2. Interviewing 101
Agenda
• Know Yourself
• Being Prepared
• Types of Interviews
• Interview Tips
• Common questions – how to answer &
what to ask
• Questions?
3. Interviewing 101
Know Yourself Before You Interview
• Everyone has strengths and weaknesses
• What is your passion? What drives you?
• Don’t look for any job, look for the right job
• What factors will you consider before
accepting a job?
• Challenge? Career path? Salary? Commute?
4. Interviewing 101
The Boy Scouts had it right – Be Prepared
• Do some research about:
• The potential employer
• The group
• The manager
• Do you know the latest news in your field?
• Research yourself:
• Your resume
• Linked In
5. Interviewing 101
Types of Interviews
• Phone Screen
• One-on-One
• Panel Interview
• Interview Loop
• Who is your audience?
• Staffing Recruiter
• Corporate Recruiter
• HR Representative
• Hiring Manager
• Potential Peers
6. Interviewing 101
Acing the Phone Interview
• Get out of the hammock
• Be enthusiastic
• Smile
• Never interrupt
• Avoid negative words
• Take notes
• Recap your fit for the job
• Ask about next steps
• Say thank you
8. Interviewing 101
Day of the Interview – you should:
• Be “scent” sensitive
• Brush your teeth
• No smoking
• Know the dress code
• If in doubt, always overdress (ask your agent)
• Show up early, leave time for:
• Traffic, parking, checking in with reception
• Spit out your gum
• Leave coffee, soda, water in your car
• Turn off your cell phone
9. Interviewing 101
RELAX!
• No one is at their best in an interview
• Interviews are a mutual exchange of
information
• The interviewer has a stake in your
interview as well
• Hiring managers are not necessarily great
interviewers
10. Interviewing 101
• Many employers ask “behavioral” questions
• Take time to determine your answer
• Slow Down!
• Pay attention to the question and make
sure you answer it
• Do not ramble
• Ask: “Did I answer your question?”
Giving your best answer
11. Interviewing 101
• Why are you leaving your current position?
• Why are you interested in this position?
• What is your ideal opportunity?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?
• Why are you interested in contracting?
• Why should I hire you?
• Give thought to these questions before you
interview!
Other common Questions
12. Interviewing 101
• You’re prepared for what to say in the interview,
but what do you say walking down the hall, in the
elevator, etc…..
• Be yourself
• Start with “How are you?” Listen to the answer
• If asked “How are you?”, don’t launch into ills,
complaints or burdens. This leaves a bad first
impression.
• Error on the side of being too positive: “I’m great,
thanks!”, “I’m excited to be interviewing for this
position”, “I just had a great vacation”, etc.
• Find a common thread and weave a rug out of
personal connections.
What else do I say to this person?
13. Interviewing 101
• Don’t misrepresent your experience or skill
level
• If you’re a writer, bring writing samples
• If you’re a designer, bring your portfolio
• If you’re a project manager, bring a project
plan, flow chart, or other deliverable you’ve
created
• Make it as easy as possible for someone to
hire you!
• Prepare and send thank you notes
• Email is okay
What else?
