Interview Preparation for Job Interviews

Project Worksheet

Task 1. Introduction and Gmail Sign In

Task 2. Access Interactive Files

Task 3: Prepare for 5 Different Types of Job Interviews

Task 4: Prepare for the Most Common Interview Questions

Task 5: Prepare for Best Practices BEFORE the Job Interview

Task 6: Prepare Strategic Questions at the END of the Job Interview

Task 7: Prepare for Best Practices AFTER the Job Interview

Task 2. Access Interactive Files

Document overview and how to use with the project

Create a copy

Task 3: Prepare for 5 Different Types of Job Interviews

Phone Interviews

Why do companies conduct Phone Interviews?

● To speed up the hiring process

● To identify the most qualified candidate
● To eliminate unqualified candidates
Phone Interview

Emily - Skilled Project Manager

List 3 Action Items you think Emily should prepare for a Phone Interview

1.

2.

3.

Problem Solving Interviews

Why do companies conduct Problem Solving Interviews?

● To identify, test and measure how the candidate will approach a difficult and
unusual situation
● To observe how quickly think under pressure
● To to test your analytical/Critical/Technical skills

Problem Solving Interviews

Sandy - Skilled Software Engineer

List 3 Action Items you think Sandy should prepare for a Problem Solving Interview

1.

2.
3.

Group/Panel Interviews

Why do companies conduct Group/Panel Interviews?

● To allow everyone to conduct the interview at the same time

● To observe how you work well with a particular group
● To eliminate any personal bias

Group/Panel Interviews

Amit - Teaching Assistant

List 3 Action Items you think Amit should FOCUS on for a Group/Panel Interview

1.

2.

3.

Behavioral (Face-to-Face) Interviews

Why do companies conduct Behavioral (Face-to-Face) Interviews?

● To allow the hiring manager time to get acquainted with the candidate without the
resume
● To predict a candidate’s suitability based on their past behavior in past jobs
● To determine if the candidate is qualified for the role by using storytelling.
 What is a STAR Technique?

● Situation - Tell me about a situation you faced

● Tasks - What challenges were barriers in the situation
● Obstacle - What specific actions did you take to solve the problem?
● Results - What were the overall results you achieved?

Sample STAR Technique

S - Situation: My director requested I organized a “ALL HANDS” meeting for our

upcoming West Coast Sales Team.

T - Tasks: Although I had organized large events in the past, our west coast sales team
consisted of over 100 Sales Representatives. This required scheduling hotel
reservations, transportation to and from the hotel as well as scheduling the speaker
agenda.

A- Actions: I organized a Google spreadsheet with categories of names, hotels and

transportation information, and I worked closely with the sales west coast contact
person for direction.

R- Results: The project was successful and my director acknowledged my work during
the “ALL HANDS” meeting as well as awarded me a gift certificate for two at Sandy’s
Steakhouse.

(For more information about the STAR Technique, register for Coursera courses: “Job
Search Communication Tools - Departure & Personal Statements” and “Accomplishment
STAR Technique for Job Interviews”)

(For more information about the STAR Technique, register for Coursera courses: “Job
Search Communication Tools - Departure & Personal Statements” and “Accomplishment
STAR Technique for Job Interviews”)
Behavioral (Face-to-Face) Interview

Irene - Marketing Manager

List 3 Action Items you think Irene should PREPARE for a Behavioral (Face-to-Face)
Interview

1.

2.

3.

Video/Zoom Interviews

Why do companies conduct Video/ZOOM Interviews Interviews?

● Save the cost of travel, hotel, food, ect.

● Alternative to phone interviews

Video/ZOOM Interviews

Jennifer - Skilled Accounts Payable Clerk

List 3 Action Items you think Jennifer should prepare for a Video/Zoom Interview

1.

2.

3.
Task 4: Prepare for the Most Common Interview Questions

What are the most common interview questions?

● Why are you interested in working for our company?
● Describe a time when you had to work with a difficult co-worker
● Tell me about a time when you had to adapt to a situation quickly?
● Please share a weakness/strength

One of the most common interview questions

Name one strength you have and what was the outcome

I am very good at decision making. At my previous company, a problem emerged that

needed a decision made quickly to determine the outcome of the project I was mananing.
I wrote out the pros and cons that best fit the company, and I was able to save a
significant amount of money as well as cut costs. The project was very successful, and
the company rewarded me with a nice pay increase.

Highlight in GREEN what you think is a strength and an outcome

I am very good at decision making. At my previous company, a problem emerged that

needed a decision made quickly to determine the outcome of the project I was mananing.
I wrote out the pros and cons that best fit the company, and I was able to save a
significant amount of money as well as cut costs. The project was very successful, and
the company rewarded me with a nice pay increase.

Name one weakness you have and what are you doing to overcome it

I am a very detailed and organized professional, however, I notice that I can over analyze
the problem which at times will slow down the project and not allow the project to move
forward. I am aware of this and I am learning how to delegate to other capable colleagues
and staff members.
Highlight in GREEN what you think is POSITIVE about this weakness and what you would
do to overcome it

Name one weakness you have and what are you doing to overcome it
I am a very detailed and organized professional, however, I notice that I can over analyze
the problem which at times will slow down the project and not allow the project to move
forward. I am aware of this and I am learning how to delegate to other capable colleagues
and staff members.

Task 5: Prepare for Best Practices BEFORE the Job Interview

Why do I need to prepare for Best Practices BEFORE the Job Interview?
● It prepares you for the real interview
● It relieves stress and increases your confidence level
● It allows you to provide the best answers

Best Practices BEFORE a Job Interview

List 4 Best Practices you think you should prepare for a Job Interview

1.

2.

3.

4.
Task 6: Prepare Strategic Questions at the END of the Job Interview

Prepare Strategic Questions to ask the Hiring Manager

at the END of the Job Interview

List 4 Strategic Questions you would ask the Hiring Manager at the END of the Job
Interview

1.

2.

3.

4.

Task 7: Prepare Strategic Questions at the END of the Job Interview

Prepare for Best Practices AFTER the Job Interview

List 4 Prepare for Best Practices AFTER the Job Interview

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2.

3.

4.