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WORKSHOP WORKBOOK
The purpose of an interview is for the potential employer to determine if you are the best candidate for the job. They will
ask you questions in order to better understand your skillset and personality. You need to highlight your skills and
accomplishments in a manner that grabs the attention of the potential employer and enables them to see the connection
between their needs and your abilities. Completion of this workshop will assist you to develop interviewing skills that
make you competitive, confident and engaging.
This handout complements an in-class, participatory workshop. By actively participating in the workshop, you will
become skilled at showcasing your knowledge, skills, and qualifications effectively to employers.
Do…
• Maintain eye contact with the interviewer
• Use the person’s name as they introduce themselves
• Be sincere and natural – sell your skills without bragging
• Think before you answer. It is acceptable to pause before responding to organize your thoughts
• Be honest. If you do not know something, acknowledge it
• Be a good listener, if you are asked a question that you do not understand, ask for clarification
• Be calm and poised. Be aware of your nervous habits and try to keep them under control
• If you feel that the interviewer has a concern with a particular area, ask them. This will be your only
chance to address it prior to the end of the interview
• Summarize why you are qualified. This is the time to state strengths and qualities you may have
forgotten to emphasize earlier
• Mention at least one accomplishment or activity that fits the job
• If you want the job then say so! Many people will finish an interview and thank the interviewer for their
time without showing true enthusiasm about the job and company
• Shake hands firmly and thank the interviewer for having the opportunity to talk with him/her
• Smile and say good-bye to the receptionist on your way out
• Leave the office as soon as the interview is over
Don’t…
• Exaggerate or compare yourself to others
• Apologize for skills you don’t have; rather, demonstrate your willingness to learn
• Cross your arms across your chest – this gesture will make you appear defensive
• Give just “yes” and “no” answers
• Overuse flattery. The interviewer will consider you insincere
• Debate or argue with the interviewer
• Criticize your previous employers, companies or Simon Fraser University
• Discuss politics, religion or controversial subjects
• Reveal personal information about yourself (i.e. age, relationship status, children)
• Speak too loudly or too softly
• Discuss personal problems
• Ask about the salary or benefits if the interviewer has not brought it up
• Ask too many questions
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The Basics
• A two-piece dark-colored suit is your best option for a conservative company
• A pantsuit or a skirt and jacket are good options as well
• A white or light colored tailored shirt is an interview staple
• A mid heel, closed-toe pump is a safe choice
• Short, tidy and manicured nails
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General
• Wet hair
• Sunglasses
• Visible body piercings and tattoos
• Over- or underdress
• Jeans, t-shirts, running shoes, or sneakers
• Exposed technology; turn off cell phone and keep it out of sight
• Carrying a heavy backpack rather than briefcase
• Wear uncomfortable clothing
Men
• Strong cologne or after shave
• Short sleeve dress shirt
• Rubber sports watch
• Bow tie and/or suspenders
Women
• Strong perfume or heavily scented body products
• Short skirt or extreme form fitting garments
• Excessive, distracting or noisy jewelry
• Excessive makeup or bright nail polish
Notes:
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A:
W:
S:
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Situational interview questions inquire about how you handled or may handle a task or challenge if you were to
encounter it. These questions aim to assess your problem-solving and critical-thinking skills and see how you
think on your feet under stress.
Use the START method (refer to next page) to construct your answers to Behavioral and Situational
questions.
1. Give me an example of a time when you did more than was required in your job. What was the result?
2. Describe the most stressful situation you have encountered. How did you handle it, and what was the
outcome?
3. How do you set priorities? Can you give an example of when you did this effectively/ineffectively?
4. Describe a situation where you wished that you had behaved differently. What was the outcome?
5. We have all had to work with someone who was difficult. Tell me about the most challenging teammate
or colleague you have had to work with and how you handled it.
6. Tell me about a time when you did not meet your own standards of performance. What did you do to
change that?
7. Tell me about the most enjoyable job you have had. What was it about that job that made you feel this
way?
