Interviewing for a Job or Internship
From OSU Wiki
Interviewing for a job is one of life's most-dreaded moments. You're expected to articulate your strengths and skills and connect them to the employer's hopes and expectations, and on top of that, convince the hiring committee that you can meet their needs better than anybody else. Yikes!
Because of its importance, interviewing requires advance preparation. Only you will be able to positively affect the outcome of the interview! In order to successfully compete for a position, be certain you have considered the kind of job you want, why you want it, and how you qualify for it. You also must face reality: Is the job attainable right now? If not, decide what skills you need to make you a qualified candidate for that position and develop a game plan for yourself to get there (see Career Services).
It's okay to be nervous before a job interview -- that means you really care about doing well and landing the job. But with practice and some homework, the job interview can become a much more positive and successful experience for you.
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Ten Rules of Interviewing
1) Keep your answers brief and concise. Unless asked to give more detail, limit your answers to two to three minutes per question. Tape yourself and see how long it takes you to fully answer a question. For at-home preparation, watch yourself in the mirror answering practice questions; this will help you see your facial expressions and how you use your non-verbal communication skills. Also, it may decrease anxiety if you practice questions you believe you may be asked.
2) Include concrete, quantifiable data. Interviewees tend to talk in generalities. Unfortunately, generalities often fail to convince interviewers that the applicant has assets. Include measurable information and provide details about specific accomplishments when discussing your strengths. For example, discuss what volunteer work you’ve had, your GPA and any extra-curricular activities, or how well you work in a team or independently.
3) Repeat your key strengths three times. It’s essential that you comfortably and confidently articulate your strengths. Explain how the strengths relate to the company’s or department’s goals and how they might benefit the potential employer. If you repeat your strengths then they will be remembered and- if supported with quantifiable accomplishments- they will more likely be believed.
4) Prepare five or more success stories. In preparing for interviews, make a list of your skills and key assets. Then reflect on past jobs and pick our one or two instances when you used those skills successfully. For example, if you were a waitress at one time talk about how you successfully worked as part of a team, could hold yourself together in a high-stress situation, and/or could effectively resolve customer concerns to everyone's satisfaction.
5) Put yourself on their team. Ally yourself with the prospective employer by using the employer’s name and products or services. For example, “As a member of ________, I would carefully analyze the _________ and _________.” Show that you are thinking like a member of the team and will fit in with the existing environment. Be careful though not to say anything that would offend or be taken negatively. Your research will help you in this area.
6) Image is often as important as content. What you look like and how you say something are just as important as what you say. Studies have shown that 65 percent of the conveyed message is nonverbal; gestures, physical appearance, and attire are highly influential during job interviews.
7) Ask questions. The types of questions you ask and the way you ask them can make a tremendous impression on the interviewer. Good questions require advance preparation. Just as you plan how you would answer an interviewer’s questions, write out specific questions you want to ask. Then look for opportunities to ask them during the interview. Don’t ask about benefits or salary at this time. The interview process is a two-way street whereby you and the interviewer assess each other to determine if there is an appropriate match.
8) Maintain conversational flow. By consciously maintaining a conversational flow-a dialogue instead of a monologue-you will be perceived more positively. Use feedback questions at the end of your answers and use body language and voice intonation to create a conversational interchange between you and the interviewer. Try to make the conversation flow in a calm fashion, try to avoid awkward silences, and be confident.
9) Research the company, product lines and competitors. Research will provide information to help you decide whether you’re interested in the company and important data to refer to during the interview. Doing this shows the employer that you’re very interested and dedicated to that position and/or company. Also, show enthusiasm about the company, if you show you’re excited about the products and information they have to offer and that you “know your stuff”, you may be considered more than others.
10) Keep an interview journal. As soon as possible, write a brief summary of what happened. Note any follow-up action you should take and put it in your calendar. Review your presentation. Keep a journal of your attitude and the way you answered the questions. Did you ask questions to get the information you needed? What might you do differently next time? As soon as possible, mail a thank-you card. Restate your skills and stress what you can do for the company. Follow up is a huge factor in the interview process. Doing this shows the employer how you enjoyed meeting them and you are sincere as well.
What Employers are Seeking in Job Candidates
You already know that employers are looking for the candidate that can best meet the needs of the job and the employer. But do you demonstrate you can meet an employer's needs when you haven't worked in a job exactly like the one for which you're interviewing?
Ultimately, employers are looking for more than someone who has a list of specific computer skills or procedural knowledge. They also want someone with skills that transcend any one job description (these are called soft skills or transferable skills). Someone with effective transferable skills can adapt quickly, be productive, and get along with coworkers -- and every employer wants to hire someone with these skills. Employers are often willing to hire a job candidate who needs a little training or doesn't meet every preferred job requirement if they feel that candidate would be an excellent fit with their organization and has the potential to learn and excel. Of course, there are many career fields where a certain level of specific technical knowlege is an absolute necessity (health care, for example), but demonstrating your transferable skills in addition to the required technical knowledge can help you stand out from other job candidates.
