Interviewing with Success www.CrossroadsCareer.org Julie Melbye SkyWater Search Partners

Interviewing with Success
Presented By:
Julie Melbye
SkyWater Search Partners
Questions at the end please
Write them down and see if they aren’t
answered by the end of presentation
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Agenda
 Approach to Selection
 Preparing for Your Interview
 The Interview – STAR/Behavioral Interviewing
 Avoiding Common Interviewing Problems
 The Skype Interview
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Approach to The Selection Process
The Recruiters Perspective
Selection is a process of matching the experience, skills,
knowledge, culture and behaviors required for the
position and company with the most qualified candidate
The choice to hire is the interviewer’s
BUT…..
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Approach to The Selection Process
The Candidate’s Perspective
…The Choice to Accept is the Candidates
Consequences of a Poor Career Decision
Poor match for the job
Negative impact on your morale
Underperformance
Limited career progression
Lower earnings
Short-term employment
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Preparing For The Interview
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 Research Company & Job
 Resume Prep – Bring Copies
 Prepare a Portfolio/Brag Book in a PROFESSIONAL BINDER
Prepare for Commonly Asked Questions – Weakness – Why
did you leave your last job? Walk me through your resume
Prepare Open Ended Questions to find out their NEEDS
Write out your STAR stories – experiences in your career
Dress the Part – Arrive Early
Role Play
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Finding a Job is a Sales Process
The only difference is that YOU are the PRODUCT
An Interview is really a consultative sales call—which consists
of 3 parts:
1.
Uncover their NEEDS – Open ended questions
2.
Match your experiences with the NEEDS – S-T-A-R Examples
3.
Close the Sale – Ask for the job
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#1 UNCOVERING THEIR NEEDS
To transition into this phase: If they ask you to talk about your
background – you can turn the focus around by asking:
“I would be very open to describing my background further, but can I
ask you a few questions first so I know what part of my extensive
experience would be pertinent to our conversation?”
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How many people do you have in this position currently?
Why is the position open?
What has been the background of the candidates that has worked well for you in the past?
What hasn’t worked?
What are the 3 criteria that this position will be critiqued on in 6 months?
How would you describe the Company’s culture?
What are you most hoping to find in the person you hire?
What would be my first priorities on the job?
I’ve read the business job description, but could you tell me about the position, the size of the
team, & how it is organized and the intangibles you are looking for in this position?
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#2 Match Needs with Experiences
STAR/Behavioral Stories
Based on the needs you uncovered in part #1 of the interview –
why are you a good fit for the position?
The best predictor of future performance… Is past performance
in similar circumstances
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Situation
Task
Actions – your personal actions
Results – always use measurable results
Write these out – Don’t wing it
5-6 situations in which you have displayed:
Leadership, Teamwork, Communication, Tight Deadlines, Increased Sales, Decreased
Expenses, Dealing with difficult customer/co-worker
SEE HANDOUT OF SAMPLE QUESTIONS
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#3 Close the Sale!
ASK FOR THE JOB!
Test the water first: Towards the end of the interview ask:
“Based on our discussion, do you feel that I have the
qualifications to succeed in this position?”
Hard Close:
“I AM VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS POSITION AND WOULD BE INTERESTED IN
DISCUSSING THE POSITION WITH YOU FURTHER. WHAT ARE THE NEXT
STEPS?”
“Will you be recommending me to move to the next round?”
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Skye Interviews
Setting up your camera – at top of computer
Practice ahead of time with friend
Location – lighting in front of you
Dress – fully suited up and dark colors
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Avoiding Common Problems
 Typo’s in your resume
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Slamming past employers
“We” before “I”
Generalities
Joking
 Talk too much -- LISTEN
 Never talk about $
 I would be willing to entertain your strongest offer!
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At most – give ranges
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My Best Advice
If you’re not sure you’re answering a question
correctly, ask
 It’s a small world
 Demonstrate confidence, not arrogance
 Relax!
 Be genuine
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