time, effort, and money to select the right person.

Interview FormatsInterview Formats

• Phone interviews – Pre-screening

• Multiple interviews

• Committee interviews

• Tour of work setting

• Begin with a firm hand shake and “Thanks for seeing me.”

The Interview GameThe Interview Game

• Interviewers can use 5 different type of questions.– Directive

– Non-directive

– Hypothetical

– Behavioral

– Stress

The Interview GameThe Interview Game

Directive Interview QuestionsDirective Interview Questions

• Interviewer determines the focus of your answer.

• Information the interviewer wants is very clear.

• Example:– What skills do you have that relate to this

position?

• You determine the focus of your answer.

• Interviewer does not ask specifics.

• Examples:– Tell me about yourself.– Describe your weaknesses.

Non-Directive QuestionsNon-Directive Questions

• Interviewer wants to know how your background and personality qualify you for this job.

• The focus is on your education, related experience, skills and abilities, and personal attributes.– How do they relate to the job you are seeking?– Decide your response before starting to speak.

• Keep response concise – never over 2 minutes.

Non-Directive QuestionsNon-Directive Questions

Hypothetical or Scenario QuestionsHypothetical or Scenario Questions

• Interviewer describes a situation which you may encounter in the position and asks you how you would act in a similar situation.

• They’re a good test of your problem solving abilities.

Problem Solving Model to Answer Hypothetical or Scenario QuestionsProblem Solving Model to Answer

Hypothetical or Scenario Questions

• Gather information.• Evaluate the information.• Prioritize the information.• Seek advice.• Weigh the alternatives.• Make a decision.• Communicate the decision.• Monitor the results and modify

if necessary.

Behavioral QuestionsBehavioral Questions

• They have become increasingly popular in interviews.

• They involve weaving a story.• Examples:

– Give me an example of a work situation in which you were proud of your performance.

The Best Predictor of Future Performance is Based on Past Success.

The Best Predictor of Future Performance is Based on Past Success.

• Examples:– Give me an example where you faced some

challenge in your life and how you’ve overcome it.

– Give me an example where you’ve used creativity.

– Give me an example where you were a member of a team and how it solved problems.

• Interviewer will continue to probe until they get a satisfactory, complete answer.

Behavioral QuestionsBehavioral Questions

S–T–A–R Method of Answering Behavioral Questions

S–T–A–R Method of Answering Behavioral Questions

• Situation – describe beginning as bleak

• Task – what it involved

• Action – you took to solve

• Results – glorious

• Think of your life experience – both personal and work-related.

• Review the skills and qualities that the position would require.

• Link past experiences with a current experience.

• Link a personal experience with a work-related experience.

Effective Ways to Answer Behavioral Questions


• Relate your experiences from the past that best demonstrate the traits desired in the position that you are interviewing for.

• They’re a great way to answer your weaknesses.



Stress QuestionsStress Questions• These may surprise you and make you

feel uncomfortable.

• Examples:– If you were an animal, which would

you be?– Name 5 people, who are deceased, that

you would invite to dinner.

• The desire is to see how you react to difficult situations.

• They test your sense of humor.

• There is no right answer.

Stress QuestionsStress Questions

Common Interview QuestionsCommon Interview Questions

• What do you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

• Why did you choose your major?

• What are your career goals?

• Where do you see yourself five or ten years from now?

• How has your college experience prepared you for this job?

• Why are you interested in working for our company?

• If I talked to your previous employer, what would he / she say about you?

• How would your co-workers describe you?

• What two or three things are most important to you in your job?


• What salary do you expect to be paid?

• Why should I hire you?


Formulate Questions for the InterviewerFormulate Questions for the Interviewer

• What is the philosophy of your company?• What do you consider to be your

company’s greatest strengths? Weaknesses?

• What are your company’s goals?• What attracted you to this company?• What opportunities exist for training and

professional development?

Never ask about salary or benefits in the first interview.Never ask about salary or benefits in the first interview.

