Interview Guidelines
Behavior scientists say "human beings make 60 assumptions in the first 3 seconds of meeting someone." In interviewing, it's called the "7-second" rule. Employers make first impression assumptions about applicant in the first 7-seconds & the rest of the interview process is about proving themselves right or wrong.
Fortune 500 Survey says that the employer makes their hiring decision based on: 45% packaging (appearance, organization, how they put it all together; 35% responsiveness (communication skills & how they answered questions); 10% experience (skills to do the job - everyone who gets interview has met most of the requirements); and 10% miscellaneous (politics, union, seniority, know someone, etc.)
1000 Staffing Services surveyed about why their clients got hired: 80% attitude; 10% appearance; 10% skill.
Remember, communication basics are 54% attitude; 36% body language; 10% words.
An interview is "a formal meeting in which one or more persons question, consult,or evaluate another person" Dictionary.com
Your interview purpose is:
- To convince & persuade employer that you are the one for the job
- To find out more about job & company
- Educate the employer about your unique value & expand upon your resume
- Build relationship
- Get job offer
Once you get past the screening process & to the formal interview, it's all about fit!
Prepartion & Practice . . .
Research Marketplace:
Search engines, industry sites & blogs, Riley Guide
Networking: Linked In, Professional Associations, Personal/Professional Network
Research Company: Hoover’s, Wetfeet, OLMIS; Company Website; Insider Information
Know leaders, products/services, finances, goals, competition, strengths/weaknesses
Study Job Description
Prepare & practice success stories to prove all required skill sets
Prepare & practice any areas of possible weakness or negative situations
Mock Interview Practice with friends, family and/or Job Coach & Interview Stream - a PCC tool to assist in praciticing for interviews
Prepare for salary questions (ranges, never specific, going industry rate)
Do drive-by or get insider information on appearance & culture & time management
Prepare all clothes & items to take to interview
Dealing with Negatives:
Practice for any question that you think could be negative or uncomfortable for you!
- Identify Your Personal Negatives
Positive Mental Attitude
No Story
No Blame
No Complaint
Take Responsibility – “I” Statements
Put in Past Tense
Minimize
Break Up Problem
Reassure
Sell –Sell –Sell
Guarantee – If necessary!
Interview Types!
- Informational Interview - you set up interview with the purpose of finding information about industry, company & how a particular person got into career field
- Screening/Phone Interview - quiet space, standing up will give you more energy in communication, good connection, don't volunteer info, just answer the questions
- Directive/Structured Interview - Follow the lead of interviewer. Politely interject any important sales points
- Meandering Style Interview - Be prepared to lead the interviewer to the information they need to make a positive decision.
- Stress Interview - Remember this is a game & not personal. Remain cool, calm & collected, no matter what! It's a test!
- Behavioral Interview - Anticipate transferable skills & prepare a proof example (STAR - Situation, Task, Action, Result) for all the job descriptions major requirements
- Audition Interview - You may be expected to perform (teaching demo, clerical demo, team leading demo, etc.). Make sure you understand the directions & perameters of the demo. Practice before the interview! This might include variety of tests!
- Group/Panel Interview - Treat entire panel equally & with respect. Use eye contact & body language to include all panelist. Get names for follow-up!
- Tag-Team Interview - Treat each person as important individual. Get person's business card for follow-up. Prepare double the amount of anecdotes & share different ones with each interviewer.
- Mealtime/Drink Interview - Practice eating & drinking etiquette. Eat light & choose manageable foods. Follow lead of interviewer on price, food & drink!
- Video Interview - Practice & get comfortable with the technology in advance. Treat like regular formal interview. Quiet & uninterupted space, including no phones.
- Follow-up Interview - Prepare for deeper questions with different answers from your first interview. Be ready to interact with possible co-workers & the cultural environment.
The Interview . . .
Arrive early (10-15 minutes) & be patient & friendly
Stay positive, focused & present
Firm Handshake
Courtesy & appropriate small talk
Smile & confident body language
Sincere with good eye contact
Listen attentively
Turn off cell phone & Nothing distracting
Reveal nothing personal or negative
Silence ok
The Question?
Why should we hire you? - Know multiple answers from research, insider information & job description.
Underneath the question is "are you a good fit"! Know the culture & only apply to culture's where you think you will be a good fit!
Question Variations:
- Credential Verification Questions
- Experience Verification Questions
- Opinion Questions
- Dumb Questions
- Math Questions
- Case Scenario Questions
- Behavioral Questions (PAR or SAR answer)
- Competency Questions
- Fit & Relationship Questions
Interview Close:
- Ask Questions
- Ask about next steps
- Tell them you want what’s next (if you do)
- Thank Interviewer(s)
- Stand up
- Shake hands
- Say goodbye to reception
- Leave
Follow-up:
Thank you note +
De-brief Interview
Alert & coach references
Keep your word on Follow-up
Job Offer
Accept
Accept with conditions
Negotiation
Hold & leverage
No Contact
Two weeks after stated time
Follow-up NOT 3rdDegree
Job Denial
Ask how you could have been more competitive
Additional Interviewing Resource:
Interviewing - website dedicated to the interviewing process & questions
About Careers - Job Interviewing - 55 interviewing articles & 10 sub-catagories of advice, tips & questions
29 Smartest Questions at End of Interview