Project 7 - Interviewing

Due

• Group work research on interviewing questions, dress and conduct
• There is nothing to hand in for the actual interview portion. Your participation in the team interview will earn you points. Show up to class, dress professionally, and be prepared to answer tough interview questions in a serious interview setting.

Group Work Instructions (In Class)

In class, get into your collaborative groups and complete the following:

• Group 1
  Create a list of the top ten most-asked interview questions, and the best answers for them
• Group 2
  Create a list of the top ten tips for successfully completing an interview
  Create a list of the top ten things you shouldn't do during an interview
• Group 3
  Define what women should, and shouldn't, wear to an interview (be specific and address: hats, hair, shirt, pants, coat, shoes, socks, belt, jewelry, makeup, etc.)
• Group 4
  Define what men should, and shouldn't, wear to an interview (be specific and address: hats, hair, shirt, pants, coat, shoes, socks, belt, jewelry, makeup, etc.)
• Type your information and print enough copies for the class and instructor
• Cite your sources
• Email your information to your instructor at: kuncec@westerntc.edu

Planning, Preparing for, and Surviving Your Interview

This PowerPoint offers many helpful interviewing tips and tricks: interviewing.ppt (1MB)

We will review it in class, but I also suggest you review it yourself before your interview with another student in class.

Skype Interviews

Due to the reduced costs of interviewing candidates over the web, some companies are using Skype to interview applicants that are too far away to interview in person. This article from TIME offers helpful tips and advice to help you prepare and successfully complete your first Skype interview online.

Download article: skype_job_interviews.pdf (288k)

Odd Interview Questions

While these questions are usually reserved for applicants entering management, some graduates have reported being asked them during phone and f2f interviews.

Examples:

Why are manhole covers round?

If you had a fish bowl with 200 fish, how many would you have to remove to get to 98%?

How many piano tuners are there in Chicago?

Practice Answering These Common Interview Questions

Complete the following interview questions using your own insights, books and videos available in the library, and on Web sites that give answers to tough interview questions.

1. So, tell me about yourself...
   
2. Why do you want to work for our company?
   
3. If you are hired, how long will you stay with us?
   
4. What are your three most important assets?
   
5. What have you done in the past that qualifies you for this job?
   
6. Describe your most difficult design project. What did you learn from the experience?
   
7. Provide an example of when you have been criticized or reprimanded, and explain how you handled it.
8. In five short statements, tell me why I should hire you.
   
9. What tasks do you NOT want to do if we hire you?
   
10. We are really looking for an exceptional employee, not just someone who wants a paycheck—do you have any reservations or second thoughts about your ability to do this job?
    
11. In what three areas do you feel you need the most improvement?
    
12. How would you respond to your supervisor telling you that you really haven’t been doing a good job?
    
13. Are you an honest person? If yes, provide a past example that demonstrates you are an honest person.
    
14. We all know that people don’t always get along with each other, tell me, what types of people do you have the most difficulty dealing with?
    
15. If I were to offer you this job right now, what would your answer be?
    
16. Describe how you have used your time-management skills to successfully complete design projects?
    
17. How are you currently keeping up-to-date in your field?
    
18. If we hired you, what type of training would you ask us for to keep you up-to-date in your field?
    
19. Provide me with an example of when you had to make a tough decision, and tell me what happened as a result of your decision?
    
20. What motivates you on the job?
    
21. Where do you want to be in 5 years?
    
22. Give me an example of when you had to meet an extremely tight deadline, and tell me what you did to accomplish the task.
    
23. Explain your personal creative process?
    
24. Tell me about an instance when you were disappointed with your performance?
    
25. End of interview—Well, that’s all I have, do you have any questions for me? (Write down 5)
    

Do your best to answer these before your interview in class. There is a “best” answer for each, and I will give you them later. For now, answer the questions with the best answers you can find or think of. Common sense will get you far... or, search the web for answers. There are also books in the library with answers to tough interview questions.

In-Class Interview with Another Student

This interactive, group activity will allow you to practice and hone your interviewing skills.

1. In class, you will be paired with another student (at random).
   
2. Chose who will go first
   
3. The student asking questions first will choose 15 of the 25 questions from project 8, and acting out the role of a serious interviewer, ask the interviewee the 15 questions. One by one. Slowly, accurately, and seriously.
   
4. Do not go on to the next question until at least 2 minutes have passed. If the interviewee answers the question in less than two minutes, ask follow-up questions to get more information. Reference your answer key for follow-up questions.
   
5. Once all 15 questions have been asked, switch roles and continue.
   

Guidelines

1. You must dress professional for the interview.
   
2. Bring 5 questions to ask the interviewer.
   
3. You must act professionally and answer the questions seriously.
   
4. The student being interviewed can use notes or get help from the interviewer buy answering follow-up questions.
   
5. The student interviewing must act professionally, and speak clearly and slowly.
   
6. Wait until 2 minutes are up before you move on to the next question.
   
7. As-needed, I encourage the Interviewers to ask follow up questions to help the interviewee if they get stuck
   

Self-Evaluation

Remember your interviewing tips and advice. You must practice interviewing in order to perform well in a real interview. As you answer each question, think about your answers:

• Are they too short?
  
• Too long?
  
• Do your answers directly relate to your ability to do the job you are applying for?
  
• Are you just rambling on...
  
• Are you enthusiastic when you answer?
  
• But not overly excitable and annoying?
  
• Are you using anecdotes to demonstrate your points? These are the most effective and memorable.
  

Interviewing is difficult and stressful. However, if you practice often, and hone your skills, you will answer each question with ease and professionalism and hopefully land the job.

Remember...

1. An interview is a meeting to find out if you are right for them, and they are right for you. Don’t stress to much, you can’t control everything. Remember it is two people sitting down to talk to see if there is a good match.
   
2. Your main goal is to effectively communicate that you can do the job
   
3. Your talents, education, skills, experience, knowledge, and positive attitude will impress upon them why you are the best choice to fill their open position.
   
4. Do not be intimidated or scared, you are ready for your first job, just tell them why you are the best person to hire
   

Additional Interviewing Tips

1. Personal safety first. Always interview in a public place. Professional interviewers know this and should never ask you to do otherwise. If you are asked to interview in a place that is uncomfortable, ask to have the interview moved to a different location. I have interviewed candidates in a booth in a restaurant and it worked just fine, and most importantly, they were comfortable and felt safe.
   
2. If you are not sure where you are going, find your destination the day or week before your interview. This way you can drive the safest route and not be stressed or driving too fast to get there.
   
3. Think about your personal and professional web exposure. Many employers are searching the Web before they interview or hire a candidate. They want to know what type of person they are hiring, and they have found that some candidates let it all hang out on the Web. I suggest you take a serious look at your Facebook, MySpace, twitter, or Linkedin page, your YouTube videos, and ask yourself if you are putting yourself in the proper light for potential employers to see you.