rocking the interview - cal alumni association the... · closing the interview ask technical and...

ROCKING the Interview

CAA “Bear Essentials”

Career Management Webinar Series

August 6, 2014

© 2014 Tim Johnston_WayFinders

Careers

Keeping It Simple …

Don’t Over Think This!

“Cry for Help” vs. Job Posting

Solution vs. Applicant

Eliminating Competition

2 © Copyright 2014 - WayFinders Careers

Keeping It Simple …

Preparation & Practice

Only THREE Questions

Story Telling

Conversations vs.

Inquisitions


Before the Interview

Know Thy Self Clarify your objective and aspiration

Review your skills and “value props”

Understand what sets you apart

Understand the Need Need – Pain – Opportunity

Align the solution


Before the Interview – The Matrix


NEED OFFER STORY

Responsibilities

Qualifications

Requirements

The Interview Itself

Timing

Preparation

Appearance

Arrival

The non-verbal component

The verbal component

Open-ended

Closed

Behavioral Descriptive (“SOAR”)


• Opening

• Answer period

• Question period

• Conclusion

• Follow-up

Interview Format


Setting the Stage

Use Unique Selling Attributes (USAs)

Knowledge

Skills

Abilities

Personal Traits

Attitudes

Behaviors

Wisdom

© Copyright 2014 - WayFinders Careers 8

Why USAs?

Keeps it simple

Puts you in control

Reduces fear of saying “the wrong thing”

Keeps you focused

Differentiates you from most job searchers

Makes you memorable & less generic


When & Where To Use USAs

Be Consistent

• Use them all the time, any time

you talk to someone

REPEAT - REPEAT - REPEAT

• Use all the themes when

answering open-ended

questions

• Use one theme to tie in with

closed questions

• To close the interview


The Three Keys to Interviewing

COMMUNICATE YOUR VALUE

WILL DO!

• Motivation

FIT

• Personality

CAN DO!

• Skills


The Interviewer’s Agenda

Personal Impression

Dress

Social skills

Communication skills

Professionalism

Competence

Related experience and skills

Expanding on the resume information

Ability to do the job

What experiences demonstrate

competence?


The Interviewer’s Agenda

Likeability Organizational Fit

Would I like to work with this person?

Can you get along with others?

Listening skills

Personality and attitudes toward the job

Motivation Is the applicant excited about the job?

Does the applicant project enthusiasm?

Interested in the field?

Leadership Evidence of leadership in other settings?

Would applicant set a good example for the rest of the staff?


Open Ended Questions

Tell me about yourself.

Why are you interested in this

role?

Why should we hire you?

What makes you unique?

What makes you the best

candidate for the job?


Key Questions

What are your STRENGTHS?

What is a WEAKNESS?

Significant ACCOMPLISHMENT(s)?

How would you describe your

PERSONALITY?

What do you want to do 5 years

from now?


Key Questions

What are you looking for in a job?

What did you like most / least about your last job?

What would your boss … peers say about you?


Story Telling with “S.O.A.R.”

SITUATION

OPPORTUNITY

ACTION (S)

RESULT(S)


Behavioral Interview Questions

Samples

Describe a situation where you developed an innovative solution to a long-standing problem. How did you approach the situation and how did you arrive at the solution?

Tell me about a time when you worked with someone who simply did not share your work values or points of view. How did you handle this experience?

Tell me about a mistake you made at work. What was it? How did you deal with it?


Answering Questions Strategically

Listen to the entire question

Things to consider: What does the interviewer want to

learn about me?

What information do I want or need to convey?

Clarify or confirm the question when necessary “I want to be sure I’m clear. Could

you repeat the question please?”

“If I understand your question correctly, you are asking me ..”


Answering Questions Strategically

Respond Use specific examples

when possible

“Tell & Show” with SOARs

The Matrix

Create a dialogue Answer, then Ask


Closing the Interview

Three Types of Question to Ask

Technical

Fit

Clarifying

RELEVANCE!!


Overcoming Resistance

Clarify the concern

Convey confidence

Avoid a defensive response


Closing the Interview

Ask technical and fit questions that are appropriate.

Make sure you have made points you wanted to make – think of your USAs.

Test out interviewer’s doubts or reservations.

Define the next step. Find out when you can expect to hear about the final decision.

Make a strong closing statement. If you’re still interested in the job, make sure they know. Be enthusiastic!


After the Interview

Debrief

Follow-up

Evaluate


Debrief Action Steps

Ask yourself …

What should I start doing to help me

develop better interviewing skills?

What should I stop doing to improve

my interviewing behavior?

What should I continue doing to

ensure my interviewing skills remain

effective?

What are my top priorities for the next

step?


Write a thank you note within 24 hours

26

Follow-up

Express thanks and reiterate interest in the position

Refresh key points (USAs) and topics Address issues raised in the

interview

Rephrase any answer that was weak in the interview session to reinforce your capability

© Copyright 2014 - WayFinders Careers

Finally …

Be in it to WIN it!!


Thank You!


Careers

Tim Johnston Managing Principal

WayFinders Careers

[email protected]

650.224.0689 (m)


Careers

rocking the interview - cal alumni association the... · closing the interview ask technical and...

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