Professional Interviewing Skills

H I P R 1500
 Ethics Presentation
Outline of Project:

-Introduce case scenario of ethical problem in the workplace to a specific

job
-Introduce scenario, outline ethical issue/problem, alternate solutions,
final decision
-10 minutes
 Review
LinkedIn Headline:
◦ Thank you to everyone for submitting their responses
◦ Remember: Be Creative, keep it short and catchy
◦ Example: Megan Bailey - “Connecting people with data. Guiding students to their dream
job.”
Objectives

Prepare • Prepare for a successful interview,

Practice • Practice interviewing effectively,

Behave
• Behave intentionally during the interview
process.
Does the Interview
Really Matter?
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Interviews
Yes, the interview is a very
important part of the selection and
hiring process.

Ten-to-thirty-minute interviews
may count as much or more than
your previous experiences and
years in school combined.
 Professional interviews are extremely
Intervie important components of getting an
ws internship, graduate programs, and
employment opportunities.
First Impressions
The first words you speak count

• It is a please to meet you

• Thank you for scheduling a time to meet

Walk with vigor and show confidence

• People who walk 10% faster than they normally do are

perceived as getting more done.
Take the Time to Pr
epare
for the Interview
RESOURCES FROM OUR COLLEGE LIBRARY
Prepare for the Interview
1. Review website and written materials about the
organization before the interview.
a. Look for news articles or publications about the specific
department

2. Be prepared to speak intelligently about the organization.

a. What do you know about our organization?
b. Why do you want to work here?

3. Note the names and titles of those with whom you may
be interviewing.
Prepare for the Interview
1. Prepare questions for the interviewers.
a. However, do not ask questions that have already been answered on the website or in written
materials.

2. Be sure you appear interested and curious about the organization and position.
Prepare for the
Interview
Prepare answers for the interviewers'
potential questions.
Interviewers often ask questions for
which you can prepare in advance.
◦ For example, prepare to discuss your previous
accomplishments, strengths, weaknesses,
and any deficiencies.
Illegal Questions
Most employers are familiar with the laws regarding
what questions they can ask and what they can not ask.
If you feel a question is inappropriate, don’t get upset
and refuse to answer.
Ask the question “Can you tell me how that pertains to
the job” in a polite and respective way
Central Themes of Questions

Suitability Credibility Capability

Compatibility
Affordability
Straight forward / Problem
Solving
Don’t find the “right answer” - show them you know the right way to come up with the answer
Listen to what is being asked
Ask clarifying questions
Respond by first explaining how you’d gather the data needed to make an informed decision
Discuss how you’d use that data to generate options
Finally, based on the data, the available options, and your understanding of the open position
explain your recommendation
Behaviour based questions
Behavior is the best If you don’t
Don’t tell a story
predictor of future understand a
that will hurt you
performances question, clarify

Explain what you

Don’t be
hoped to show Ask for feedback
intimidated
from your story
Formulating Answers
S: Situation
• Provide background information to set the scene

T: Task
• Explain the problem or activity you had to solve/complete

A: Action
• Explain how you executed your plan

R: Result
• Explain why you were successful
Handling negatives/objections

BE POSITIVE - NEVER COMPLAIN USE EXAMPLES THAT SHOW YOUR THE UNDERLYING QUESTIONS IS
RECOGNIZE STEREOTYPES AND REASONS AND MOTIVATIONS - ALWAYS “WHY SHOULD I HIRE
BIASES STRESS YOUR STRENGTHS AVOID YES OR NO ANSWERS YOU” - GIVE THEM REASON
Discussing a weakness
Discuss • a negative which is not related to the job

Discuss
• a negative an employer already knows, but make up for it
in another way

Discuss • a negative you have improved on

Discuss • a negative that can become a positive

Prepare for the Interview
Be able to tell interviewers about yourself briefly and succinctly.

Be able to explain your interest in the position.

Be able to briefly describe your future academic and/or career

plans.
Practice the
Interview
I RECOMMEND USING INTERVIEWSTREAM TO SEE HOW YOU
ANSWER COMMON HIM INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
CONTACT CAREER SERVICES FOR ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE.
Practice the Interview

01 02 03
Practice introducing Practice asking Practice your
yourself (e.g., thoughtful questions, nonverbal behaviors
handshake). and practice (e.g., eye contact,
answering anticipated facial expressions,
questions with family tone of voice).
and/or friends.
Body
Language
Use good posture

Give a firm handshake (regardless of

sex)

Lean forward while listening and

answering questions

Hands above board

Make eye contact

Voice Image

Speak with Speak clearly and Project your voice so

confidence concisely that you are heard
Practice the
Interview
Practice carrying materials (e.g., notebook, resume, and
personal items).

These items can get in your way when trying to maneuver

through new surroundings. You may find that carrying a
portfolio that zips instead of a separate brief case or purse
gives you more flexibility.
 Practice the
Interview
1. Ask family members and friends
for feedback, and be open to
their feedback, both positive and
negative.

