Interviewing

The interview is an opportunity to exchange information between an employer and a candidate for a position. The primary objectives are to:

• Provide information that is not contained in your resume
• Show that you understand yourself and have a sense of direction in your career
• Enable the interviewer to evaluate your personality and attitudes in terms of the demands of the organization and the position
• Allow you to gain information about the organization and the job, which is not available through other sources
• Give you and the employer an opportunity to discuss the desirability of further contact or an offer of employment

Preparing for the Interview-Know Yourself

To set yourself apart for an employer you must be well prepared and understand the value of what you have to offer. To relate your assets to the position and the organization, you must know yourself. Know your resume and be comfortable talking about your strengths. Be prepared to substantiate all points with information. Be able to talk about your growth as an individual and employee through your experiences. Some interviewers may want to discuss your weaknesses and how you have learned to do things differently.

Know the Company

You must be familiar with the position and the organization so that you can demonstrate how and why you will be an effective worker. It shows very little motivation if you have no general information about the company you are applying with. Be sure to know the name, pronunciation and title of the interviewer. Much corporate information can be found on the internet. Most companies have websites with general information about their business.

First Impressions

Your success or failure in the interview can depend on your appearance and the interviewer's first impression of you. Look neat, clean and well groomed. Select proper clothing for the type of organization interviewing you. If in doubt, be conservative. It is also important to pay attention to details such as making sure your hands are manicured, making sure shoes (and handbags) are in good shape, and keeping accessories to a minimum. If you smoke, do not smoke once you are dressed for your interview and don’t drink coffee or eat odorous foods prior to your interview. Avoid wearing strong scents (e.g., perfume or cologne).

Greet each person you meet with respect and professionalism. Upon meeting the person interviewing you, give them the first opportunity to shake hands.  When you shake hands, include eye contact and a smile. Handshakes should be firm but not aggressive; try to match the grip of the interviewer.  Do not sit down until the interviewer invites you to do so.

Expect some level of nervousness during an interview. Remember that the interviewer is seeking a new employee and it is in their best interest to make you comfortable. Some interviewers will begin with “small talk” to help you relax. It is also important to remember that you may be interviewed by direct supervisors who don’t interview everyday and they may be nervous also.  

The primary phase of the interview consists of the interviewer asking you questions to try to determine your fit. Think about why the question is being asked. What does the employer really want to know? The following are typical questions an employer may ask:

• Tell me about yourself
• What are your short-term goals? What about in 2 and 5 years from now?
• What is your own vision/mission statement?
• What do you think you will be looking for in the job following this position?
• Why do you feel you will be successful in this work?
• What other types of work are you looking for in addition to this role?
• What supervisory or leadership roles have you had?
• What experience have you had working on a team?
• What have been your most satisfying/disappointing experiences?
• What are your strengths/weaknesses?
• What kinds of problems do you handle the best?
• How do you reduce stress and try to achieve balance in your life?
• How did you handle a request to do something contrary to your moral code or business ethics?
• What was the result the last time you tried to sell your idea to others?
• Why did you apply to our organization and what do you know about us?
• What do you think are advantages/disadvantages of joining our organization?
• What is the most important thing you are looking for in an employer?
• What were some of the common characteristics of your past supervisors?
• What characteristics do you think a person would need to have to work effectively in our company with its policies of staying ahead of the competition?
• What courses did you like best/least? Why?
• What did you learn or gain from your part-time/summer/co-op/internship experiences?
• What are your plans for further studies?
• How do you spend your spare time?
• If I asked your friends to describe you, what do you think they would say?
• What frustrates you the most?
• When were you last angry at work and what was the outcome?
• What things could you do to increase your overall effectiveness?
• What was the toughest decision you had to make in the last year? Why was it difficult?
• Why should I hire you?

