Career Services | Interviewing Skills

Interviewing Techniques

Interviewing is an integral part of the job search process. The amount of time you spend preparing for an interview is an important factor in determining the success of an interview. Evaluate your interviewing skills to determine if your skills are up-to-date. The job climate has shifted and employers have different expectations of a prospective employee than they did five years ago. Employer concerns about longevity have been replaced with a desire to see more rapid results. Be prepared to demonstrate that you are capable of getting up to speed immediately and that you have the skills and experience to solve complex problems effectively and without hesitation. It is important to demonstrate that you are in touch with the business needs of today. The following tips will help you prepare for interviews:

A.  Prepare Ahead of Time

  • Take time to learn everything you can about the organization before an interview. Know the company’s products, services, history, training program, financial status and employee relations. Sources to obtain this information include the company website, annual reports and public relations materials. You may also obtain information from either a local or university library.
  • Review the skills and competencies required for the position. If you know what is required you will be better able to answer the interview questions. Take time to articulate your key strengths as they relate to the position and translate your strengths into assets the company is looking for.
  • Practice how to get to the interview and where to park, so that you will be on time. Practice a brief introduction of yourself (60 – 120 seconds). Try on what you are going to wear. Practice answering questions in front of your mirror or with your colleagues, your significant other or even your neighbor. Practice your tone of voice; be positive.
  • Try to obtain a detailed job description. Even if you have applied from a blind ad in the newspaper or from a company’s employment hotline, by the time you get to the interview you should know as much as possible about what skills are needed so your answers will address these skills.
  • Know your strengths and weaknesses and how to express them. Be prepared to give examples of strengths and successes. If asked if you have any weaknesses pick one that used to be a weakness and explain how you have worked on it to become a strength.

B.  During the Interview

  • Greet the interviewer with a confident smile, eye contact and a friendly handshake. Remember to remain standing until asked to sit down.
  • Keep answers to about one minute. Avoid exaggerations.
  • Listen and think. Make sure you know what they are asking before you answer.
  • Do not bring up money until they do. You might sell yourself short.
  • Be prepared with questions of your own. You are interviewing them as well.

Questions Most Commonly Asked During an Employment Interview

1.   Tell me about yourself.
2.   Why did you choose your particular field of work?
3.   What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?
4.   What two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction? Why?
5.   How would you describe yourself?
6.   What two or three things are most important to you in your job?
7.   Why did you decide to apply for this position with this company/organization?
8.   How has your college experience prepared you for this particular job/position?
9.   How do you work under pressure?
10. What have you learned from your mistakes?
11. What do you know about our company/organization?
12. What personal characteristics are necessary for your success in your chosen field?
13. How do you plan and organize for major projects?
14. What three words best describe you?
15. Are you willing to travel?
16. What motivates you to do a good job?
17. What did you learn in school that will help you succeed in this position?

Questions You Might Ask the Employer at the Interview

1.   What characteristics do you most like to find in people in this job?
2.   What would you consider to be the most difficult task involved in this job?
3.   Does the company accept ideas or suggestions?
4.   Will I have the opportunity to meet the people I will be working with?
5.   Do you have any questions about my résumé or application?
6.   What would you consider to be the most difficult task involved in this position?

C.  Show that you are a decisive leader who has learned from past mistakes

Employers are beginning to recognize the importance of having failed and subsequently learned from your mistakes. Your ability to articulate the reasons for your choices, the circumstances contributing to the failure and the lessons learned to eliminate a repeat mistake will help you outshine an equally qualified applicant who lacks experience in dealing with adversity. In addition, the employee who gets ahead can demonstrate decisiveness, the courage to take a stand and the ability to adjust to change and forge ahead to produce results

D.  Demonstrate your ability to create synergy

Five years ago, when asked to describe your management style, you could impress an interviewer by talking about using performance-management techniques, setting expectations, measuring feedback and rewarding performance. Currently, the situation is more complicated. In addition to showing that you are a capable employee, you must prove that you know how to encourage individuals to work together to accelerate problem solving. You must show that you understand how to navigate in a complex environment, where how well you work with other parts of the organization or company is what ultimately produces results.

E.  Do not worry about your career aspirations five years from now; show what you are capable of doing now.

“What would you like to be doing five years from now?” was once a standard part of the interview process; however, this query is fading from use. Given today’s tumultuous economic and social climate, employer concerns about longevity have been replaced with a desire to see rapid results. Three-year plans are practically unheard of, which means you need to show that you are capable of getting up to speed immediately and that you have the skills and experience to solve complex problems effectively and without hesitation. Instead of discussing where you plan to be five years from now, be prepared to answer something like: “How would you characterize a 90-day plan to meet the objectives of this position?”