Targeted Interviewing Strategies. D o u g E l l i o t, O p i n i o n a t e d C a r e e r C o u n s e l o r

Transcription

1 Targeted Interviewing Strategies D o u g E l l i o t, O p i n i o n a t e d C a r e e r C o u n s e l o r

2 4 STEPS OF CAREER TRANSITION Assess your work values, interests, skills & abilities, personality type, long-term career goals. S.W.O.T. Explore occupations, career fields, industries, individual businesses. Learn about local labor market conditions. Evaluate options, make a decision, develop a strategy for achieving your short and long term career goals. C.A.P. Take action! Get education or training. Prepare for and conduct a job search campaign S.M.A.R.T.

3 It is not what you know, it s who you know. It s not who you know, it s who knows YOU!

4 CORE RÉSUMÉ...a brief summary of your background, qualifications, and employment record & is a marketing tool to get you an interview. It will never be seen by an employer. Ever.

5 TARGETED RÉSUMÉ customized to fit the needs of the employer for a unique and specific job and will not be sent to another employer. Ever.

6 INTERVIEW gets you the job offer closes the deal helps keeps you in the running!... can be formal or informal

7 PROVE THIS WHEN JOB SEEKING Do you fit in? = Personality Can you do the job? = Skills Can you be counted on? = Reliability Can you produce? = Work Ethic

8 SKILLS = 2 + T People Applied SOFT Skills & Job Related Job Specific HARD Skills + Transferable PORTABLE Skills

9 ESTABLISHING RAPPORT Check your attitude and engage the interviewer: Remain poised and relaxed Minimize distracting body language SMILE; Convey enthusiasm Speak clearly - not too fast or slow Shake hands confidently Look at all interviewers in the eye Listen carefully to the question Sit up and lean forward

10 TIPS FOR SMALL TALK Be open Be prepared to ask questions Be informed Be a good listener Look for common ground Avoid controversial topics

11 COMMUNICATION AS A PROCESS It s only effective when there s a mutually agreeable exchange of information between at least two individuals

12 THE LOOK OF COMMUNICATION Message Sender (encodes message) Barriers Internal and External Barriers Internal and External Receiver (decodes message) Information sent by sender Response to sender s message

13 COMMUNICATION Words Vocal }= 100% Body Language

14 Words 7% Vocal (voice, timing, pitch, tone, breathing, pauses) 38% Body Language (facial expressions, body movement, 55%

15 96% of 330* employers said that COMMUNICATION and INTERPERSONAL SKILLS are the most important employee traits! Next in line Learning aptitude, collaboration teamwork and creative-problem solving, strong work ethic. *University of Phoenix Survey 2005

16 LISTEN FOR THE MESSAGE 1. Find a common interest 2. Judge content of the message 3. Delay response until the speaker is finished 4. Listen for the main idea of the message 5. Take notes on important points 6. Concentrate on listening!

17 LISTEN FOR THE MESSAGE 7. Avoid physical/environmental distractions 8. Don t miss the message due to bias 9. Use spare listening time to evaluate the message not to rehearse your response 10. Talk less and listen more

18 NON-VERBAL/BODY LANGUAGE can you see the message? 1. Facial expressions 2. Gesture 3. Eye contact 4. Spatial arrangement 5. Patterns of touch 6. Expressive movement 7. Cultural differences 8. Grooming 9. Attire

19 SOFT SKILLS WANTED BY EMPLOYERS IN SAN DIEGO Communication skills Honesty / integrity Teamwork skills Interpersonal skills Motivation/initiative Analytical skills Flexibility/adaptability Computer skills Self-confidence Strong work ethic

20 CAN YOU Troubleshoot and resolve problems Streamline repair processes Cut repair time by 20% Increase repeat customers Increase sales by $50,000

21 BENEFITS OF NETWORKING Obtain job leads or a job Gain inside information Practice marketing Gain visibility

22 INFORMAL NETWORKING Be open-be prepared-be friendly Professional appearance (clothes, grooming) Conversation (light and POSITIVE) Business cards (simple) Small talk

23 TARGETED NETWORKING Who is in your network? Create lists of primary contacts by identifying groups or categories of people you could network with Be creative

24 IDEAS FOR BUILDING NETWORKS Professional associations Social/recreational clubs Volunteer/service organizations Coworkers/former coworkers Your children s activities Service providers

25 NETWORKING TANGIBLES Develop a personal business card Keep a portfolio of your work with at all times Develop a letterhead Have a resume! Obtain or make Thank You cards Website/LinkedIn/Twitter Electronic or card file record

26 PRACTICE AND PREPARE FOR NETWOROKING EVENTS Use your Personal Pitch when meeting people Sit with people you don t already know Stand near the food Keep moving and meet new people Introduce people you meet to others Use your business card Leave with at least one contact who can help with your networking

