The Job Interview

Capstone Experience
Senior Seminar
Department of Health Promotion and
Human Performance
 “Hey, I’ve Got A Job Interview!”

FEAR FACTOR

What’s going to happen during the

interview?
Who is conducting the interview?
What is the interview intended to accomplish?
How long will the interview last?
Where will the interview be conducted?
How will I be evaluated?
Types of Interviews
One-on-one most often used
 Informal: Interviewer has a general idea of what will be asked, but after
first question, follows conversation trend.
 Structured: Questions will be written out based on job requirements,
and will be asked of every candidate.
 Unstructured: After one or two questions, the interviewer may sit back
and wait for you to make the next move.
Group you will meet with more than one person at a time
 Teamwork is important. They want to see how effective you are as part
of a group.
 Take it one question at a time
 Answer the person who asked the question. After finish look around &
see if anyone needs further clarification.
 Make eye contact with each member of the group.
The Job Interview

The most crucial thirty- to sixty-minute opportunity you

have in your job seeking efforts.
The culmination of all your preparation, including
education, and the key to opening the door to your career.
Your goals for effective job interviewing:
Get the job offer
Land a stimulating & rewarding job
Interviewer’s goals in effective job interviewing:
Can you do the job?
Will you do the job?
Will you get along with the other employees?
Interviewer’s Worst Fear
1. If hired, you’ll be incompetent. Or, you’ll need too much
time to learn the job.
2. You won’t take your work seriously and someone must
constantly check your work.
3. That you’ll be lazy, giving only the minimum effort and
have to be told when to do everything.
4. That you’ll frequently call in sick, arrive late, leave early
and constantly ask for raises.
5. That you’re a quitter and you’ll walk out when they need
you.
6. That you’re a constant complainer, a braggart, or
someone who blames others for your mistakes, sloppy
work, etc.
7. That you’re arrogant, rude, pushy, broody, or moody.
8. That you show no pride in your work or appearance.
 Interview Strategy
Have advance knowledge of the company and the
answers to the “Fear Factor” questions.
Know what the interviewer is asking and trying to
discover about you.
Be prepared to convince the interviewer you can
accomplish his three goals: 1) you can do the job, 2)
you will do the job, 3) you will get along with other
employees.
Most interviews are pleasant and friendly. Try to enjoy
it.
Knock Their Socks Off
 You only have seconds to make your best impression.
 It’s all about connecting; bond with people in order to put them
at ease. You’ll be more socially desirable.
 It starts from the time you first see someone (30 seconds).
 A first impression is an emotional, not a rational reaction.

Make eye contact at least Check your impulse to use

half to 2/3 of the time. Nod other person’s name
every so often. repeatedly. Never use first
Smile, even if not in mood. name in interview.
Fake social generosity. Radiate accessibility. Show
interest in others.
Be careful about oversharing,
i.e. disclosing too much. Match speech cadence to
other person. Listen closely.
 Think Like the Interviewer
What kinds of questions
What does the manager
will the manager ask?
want to know? That:  All interviews are
 You are the best person to
different.
accomplish his/her 3 goals.  However, since most
 You will NOT become
interviews are routine,
his/her “worst fear”. there are some routine
 You will make questions you can expect.
 the company better,
 Areas the manager needs to
 the manager’s life easier,
know about you
 the manager become more  Education Experience
successful & look better.  General intelligence Skills
 Attitudes Personality
Common Questions/ Answers
 Tell me about yourself.  Tell me about a problem you
 Highlight your background as solved on your previous job.
it relates to particular job.  Provide information that
 In what ways will your includes problems you have
education or training help handled, actions you have
taken and the results- premise
you in this position?
that past behavior predicts
 Demonstrate your capacity to future behavior.
make practical application of  Do you prefer to work alone,
formal knowledge & training. or do you to prefer to work as
 Why did you specialize in part of a group?
your particular field?  Double-edged sword; work
 Solicits clues about basic
alone could be self starter,
work in group could be team
value system. player. Stress both attributes.
Common Questions/ Answers
 What do you know about our  In a job, what interests you
company? most/least?
 Use company research.  Relate to the position
 Why are you interested in  Describe your best/worst
working for this company? boss.
 Relate your skills to what you  Keep it positive.
know about the company.  How do others describe you?
 How does this position fit  Personal traits &
into your future plans? characteristics adjectives
 Where do you see yourself in  What do you consider your
three years? single most noteworthy
 Demonstrate ambition, accomplishment in your last
potential and flexibility. job?
Questions
 Give me one good reason I  Give me two good reasons
should hire you. I should not hire you.
 What qualifications do you  What would you most like
have for this job? to improve about yourself?
 If you were hired, what  What could you have done
ideas/talents could you better on your last job?
contribute to this position?  What can you tell me that
 What do you consider your best illustrates your
most outstanding quality? personal drive and
 What evidence can you motivation.
cite that demonstrates your
job effectiveness?
 Answers
Strengths Weaknesses - probing
 Identify your key strengths  technical shortcomings
related to job description (knowledge & skills to
 Provide evidence of strength perform job)
utilization (as demonstrated in  interpersonal shortcomings
major contributions, job (ability to relate to others)
success)  personal shortcomings
 Compare yourself with peers (personal traits that influence
(co-workers, other applicants) your effectiveness)
Pretend you’re the Weakness control: turn into
employer, what qualities positive
match job demands.
 Your Questions ??
Interview is a two-way Company Questions
process. Prepare questions. Is there a career path? Or
Managers want to hear Where can I go from here,
intelligent, well-thought assuming that I perform
questions. the job’s responsibilities?
What is the overall
Company Questions
structure of the department
What are the plans of the
where this position is
company for the future? located?
How would someone with What are some of the
my background fit into the challenges and priorities of
company plan? the company?
 Your Questions ??
Job Questions Job Questions
Were there any questions I To whom does this
didn’t provide an adequate position report?
answer? What is the background
Is this a new or of my potential boss?
replacement job? What qualifications does
As you think about this your ideal candidate
position, what aspects of need?
this job could be performed What are the
better? opportunities for personal
What do you visualize as growth? Or If you were to
the major opportunity areas offer me this job, where
for this position? could I expect to be in 5
years?
 Your Questions
Compensation Issues
 Never ask about salary. The company will discuss salary
when appropriate; usually reserved for the second interview
or when there is a firm offer. When the offer is made, ask: Is
there a sign-on bonus or commission in addition to salary?
How often are the reviews?
 Benefits questions. Company benefits are often worth 25% to
50% or more of cash salary offered. Ask: When am I eligible
for the plan? Do I have a choice of benefits available?
 Negotiations. Everything can be negotiated after you have
received an offer. Know the market and request consideration
in terms of salary, benefits and perks.
 Legal Questions
Item Can be asked Cannot be asked
Age Whether you are above Age, birth date, birth
minimum or maximum age certificate, high-school
graduation date
Criminal Conviction record, if it Arrest record
Record relates to ability to do job