8. Tell me about a negative situation that occurred as a result of lack of communication.
9. Give me an example of a time when you motivated others.
10. What is your typical way of dealing with conflict? Give me an example.
11. You are working as a software developer. It's 3:30 on a Friday afternoon, and the QA Manager comes
to tell you that there's a problem in the code you've written to give a client first thing Monday morning.
How would you handle this situation?
12. A co-worker tells you in confidence that she plans to call in sick while actually taking a week’s vacation.
What would you do and why?
13. Give me an example of a time when you had to change your work plan very quickly in order to
accommodate a more urgent situation. What did you do and how did you feel about that?
14. Give me an example of a time when you had to take charge of a situation. What did you do?
15. List the steps that you would take to make an important decision on the job.
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START Method
S:
T:
A:
R:
T:
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Be sure to prepare 3-5 insightful questions to ask the employer. This means doing your research and preparing
questions that you can’t find the answers for. If you ask questions you should have found or known the answer
to on your own, this won’t impress your interviewer! You might also think of other questions to ask during the
interview, as they mention things you might want more information or clarification on. If you are interviewed by
a panel (multiple interviewers), attempt to prepare and address questions individually, based on their roles
within the company or what you found out during your research or interview.
Notes:
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Interview Checklist
Think about these points as you prepare for an interview, and put yourself in the employer’s shoes!
Note: To practice, you may use the checklist below to observe your peers during your class activity.
Poise
Shook interviewer’s hand firmly and without hesitation
Maintained eye contact and used appropriate facial expressions
Conveyed confidence and appeared comfortable and relaxed
Used gesturing movements for emphasis only when appropriate
Articulation
Listened attentively to questions and comments
Did not interrupt
Spoke easily and at a comfortable pace
Avoided using ‘filler’ words or slang such as ‘you know’, ‘like’, ‘um’, etc
Expressed him/herself clearly, with good grammar and diction
Responded clearly and concisely to all questions
Did not ramble
Responses
Discussed how skills acquired through education and work are relevant to the position
Focused on accomplishment and achievements that related to the position
Related major events or decisions in life to current aspirations
Used concrete examples to support statements
Expressed enthusiasm
Indicated knowledge of and interest in the field
Stated career goals and related them to the position
Closed interview by reiterating interest in and qualifications for the position
Overall
Were you satisfied with the candidate’s answers?
Did the candidate ‘sell’ their skills and knowledge?
Would you remember the candidate?
Would you hire the candidate?
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Select a quiet location for the interview –Try to eliminate any distractions and background noise.
Contact the Co-op office about booking space for your phone interview.
Practice – Check the SFU OLC for resources on commonly asked interview questions (and strategies for
tackling them) and make sure to practice preparing and delivering answers! Your Co-op Advisor and/or Co-op
Coordinator are also available for group or individual practice interviews.
Use a landline phone – Mobile devices may not have the best connection.
Be professional – Have a professional introduction when you answer the phone. For example, “Good
afternoon, John Smith speaking.”
Speak clearly – The speed and volume of your voice are important. Don’t talk too fast. If the employer has
you on a conference call, you may need to speak a little louder than normal to ensure that everyone in the
room can hear you.
Smile and be enthusiastic – A smile will affect the tone of your voice. Your tone is very important since the
interviewers are unable to see your body language.
Dress professionally – Even though the employer cannot see you, this will put you in the right mindset.
Be prepared – Research the company and industry. Review the job description and be prepared to answer
questions related to anything mentioned in the posting.
Review your skills inventory and how your skills relate to the job posting – Brainstorm some
examples of the skills you would like to showcase during the interview.
Listen carefully to the interviewer – Make sure that the interviewer has finished the question before
responding. If you do not understand the question, ask for clarification.
Think before answering – Take a moment to reflect and organize your thoughts.
Keep your answers concise – Provide the necessary detail to support your answer or skill set. Stay on
topic.
Avoid bringing in “cheat sheets” – Even though the employer cannot see you, they can hear the rustling
of paper as you try to find information. These papers may distract your attention from the interviewer. A copy
of your resume, your references and some paper for notes is all you need.
