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Talking Tips for the Top Five
General Overview Tips
Interview preparation takes time, research, and self-reflection. This sheet can be used as a guideline as you prepare your thoughts and responses for a position in your desired industry.
Quick tips to remember are:
· Take time to reflect on your strengths and skills as a professional
· Apply research about company and industry toward preparing your responses
· Put all of your broad interests and values into a context to give interviewer a reference point
· Stand behind your response and don’t just respond with what you think the interviewer would like to hear
· Be sincere and genuine in your responses in order to develop a back and forth dialogue
Top Five Common Interview Questions
1. “Tell Me About Yourself”
· Perspective: Start from a current perspective and orient the interviewer – “Recently graduated from DePaul University with a Bachelors Degree in Accounting”
· Current Experience: Add a bit of current experience – “I was able to have a strong internship experience at Baxter International…”
· Professional Interests: Share a bit of your professional interests – “I have always been interested in positions and companies that allow for opportunities to be collaborative on projects, work with international markets, etc”
· Outside Interests: Identify external interests that make you well rounded – “In addition to my professional interests, I volunteer at PAWS when I can”
2. “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”
· Technical and Broad Strengths: Share specific strengths – “I feel that I am strong in problem solving and taking ownership of projects.”
· Identify a Context: Enhance strengths with context – “I have always enjoyed building new relationships and I had the opportunity to grow our client base at Winston Enterprises through their College Campus Outreach Program.”
· Plan of Improvement: Be proactive to share how you will improve– “Being a new professional who recently graduated, I know that I have to build my experience in x, and I had hoped to do that through professional development and working with veteran professionals in “x” area.”
3. “Can you share your professional short and long term plans?”
· Identify Strengths with plans: Identify how you will apply and enhance skills further – “I would like to continue to strengthen my project management skills that I gained in my internship”
· Growth: Identify how you would like to grow in position you are applying for
· Area of Specialty: Identify specialties in the industry that you would like to explore later
· Outlook and exploration: Frame long term plans in a broad way not in terms of another position in company – “Long term, I would like to take on more responsibility, perhaps manage several projects, and continue to obtain certifications through professional development”
· Additional education: If appropriate, identify advanced degrees or certifications that can benefit company and position for long term plans
4. “Why are you interested in this company?”
· Research: Stand behind a genuine interest in the company and how it relates to you
· Reputation: Think about how the reputation of company impacted your decision
· Specialization: Expand on your specific interest in the position
· Work Culture: Is there an aspect of the work culture in this company that appealed to you?
· Relationships: Think about this company’s relationship to local, national, and international relationships
· Partnerships: Are there partnerships or collaborations with the company that peaked your interest to apply?
5. “Why Should I Hire You?”
· Strengths: Continue to identify your strengths and how they can benefit position
· Unique Qualities: Identify what might be unique about you as a candidate
· Areas of Support: What areas of the organization can you support?
Ace Your First
Professional Interview
Ace Your First Professional Interview
Michael Elias
melias@depaul.edu
Appointments – 3
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2.362.8437
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Why do employers conduct interviews?
What are they hoping to assess from you in an interview?
The Importance of the Interview
Ask the group to answer the questions listed.
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Employers Need to Know…
If you’ve recently gone through the exercise of revising a resume, you’re probably familiar with transferable skills, accomplishments, and strengths as the main components that should be included in your descriptions of your work, leadership, or volunteer experience on your resume. Keeping that in mind, the interview is an opportunity for you to share more information about those skills, accomplishments, and strengths as they relate to the specific position you are interviewing for.
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More about you than the information on your resume
Personality Fit-
They gauge your personality to ensure it fits the company’s culture, work style, manager, and staff.
Matching short & long term Goals-
They explore how your goals align with the company’s goals for the position. They seek a match between your aspirations and what the company can or is willing to provide.
Matching your skills to the job requirement-
They want to know if you have skills that they need for the job. They do not want to have to train you how to be a team player or how to multi-task for example.
Interview Planning and Execution
Consider these steps when preparing for your interview:
1) Conduct a self-assessment
2) Research the company and employees/manager
3) Prepare questions for the interviewer
4) Practice interviewing
5) Know what you are worth
1. Conduct a Self-Assessment
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1. Evaluate and make a list of your current strengths and transferable skills
2. Compare these transferable skills to the job description if it is available
3. Review your resume and prepare a detailed example or short story describing each important aspect listed
1) Have the group write down their top 3 skills and ask for volunteers from the group to share some.
