Preparation for Job Interviews

Agenda

• Prepare for 5 Different Types of Job Interviews
• Prepare for the Most Common Interview Questions
• Prepare for Best Practices BEFORE the Job Interview
• Prepare Strategic Questions at the END of the Job Interview
• Prepare for Best Practices AFTER the Job Interview

Prepare for 5 Different Types of Job Interviews

1. Phone Interviews

Most likely phone interviews are conducted by a recruiter and will last maybe 10 to 15 minutes.

Why do companies conduct Phone Interviews?

• To speed up the hiring process.
• To identify the most qualified candidate.
• To eliminate unqualified candidates.

Action Items we should prepare for a Phone Interview

• Research the company’s background (press releases, new business acquired).
• Review the company’s job description.
• Research/Prepare for the salary questions. The salary questions will most likely come about during the phone interview. glassdoor website is an excellent source for salary information.
• Prepare a nice quiet place in the home to conduct your interview.
• Prepare to ask the recruiter questions about the position. (Questions to the recruiter should be based on the job description. Before you end the phone interview remember to ask the recruiter what are the next steps?)

2. Problem Solving Interviews

Why do companies conduct Problem Solving Interviews?

• To identify, test, and measure how the candidate will approach a difficult and unusual situation.
• To observe how quickly think under pressure.
• To test your analytical/Critical/Technical skills. During this time hiring managers not necessarily looking for the correct answers, but rather how you think and how you solve problems. For example, if you’re a software engineer, your coding skills will be tested.

Action Items you should prepare for a Problem Solving Interview

• Review the job description.
• Review and prepare for the technical questions.
• Reach out to past colleagues and professional affiliations in your field for assistance. Google search, “Software Engineer Professional Organizations”. These organizations are familiar with the types of technical questions that might be asked. Again glassdoor is another great resource for help.

3. Group/Panel Interviews

Why do companies conduct Group/Panel Interviews?

• To allow everyone to conduct the interview at the same time. These interviews save time as well.
• To observe how you work well with a particular group, how well you interact with individuals at the same time.
• To eliminate any personal bias. During this time all questions are the same for each candidate.

Action Items you should FOCUS on for a Group/Panel Interview

• Maintain good eye contact with the person who’s asking the question.
• Maintain good eye contact with everyone in the room.
• Maintain an upbeat and positive attitude with a smile.

4. Behavioral (Face-to-Face) Interviews

Why do companies conduct Behavioral (Face-to-Face) Interviews?

• To allow the hiring manager to get acquainted with the candidate without the resume.
• To predict a candidate’s suitability based on their past behavior in past jobs.
• To determine if the candidate is qualified for the role by using storytelling.

What is the STAR Technique?
The STAR technique is a unique technique to help you develop stories to showcase your professional skills and your professional accomplishments during the job interview. Hiring managers prefer to hear stories on how you solved problems; your leadership; your creativity and your communication and team building skills. Hiring managers will use the STAR technique to conduct behavior interview questions.

Situation — Tell me about a situation you faced?
Tasks — What challenges were barriers in the situation?
Actions — What specific actions did you take to solve the problem?
Results — What were the overall results you achieved?

Sample STAR Technique

S — Situation: My director requested I organized an “ALL HANDS” meeting for our upcoming West Coast Sales Team.
T — Tasks: Although I had organized large events in the past, our west coast sales team consisted of over 100 Sales Representatives. This required scheduling hotel reservations, transportation to and from the hotel as well as scheduling the speaker agenda.
A- Actions: I organized a Google spreadsheet with categories of names, hotels, and transportation information, and I worked closely with the sales west coast contact person for direction.
R- Results: The project was successful and my director acknowledged my work during the “ALL HANDS” meeting as well as awarded me a gift certificate for two at Sandy’s Steakhouse.

Action Items you should PREPARE for a Behavioral (Face-to-Face) Interview

• Use the STAR technique to answer your behavior questions.
• Study the job description and tailor your behavioral answers to what the company is looking for.
• Maintain an upbeat and positive attitude.

5. Video/Zoom Interviews

Why do companies conduct Video/ZOOM Interviews Interviews?

• Save the cost of travel, hotel, food, etc.
• Alternative to phone interviews.

Action Items you should prepare for a Video/Zoom Interview

• Maintain good eye contact with the interviewer.
• Have a copy of the job description and your resume available.
• Don’t multitask during the interview.

Prepare for the Most Common Interview Questions

What are the most common interview questions?

• Why are you interested in working for our company?
• Describe a time when you had to work with a difficult co-worker?
• Tell me about a time when you had to adapt to a situation quickly?
• Please share a weakness/strength?

One of the most common interview questions

Name one strength you have and what was the outcome?