Disabilities Anything that relates to Anything that does not

ability to do the job relate to ability to do job
Marital/ Nothing Anything
Family Status
National Whether candidate can Anything
Origin legally work in the US
Race, Religion, Nothing Anything
Sex
 Tips
 Bathe and use deodorant-antiperspirant before
the interview.
 Bring only essential items to the interview (resume, references,
portfolio, datebook, transcripts of college work, licenses, etc.).
Organize items so can refer to them readily in interview.
 Know location of office and how to get there. Make a trial trip
getting to the interview.
 Arrive 15 minutes early for actual interview.
 Be pleasant, polite and friendly but businesslike to everyone you
meet, including office staff.
 Check your appearance before going in.
 If you have bad breath, take a breath mint.
 Professional Dressing
Dress Up even if Casual Environment

For women For men

 Wear a suit, skirt and tailored jacket,  Wear a suit, blue or gray, in
dress with sleeves, or dress with conservative style. Blazer, slacks
jacket in conservative style, color and shirt with collar but w/o tie
and fabric. Be feminine, but are acceptable in few instances.
business-like. Do not dress Freshly pressed.
sensually unless sex appeal is part  Shirts solid color; ties
of the job. conservative.
 Hair in conservative style; nails  Eliminate earrings, flashy jewelry
manicured, short to mid-length, or strong after-shave.
clear or light color polish.  Conservative style hair, beard.
 Keep make-up and accessories to
 Dress style shoes, polished and
minimum; less is more.
repaired.
 Non-verbal
 Always offer your hand; use a firm, but not
crushing handshake.
 Use eye contact without staring; avoiding contact is a sign of
deception, disinterest, or lack of confidence.
 If a place of sitting is not indicated, choose a chair closest to
the interviewer.
 Sit relaxed, but do not slouch. Leaning slightly forward
shows interest, but do not lean on desk or knees.
 Use hands naturally to emphasize a point; do not cover
mouth, hold your head or twist hands.
Summary
Deadly Interview Mistakes
1. Arrives late for the interview.
2. Indicates he is late because the directions he was given
were not good.
3. Looks disheveled and inappropriately dressed.
4. Slouches in his seat.
5. Does not maintain good eye contact with interviewer.
6. Assumes he will find out about the company in the
interview. Asks interviewer “What do you do here?”
7. Does not link what he can do with the needs of the
employer.
8. Brags about how great he is , but cites no evidence.
 Summary
Deadly Interview Mistakes
9. Responses have no clear focus, seem disorganized and
rambling.
10. Is low-key; does not project enthusiasm nor appear to want
the job; what are you going to do for me attitude.
11. Answers most questions with short “yes” and “no”.
12. Appears desperate for a job – any job.
13. Calls the interviewer by his first name repeatedly or uses
the wrong name.
14. Badmouths his former boss and the company.
15. Gives memorized responses and forgets parts.
16. Asks “How am I doing? Are you going to hire me?”
 After the Interview
 Review & analyze your performance. Take notes,
modify any items to improve your next interview.
 Send a thank you note to the manager immediately after
the interview. Don’t put this off!
 Make a return visit or a telephone call two or three days
after your interview.
 Reintroduce yourself and remind which job you interviewed for.
 Add any additional thoughts you may not have covered when
interviewed.
 Emphasize your strengths for the job.
 Find out if a hiring decision has been made. If decision has been
made and you’re not it, ask for suggestions for creating a better
impression.
 Thank the interviewer for speaking to you & for his time.
 100 Marion Street
Liberty, MO 64068
816-792-2000
March 17, 2010

Dr. Richard Lambert, Recruiter

One World Center
2000 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10281

Dear Dr. Lambert:

Thank you so much for meeting with me to review and discuss my skills for the exercise
specialist position. I enjoyed learning more about your company and plans for the future.

The position sounds very interesting, particularly since it would be an opportunity for me to use
my skills in designing sound individual exercise prescriptions and administering safe, specific
activity programs. I am eager to develop and deliver exercise programs to your clients.

Dr. Lambert, I want this job. I can quickly become a member of your team if you’ll give me a
chance. If I may, let me call you in a few days to see if you have reached a decision favorable to
both of us. I look forward to talking with you. Thank you again for your consideration.

Sincerely,

(written signature)

Cynthia L. Smith