2) Show a job description to demonstrate where to look for skills and how it compares to you own. Discuss how you would prepare for an interview based on that job description.
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Transferable Skills
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Communication/Interpersonal Skills
Team Orientation/Teamwork
Customer Focus
Technical Knowledge/Related Experience
Flexibility/Adaptability
Problem Solving/Decision Making
Results
Leadership
Conflict Management
2. Research Prospective Companies and Employees
Use the company website to research about:
Industry, Trends, History, Business services, Size, Culture, Achievements and Competitors
Be aware of any major developments within the organization and recent news
Other sources to use:
www.Linkedin.com – Research company and employees
Chicago Crain’s website – www.chicagobusiness.com
Prepare and Practice
3. Prepare questions
Pull questions from your most recent research
Draw up a list of 5 or 6 questions to ask the employer about their company or position
4. Practice interviewing
Review your resume and practice talking about your experiences you listed on it
Script out some specific examples that demonstrate your transferable skills and outline some of your key accomplishments
Set up an appointment with a Career Advisor or an ASK volunteer for a practice interview
5. Know What You are Worth
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Research salary statistics — know average starting salary for the position you’re applying for
www.glassdoor.com www.collegegrad.com
www.payscale.com www.salary.com
www.cbsalary.com www.jobstar.org
Research what your degree is worth in the current market
Talk to your career advisor or go directly to:
http://careercenter.depaul.edu/results/salary.aspx
If an employer asks about salary requirements give a range of what you are looking for (i.e. $35—40,000). Never state a bottom line
Mention Negotiation Skills workshop during this slide for more information on handling job offers and salary negotiation.
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Different Types of Interviews
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Phone Interviews
Face-to-face Interviews
Panel Interviews
Group Interviews
Skype Interviews
Tips for Successful Interviewing
BEFORE the Interview:
Preparation: Review directions or test out the route for timing and confirming location. Also make time to plan your attire and have it ready
Clarification: Find out names and title(s) of interviewers and perhaps review profiles on company website.
Review: Review your resume and identify talking points of accomplishments
Process: Be prepared to fill out additional applications or screenings
Steps to Follow on Interview Day
Making 1st Impressions Count!
Arrival
Arrive ten minutes early to observe company setting and complete any paperwork
Do not text/use phone while waiting, fidget, exhibit bad posture, or chew gum
Bring copies of your resume, a list of references and any portfolio materials to the interview
Setting the Tone – Beginning of Interview
Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake and create rapport with employer
Don’t slouch in chair, use positive body language (eye contact, gestures), and verbal feedback
Maintain Flow – Middle and Close of Interview
Display enthusiasm for position and interview by introducing your personality in interview
Focus on questions asked and clarify questions you are unsure about
Do not bring up benefits or salary – the interviewer should initiate conversations
Give example of story of 1st impression lobby, elevator, front desk attendant
Demo handshake activity. Stand up and introduce self. Examine what happened and then demo correct way and then practice.
Give example of rapport building with the interviewer. (walking to the office and in the office, etc.)
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During the Interview
Wait until you are asked to be seated
Maintain steady eye contact with all the interviewers
Listen carefully
Clarify
Convey confidence, not arrogance.
Control nervous ticks or distractive behavior
Project an open, straightforward impression
Give complete information with examples
Types of Interview Questions
Traditional Interview Questions:
Interviewers are looking to gauge your responses to commonly asked interview questions surrounding your personality, work ethic, academics and experiences.
Answers should be concise and well thought-out based upon your knowledge and experience
Types of Interview Questions
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Behavioral Interview Questions:
The basic premise behind behavioral interviewing: past performance will predict future behavior in same situation
Many organizations determine whether a potential employee has the transferable skills to successfully perform the job
Behavioral questions require specific examples of past experiences which demonstrate the skills an employer is seeking
Behavioral Interviewing Question
Example Question:
“Give me an example of a time when you had to address an angry customer.”
