Job Interviewing

Hannah Franklin, Kelyn Freedman, Caitlin Green

An Introduction to Interview Techniques

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c00WlK1umS4

Types of Interviews
Phone/Skype Behavioral Situational Case Stress

Panel
Group

Phone Interview
Usually to decide whether or not its worth bringing you in for a face-to-face interview Disadvantages:
Cant read facial expressions to determine how the interview is going

Tips:
Research talking points Turn the interview into a conversation Tell stories Prepare your surroundings Follow up

Skype/Video Interview
63% (up from 14% last year) said they often conducted video interviews Replacing phone interviews for screening candidates

Dress as if you are meeting in-person Practice looking at the camera Check all lighting, acoustics, and connection

Behavioral Interview
What it is:
Looking for specific skills
Content skills Functional skills Adaptive skills

How to Prepare:
Study the job description and organization to find out what skills and attributes are desired Come up with examples of times you displayed those attributes PAR technique
Problem- situation you faced Action- what you did Results- effects of your actions
When possible, quantify results

Focused questions, require detailed examples of how you handled past situations Past performance as indicator of future performance 30% of US organizations use behavioral interviewing

Practice!

Choragwicka, Beata (2009). Effects of Interviewees Job Experience and Gender on Ratings and Reliability in a Behavioral Interview. Revista de Psicologia del Trabajo de las Organizaciones, 25, 39-45.

Behavioral Interview Exercise

Work with the person next to you. Assign one person to the role of interviewer and one to the role of interviewee Common questions:
Describe a time when you had to use your verbal communication skills to get an important point across Tell me about a time you were able to build motivation for your peers or co-workers Give me a time in which you had to set an important goal and tell me about your success in reaching it Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty to get a job done Tell me about a time you failed to meet a deadline. What did you learn? Describe a decision you made that was unpopular and how you implemented it

Situational Interview
What it is:
Specific questions about what may happen on a job, hypothetical situations May include role-play
In-basket approach

How to Prepare
Research the company to figure out attributes necessary to fit into company culture Provide concrete examples of how you have acted in the past to back up your responses

Candidate assesses situation and problem solves 54% accurate in predicting job performance (conventional- 7%)

Example Questions
If you know your boss is wrong about something, how would you handle it? What would you do if the priorities on a project were suddenly changed?

Latham, Gary P, & Sue-Chan, Christina (1999). A meta-analysis of the situational interview: an enumerative review of reasons for its validity. Canadian Psychology, 40.1, 56-67. Retrieved 2013 from ProQuest Online

Case Interview
Problem/case Ask questions Give a recommendation

Practice Practice Practice!

Role Play Example

Stress Interview
Find out how the candidate handles stress Types
Stressful Situations Presentation Hostile Environment

Dont be offended Keep your cool Be clear and dont back track

Panel Interview
Team of interviewers simultaneously interview the candidate Tips:
Know its coming Research the interview team Shake hands with them all when entering and exiting Make eye contact with the interviewer that asked the question
after finishing the answer evaluate how the other interviewers are responding

Direct your questions to the interviewer that looks the least interested at the time to engage him/her

Group Interview
What it is:
Multiple candidates interview at the same time May include typical interview questions, problem solving, work simulation, or role play Purpose: see how you interact with others, stand out, and solve problems

How to Succeed:
Research company culture, policies, and goals Prepare a short introduction summarizing yourself, your qualifications, and your goals Make friends, include others, delegate tasks, facilitate conversation, praise others Learn names Be yourself- contribute uniquely Listen to others, stay engaged
Build on what others say

Tran, Timothy, & Blackman, Melinda C. (2006). The Dynamics and Validity of the Group Selection Interview. The Journal of Social Psychology, 146.2, 183-201. Retrieved from ProQuest Online at http://search.proquest.com/socscijournals/docview/199835654/140D6EEF68023BDEAFD/1?accountid=11091

Common Mistakes
Failing to research the job and company Ignoring cues from interviewer Not being yourself- lying about qualifications Failing to ask questions
Companys mission, practices, expectations, priorities

Failing to ask for or show interest in the job Talking negatively about previous colleagues and employers

Dressing inappropriately, not turning off phone, chewing gum, lack eye contact

Buckley, Peter F, MD. (2010). Getting a Great Job: Wowing at the Interview. Psychiatric Times, 27.9, 8-20. Retrieved from ProQuest Online at http://search.proquest.com/socscijournals/docview/749619506/140D6F1DC8436DBDB31/5?accountid=11091

Strategies for Success

Do your research Bring copies of resume and portfolio Anticipate likely questions and practice Develop a compelling story, portray passions and goals Prepare questions (room for growth, people youll work with, etc) Take time to think before beginning to answer questions Be aware of body language Follow up with a thank you note
Hartung, G Chris (2011). The Job Interview. PM. Public Management. 93.10, 25. Retrieved from ProQuest Online at http://search.proquest.com/socscijournals/docview/917952827/140D6F388E47C0FEC7A/5?accountid=11091

What to Bring
Directions and contact information Copies of your resume and list of references Pen and notepad Folder or briefcase List of insightful questions to ask Portfolio (if applying to creative job) Anything else the employer asks you to bring! Do NOT bring:
Coffee, water, snacks Generic questions

How to Tackle Interview Anxiety

Visit the interview site ahead of time Arrive early Prepare Make sure your clothes are clean ahead of time Get sleep the night before Eat breakfast Exercise that morning Think before you answer

Type of Interview

Strategy

Misc.

100

100

100

200

200

200

300

300

300

Questions?

References
All pictures retrieved from Google Images Choragwicka, Beata (2009). Effects of Interviewees Job Experience and Gender on Ratings and Reliability in a Behavioral Interview. Revista de Psicologia del Trabajo de las Organizaciones, 25, 39-45. Latham, Gary P, & Sue-Chan, Christina (1999). A meta-analysis of the situational interview: an enumerative review of reasons for its validity. Canadian Psychology, 40.1, 56-67. Retrieved 2013 from ProQuest Online http://search.proquest.com/socscijournals/docview/220803891/fulltext/140D6ECEE44194BEE79/1?accountid =11091 Tran, Timothy, & Blackman, Melinda C. (2006). The Dynamics and Validity of the Group Selection Interview. The Journal of Social Psychology, 146.2, 183-201. Retrieved from ProQuest Online at http://search.proquest.com/socscijournals/docview/199835654/140D6EEF68023BDEAFD/1?accountid=11091 Buckley, Peter F, MD. (2010). Getting a Great Job: Wowing at the Interview. Psychiatric Times, 27.9, 8-20. Retrieved from ProQuest Online at http://search.proquest.com/socscijournals/docview/749619506/140D6F1DC8436DBDB31/5?accountid=11091 Hartung, G Chris (2011). The Job Interview. PM. Public Management. 93.10, 25. Retrieved from ProQuest Online at http://search.proquest.com/socscijournals/docview/917952827/140D6F388E47C0FEC7A/5?accountid=11091