Module 8

A job interview is a
conversation which occurs
between a potential employer
and a job applicant
**Source: http://ecs.ihu.edu.gr/co/employment-interviews/what-interview
As a JOB CANDIDATE:
(a) convince the employer of your potential
(b) learn more about the job and the
company
(c) expand on the information in your résumé
From the EMPLOYER’s PERSPECTIVE:
(a) assess your abilities in relation to the
requirements for the position
(b) discuss your training, experience,
knowledge, and abilities in more detail
(c) see what drives and motivates you
(d) decide whether you would fit into the
organization
 TYPES
Of Job Interview
Job applicants generally face two kinds of
interviews: screening interviews and
hiring/placement interviews.
- intended to eliminate those who fail to meet minimum
requirements
- may be conducted during job fairs, on college campuses,
on the telephone, or online
- recruiters try to learn how the candidate would fit into
their organization
 One-on-One Interviews
- the most common type
- you can expect to sit down with a company representative and
talk about the job and your qualifications

**If the representative is the hiring manager, questions will be specific and job-related. If the
representative is from human resources, the questions will probably be more general.
 PANEL INTERVIEWS
- typically conducted by people who will be your supervisors and
colleagues
- interviewers take turns asking questions

**Try to take notes during the interview so that you can remember each person’s questions
and what was important to that individual.
 GROUP INTERVIEWS
- a company interviews several candidates for the same position at
the same time
- some employers use this technique to measure leadership skills
and communication styles
**The key during a group interview is to make yourself stand out from the other candidates in
a positive way.
 SEQUENTIAL INTERVIEWS
- you meet individually with two or more interviewers one-on-one
over the course of several hours or days (e.g., you may meet with human
resources representatives, your hiring manager, and potential future supervisors and colleagues in your
division or department)

**Subsequent interviews also tend to be more in-depth than first interviews, which means
that you need to be even more prepared and know even more about the company.
 STRESS INTERVIEWS
- meant to test your reactions during nerve-racking situations and are
common for jobs in which you will face significant stress
- you may be forced to wait a long time before being greeted by the
interviewer, you may be given a test with an impossible time limit, or one or
more of the interviewers may treat you rudely

**The key to surviving stress interviews is to remain calm, keep a sense of humor, and avoid
getting angry or defensive.
 ONLINE INTERVIEWS
- conducted through an online platform using web conferencing / technology
tools or programs
- usually done when the job applicant is not in the same geographic location
as the company

**Even though your interview may be online, conducted with videoconferencing software and
a webcam, don’t take it any less seriously than a face-to-face interview.
BEFORE
The Interview
Ensuring Professional Phone Techniques

- Invest in a good answering machine or voice mail

service
- Tell those who might answer your phone at home
about your job search.
- If you have put your cell phone number on your
résumé, don’t answer unless you are in a good
location to carry on a conversation with an
employer.
- Use voicemail to screen calls.
Making the First Conversation Impressive

- Treat any call from an employer just like an interview. Use

a professional tone and businesslike language. Be polite
and enthusiastic; sell your qualifications.
- Have a copy of your résumé available so that you can
answer any questions that come up. Also have your list of
references, a calendar, and a notepad handy.
- Take good notes during the phone conversation.
- Before you hang up, reconfirm the date and time of your
interview.
Researching the Target Company

- Learn all you can about the company’s

history, mission and goals, size, geographic
locations, number of employees, customers,
competitors, culture, management structure,
reputation in the community, financial
condition, strengths and weaknesses, future
plans, as well as the names of its leaders.
Preparing and Practicing

Rehearse Success Stories

(a) dealing with a crisis
(b) handling a tough interpersonal situation
(c) successfully juggling many priorities
(d) changing course to deal with changed
circumstances
(e) learning from a mistake,
(f) working on a team
(g) going above and beyond expectations.
Preparing and Practicing

