resources successful interviews

INTERVIEW QUESTIONSDESINGED BY,MR.P.SURESH,LECTURER

Remember the Silent Question

All questions employers ask are really the same question…

Ways to Show Value & Make an Impression:

Research the companyUnderstand the positionKnow your strengths & valueTalk about your strengthsLearn to answer different types of questionsPractice your interviewing skillsCreate an interview portfolioSend a thank-you letter

Research the Company

Why? So you can show how you match

with company needs

What? Company mission, core values,

management style, culture, growth areas, projects, problems

Research the CompanyHow?

Company / organization websites Online resources: h

ttp://depts.washington.edu/careers QuickLinks Web Resources Company Research

Directories, financial sources and indexes in libraries and Career Centers - Moody’s Industrial Manual, Thomas Register

Annual reports, articles, newspapers, trade journals

Understand the Position

Understanding what the employer is looking for is key to answering interview questions

Print the job description and highlight the “skill” words

If you don’t have a job description, ask questions about it early in the interview Is there anything more you can tell me about

this position? What results do you expect to see from

somebody in this position?

Understand the Position

When answering interview questions, discuss strengths and experiences that match the job description

Ask a few questions at end of interview Questions that show some

forethought Questions that show you’ve done

your research Questions that demonstrate your

desire to understand the position

Strengths-Based Interview Strategy

Answering the “Silent” question

An interview strategy demonstration


“Tell me about yourself?”The question we usually get to start the interview.

Gives the first opportunity to answer the silent question.


Keep in mind the job description and your strengths/skills.

Choose three strengths and say:“My strengths include _______, _______, and _______;

which of these would you prefer I talk about first?”


The interviewer will choose or let you choose.

Give the best example of when you demonstrated that strength.

Be short and clear - no more than 2 minutes.


Ask: “Is this the kind of information you want? Would you like another example in this skill area or shall I go on to another?”

You will guide the interview so your greatest strengths are clearly communicated.

Complete the worksheets on pages 7-10 in the CCS Career Guide

Know Your Strengths & ValueA Strong Academic RecordSkills & Achievements

Extra-curricular activities, achievements, and good experiences are strong evidence to help in understanding the type of person you are

Technical Skills Essential in some fields, and highly valued in all fields

Also, your ability to… place problems in a wide but relevant perspective work efficiently with others in a team get things done

Answering QuestionsBasic Approach

Listen

Think through the answers you could give

Answer briefly and to the point

Use only positive information

Answering QuestionsGeneral tips

Be yourself Speak clearly Ask for clarification if you do not

understand a question Don’t be afraid to ask for time to think Keep your answers relevant to the question Ask questions – leave the interview

knowledgeable about training, job locations, when you should expect to hear the outcome of the interview, etc.

Answering QuestionsBehavior Based Questions

employers believe past actions predict future behavior

think of examples/stories/scenarios

use the STAR Method

Answering QuestionsSituational Questions

interviewer describes a situation and asks how you would respond

relate to real situation if possible (keep the STAR method in mind)

Answering QuestionsUnexpected Questions

pause - think - respond

Negative Questions always respond with a positive talk about what you learned speak about something unrelated to the job

Answering QuestionsTechnical Questions

test problem solving and critical thinking skills

indicate how you might arrive at an answer http://www.hitequest.com

Illegal Questions think of underlying question interviewer

might have in mind and address it ask how it relates to performing the job

Practice Your Interviewing SkillsAnswering interview questions

effectively takes practice

Practice out loud by yourself

Have a friend ask you questions

Participate in a Mock Interview at CCS

Utilize Interviewing ResourcesVirtual Interview – computer in lobby

Interview Survival Kit – buy at front desk

Employer panels & Career Prep Event

Mock interview program

Create an Interview PortfolioWhat is it?

A portable file of examples related to your skills and strengths

Its purpose is to show evidence of your strengths, value, and match to employers

Create an Interview PortfolioWhy should I create one?

The process of creating one allows you to reflect on your strengths so you can better communicate them

Using portfolios in job interviews will: Set you apart from other candidates Help you better describe your strengths and

examples Help you get jobs!

Create an Interview PortfolioHow do I start making one?

Decide on a format (binder, online, etc.)

Start collecting artifacts that demonstrate the skills you might want to discuss in interviews Photos, charts, reports, certificates, thank you notes,

flyers, diagrams, etc. See examples on next few pages

For each artifact, create a title and short description

Store artifacts in file box or electronic files

Rumi Tsuchihashi Portfolio

HighlightsTeam player with experience in cross-cultural training,

program management, and interpersonal communication. Excellent writing and editing skills. Native fluency in Japanese.

Experience

Cross-cultural training* Designed and conducted workshops on Japanese patterns of

communication and managed student study abroad program.

* Researched and assembled a cultural diversity information packet, as part of a training for educators.

Program management* Effectively managed program participants of diverse ethnic

and cultural backgrounds. * Designed and edited monthly program calendar and

newsletter, which aided internal communication.* One program accelerated its application process by more than

50% after a complete revision of the program information packet and forms.

Interpersonal Communication* Served as liaison between volunteers and clients by exercising

active listening skills, successfully mediating many interpersonal conflicts and problems of miscommunication.

* Maintained regular phone and written contacts with clients, keeping detailed written documents which promoted continuity and cohesion in the service.

Table of Contents

Cross-cultural Training………………………………….2

Program Development...……...……………………. 3

Program Management…………………………………. 4

Cross-cultural Training

Developed presentation and public-speaking skills through Japanese language and culture presentations to Seattle-area public school students.

Program Development

Conceived and conducted workshop assisting overseas program participants with logistical arrangements and provided support for cultural adjustment.

Program Management

Effectively managed program of participants from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Designed and edited newsletter.

Created program recruiting brochure.

Accelerated application process by more than 50% resulting in increased matches.

A Good Match

What I Bring: Cross-cultural training Program development Program management

Your Job Listing: Assistant Director – Institute for International

Education of Students

Create an Interview PortfolioHow do I use one in interviews?

Review job description for key skills Choose 5-10 strengths and artifacts Create targeted portfolio for each interview Include title page and table of contents When discussing a skill during an interview, show

your proof! Leave portfolio for employer to review and pick it

up later

Create an Interview PortfolioWhere can I learn more about portfolios?

Download our Portfolio Basics Workshop slides http://depts.washington.edu/careers/careerplan/workshop.php

Check out http://amby.com/kimeldorf/portfolio/

Meet with a counselor individually

Participate in a mock interview

Send a Thank-You LetterSending a thank-you letter allows you to:

Express appreciation Demonstrate professionalism Demonstrate your writing skills Restate your interest, skills, and match Address issue you forgot or want to emphasize Stand out from the crowd

Send a Thank-You LetterThank-you letters should be:

Short, sincere, positive

Sent within 48 hours of your interview

Addressed to each interviewer

Signed

SummaryResearch the companyUnderstand the positionKnow / speak about your strengths and

valuePrepare for different types of questionsPractice, Practice, Practice! Create a portfolioSend a thank-you letterCollegeGrad.com - click on Interview Prep

Successful Interviews