This document provides interview tips and guidelines. It discusses different interview formats, the key questions interviewers will ask (can you do the job, will you do the job, do I like you?), how to prepare answers using the STAR method and elevator speeches, researching the company, proper interview etiquette and questions to ask. The document emphasizes being prepared with examples and stories, staying positive, asking questions, and following up with a thank you note.

1. INTERVIEW TIPS
Abilities Job Fair Workshop
July 7, 2015

2. Interview formats
Telephone Face-to-face
Panel Group

3. Two needs of an employer:
•Will you make them money
(increase profits / revenue)
•Will you save them money
(increase profitability / productivity)

4. Three questions in the mind of the
interviewer / hiring manager:
Can you do the job?
Will you do the job?
Do I like you?

5. Can you do the job?
• Know your resume, your
strengths, your weaknesses
• Think in terms of Benefits
(increase profits and/or
profitability)
• Prepare your Elevator
Speech / 30-second bio

6. Can you do the job?
• Elevator Speech: Your 30-second bio
• Name
• What position you seek
• Why you are qualified
• Ask for the sale “Tell me about
yourself”
“Why should we
hire you?”

7. Can you do the job?
• STAR Stories: Situation / Task / Action /
Result
• 5 - 7 STAR stories can answer 500+ interview
questions
Tell me about…
How you deal with
difficult customers
A time you went
Above and
Beyond
A time you
disagreed with
your boss

8. Will you do the job?
• The interview starts before you arrive!
• Dress to impress!

9. Will you do the job?
• Research the company!

10. • Firm hand shake
• Smile
• Be interested, and interesting
• Ask questions
• Ask for business cards
• Send a “Thank You” note that day
by email and by snail mail
Ask questions!
Do I like you?

11. Interview “Do’s”
• Do stay positive
• Do keep answers to 60 – 90 seconds
• Do ask questions
• Do ask for the position (if you want it)
• Do ask for next steps

12. Interview “Don’ts”
• Do not arrive late
• Do not say negative things about your former /
current company, boss, or colleagues
• Do not provide personal information
• Do not chew gum, eat snacks, bring a drink,
smoke, or make/take phone calls
• Do not ask about salary or benefits
before the offer is made
“Why did you leave
your last position?”
“Explain these gaps
in your work history”

13. The salary question
• Avoid answering if possible
“I would be happy to answer, but first I would
like to know more about the duties and
responsibilities of this position”
• Do your research ahead of time
•Indeed.com/salary
•ONetOnline.org
• If you must answer, give a wide range around
the current market rates
$9 - $14/hour, or $18,000 - $28,000 annual

14. “Do you have any questions for
me?”
“Yes I do!”

15. Kevin Dumcum
Business Account Coordinator
DumcumK@mail.maricopa.gov
602-372-4462