Practice Answers to Possible Questions

- expect to be asked about your education, skills,
experience, salary expectations, and availability
Preparing and Practicing
Clean Up Any Digital Dirt
The top reasons cited for not considering an applicant after an online search were that
the candidate
(a) posted provocative or inappropriate photographs or information;
(b) posted content about drinking or doing drugs;
(c) talked negatively about current or previous employers, colleagues, or clients;
(d) exhibited poor communication skills;
(e) made discriminatory comments;
(f) lied about qualifications; or
(g) revealed a current or previous employer’s confidential information
Preparing and Practicing

Clean Up Any Digital Dirt

- Remove questionable content.
- Stay positive.
- Be selective about who is on your list of friends.
- Avoid joining groups or fan pages that may be viewed negatively.
- Don’t discuss your job search if you are still employed.
- Set up a professional social networking page or create your own personal Web site.
 Fighting Fear

Expect to be nervous before and during the interview. It is natural!

- Practice interviewing.
- Prepare thoroughly.
- Understand the process.
- Dress professionally.
- Breathe deeply.
- Know that you are not alone.
- Remember that an interview is a two-way street.
DURING
The Interview
Sending Positive Nonverbal Messages
and Acting Professionally
- Control your body movements.
- Exhibit good posture.
- Practice appropriate eye contact.
- Use gestures effectively.
- Smile enough to convey a positive attitude.
- Listen attentively.
- Turn off your cell phone or other electronic devices.
- Don’t chew gum.
- Sound enthusiastic and interested—but sincere.
- Avoid empty words.
- Be confident, but not cocky.
 Answering Typical Interview Questions

1. Tell me about yourself.

2. What are your greatest strengths?
3. Do you prefer to work by yourself or with others? Why?
4. What was your major in college, and why did you choose it?
5. What are some things you do in your spare time?
 Answering Typical Interview Questions

1. Why do you want to work for [name of company]?

2. Why are you interested in this position?
3. What do you know about our company?
4. Why do you want to work in the _______________ industry?
5. What interests you about our products (or services)?
 Answering Typical Interview Questions

1. Why should we hire you when we have applicants with more experience or better credentials?
2. Describe the most rewarding experience of your career so far.
3. How have your education and professional experiences prepared you for this position?
4. What were your major accomplishments in each of your past jobs?
5. What was a typical workday like?
6. What job functions did you enjoy most? Least? Why?
7. Tell me about your computer skills.
8. Who was the toughest boss you ever worked for and why?
9. What were your major achievements in college?
10. Why did you leave your last position? OR: Why are you leaving your current position?
 Answering Typical Interview Questions

1. Where do you expect to be five (or ten) years from now?

2. If you got this position, what would you do to be sure you fit in?
3. This is a large (or small) organization. Do you think you would like that environment?
4. Do you plan to continue your education?
5. What do you predict for the future of the ______________ industry?
6. How do you think you can contribute to this company?
7. What would you most like to accomplish if you get this position?
8. How do you keep current with what is happening in your profession?
Answering Typical Interview Questions

1. What is your greatest weakness?

2. What type of people do you have no patience for?
3. If you could live your life over, what would you change and why?
4. How would your former (or current) supervisor describe you as an employee?
5. What do you want the most from your job?
6. What is your grade point average, and does it accurately reflect your abilities?
7. Have you ever used drugs?
8. Who in your life has influenced you the most and why?
9. What are you reading right now?
10. Describe your ideal work environment.
11. Is the customer always right?
12. How do you define success?
 Answering Typical Interview Questions

- Questions related to situations help employers test your thought processes and logical
thinking.
- Interviewers describe a hypothetical situation and ask how you would handle it.
- Situational questions differ based on the type of position for which you are being
interviewed.
Examples of Situational Questions:

1: You receive a call from an irate customer who complains about the service she
received last night at your restaurant. She is demanding her money back. How would
you handle the situation?

2: If you were aware that a coworker was falsifying data, what would you do?

3: Your supervisor has just told you that she is dissatisfied with your work, but you think it
is acceptable. How would you resolve the conflict?