Formulate Questions for the InterviewerFormulate Questions for the Interviewer

• Could you describe a typical first-year assignment?

• Do you mind if I ask how my qualifications match what you are looking for?

Interview Non-Verbals (Body Language)Interview Non-Verbals (Body Language)

• Sit up straight, but not too rigid.• Lean forward slightly.• Maintain eye contact.• Listen actively – nodding.• Elevate chin slightly – it shows confidence.• Show energy / enthusiasm in a way that is

natural for you.

Non-verbals must agree with the verbals or the interviewer will always believe the non-verbals.

Non-verbals must agree with the verbals or the interviewer will always believe the non-verbals.

Value of the Interview ProcessValue of the Interview Process

• The employer learns about you.– Use your communication skills to describe

why you are the best person for the job.

• You evaluate the employer.– Inquire about the atmosphere, philosophy,

technology, and protocol of the company.

• Obtain valuable information.– Interest or no interest in the job

opening

– Discovering new places / niches to use your skills

– Perfect your interview skills

– Obtain referrals for other job openings – internally or externally

Value of the Interview ProcessValue of the Interview Process

Predictors of SuccessPredictors of Success

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely

• Demonstrated teamwork skills

• Demonstrated leadership skills

• Demonstrated problem-solving skills

• Career-related work experience

• Involvement in campus or community activities

• Ability to identify and give good examples of transferable skills

• Knowledge of the company / organization

• Asking good questions

• Flexibility

• Enthusiasm

• Ambition and motivation


• People skills

• Good grades

• Professional appearance


• Thank you letter / card– Mailed within 24 hours– Formal vs. informal– Send to all who could be an influence.– Personalize / express appreciation for

the opportunities to interview, tour the facilities, meet other employees, etc.

Always get their business card.Always get their business card.

Follow-UpFollow-Up

Follow-UpFollow-Up– Mention the day of the interview and the

position for which you interviewed.– Express continued interest in the

position and the company.– Reemphasize your most important skills

and qualifications and how you expect to contribute to the organization.

– Include any information you forgot to mention in the interview, if necessary.

• Be brief , though.

– Close your letter / note with a comment about future contact with the employer.

Follow-UpFollow-Up

Sample Thank You LetterSample Thank You Letter100 Livable WayDayton, Ohio 45429March 4, 2000

Ms. Ima SticklerHuman Resource ManagerStuckney Memorial Hospital1234 S. 23rd AvenueLos Angeles, California 90210

I appreciated the opportunity to interview at your hospital on Monday, March 3rd. The tour of the medical facilities and conversations with Stuckney’s laboratory staff gave me a clear overview of the role of technologists at your facility. In particular, I was impressed with the state-of-the-art equipment in Stuckney’s laboratories and the exciting medical research that is being conducted there.

The entire experience has confirmed my desire for employment as a medical technologist with Stuckney Memorial Hospital. My internship as a lab assistant, along with my microbiology and chemistry course work, has prepared me well for this position. Based on my interview, I am confident I would fit in well with the Stuckney laboratory staff.

Thank you again for the experience of getting to know your organization better. I welcome the opportunity to work for Stuckney Memorial Hospital and look forward to hearing from you. I can be reached by phone at (937) 428-7639 or e-mail at [email protected].

Sincerely,

Shirley U. Needme

Sample Thank You LetterSample Thank You Letter

What Separates the Winners from the Rest of the Crowd?What Separates the Winners from the Rest of the Crowd?

Preparation + Communication

The Universal Hiring RuleThe Universal Hiring Rule

• Did you prove that value in the interview?

• Take time to evaluate your performance and build on it.

Any employer will hire an applicant so long as he or she is convinced that hiring the individual will bring more value than it cost the company.

Tom Jackson

Any employer will hire an applicant so long as he or she is convinced that hiring the individual will bring more value than it cost the company.

Tom Jackson

Documents

Interviewing What Separates the Winners From the Rest of the Crowd By Ron Hittle, Career Planning & Placement Center, Sinclair Community College