Interviewing Skills

The Ins and Outs of
Interviewing
Interviewing-What is it?
- A structured
meeting between
you and an
employer
- Interviewing is a
skill- like riding
your bike
- PRACTICE makes
PERFECT
Interviewing is a two-way street
- Employers are
attempting to
determine if you
are an appropriate
fit for the job and
their culture
- You decide if the
environment is
right for you.
Types of Interviews
Phone: used as an initial screen of candidates or to

narrow the pool of applicants
One-on-One: most common interview style and
incorporates you with the potential employer
Panel or Group: allows many individuals to interview
you at once
Meal: used to see how you interact or function in a
social setting
Second or On-site Interview: this allows one to
get a tour of the facility, meet the staff, and
additional questioning from different employees
and/or administration
Pre-Interview Preparation
Research position, company, & industry

Know yourself and be able to articulate
skills, strengths, accomplishments, and
career goals
Prepare necessary materials (Copies of
resume, references, portfolio/pen, palm
pilot or organizer, breath mints)
Ask for directions and where to park
Arriving
Be sure to allow yourself plenty of

time to arrive at your destination
(you may want to conduct a dry run
prior to your interview day)
Try to arrive 10-15 minutes early at
the site to allow you to park, walk to
the interview, use the restroom, or
just gather yourself
Greeting & Introduction
Only 1 chance to make a

good 1st impression
Dress appropriately
Smile
Maintain eye contact
Firm handshake
Remain poised(n a
position that is
completely still but is
ready to move at any
moment: ) and
confident
Body Language:
What signals are you sending?
Positive Signals Negative Signals
Leaning forward = Crossed arms =
interest defensive
Smiling = friendly Fidgeting hands or
Nodding = attentive tapping feet = nervous
and alert or bored
Eye contact = curious Lack of eye contact =
and focused untrustworthy
Leaning back=
discomfort
Types of Interview Questions
Standard or Sample Questions

Tell me about yourself?
traditional- What is your greatest
strength? Weakness?
targeting your
Why did you choose to
education, work interview with us?
experiences, and What did you like most
career goals about your last job? Least?
What are your short and
long term career goals?
Behavioral Questions Sample Questions

Describe a time you had
-These focus on your to make a difficult
actions and/or decision?
behaviors in a Tell me about a time you
worked under a deadline?
previous setting.
What do you do when a
- Past behavior team member is not
pulling his/her weight?
provides clues to
Think about a time you
future behavior made a mistake. What
did you learn from it?
Inappropriate or Sample Questions

unethical questions
How old are you?
- Questions which probe
into (to find out secret Do you have
or hidden information children?
about sb/sth )your Do you have a
private life or personal
disability?
background
- Questions about your What religion do
ethnicity, religion, you practice?
sexual orientation,
disabilities, marital
Questions asked by Sample Questions

What type of assignments
the interviewee can I expect within the
To determine if you first year?
What do you like most
are an appropriate about this company?
fit for the company What is the biggest
challenge facing this
and position, department right now?
prepare a list of What skills are you looking
for in this position?
questions for the
What is the next course of
interviewer action?
General Interview Strategies
-Be prepared to talk about yourself and your

experiences
-Master the art of storytelling
-Provide specific and concrete examples of
your results/accomplishments
-Remain positive, enthusiastic, poised, and
confident throughout the interview process
Remember an interview is a formal

conversation--avoid filler words like “Um”,
“Ah”, & “You know”
Avoid indecisive phrases like: “I think,” “I
guess,” “probably,” or “pretty good”
Think before speaking
Avoid long verbose answers--limit your
response to 1-2 minutes
If you do not hear or understand a
question, ask them to repeat or clarify it
for you
Remain calm,
relaxed, and be
yourself
Try to focus on the
message you are
trying to convey--
NOT how well you
are doing!
FOLLOW-UP
Ask good questions
Thank the interviewer
Request a business card
Inquire about next steps in the process

FOLLOW-UP CONT
Send a thank you

note within 24
hours
Letter may be
handwritten or
typed; e-mail is
also acceptable
Tailor each one to
the individual.
Final Thoughts
Remember that only 15% of the

success of an interview is out of your
control
Take some time to reflect
- Overall, how well did I do?
- What went well?
- What steps can I take next time to
improve?
Suggestions
Conduct a test run the day before the interview

Practice! Practice! Practice!
•Obtain a list of practice interview questions and
jot down short answers
• Stand in front of a mirror and rehearse your
answers
•Schedule an appointment for a mock interview
with Career Services
Get a good night’s sleep-be well rested and alert
for the interview
Be relaxed and be yourself!

Interviewing Skills

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The Ins and Outs of

Phone: used as an initial screen of candidates or to

Research position, company, & industry

Be sure to allow yourself plenty of

Only 1 chance to make a

Standard or Sample Questions

Behavioral Questions Sample Questions

Inappropriate or Sample Questions

Questions asked by Sample Questions

-Be prepared to talk about yourself and your

Remember an interview is a formal

Ask good questions

Thank the interviewer

Request a business card

Inquire about next steps in the process

Send a thank you

Remember that only 15% of the

Conduct a test run the day before the interview

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