Successful Interviewing

Successful Interviewing Iona College Center for Career Services

Why are Interviews Conducted? • Meet the candidate first-hand. • Probe for detailed information about the candidate. • Determine the candidates suitability for the position and organization. • Where appropriate, sell the job and the organization.

Preparing for the Interview • Research the organization • Know yourself • Practice interviewing • Dress appropriately

Conduct Thorough Research • Research both the position and organization. • Visit the company website to learn more about it’s mission, culture, job openings, and media news. • Know who you are interviewing with –individual(s) or a panel and the approximate length of the interview. • Know geographic directions and take a dry run if necessary.

Know How to Market Yourself • Assess your strengths including skills, knowledge, and personal traits. • Determine how your strengths match the employer’s needs and how they will benefit the organization. • Review your resume and be able to discuss in-depth. Be aware of red flags in your resume i.e. lack of G.P.A., limited work history or activities.

Practice Makes Perfect • Practice with Career Services Staff and schedule a mock interview. • Recognize your strengths in interviewing and what you need to improve upon. • Work on challenging areas through practice with a friend or with yourself in front of a mirror. • Obtain sample questions and prepare your responses (see Career Services for on-line sample questions and handouts.

How to Dress? • Dress appropriately: a suit is always appropriate and is the norm for business. • Don’t make the mistake of dressing too casual even if the company dress code is business casual. • Accessories and makeup should not be overstated. • Hair should be neat and clothes pressed. • What you wear won’t get you hired but the wrong attire/presentation will often screen you out.

Typical Interview Structure • Introduction • Interviewer asks detailed questions • Candidate asks questions • Closing & summary

Introductions Count • Employers form first impressions early on. • Greet the interviewer with enthusiasm and a firm handshake. • Be personable and prepared to “make small talk”. • Be polite to support staff (their input matters). • First impressions can affect the rest of the interview.

Non-Verbal FactorsMatter • Be aware of your non-verbal habits and expressions. • Maintain good eye contact, posture, and positive expressions i.e. smiling or hand gestures where appropriate. • Avoid fidgeting and nervous expressions. • Do a practice interview to assess problem areas and make improvements.

Verbal Factors • Use proper grammar and communicate in a professional manner. • Reflect confidence in your voice tone. • Try avoiding “ums” and “you knows”. • Know geographic directions and take a dry run if necessary. • Stay focused on answering the questions in a specific and succinct way. • Ask for clarification if you are not sure what the interviewer wants. • Choose responses and verbal statements that promote you.

Answering Interviewer Questions • Be preparedto talk about yourself: -Skills -Personal Traits -Accomplishments -Experiences -Goals -Work Values

Answering Interviewer Questions • Organize your answers to commonly asked questions. • Try to look at the question behind the question-what is the interviewer looking for? • Prepare by practicing responses that reflect your strengths. • Practice giving examples from classroom work, extracurricular, volunteering or life experiences. • Be prepared for questions asking for more details than you have already given. • Don’t be afraid to “sell yourself”.

Examples of Common Questions • Why do you want to work for our organization? • Tell me about yourself. • Why should we hire you? • What are your strengths (and weaknesses)? • How did you choose your college and major? • What are your short-term and long-term career goals? • What makes you a unique candidate for this position?

New Techniques in Interviewing • Many employers use Behavioral Interviewing questions. • Behavioral Interviewing focuses questions on past performance. • The basic premise is that past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior. • Employers will probe to solicit specific examples and to get details on how you conducted yourself in a particular situation.

Examples of Behavioral Interviewing Questions • Tell me about a time where you demonstrated strong teamwork during college. • How did you go about exercising leadership in a part-time job or internship? • Give me a specific example of when you offered extraordinary service to a customer. • When have you felt a great deal of pressure and how did you deal with it? • Describe a situation where you demonstrated the ability to multi-task.

Always Prepare Questions • Prepare a number of questions for the end of the interview. • Questions should be well thought out and indicate that you did your research (View the company website to trigger questions). • Generate a list of questions in advance about the position, the organization and the hiring manager’s expectations. • Develop questions that demonstrate your level of interest and intelligence. • Questions should help you decide if the position is right for you.

Examples of Questions to Ask • As Manager, what are your expectations for the position? • Describe a typical work day. • How will I interact with other employees and managers throughout the company? • What are some of the challenges facing the company and the organization? • What is the culture of your company? • What type of training will I receive?

Examples of Questions that Reflect Research • “I read on your website that you will be acquiring businesses to increase your customer presence. How will this impact your organization? • “A Wall Street Journal article of 2 weeks ago stressed your company’s commitment to innovative marketing strategies. Can you elaborate on those strategies?”

Questions to Avoid Initially • Avoid questions in the initial interview about the following: -Salary -Vacation -Health and Retirement -Promotions • They may reflect misplaced priorities. • Wait until the second interview or at the job offer.

Closing • Time for either side to ask final questions & summarize. • Find out the next steps. When will you hear from them? • Express interest (if appropriate). “I’ve enjoyed this interview and am excited about opportunities with your company. I hope you will invite me to the next step.” • Ask for a business card (necessary for follow-up and thank you notes).

After the Interview • Always write a thank you note: -Reiterate your strengths and yourenthusiasm -Include any important omissions -Email or send typed note through mail • Keep a log: -Any follow-up items -All the important facts -Any advice you were given -Your key impressions

Following-Up • Take any steps suggested by the interviewer: -Providing references -Contacting an employee or manager -Completing application forms or exams • Stay in pursuit: -Follow-up with them if necessary -Let them know of your interest

The Telephone Interview • Treat the phone interview like any interview. • Arrange to avoid interruptions. • Allow plenty of time. • Be comfortable. • Keep your resume and notes at your fingertips.

Group Interviews • Some interviews are conducted by several key personnel in an organization. • Attempt to learn who will be interviewing you and their position. • Address each individual’s question taking into account what is important to them based on their position. • Strive for consistency in your responses if your interviews are conducted separately by a number of people.

Learn from Your Interviews • Learn from every interview and make improvements. • Use the interview to assess your career interests and goals. • Keep a log with notes on follow-up and your impression.

Additional Interviewing Resources • Mock Interview Practice (videotaping) with a Career Counselor • Virtual Interviews (Visit our website) Interviewing Tips hand-out • Sample Interviewer Questions • Sample Questions to Ask • Articles on Telephone Interviews and Successful Interviewing

Contact Iona College Center for Career Services • Visit our website at: www.iona.edu/careerservices • For questions or to schedule an appointment Telephone: (914)633-2462 or Email: careerservices@iona.edu • Visit our Center at 18 President Street

Successful Interviewing