2. Incorporate the feedback, and

practice again.

3. Practice dressing for the

interview.
Practice the Interview – Dress
Code
Solid, dark Solid, simple Solid tie or scarf,
colored suit, white or light if wearing a tie or
pants, or skirt blue shirt scarf

Nice, simple black

Solid matching
or dark brown
socks or hose
closed-toe shoes
 Interview Attire
To be marketable in business today, your image is as important as what you know.
Suits Shirts
Invest in a conservative color (navy or Long sleeve white shirt is the best option
gray). A light blue is an alternative
Jacket and trousers should coordinate. Shirts in 100% cotton are a good
Check for proper fit. investment
Best investment; worsted wool or wool Have it professionally ironed for the
gabardine interview
Do the wrinkle test

Suits Dresses
Navy, gray, taupe and black are all good suit Suits show more authority, but a dress is a
colors to invest in when building a wardrobe second option
Skirts should be no shorter than 2 inches above Conservative colors are best
the knee No shorter than 2 inches above the knee
Worsted wool is the best
Wrinkle free fabric is best Keep with classic
Practice the Interview – Personal
Grooming
Shower the day
Clean, Clean, trimmed
of/night before
conservative hair nails
your interview

Limited cologne,
Limited jewelry No exposed
perfume, makeup,
and accessories tattoos
nail polish
Practice the Interview -
This simple rule should guide your decisions about your attire.

The interviewer should not remember your attire.

The interviewer should remember you and your thoughtful

answers to their questions.
Behave Intentionally
Before, During, and
After
the Interview
Before the Interview
Confirm your interview time and location prior to the interview.

Be sure to make a positive impression by arriving to the correct location on time or a maximum 5
minutes early if possible.
Before the Interview
However, if you find yourself in an unavoidable situation (e.g., traffic jam, car problems), call
and explain the situation.

Calling ahead and maintaining communication during unanticipated situations indicates that you
are responsible and flexible.
Before the Interview
Remember that you are being evaluated by all the individuals with whom you come into contact
by phone, written communication, and in person.
◦ Administrative professionals have a lot of say
◦ Human Resource representative as well

Treat all individuals involved in the interview process with respect and kindness.
During the Interview
Enter and Enter and depart confidently.
depart

Do Do your best to pronounce names correctly.

Sit up Sit up straight and maintain eye contact when speaking with others.

Keep Keep your hands out of your hair and away from your face.
During the Interview

MIND YOUR MANNERS AVOID ALCOHOL. YOU SHOW ENTHUSIASM TURN OFF YOUR CELL
WHEN EATING. SHOULD BE ALWAYS FOR THE POSITION. PHONE.
ALERT AND SHARP.
Closing the
interview
Thank them for their time
Restate your interests and strengths
Ask what type of follow-up you should expect
Ask questions
After the Interview
Send thank you notes to the individuals who interviewed you, thanking
them for their time and consideration of you for the position.

Thank you notes may be written on paper or delivered via email.

However, be sure they are written using correct grammar, and be sure
to use a professional email address.
Behave Intentionally

Remember to be Be the best

honest and be version of yourself
yourself. you can be.
Video Interview
TIPS AND TRICKS
 Find a partner and Book a meeting
time using team

Setup a Trial
Run

Try the following interview questions:

What are your key What is a skill that you
Tell me how your
strengths? How will need to improve?
experience makes you
you use them in this What are you doing to
the best candidate?
job improve the skill?
Technical /
Environmental Set Up
Find a quiet space
Light source is behind you
Use a headset so there is no background interference
Centre yourself in the camera
◦ Use books to raise the laptop if needed

Add a Sticky not to the top of your laptop to focus on the

camera
Technical / Environmental Set Up
•When interviewing virtually, find a quiet space with little distractions. Notify
any people in your home when and where you’ll be interviewing so they
know not to bother you.
•Make sure your light source comes from behind your computer and your
background is not distracting.
•Use a headset for better sound output crystal clear speech and no
background noise.
•Your camera should be at eye level (not above or below). A poorly placed
camera can result in unflattering double chins or weird shadows. Check to
make sure your sound equipment works properly.
Remember

LOG IN 10 MINUTES CLOSE ALL OTHER SMILE, MAKE EYE DO NOT MOVE
AHEAD OF YOUR TIME WINDOWS/TASKS CONTACT QUICKLY
 Activities
-Ethics Project-Week 5
-Cover Letter and Resume Project (Due in Week 4, 25% of your final grade)
-LinkedIn Project (Due in Week 5, 15% of your final grade)
-Complete the Discussion Board Post called “What Makes you Unique”
◦ Answer the question as if you were in an interview and the interviewee asked you “What makes you
unique?”
 CBC
Article https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary
/henry-gordon-first-person-autism-stage-
manager-1.6567463
In Class How negative first impressions impact
landing a job-despite qualifications
Activity