I am very good at decision-making(strength). At my previous company, a problem emerged that needed a decision made quickly to determine the outcome of the project I was managing. I wrote out the pros and cons that best fit the company, and I was able to save a significant amount of money as well as cut costs(outcome). The project was very successful, and the company rewarded me with a nice pay increase.

Name one weakness you have and what are you doing to overcome it?

I am a very detailed and organized professional(this is a plus), however, I notice that I can over analyze the problem which at times will slow down the project and not allow the project to move forward(this is good feedback to improve on). I am aware of this(area of improvement) and I am learning how to delegate to other capable colleagues and staff members(continuous improvement).

For weakness questions, use the SANDWICH technique.

1. Start with your great skills.
2. Then Areas of improvement.
3. Then What you’re doing about it to improve(Continous improvement)?

Everyone has weaknesses. The goal is to turn the weakness into a positive and to be aware of it.

Prepare for Best Practices BEFORE the Job Interview

Why do I need to prepare for Best Practices BEFORE the Job Interview?

• It prepares you for the real interview.
• It relieves stress and increases your confidence level.
• It allows you to provide the best answers.

Best Practices you should prepare for a Job Interview

• Do your homework. Research the company’s background.
  Refer to the company’s website or Google for additional information. Read about the organization. About and Products sections of the organization’s website are very important. Learn the company’s vision & mission. Do thorough information about the company’s products and about what the company does before you go into the interview. Do your research. Glassdoor is again another avenue to learn about the company.
• Research the individuals you would be interviewing with.
  Linkedin is an excellent source for research individuals. Refer whole background of the individuals you’re interviewing with including their skills, perhaps anything that you think will be personable to this individual. As an example, both you and the individual who interviewing you might be graduated from the same university. The goal is to find commonality. Of course, your skills are important, but the more you study the individual’s background, the better fit you will be and more prepared for the interview.
• What should you wear to the interview?
  Dress appropriately. Feel free to reach out to the company’s receptionist or asked the recruiter to know the dress code for the company if you’re not sure. Even if the company has a relaxed dress code. You’re putting your best foot forward, so stay professional.
  Refer to Dress for success by Jhon T. Molly book.
• Arrive 15 mins early for the interview.
  This will give you time to focus and relax from any traffic you may have encountered and also give you additional time to review the job description once again. You can also use this time to observe the lobby and employees’ behaviors.

Prepare Strategic Questions at the END of the Job Interview

Some Strategic Questions you would ask the Hiring Manager at the END of the Job Interview

• Is this a new position?
  You would need to know if the role is new or current. This will help you establish your strategy. if it’s a new position you’ll need to think like an entrepreneur.
• Is this a current position?
  If so, you need to find out what has already been done or what needs to be done.
• Why was this position created?
  Try and find out why the position was created? was it due to the company’s strategic goals? or maybe the hiring manager was difficult to work with?
• What immediate needs do you need to be completed within the next 30 days?
  This shows your analytical and motivational skills.
• What are your expectations for the next six months?
  This shows your strategic thinking and how can you help the company be successful in the long term.
• Is this an individual contributor role or will I be supervising others?
  You want to be successful and establish yourself if you’re supervising others. What are the employee's education, background, and work experiences I will be supervising?

Try and keep your questions to a minimum of 4 per interview, especially during the first meeting with the hiring manager. Do your homework ahead of time. This shows the hiring manager you’ve done your homework. If you make a good impression the first time, you are likely to be invited back for a second interview.

Prepare for Best Practices AFTER the Job Interview

• Thank the hiring manager for their time.
  The hiring manager selected you for the interview. So show the hiring manager how much you appreciate the interview.
• Offer a nice firm handshake along with much enthusiasm.
  Show confidence. Companies are looking for candidates who can work well as team players with other members, and showcase confidence that you can do the job.
• Tell the hiring manager you want the job.
  Companies want to see your enthusiasm and that you want to work for their company.
• Send a nice thank you note to the hiring manager as well as other individuals you’ve interviewed, within 24h to 48 hours after the interview.
  If you don't have everyone’s email address, address the email to the recruiter or the hiring manager, and in the email acknowledge the individuals you interview with.
• Ask the hiring manager what are the next steps?
  You want to know if the company is planning to move quickly with hiring someone or if you’re their first candidate. If so plan ahead.
• Follow up within 1 week unless otherwise noted.
  If you haven't heard back from the company within a week, then follow up. There are several reasons companies have not gotten back to you. There are budgets, or someone could be on a great vacation or someone could be out sick.

Additional Interview Preparation Websites:

• glassdoor.com
• salary.com
• themuse.com
• thebalancecareers.com
• liveabout.com

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