27 ORGANIZING YOUR EFFORTS Create a chart or spreadsheet of your contacts Include dates, contact information, action items Remember your network grows exponentially Name/Business Source of Action and Follow up of Contact Date Status Contact Mitchell Garcia mg@yahoo.com Carol Jon (neighbor) worked w/him at Petco Sent requesting info interview 11/1 Send thanks to Carol; schedule meeting w/mg

28 INTERVIEW TYPES IN PERSON: ON CAMPUS or AT THE BUSINESS TELEPHONE: (DON T TAKE FOR GRANTED) CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT SCREEN FOR SKILLS EVALUTE YOUR ATTITUDE AND MOTIVATION

29 INTERVIEW TYPES Traditional You respond to interviewer s questions with facts to support your answers. Behavioral / Story Telling You provide specific examples of what you have done in the past relating to the situation that the interview gives you. Case Study You are asked to analyze a problem and come up with a solution. Employer assesses ability/thought process not if your answer was correct. Job Task or Exam You are asked to demonstrate a task, I.e.., make a bed, prepare a tray, etc. -or- You are asked to take a test and you re put on a list of eligibles.

30 WHY RESEARCH? To help you articulate what you know about the job, industry and company Helps you ask and answer interview questions

31 WHAT INFORMATION TO RESEARCH? About YOURSELF About the POSITION About the ORGANIZATION

32 WHERE IS THE INFORMATION? Self-assessment and reflection Organization s website Internet searches Annual reports/marketing materials Networking contacts

33 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW* THE INDUSTRY 1. Macro Industry Trends: technology, globalization, regulations, economics 2. Business Fundamentals: income streams, expenses 3. Competition: who s who, the players in the industry 4. Goods and/or Services: what do they sell, 5. Customers: who are they THE POSITION 6. Industry Specific Knowledge and Analysis 7. Day-to-Day Activities 8. Soft Skills 9. Educational Requirements/Certs/Credentials * 9 Things you need to know about the industry and position before every interview by Ronald Mitchell

34 INTERVIEW ANSWER FORMAT Answer questions using the PAR Model State the Problem for which you were responsible State what Action you took to solve the problem or complete the task State the Results of your actions

35 INTERVIEW ANSWER FORMAT Answer questions using the STAR Model State the Situation or Task for which you were involved State what Action you took to solve the problem or complete the task State the Results of your actions

36 CREATING A PERSONAL PITCH Introduces yourself Includes who you are in terms of education, roles, and work situation Highlights strengths Explains what you are looking for (I.E THIS JOB!)

37 CREATING A PERSONAL PITCH Tell me about yourself. Who are you? Where are you headed? Why are you going there? What is unique about you?

38 COMMON QUESTIONS Why should we hire you? (Rarely asked) Summarize your experience Address key points that match job requirements Give examples! Think PAR/STAR

39 COMMON QUESTIONS Why do you want this job? Summarize your experience

40 COMMON QUESTIONS Why do you want to work for this firm Summarize your experience

41 INTERVIEW HAZARDS Some questions may be unethical or illegal Interviewers must address your skills and experience Questions can t relate to age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, race or religion. If questions are unclear, it s ok to ask for clarification Some interviewers may not be good at interviewing: Stay focused on sharing relevant information Stay positive; maintain eye contact and smile

42 QUESTIONS FOR THE EMPLOYER An interview is a conversation Prepare 5-6 questions ahead OK to ask even if you think you know answers

43 QUESTIONS FOR THE EMPLOYER What is a typical day like for this position? Why has the job become available? Is there a pressing issue I could prepare for before I begin work?

44 QUESTIONS FOR THE EMPLOYER Don t interrogate the interviewer Don t ask about salary, stock options, vacation, holiday schedule or benefits Don t ask questions that have already been answered in the interview, just for the sake of asking something

45 never BE LATE!

46 GROOMING Polished dress shoes no open toed shoes Well pressed clothes Groomed hairstyle freshly cut or styled Cleaned and trimmed fingernails Minimal cologne or perfume: No body odor! Shower! No visible piercing beyond conservative earrings Well-brushed teeth and fresh breath No gum, candy, or other objects in your mouth Minimal jewelry no heavy chains If you smoke DON T prior to the interview.

47 SAY THANK YOU Stand out from your competition Courteous gesture = good manners Another chance to remind who you are and what you can do for the employer

48 Short and to the point Separate letters should be addressed to each person met at the interview Tailor letters for each interview rather than using a form letter Hand-written or business letter?

49 Mention when and why you met. Include a brief statement of what you gained from the meeting. Remind about a strength you bring to the job, and add anything else that sells you for the job. Confirm your interest in the job.

50 Offer or No Offer Online Resources for everything job search related

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52 Doug Elliot, Career Counselor cds.sdce.edu