We Can Help You Prepare For Your Interview

Interview Formats:

Screening – to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications.  Can be in person or over the phone.

One-on-One – (or two on one) most popular!  Hiring supervisory is usually the key person evaluating your ability to do the job.

Panel – a group interview conducted by three or more department representatives.  Direct answer to person asking the question but maintain eye contact with all.

Peer group – a group interview with potential co-workers evaluating “fit”.

Second – held at company site and can be a combination of all of the above.  Could be all day and include meal(s). 

Behavioral interviews

Based upon the premise that past performance is the best predictor of future performance, this type of interviewing has gained considerable use.  The focus is on the candidate’s abilities based on past performance (work, school, activities, etc.).   To prepare to “tell your story”, you will want to: 

Analyze the position.  What skills does the employer require?

Evaluate your own background to identify skills and experiences related to the job objective.  Be prepared to tell interview stories to illustrated specific activities or tasks, what you specifically did and what resulted.

Be prepared to provide examples of occasions when results were different from expected.  What did you do then?  What did you learn?

To frame your responses, describe “your stories”:  Situation, Task, Action/activities, Results.  These STARs will help you give complete responses and specific examples of your behavior.

Typically there are several parts to the interview:

Establishing rapport – greeting one another, getting settled, social exchange – happens quickly and first impressions made.

Sharing/evaluating information – heart of interview – what does the candidate bring?, why interested in position? etc. 

Information on position/company – responsibilities outlined, value to organization shared

Questions – candidate has opportunity to ask questions.