Chapter 9 “Exploring the Interview Process”
Preparing for an interview Research other party • Employment • Requires preparation by both parties, but primarily with interviewee • Info available from current employees, internet, Better Business Bureau
Preparing for an interview Information to look for in your research • Employment • When and by whom was company founded • Who runs it now • What is its main line of business • What are recent changes at business • Who is the competition • How many employees • How does it train • What are the benefits, such as insurance, etc.
Preparing for an interview Information to look for in your research • Employment • Primary responsibilities • What role would you play • What skills are required • What training will you get • Where can it lead in the future • What performance appraisal is there
Preparing for an interview • Benefits to both parties • Helps decide if the match is good for goals and skills • Is company stable and ethical • Is it a safe environment • Will it be challenging • Enter interview with confidence
Actual Interview Opening • Introduction • Handshake • Small talk • Sets tone for interview
Actual Interview Body • Conversation turns to specific questions • Both parties speak and listen • Both answer and ask questions • Both parties make decision based on info
Actual Interview Possible questions • Open ended • Gives freedom in answering • “Tell me about yourself”
Actual Interview Possible questions • Closed • Seeks specific info • “What hours are you available to work”
Actual Interview Possible questions • Highly closed • Provides answers from which to choose • “Would you prefer to work morning or evening”
Actual Interview Possible questions • Primary • Begins new topic • “Tell me about your hobbies”
Actual Interview Possible questions • Secondary • Helps understand the answer to primary • “Why do you like that hobby”
Actual Interview Possible questions • Leading • Suggests the desired answer • “You do want to work weekends, right?”
Actual Interview Possible questions • Neutral • Implies no specific right or wrong • “Would you like to work weekends”
Actual Interview Possible questions • Direct • Straight forward, no ambiguity • “Can you work Friday evenings”
Actual Interview Possible questions • Indirect • Seeks specific info w/o directly asking • “What do you usually do Friday evenings”
Actual Interview Possible questions • Factual • Seeks info that can be proven • “Where do you attend school”
Actual Interview Possible questions • Opinion • Asks for judgment • “What is your opinion of employees who steal”
Actual Interview Possible questions • Hypothetical • Asks for reaction is a given situation • “If you knew someone was stealing from the company, what would you do”
Actual Interview Closing • Summary of what has occurred • Gives interviewee chance to correct any misinformation • Discuss future action • May follow-up call be made • When is decision expected
Post Interview • Follow-up thank you letter is crucial • Reconnect with interviewer to remind of strong points • Summarize discussion • Thank him/her for meeting with you • Be warm but professional
Post Interview Self Analysis • Was I prepared • Did I ask clear questions • Were responses accurate and complete • Did I listen carefully • Did I seem confident • Would I have hired me • What would I change next time
Section 3 “Appropriateness in Interviews”
Personal Appropriateness Dress and Appearance • Confident posture • Smiling • Dressed appropriately • Neat and clean clothes • Clean and well groomed • Calm • Outgoing and enthusiastic
Personal Appropriateness Demeanor • Friendliness • Poise • Confidence • Verbal skills • Body language
Interviewing Dos and Don’ts Do • Look professional • Make good eye contact • Be specific • Be flexible • Listen carefully • Be enthusiastic • Speak clearly and concisely • smile
Interviewing Dos and Don’ts Don’t • Chew gum • Wear too much fragrance • Wear excessive jewelry • Lie • Mumble • Brag • Interrupt • Look at your watch
Common reasons for rejecting • Poor appearance • Poor diction, grammar, voice • Little enthusiasm, passive, indifferent • Late for interview, disrespectful • Talks too much, rambles • Unable to handle silence • Negative attitude • Couldn’t sell self to employer • Talked about salary
Common reasons for rejecting • Overbearing, aggressive • Lack of purpose, career goals • Unwilling to start at bottom • Lack of courtesy, proper etiquette • Poor eye contact, extreme nervousness • Lack of poise, confidence • Lack of leadership skills • Condemned previous employer • Didn’t ask for the job
Appropriate Questions Interviewee Questions • What are specific duties • Can you describe a typical day • Is this a new or recently vacated position • Is travel normally involved • With whom will I be working • What type of technology skills are needed • Is special training provided • Is performance reviewed regularly • What else can I tell you about my qualifications • When do you expect tomake a decision
Appropriate Questions Interviewer Questions • Tell me about yourself • Tell about a strength/weakness • How will qualifications help you do this job • Why did you leave your last job • What is most important thing learned from job or school • What did you like most/least about last job • What have you done that shows initiative • Why do you want to work for this company • Why should we hire you • When are you available to start • May we contact your references • What is your best/worst subject
Laws governing questions • Can not ask questions that can be used to discriminate on race, color, religion, sex, disabilities, marital status, national origin, age
Illegal questions • Birthplace, nationality or ancestry “Pasquale, is that a Spanish name • Gender/marital status “Is that your maiden name” • Race/color “Are you considered to be part of minority group
Illegal Questions • Religion/holiday observation “Does your religion prevent you from working on weekends” • Physical challenges/disabilities “Do you have any use of your legs” • Health or medical history “Do you have any pre-existing health conditions”
Illegal Questions • Pregnancy/child care “Do you plan to have children”
Responding to an Unlawful Question • Simply answer the question • Note that you think it is illegal, but answer • Ask “Why? Is it a factor in my being hired?” • Refuse to answer saying it has no bearing on ability to do the job • Ask how it relates to job and is it lawful • Redirect the focus • Refuse to answer • End the interview and leave
Considerations on Illegal Questions • Why was the question asked • How badly do you want the job • How comfortable are you • Your own personal style
