5 Chapter 4: Professional Interviewing

4.1 Preparing Effectively for a Job Interview

1. Understand the job requirements by thoroughly reviewing the job description.
2. Research the company to gain insights into its culture, values, and expectations.
3. Practice common interview questions to build confidence and improve responses.
4. Choose appropriate attire based on company culture and industry standards.
5. Prepare necessary materials and maintain a professional demeanor.
6. Project confidence and demonstrate respect for everyone you encounter.

   Activity

   Locat a job announcement online. Paste the announcement in a prompt for GenAI (ChatGPT or Gemini) asking what sort of questions might be asked in an interview for the job.

    

4.2 Job Interview Types and Techniques

• Screening Interviews:
  • o Short (15-30mins) interviews to narrow down applicants.
  • o Interviewers should be asking all interviewees the same basic questions.
  • o Focus on standing out and securing a face-to-face meeting.
• Phone or Web Conference Interviews:
  • o Zoom, Teams, other video conferencing content.
  • o Ensure equipment works and environment is professional.
  • o Wear full interviewing professional dress, you never know if you’ll have to stand up and wearing interviewing wardrobe can make you feel more confident.
• One-on-One Interviews: Traditional format to build rapport. Be prepared to discuss your qualifications in depth.
• Panel Interviews: Multiple interviewers assess you simultaneously. Listen carefully and connect with each panelist.
• Serial Interviews: Multiple one-on-one meetings with key stakeholders. Requires extensive preparation.
• Lunch Interviews: Informal setting but still an interview. Maintain professionalism and good manners.
• Group Interviews: Multiple candidates interviewed together. Observe how you interact with others.

4.3 Types of Questions

Introductory Questions:

• These open-ended questions allow you to highlight your qualifications and fit for the job.
• Examples: Tell me about yourself. What do you know about our company?

Behavioral Questions

• These questions assess past behavior to predict future performance. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
• Examples: Describe a stressful situation at work and how you handled it. Give an example of a goal you reached.

Situational Questions

• These questions test your problem-solving and decision-making abilities in hypothetical scenarios.
• Examples: If you discovered your supervisor was breaking company rules, what would you do? How would you prioritize tasks with two important deadlines?

Job Knowledge or Technical Questions

• These questions evaluate your specific skills and knowledge required for the job.
• Examples: What is the order of operations in Excel? How do you properly use a blood pressure monitor?

Questions for the Employer

• Prepare thoughtful questions to show interest in the company and position. Avoid questions about salary and benefits until offered the job.
• Examples: What skills make the most successful employees here? What does a typical day look like in this role?

4.4 Sample Questions and Answers

Here are some tips for answering common interview questions effectively:

1. Tell me about yourself.

• Focus on relevant skills and experiences for the job.
• Highlight your education, traits, and interest in the company.

2. What are your strengths?

• Choose 3 strengths and showcase them with examples.
• Relate your strengths to the job requirements.

3. What are your weaknesses?

• Discuss a weakness not affecting your ability to perform the job.
• Show initiative to improve on your chosen weakness.

4. Why should we hire you?

• Highlight your qualifications and unique value proposition.
• Demonstrate your confidence in your abilities.

5. Where do you see yourself in five years?

• Discuss your career aspirations within the company.
• Show long-term commitment and willingness to learn and grow.

6. Conflict with a coworker/supervisor/manager?

• Describe a real-life conflict situation.
• Demonstrate your problem-solving and communication skills.
• Avoid negativity and focus on resolution.

7. Angry customer experience?

• Describe a situation where you handled a difficult customer.
• Show active listening, empathy, and conflict resolution skills.
• Highlight your professionalism and ability to find solutions.

8. What is your salary target?

• Research typical salaries for similar positions.
• Be flexible and open to discussing salary and benefits.

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers for behavioral questions.

4.5 Unlawful Questions:

• U.S. law prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.
• Employers cannot ask job-related questions.
• If asked an inappropriate question, politely clarify, question its relevance, or decline to answer.

4.6 Informational Interview:

• Informational interviews are a great way to explore careers and industries. They are conversations where you seek insights from professionals in your field of interest.

Here’s how to conduct an informational interview:

• Step 1: Research the Field

• • Identify companies and organizations in your target field.
  • Learn industry terminology, subfields, and job titles.
  • Research job qualifications using online resources.
• Step 2: Identify People to Interview
  • Leverage your network or reach out to professionals online (LinkedIn).
  • Research their professional background to tailor your questions.
• Step 3: Prepare Your Introductory Message
  • Briefly introduce yourself and explain how you found them.
  • Clearly state your request for a 20-30 minute informational interview.
  • Emphasize you’re seeking information, not a job.
  • Be prepared for rejection and refine your message for future attempts.
• Step 4: Conduct the Interview
  • Prepare questions beforehand, but be flexible for improvisation.
  • Dress professionally (even for virtual interviews) and arrive on time.
  • Briefly re-introduce yourself and explain your purpose.
  • Take charge of the conversation with your prepared questions.
  • Speak clearly and concisely, using professional language.
• Step 5: Follow Up and Reflect
  • Take detailed notes after the interview to capture key takeaways.
  • Reflect on the interview: what went well, what surprised you, areas for improvement.
  • Send a thank-you note within 1-2 days, mentioning something specific from the interview.

Additional Tips:

• Informational interviews should last around 30 minutes.
• Use the provided resources in the text for further guidance on informational interviewing.