Answer this question by stating specifics about the situation, details about how you handled it and the outcome – situation, action and result
Prepare for these types of interviews by developing descriptive examples for certain skills and competencies
Reference STAR Interviewing handout. Walk through STAR method of answering this question with group. Ask group if they have ever experienced these types of questions now that they are familiar with behavioral interviewing. Stress importance of providing a detailed answer, but not giving too much detail so the interviewer loses track of their answer. Importance of saying “I” and not “we” when answering group/teamwork questions. Reference Sample Interview Questions/Questions for the Interviewer handout for more samples of traditional and behavioral questions, also on CC website.
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Situation or
Task Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish. You must describe a specific event or situation, not a generalized description of what you have done in the past. Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand. This situation can be from a previous job, from a volunteer experience, or any relevant event.
Action you took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you. Even if you are discussing a group project or effort, describe what you did — not the efforts of the team. Don’t tell what you might do, tell what you did.
Results you achieved What happened? How did the event end? What did you accomplish? What did you learn?
STAR Interviewing Response Technique for Success in Behavioral Job Interviews
Other Types of Interview Questions
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You might also encounter these during an interview:
Situational Questions
Technical Questions
Case Questions
Brain Teasers
Closing the Interview the whole time
ABC’s (Always Be Closing)
At the end of your interview, ask the interviewer the next steps in the interview process
Reiterate your interest in the organization. Tell them you want to work for them!
Ask the interviewer(s) for a business card, so that you can send them a thank you letter
After the Interview
Strengthen Final Impressions
Send a thank-you letter no later than 24 to 48 hours after the interview
Call or e-mail to inquire about the position status if you have not heard back
Call your references to share that they may be contacted soon
Reflection
Think of questions answered well and those you might answer differently in future
Consider your salary and benefits expectations
Be sure you know the competitive salary range for the position before you begin to engage in this process
Career Center Interview Preparation Resources
Practice what you’ve learned – learn more about interviewing by attending the second workshop in this series, “Polish Your Professional Interviewing Skills”
Practice online with Interview Stream: depaul.interviewstream.com
Schedule a practice interview with Alumni Sharing Knowledge (ASK) Program via DePaul.Experience.com
See sample interview questions and other interview preparation resources on the
Career Center Website: careercenter.depaul.edu
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Sample Interview Questions
Traditional Interview Questions:
1. What are your strengths?
2. What are your weaknesses?
3. Where do you see yourself in five years?
4. Looking back, what would you do differently?
5. Tell about a time you had to make a tough decision.
6. Tell me about the strengths and weaknesses of your last or current boss.
7. How do you work under pressure?
8. What was the toughest challenge you ever faced?
9. How do you spend your spare time?
10. What courses did you like best? Least? Why?
11. What have been your most satisfying and most disappointing experiences?
12. What has been your greatest challenge?
13. Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things your way.
Behavioral Interview Questions:
14. Describe an instance when you had to think on your feet to remove yourself from a difficult situation.
15. Give me a specific example of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem.
16. By providing examples, convince me that you can adapt to a wide variety of people, situations, and environments.
17. Give an example of a time on any job in which you were faced with problems or stresses that tested your coping skills.
18. Tell me about a time in which you had to use your written communication skills in order to get an important point across.
19. Give me a specific occasion in which you conformed to a policy with which you did not agree.
20. Give me an example of an important goal you have set in the past and tell me about your success in reaching it.
21. Describe the most significant or creative presentation which you have had to complete.
22. Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.
23. Give me an example of a time when you were able to successfully communicate with another person even when that individual may not have personally liked you (or vice versa).
Questions You Should Ask the Interviewer
1. What are the opportunities for personal growth?
2. Identify typical career paths based on past records. What is the realistic time frame for advancement?
3. How is an employee evaluated and promoted?
4. Describe the typical first year assignments.
5. Tell me about your initial and future training programs.
6. What are the challenging facets of the job?
7. What are the company’s plans for future growth?
8. What makes your firm different from its competitors?
9. What are the company’s strengths and weaknesses?
10. How would you describe your corporation’s personality and management style?
11. Is it company policy to promote from within?
12. What kinds of career opportunities are currently available for my degree and skills?
13. What are your expectations for new hires?
14. Describe the work environment.
15. What is the overall structure of the department where the position is located?
16. Why do you enjoy working for your firm?
17. What qualities are you looking for in your new hires?
18. Why should I want to work for your organization?
19. What characteristics does a successful person have at your company?
Ace Your First
Professional Interview