4: Your supervisor has told you to do something a certain way, and you think that way is
wrong and that you know a far better way to complete the task. What would you do?
 Answering Typical Interview Questions

1. Tell me about a time when you solved a difficult problem.

2. Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to convince someone to see things
your way.
3. Describe a time when you had to analyze information and make a recommendation.
4. Describe a time that you worked successfully as part of a team.
5. Tell me about a time that you dealt with confidential information.
6. Give me an example of a time when you were under stress to meet a deadline.
7. Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty to get a job done.
8. Tell me about a time you were able to deal with another person successfully even though that
individual did not like you personally (or vice versa).
9. Give me an example of when you showed initiative and took the lead.
10. Tell me about a recent situation in which you had to deal with an upset customer or coworker.
 Answering Typical Interview Questions

1. What is your marital status? Are you married? Do you live with anyone? Do you have a boyfriend (or
girlfriend)? (However, employers can ask your marital status after hiring for tax and insurance forms.)
2. Do you have any disabilities? Have you had any recent illnesses? (But it is legal to ask if the person can perform
specific job duties, such as, Can you carry a 50-pound sack up a 10-foot ladder five times daily?)
3. I notice you have an accent. Where are you from? What is the origin of your last name? What is your
native language? (However, it is legal to ask what languages you speak fluently if language ability is related to the job.)
4. Have you ever filed a workers’ compensation claim or been injured on the job?
5. Have you ever had a drinking problem or been addicted to drugs? (But it is legal to ask if a person uses illegal drugs.)
6. Have you ever been arrested? (But it is legal to ask, Have you ever been convicted of ___________? when the crime is related to
the job.)
 Answering Typical Interview Questions

7. How old are you? What is your date of birth? When did you graduate from high school? (But it is legal to ask,
Are you 16 years [or 18 years or 21 years] old or older? depending on the age requirements for the position.)
8. Of what country are you a citizen? Are you a U.S. citizen? Where were you born? (But it is legal to ask, Are you
authorized to work in the United States?) *This applies to aliens in the Philippines.
9. What is your maiden name? (But it is legal to ask What is your full name? or, Have you worked under another name?)
10. Do you have any religious beliefs that would prevent you from working weekends or holidays? (An
employer can, however, ask you if you are available to work weekends and holidays or otherwise within the company’s required schedule.)
 Answering Typical Interview Questions

11. Do you have children? Do you plan to have children? Do you have adequate child-care arrangements?
(However, employers can ask for dependent information for tax and insurance purposes after you are
hired. Also, they can ask if the candidate would be able to travel or work overtime on occasion.)

12. How much do you weigh? How tall are you? (However, employers can ask you about your height and
weight if minimum standards are necessary to safely perform a job.)
 Asking Your Own Questions
**Ask questions that will help you gain information and will impress the
interviewer with your thoughtfulness and interest in the position.
- What will my duties be (if not already discussed)?
- Tell me what it is like working here in terms of the people, management practices, workloads,
expected performance, and rewards.
- What training programs are available from this organization? What specific training will be given for this
position?
- Who would be my immediate supervisor?
- What is the organizational structure, and where does this position fit in?
- Is travel required in this position?
- How is job performance evaluated?
- Assuming my work is excellent, where do you see me in five years?
 Asking Your Own Questions

- How long do employees generally stay with this organization?

- What are the major challenges for a person in this position?
- What do you see in the future of this organization?
- What do you like best about working for this organization?
- May I have a tour of the facilities?
- When do you expect to make a decision?

**Do not ask about salary or benefits, especially during the first interview. It
is best to let the interviewer mention those topics first.
 Ending Positively

**Before you leave, summarize your strongest qualifications, show your

enthusiasm for obtaining this position, and thank the interviewer for a
constructive interview and for considering you for the position.

**Shake the interviewer’s hand with confidence acknowledge anyone else

you see on the way out.
AFTER
The Interview
 What to do?
- Immediately make notes of what was said in case you are
called back for a second interview.
- Ask yourself what went really well and what you could
improve.
- Write down your follow-up plans.
 Thanking Your Interviewer
- Send a thank-you note, also called a follow-up message.

Contacting Your References

- Alert your references that they may be contacted by the employer.

Following Up
- An e-mail to find out how the decision process is going may be your best bet
because such a message is much less intrusive.
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