General Sharing of Information
Here the interviewer provides information about the job and the organization. Your role is that of active listener.
The Keys to Active Listening are:
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Limit Your Own Talking
Remember that it’s impossible to talk and listen at the same time. |
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Think Like the Interviewer
By listening to the interviewer’s comments, you will understand his or her needs. |
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Ask Questions
If you don’t understand something, clear it up right away and avoid being embarrassed later. |
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Don’t Interrupt
Allow pauses, even long ones. They don’t always mean the interviewer has finished speaking. |
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Concentrate
Focus your mind on what is being said and practice shutting out distractions. |
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Take Notes
Notes will help you remember important points, but be selective. |
By practicing the characteristics of active listening, when the interviewer turns to you and says, “Tell me about yourself,” you’ll be able to use the information you just gathered to enhance your personal 1-3 minute commercial. Now is the time to share your polished opening statement – and remember to follow it up with a pointed comment about your interest in the available position.
SHARPENING THE FOCUS
In this stage, the interviewer will begin to ask more specific questions. If you followed the guidelines covered in the section of this booklet called, Before the Interview, it is here that you will reap the benefits of all your hard work. You will already have detailed information as to the:
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Skills |
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Knowledge, and |
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Personal Traits |
required for this position and of your ability to meet them.
Now you will have a well-developed repertoire of performance-based stories that succinctly demonstrate the Problems you have encountered in the past, what Action(s) you took to effectively deal with them, and the positive Results of your actions.
Closure
In this stage, the interviewer will ask if you have any questions. Yes! You always have questions! This is not, however, the time to ask questions that were covered in their literature, or questions about benefits or salary (you can ask these when you’re offered the position). Remember, the first interview is still a two-way process. You are still gathering information on this employer as well as giving information about your ability to fit.
If you have enough information to know that this organization fits with your key values, then you may want to focus your questions around:
The timing involved:
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Where are they in the hiring process? |
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How many others are being interviewed? And where do you stand? (For example, “Am I the first one being interviewed out of six candidates?”) |
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With whom to stay in touch? |
Key questions that help determine if the job is right for you:
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Tell me what the performance expectations are for this position six months from now, one year from now, and down the line. |
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What questions will I wish I had asked 6 months from now, after I take the position? Now let’s discuss these issues. |
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Is this company/organization slated to be sold or merged? Can we discuss how that might affect me? |
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Please describe the “culture” of this organization, in your opinion. |
Once you have asked two or three key questions, your interviewer will generally let you know when you can expect to hear from them. Usually you will be asked to interview more than once before you are offered a job. Second and third interviews tend to focus on the fit between your personality and the individuals with whom you will be working. Remember to keep your energy high throughout the process and be a good listener. This will help you respond more effectively to all the questions you are asked.
KEEP THE DOOR OPEN
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Do not be too anxious to gain an offer. The longer you build the relationship with your prospective employer, the more opportunities you create. |
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Express your sincere interest and enthusiasm. |
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Show them how you can solve their problems. |
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Follow-up regularly! |
Tips on Handling Difficult Types of Interviews
Series Interviews
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Come prepared, rested, and well fed. It may be a long day (6-8 hours) so bring candy or crackers. |
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It is okay to use the same answer or example with more than one interviewer. |
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Each new interview is an opportunity for a fresh start, especially if you didn’t do well in the last one. You may meet four very different people –if you bomb, you can go on to the next one. |
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HR’s role is to have candidates well prepped. Use your HR contact as a resource and ally. Since the HR person has passed you on as a viable candidate, she/he now has a vested interest in your success. |
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Get names of the interviewers, their titles, and what they will want to discuss. |
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Communication and enthusiasm will carry the day—if you have basic technical skills. |
Panel Interviews
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Try to make “contact” with each panel member– pacing and matching their behavior patterns and tempo when possible. |
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The process can be very intimidating/stressful, but you are up to the job! |
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Don’t just focus on one person |
