Interviewing Success Strategies Presented by: Mike Brown Director, MBA Career Services
Successful interviewing is often more about how you think rather that what you say.
Do You Think Like: Job Applicant What can you do for me? Consultant What can I do for you? Problem finder? Problem fixer? Convey where you ve been? Convey what you ve done? Prepare questions to answer? Prepare questions to ask? 3
Consultative Selling Uncovers buyers needs Communicates how you fulfill those needs Understands that you are the solution 4
Features and benefits Features Skills, expertise, personal traits Benefits Accomplishments Results you produced Solutions you provided 5
How Important is Each Attribute in Hiring Process? Percentage Rating Influential or Very Influential (Society for Human Resource Management Survey ) Interview performance Professionalism in interactions Years relevant work experience Fit with company culture Relevant certification(s) Internal candidate Background check Quality of resume References 96% 95% 91% 90% 82% 79% 79% 74% 73% Candidate s familiarity with your Candidate adds diversity to organization Advanced degree(s) Referred by current employee Quality of cover letter Total years in the workforce Test scores 60% 60% 58% 53% 50% 49% 44% Your familiarity with candidate s Prestige of school(s) attended 26% 23% 6 0% 50% 100% 150% 6
Unsuccessful interviews are not due to lack of qualifications; but rather to lack of preparation.
Preparing for the Interview
Highly Attractive MBA Skills Leadership Problem solving Adaptability to change Strategic thinking Quantitative Communication (W/V) Interpersonal Data integration Analytical Teamwork 9
Know Your Resume Resume walk Career chronology Accomplishments Reasons for gaps Lack of continuity 10
Conduct Company Research Key products, services, market niche History, reputation, competition Financials, market share, statistics Culture, management style What are their pain points? Refer to: Refer to: Company Data Snapshot pg. 73 11
Map Qualifications to a T 12
Skills Experience Education Knowledge Accomplishments Likeability Work style Social skills Communication Team orientation Career Assets Competencies Commitment Dress and appearance Compatibility Motivators Passion Interest Attitude Energy level 13
Prepare Accomplishments Stories Come from five areas of business: Money Time Customers Problems Workflow/processes 14
STAR Framework ST A R Describe the situation or task What action, intervention did you pursue? What results, outcomes did you achieve? 15
Branding Message Your response to Tell me about yourself Strengths, abilities, knowledge Recent experience, accomplishments Articulates your career goals, ambitions Refer to: Prepare Your Refer to: Prepare Your Branding Message pg. 76 16
Prepare High Gain Questions Be prepared with 8 to 10 Performance objectives Challenges, priorities Management style, culture Based on your research Refer to: Prepare Refer to: Prepare Questions to Ask pg. 76 17
Business Portfolio Samples of work (non-proprietary) Superior performance evaluations Designs, drawings, sketches Commendations, awards Letters of recommendation Articles, presentations 18
Prepare References List Select four to six Take a 360º view Secure their permission Confirm their contact information Create a one page reference list Present during the interview 19
Managing the Interview
Anatomy of an Interview Rapport building, 1 st impressions Typical & behavioral questions High gain questions you ask Close the interview 21
Rapport Building Appropriate Small Talk Weather Traffic Commute Cityscape Area attractions Avoid Details of interviews with other firms Critique of interviewer s appearance Details of recent health issues Lack of job or industry experience Limited knowledge or interest in company 22
Interview Impact How you look Clothes Manner Eye contact Handshake Grooming Stance open or closed Facial expressions 55% 7% 38% What you say Content How you speak Tone Speed Accent Hesitation Inflection Grammar 23
Project Professionalism Business professional attire On time is 15 minutes early Confident smile Firm handshake Direct eye contact Assertive posture 24
Body Language Mistakes to Avoid Arm crossing Checking your PDA Covering your mouth Eye rolling No eye contact Slouching shoulders 25
Be prepared for questions about Your professional experience Your educational credentials Your accomplishments Your strengths & weaknesses Your knowledge of the company 26
Most Typical Questions Tell me a little about yourself. Walk me through your resume. What are your short and long term career goals? Why did you return for your MBA and why Smeal? Describe your three greatest strengths. Tell me about a weakness. Do you work better by yourself or as a member of a team? Describe a situation where you demonstrated solid communications skills. What s the biggest risk you ve ever taken? What would your previous supervisor say about you? 27
Behavioral Questions 55% predictive of future behavior 7x more accurate than traditional interviews Past performance is the best predictor of future behavior 28
Behavioral Questions Anticipate key job-related skills Tell the stories of your accomplishments Respond with the STAR model Quantify your results Bridge your results to your projected value 29
Behavioral Questions Three categories: Successes Failures Lessons learned 30
Responding to Negative Questions Use the P/N/P or Sandwich Model Start with the positive End with the positive Explain the negative 31
Be An Active Listener Avoid jumping in or finishing the sentence Nod or acknowledge I understand Ask for clarification Repeat or paraphrase question 32
Fit = 75% of decision Establish an internal ally or advocate Talk like one of them Help them envision you in the role Ask we questions Focus on their needs; not yours 33
Phone Interviews Create a phone zone prep kit Resume Branding message Accomplishments list Company data snapshot Questions to ask 34
Phone Interview Tips Stand up to convey chest resonance Express warmth, energy in your voice Avoid verbal noise you know, like Offer verbal nods I understand, I see Speak with pace not too fast; slow Listen; really listen 35
Panel interviews Repeat names at introduction Sketch a seating chart Maintain good eye contact Sweep all participants in your responses Know roles and functions of interviewers Be mindful of the good cop bad cop 36
Close the interview I am interested in this position I think we have a good fit, chemistry This has been a fruitful discussion Will a decision be made from this interview? What are our next steps? May I have your business card? 37
One question you must ask What concerns do you have about my qualifications?
Post Interview
Debrief Within 30 Minutes Make notes in lobby or private area Do this while interview is fresh What went right? Where did I tap dance? Every interview is prep for the next one 40
Be Remembered Favorably Send a thank you within 24 hours Leave a thank you voice mail that night Telephone follow-up within 2 weeks Interviewer(s), potential associates, admins 41
5R s of Follow-up Repeat your interest in the position Remind the interviewer of you Reinforce your key strengths Reiterate an agreed upon action Refer to a point not mentioned 42
Next steps? Practice your: Branding message Top 20 interview questions STAR stories Schedule a simulated interview
Upcoming Tuesday Sessions -- Interview Labs 1:30-3:30 Bring your questions list Dress for Success 3:45-5:15