Interviewing Skills

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 team • Meet a deadline • Deal with a difficult customer

Answering Behavior-based Questions • “Tell a story” that: • Explains the situation/sets the scene • Illustrates your approach to the situation • Highlights 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 question • You are giving information that isn’t related to the job • You can refuse to answer the question • You may risk appearing uncooperative or confrontational

Responding to Personal Questions • You can analyze the question for its intent and respond with an answer as it may apply to the job • Personal 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” Source: Rochelle Kaplan, NACE

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 procedures • Timeline for hiring • Additional materials needed • Get a business card from interviewer(s)

The Interview - Close • Leave with a positive impression • Reiterate your qualifications and fit for the position • Reiterate 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 position • Determine format (e-mail, typed on paper, hand-written on stationery)

After the Interview • Keep records • Evaluate yourself • Follow-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 call • Fifteen minutes before actual time (account for time zone differences) • Create a quiet zone • Have documents and notes in front of you – resume, cover letter, job description, paper for note taking, etc.

Phone Interview Tips • Be prepared for the call • If using a cordless or a cell phone, make sure it is charged • Have water handy to wet your mouth

Phone Interview Tips • During the call • Greet everyone by name when introduced • Smile 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 call • Don’t walk around the room – it may affect your signal • Don’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 • Women • Dark coordinated suits (skirt or pants) with matching dress blouse • Skirt length no more than one inch above the knee • Dress shoes with moderate heel (no open toe) • Neutral colored hose

Interview Apparel • Women • Dress watch • Minimal, conservative jewelry • Hair past shoulder length pulled away from face • Natural looking make-up • Clear or conservatively colored nail polish

Interview Apparel • Men • Dark suits • Dark dress shoes (no loafers) • Dark dress socks • Conservative neck tie • Dress watch

Interview Apparel • Men • Well-groomed facial hair • Nails – 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

Interviewing Skills