Answering Problem Solving Questions

The interviewer may present a real-life problem or hypothetical situation for you to try and solve. The rationale is that it allows the interviewer to see how a person thinks - how they problem solve. For example:

• A construction engineer might be asked: "What would you do if your crew was digging underground and ran into a rock?"
• A marketer might be asked to come up with 3 strategies to promote a product
• A manager might be asked how they would set up a new manufacturing plant

The key is not to worry about getting the "right" answer, rather, to demonstrate the right way to come up with an answer. Typically, the following 5-step process is appropriate for handling problem solving questions:

1. Listen intently to what is being asked.
2. Ask clarifying questions to determine exactly what the interviewer is looking for.
3. Respond by first explaining how you’d gather the data necessary to make an informed decision.
4. Discuss how you’d use that data to generate options.
5. Finally, based on the data you’ve gathered, the available options, and your understanding of the open position, explain how you’d make an appropriate decision or recommendation.

Keep in mind, there is no ‘right’ answer - only ‘your’ answer. Interviewers often use these types of questions to determine "fit".

Answering Behavior-Based Interviewing Questions

One of the most reliable ways for an interviewer to project how you would perform in the future is to examine the past. Therefore, many employers prepare behavior-based questions. Behavior-based interviewers usually develop their questions around the traits and skills they deem necessary for succeeding in a position or organization. They usually begin with phrases like:

"Tell me about a time when..."

"Describe a time when..."

"Give me an example of your _________ skill."

Some common behavior description interview questions are:

Tell me about a time when you demonstrated your ability to...

• Work effectively under pressure
• Handle a difficult situation with a co-worker
• Be creative in solving a problem
• Completed a project on time
• Persuade team members to do things your way
• Write a report that was well-received
• Anticipate potential problems and develop preventative measures
• Make an important decision with limited facts
• Make an unpopular decision
• Adapt to a difficult situation
• Be tolerant of an opinion that was different from yours
• Deal with your disappointment in your behavior
• Use your political savvy to push a program through that you really believed in
• Deal with an irate customer
• Delegate a project effectively
• Surmount a major obstacle
• Prioritize the elements of a complicated project

By analyzing the questions asked of you, you will be able to find out more particulars about the job for which you have applied. What emphasis does the interviewer seem to be placing on which skills, knowledge, personality traits and attitudes? That insight can help you tailor your answers more easily to the employer’s position.

Questions You Can Ask

It is important for you to also ask questions. It shows interest in the job and the company.  Some questions will arise naturally throughout the interview but it is wise to bring some written questions with you. The questions should be pertinent to the position and show your enthusiasm and knowledge. By asking intelligent, well-thought-out questions, you show the employer you are serious about the organization and need more information. Here are some potential questions to ask:

• What do you see as the priorities for someone in this position?
• Would you be able to describe a typical day on the job?
• What would be a typical first-year assignment?
• What training programs do you have available for your employees?
• What level of responsibility could I expect in this position?
• Is there a typical career path for a person in this position?
• How are employees evaluated and promoted?
• What is a realistic time frame for promotion?
• Does the company have a promotion-from-within policy?
• What are the company's plans for the future?
• What do you see as the greatest threat to the organization?
• What/where are the greatest opportunities for the organization?
• How would you describe your organization's management style and working environment?
• What do you like most about your organization?
• Why is this position available? (Is it a new job or where did the former occupant go?)

Types of Interviews

• One-to-One- The most common interview format is one interviewer interviewing one candidate. This is sometimes the first of several interviews. Second and third interviews will usually have a number of interviewers.
• Team Interview with Two or More People-While it is important to have good eye contact with the person who asks you the question, also look at the other persons present periodically in order to include them in your answer. Try to remember each individual’s name and use his or her name at some point during the interview.

• General (Group) Interview- This approach is intended to provide applicants with a large amount of information about the organization and the role. The format is used in order to save time and ensure everyone understands the basic facts. This process is usually followed by an individual interview.