These are the top 10 personal qualities/skills employers seek, according to National Association of Colleges and Employers' Job Outlook 2006 Survey:
1. Communication skills (verbal and written)
2. Honesty/integrity
3. Teamwork skills (works well with others)
4. Strong work ethic
5. Analytical skills
6. Flexibility/adaptability
7. Interpersonal skills (relates well to others)
8. Motivation/Initiative
9. Computer skills
10. Detail-oriented
http://www.naceweb.org/press/quick.htm#qualities
Types of Interview Questions
“Tell me about a time when you were on a team, and one of the members wasn’t carrying his or her weight.” If this is one of the leading questions in your job interview, you could be in for a behavioral interview. Based on the premise that the best way to predict future behavior is to determine past behavior, this style of interviewing is gaining popularity among recruiters. Today, more than ever, each hiring decision is critical. Behavioral interviewing is designed to minimize personal impressions that might cloud the hiring decision. By focusing on the applicant’s actions and behaviors, rather than subjective impressions that can sometimes be misleading, interviewers can make more accurate hiring decisions.
Behavioral vs. Traditional Interviews
Most job candidates are more familiar with the traditional interview question format: the hiring committee will ask about what you think about certain issues, your strengths and weaknesses, or how you would behave in a particular situation. In short, the hiring committee is asking you to tell them about your future job performance working for them. The downside to the traditional question format (for employers) is that they have no way to verify that you’re capable of handling situations the way you say you will, or that you’ve ever effectively used the strengths you say you have. In contrast, behavioral interview questions focus on the past – instead of asking how you would behave, they ask how you did behave in previous work or academic situations. Here are some other components of behavioral interview questions:
_ Expect the interviewer to question and probe (think of “peeling the layers from an onion”). _ The interviewer will ask you to provide details and will not allow you to theorize or generalize about several events. _ The interview will be a more structured process that will concentrate on areas that are important to the interviewer, rather than allowing you to concentrate on areas that you may feel are important. _ You may not get a chance to deliver any prepared stories. _ Most interviewers will be taking notes throughout the interview.
The behavioral interviewer has been trained to objectively collect and evaluate information and works from a profile of desired behaviors that are needed for success on the job. Because the behaviors a candidate has demonstrated in previous positions are likely to be repeated, you will be asked to share situations in which you may or may not have exhibited these behaviors. Your answers will be tested for accuracy and consistency. If you are an entry-level candidate with no previous related experience, the interviewer will look for behaviors in situations similar to those of the target position: “Describe a major problem you have faced and how you dealt with it.” “Give an example of when you had to work with your hands to accomplish a task or project.” “What class did you like the most? What did you like about it?” Follow-up questions will test for consistency and determine if you exhibited the desired behavior in that situation: “Can you give me an example?” “What did you do?” “What did you say?” “What were you thinking?” “How did you feel?” “What was your role?” “What was the result?”
How to Prepare for a Behavioral Interview
_ Recall recent situations that show favorable behaviors or actions, especially those involving coursework, work experience, leadership, teamwork, initiative, planning and customer service. _ Prepare short descriptions of each situation; be ready to give details if asked. _ Be sure each story has a beginning, a middle and an end; i.e., be ready to describe the situation, your action and the outcome or result. _ Be sure the outcome or result reflects positively on you (even if the result itself was not favorable). _ Be honest. Don’t embellish or omit any part of the story. The interviewer will find out if your story is built on a weak foundation. _ Be specific. Don’t generalize about several events; give a detailed accounting of one event. A possible response to the question, “Tell me about a time when you were on a team and a member wasn’t pulling his or her weight” might go as follows: “I had been assigned to a team to build a canoe out of concrete. One of our team members wasn’t showing up for our lab sessions or doing his assignments. I finally met with him in private, explained the frustration of the rest of the team, and asked if there was anything I could do to help. He told me he was preoccupied with another class that he wasn’t passing, so I found someone to help him with the other course. He not only was able to spend more time on our project, but he was also grateful to me for helping him out. We finished our project on time and got a ‘B’ on it.” The interviewer might then probe: “How did you feel when you confronted this person?” “Exactly what was the nature of the project?” “What was his responsibility as a team member?” “What was your role?” “At what point did you take it upon yourself to confront him?” You can see it is important that you not make up or “shade” information and why you should have a clear memory of the entire incident.
Don’t Forget the Basics
Instead of feeling anxious or threatened by the prospect of a behavioral interview, remember the essential difference between the traditional interview and the behavioral interview: The traditional interviewer may allow you to project what you might or should do in a given situation, whereas the behavioral interviewer is looking for past actions only. It will always be important to put your best foot forward and make a good impression on the interviewer with appropriate attire, good grooming, a firm handshake and direct eye contact. There is no substitute for promptness, courtesy, preparation, enthusiasm and a positive attitude.