Prepare questions for the interviewer(s) – Asking questions (usually at the end of the interview) shows
the interviewer that you are prepared and interested in the position. Use this opportunity to learn more about
the position and company.
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Look at the camera, not the screen – It can be confusing, but when you're looking at your monitor it
actually makes the interviewer feel as if you're looking away. Instead, look directly at the video camera you are
using for your interview. Although you're not making eye contact in the traditional sense, this is the way that the
interviewer perceives that you're looking straight ahead.
Be aware of interruptions – Since you're used to living in the house, it can be easy to forget to turn off a
phone or not warn family members to give you some privacy. Treat a Skype interview the same as you would
an in person interview.
Practice in front of a mirror – During the interview, you can see yourself in the video camera, which can
be startling if you have never seen yourself speak. It’s important to get familiar with your own facial
expressions so that it doesn’t distract you in the interview
Mind the background – Your surroundings can say a lot about how you've prepared for the interview, so it's
important to put your best foot forward. Try to shoot against a white wall or a warm colored one and have any
relevant certificates in view.
Avoid patterned clothing – Wear a shirt that's business casual as if you were at a face-to-face interview.
Avoid patterns that come across as too loud on screen, such as anything floral or bright stripes. Clothing can
distract the interviewer from the information conveyed during the conversation, so it's important to plan your
outfit carefully.
Test audio and video – Just because your laptop has a built-in video camera and microphone doesn't mean
the quality is up to par. Instead, test out the video and audio capabilities on your computer and decide whether
you need to buy a headset with a microphone or an attachable video camera. Before the interview, some
companies may send their own video devices to applicants.
Add extra enthusiasm – Any news announcer will tell that your reactions translate differently when on-
screen, so it's important to compensate with extra enthusiasm and concise answers. Additionally, speak
succinctly and remember that speed is important.
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Consider your responses to the questions that you were asked, as well as the questions you posed to the
interviewer(s) and any non-verbal cues you noticed. Also note any feedback you may have received from the
interview(s) or a Co-op Coordinator.
What went well during the interview? What qualities or experience impressed the interviewer(s)? Which
questions did I answer well?
_________________________________________________________________________________
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What didn’t go well during the interview? Why? What questions did I find challenging to answer? How would I
change my answer(s) in the future? What would I do differently in my next interview?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
What did learn from this experience? Document any additional thoughts on the company, the interviewer, or
the interview.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Other Comments:
_________________________________________________________________________________
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Ryan Howard
1111 Broadway, Vancouver BC V5T 4S2
rhoward@sfu.ca
604-436-3354
References
Mr. Michael Scott
Office Manager
Dunder Mifflin
1055 East Hastings
Burnaby, BC V6H 1N7
Phone: 604-895-4320
Email: mscott@hotmail.ca
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Other Resources
SFU Online Learning Community: www.sfu.ca/olc
SFU has an Online Learning Community that contains a wealth of career development and learning
information and resources. Among many others, there are several sections that contain valuable interviewing
information and activities. Some areas require login - use your SFU computing ID and password to log into the
site.
Berkeley: https://career.berkeley.edu/MM/Videos-Interviews.stm
Cando Career: http://candocareer.com/job-interview-questions/interviewing-help.htm
Career Playbook: www.careerplaybook.com/guide/prepare_for_job_interview.asp
Government of Canada:
www.worksearch.gc.ca/content_pieces.jsp?category_id=300&crumb=1241&crumb=80&crumb=146
HITEQUEST: www.hitequest.com
Quint Careers: www.quintcareers.com/interview_questions.html
University of Kent: http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/intervw.htm
The Code Project: www.codeproject.com/KB/work/TechInterviewTips.aspx
Think Energy Group:
www.thinkenergygroup.com/think.nsf/InfoNFR/SampleInterviewQuestions?Opendocument
Workshop Evaluation
We welcome your feedback! Take a moment to complete the workshop evaluation at
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