• Competitive Group Interview- Many candidates are interviewed at the same time, by one or more interviewers. This type of interview is sometimes utilized when a position being applied for involves team work and the interviewers want to see how you interact in a group setting; when the company wants to see who rises as a leader within the group; or when they have large numbers of people interviewing for several similar roles within the company. It is important to thoughtfully and intelligently contribute, but not monopolize the conversation.
• Structured Interview- The goal of this approach is to eliminate bias and assist the employer in making an objective decision. All candidates are asked the same questions for the employer's ease in evaluating applicants. If there is important information that you have not conveyed by the end of the interview, when asked if you have any questions or anything to add, present your additional qualifications. Usually the interviewer will make written notes of your answers.
• Semi-structured Interview- In a semi-structured interview you have a better opportunity to convey information, as there are fewer pre-determined questions. However, you need to be well prepared and know the points you want to make. You will also be expected to participate in ‘carrying’ the conversation.
• Telephone Interview- Due to the high cost of paying travel expenses for candidates to the employer's location, some first interviews are being conducted by telephone. If the call surprises you and you are not ready for an interview, ask the person to call back in 15 minutes, or arrange another time, which will be mutually convenient. Phone interviews can be more difficult because visual cues are not present. Be sure that your voice is modulated appropriately and that you change the inflection so you are not monotone. Just as in face to face interviews it is OK to have brief periods of silence.

Ending the Interview

When it appears that the interviewer is about to end the interview, there are certain points you should make sure you have covered before you leave the room:

1. Make sure you understand the hiring process. Be aware of the interview process yet to come before a candidate is selected for the job (e.g., another interview in same/other location, meetings with other individuals in organization, etc.).
2. Ask the interviewer when you can expect to hear about a decision or ask when you should make an inquiry as a follow-up.
3. Express your interest in the position and thank the interviewer for interviewing you.
4. Ask for a business card or ensure that you have the interviewer's name, title, and address so that you can send a thank-you letter.

Tips for Effective Interviewing

1. Get a good night’s sleep before your interview.
2. Be punctual. Arrive 15 minutes early to allow yourself time to collect your thoughts. Take the opportunity to observe the working environment. Keep your eyes and ears open. Be friendly with everyone.
3. Try to get the interviewer to describe the position and duties to you early in the interview so that you can relate your background and skills to the particular position.
4. Give descriptive examples or proof whenever you can throughout the interview. The true stories you tell about yourself will differentiate you from the other applicants.
5. Watch the interviewer for clues on how the interview is progressing. Is the interviewer's face or body language telling you that your answers are too long, not detailed enough, too boring, etc.? If in doubt, ask the interviewer if more or fewer details are needed.
6. Listen carefully to the question and the way it is phrased. If it can be interpreted in more than one way, and if you are unsure what the interviewer really wants you to discuss, ask for clarification.
7. If the interviewer becomes silent, look for the reason. Has the person momentarily run out of questions? Is the person testing you to see how comfortable you are with silence? Is the interviewer finding your answers too brief and waiting for you to elaborate more in order to get a better sense of who you are?
8. When the interviewer asks about your weaknesses, choose something work-related, but not so serious as to disqualify you. Briefly mention one weakness, and then show what you have learned from the experience or what you are doing to change. If pressed for more than one weakness, have another one or two ready to discuss.
9. If you are asked about any negative employment experience (e.g., being fired, trouble with supervisor), don't criticize past employers. Briefly acknowledge any difficulty and say what you have learned or discuss the positive outcome of the situation.
10. Don't inquire about salary, bonuses or benefits in the initial interview. If you are pressed to give a salary expectation, turn it around to the interviewer and ask what the organization would ordinarily pay a person with your credentials. If you are still pressed, know what salary range would apply to that type of job in that geographic location. Try to obtain this information by speaking to people in the field prior to your interview.
11. Practice in a mock interview with another person. Check for quality of information in your answers, and the positive, non-verbal reinforcement of your words. By speaking out loud you can "hear" your answers to ensure you cover the topic well. Don't practice so much that you lose your spontaneity and your answers sound rehearsed.
12. If you do not receive a job offer (especially if you felt the "fit" was very good), you may want to contact the interviewer to get feedback on your performance. It could be (1) they hired someone with better qualifications, or (2) you didn’t adequately present your qualifications, thereby causing an incorrect assessment of your capability. If the reason is (1), keep going...you’ll find the right match! If the reason is (2), learn from this and make the necessary changes in your next interview!