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS ASKED BY EMPLOYERS
Personal
1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What are your hobbies?
3. Why did you choose to interview with our organization?
4. Describe your ideal job.
5. What can you offer us?
6. What do you consider to be your greatest strengths?
7. Can you name some weaknesses?
8. Define success. Failure.
9. Have you ever had any failures? What did you learn from them?
10. Of which three accomplishments are you most proud?
11. Who are your role models? Why?
12. How does your college education or work experience relate to this job?
13. What motivates you most in a job?
14. Have you had difficulty getting along with a former professor/supervisor/co-worker and how did you handle it?
15. Have you ever spoken before a group of people? How large?
16. Why should we hire you rather than another candidate?
17. What do you know about our organization (products or services)?
18. Where do you want to be in five years? Ten years?
19. Do you plan to return to school for further education?
Education
20. Why did you choose your major?
21. Why did you choose to attend your college or university?
22. Do you think you received a good education? In what ways?
23. In which campus activities did you participate?
24. Which classes in your major did you like best? Least? Why?
25. Which elective classes did you like best? Least? Why?
26. If you were to start over, what would you change about your education?
27. Do your grades accurately reflect your ability? Why or why not?
28. Were you financially responsible for any portion of your college education?
Experience
29. What job-related skills have you developed?
30. Did you work while going to school? In what positions?
31. What did you learn from these work experiences?
32. What did you enjoy most about your last employment? Least?
33. Have you ever quit a job? Why?
34. Give an example of a situation in which you provided a solution to an employer.
35. Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure.
36. Have you ever done any volunteer work? What kind?
37. How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work?
Career Goals
38. Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own?
39. What kind of boss do you prefer?
40. Would you be successful working with a team?
41. Do you prefer large or small organizations? Why?
42. What other types of positions are you considering?
43. How do you feel about working in a structured environment?
44. Are you able to work on several assignments at once?
45. How do you feel about working overtime?
46. How do you feel about travel?
47. How do you feel about the possibility of relocating?
48. Are you willing to work flextime?
Dressing for a Job Interview
Depending upon your fashion style, whether it is the latest trends for the club scene or merely college senior casual, a job interview may be cause for some drastic wardrobe augmentation. For your interviews, some of your individualism might have to be shelved or kept in the closet. In most business and technical job interviews, when it comes to your appearance, conservatism and conformity are in order. While many companies have adopted the “office casual” dress code, they will usually still expect greater formality for the interview itself. When in doubt, it is better to be too conservative than to be too flashy. For men and women, a suit is the best bet.
Here are some guidelines: MEN: -A two-piece suit will suffice in most instances -Solid colors and tighter-woven fabrics are safer than bold prints or patterns. -Bright ties bring focus to the face, but a simple pattern is best for an interview. (A tip for larger men: Use a double Windsor knot to minimize a bulky appearance.) -Wear polished shoes with socks high enough to no skin is visible when you sit down and cross your legs. WOMEN: -A suit with a knee-length skirt and a tailored blouse is most appropriate -Although even the most conservative organization allows more feminine looks these days, accessories should be kept simple. Basic pumps and modest jewelry and makeup help to present a professional look. -Pants are more acceptable now but are not recommended for interviews.
There are a lot of great websites will more details and photo illustrations of interview wardrobe do's and don'ts; the Career Services website lists several helpful resources.
Practicing Your Interview Skills
Mock Interviews with Career Counselors
Are you preparing for a job interview? Career Counselors can serve as a great resource to practice your skills and gain useful feedback. During a mock interview, a Career Counselor will act as an employer/hiring committee and ask you job interview questions as if you were actually in an interview. Afterwards, you and the Career Counselor can go over the questions and your answers together and develop ways for you to improve your interview skills.
To give you the most helpful mock interview possible, please provide a copy of your resume (and a description of the job to which you are applying, if you have one) to Career Services at least 24 hours before your appointment. If you wish, a Career Counselor can also videotape the mock interview so you can review the tape together.
Call Career Services at 737-4085 to schedule a mock interview.
M.O.C. (Making Outstanding Connections)
As an alternative to a mock interview with a career counselor, Career Services also offers Making Outstanding Connections (M.O.C.), an opportunity to students to have mock interviews with actual employers and receive helpful feedback. M.O.C. is offered twice a year during Fall and Winter Career Weeks (the week prior to the Career Fairs). Call 737-0519 to schedule a M.O.C. appointment, but be advised that available appointments fill up quickly!
Interview Wardrobe Sale
Other Resources
- Here is a link to the notes from the class BB 405H, scientists in the public eye. It is mostly for student who are applying to graduate programs but it has some really good tips for everyone.
Please visit OSU Career Services' website or Wiki page, or office in the basement of the Kerr Administration Building to learn more about job interviews and other components of career success.
Career Services 8 Kerr Administration Building 737-4085
