TYPES OF INTERVIEWS
In every interview you must be completely prepared - go in fully researched, rehearsed, and ready to serve. You must demonstrate your ability to do the job better than your competition!
• Telephone Screening - Your goal is to avoid being eliminated and move on to the face-to-face interview.
• One-One - You may have several face-to-face interviews but treat each one as if it were the first.
• Behavioral & Competency Based - This is a popular style of interviewing in which interviewers are looking for evidence of competencies and essential functions for the position. Competencies are capabilities, skills, and talents that make the behavior easy or enjoyable to perform. Interviewers are looking for behaviors that are equated with success. Behavioral interview questions allow for a structured, logical conversational style. These questions often begin with tell me, describe, give me an example, how have you, when have you, how did you.
• Situational - You will be asked what you would do in certain circumstances. You may be asked to demonstrate or describe how you would handle situations relevant to the position
• Stress - Designed to test your coping skills with the assumption that you will react in a similar many on the job. You need to stay calm and cool.
• Committee - You will be interviewed by two or more individuals at the same time. Prepare thoroughly. Glance at your notes and take notes so that it seems like you are in a business meeting.
• Group - A group of candidates will meet and be given a variety of individual and / or group tasks. You need to look like a leader or a professional who stands out in a crowd.
• Simulation - You may be asked to complete a situational judgment test, case study, or demonstration. These give you the opportunity show how well you can do the job.
• Videoconference - You should wear solid colored clothes and avoid noisy jewelry. Use a light dusting of face powder to eliminate any oily shine. Look directly into the camera and allow for lag time from data compression and transmission. Relax, look comfortable, and enjoy the process. If the company is comfortable using videoconferencing, they looking for an employee who is equally comfortable with it.
• Lunch / Dinner - Your social skills are of interest to the interviewer who takes you to lunch or dinner.
10 COMPETENCIES MOST WANTED BY EMPLOYERS
• Analytical Skills
• Communication Skills (written, verbal, interpersonal)
• Flexibility / Adaptability
• Initiative / Drive / Energy
• Leadership Skills
• Planning Skills
• Problem-Solving Skills
• Teamwork Skills
• Technical / Technology Skills
• Time Management Skills
50 COMMON COMPETENCIES IN DEMAND BY EMPLOYERS
• Analyzing Issues
• Attitude / Optimism / Passion
• Building Relationships / Alliances
• Building Talent Resources
• Change Innovation
• Change Management
• Coaching / Inspiring Others
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Confidence
• Conflict Management
• Courage
• Customer Service
• Decisiveness
• Delegation
• Detail-Orientation
• Diversity Acumen
• Ethics / Integrity
• Execution
• Financial Acumen
• Flexibility / Adaptability
• Follow-Up Skills
• Global Perspective
• Independence
• Influencing Others
• Initiative / Motivation
• Innovation / Creativity
• Interpersonal Skills
• Judgment
• Leadership
• Listening Skills
• Multitasking
• Negotiation
• Organization
• Planning
• Problem Solving
• Process Improvement
• Project Management
• Quality Awareness
• Quantitative Analysis
• Reliability / Responsibility
• Research Skills
• Self-Management / Self-Learning
• Sensitivity / Intuition
• Strategic Thinking
• Teamwork
• Technical / Technology Skills
• Tenacity
• Time Management
• Writing
MISTAKES TO AVOID AT INTERVIEWS
BEING UNPREPARED
• Lacking knowledge of what the company does, company history, values, mission, industry
• Being unsure of what the job and responsibilities are
LACKING INTEREST / ENTHUSIASM
• Asking no questions
• Being unable to communicate the reason for having an interest in the job
INAPPROPRIATE DRESS
• Dressing too casually
• Wearing too much perfume, cologne, or makeup
• Rule of Thumb: Always, always, always wear conservative business attire
POOR BODY LANGUAGE
• No eye contact / facial expressions
• Leaning on chair / desk / table
• Fidgeting
• Weak handshake
LACK OF RESUME KNOWLEDGE
• Inability to articulate accomplishments / provide specific examples
• Overstated / incorrect work history
LACK OF PUNCTUALITY
• Being late without reason
• Arriving too early
• Rule of Thumb: Arrive 10 - 15 minutes before scheduled interview time
UNPROFESSIONAL
• Talking negatively about past company / manager / employees
• Chewing gum
• Using inappropriate language
RAMBLING ANSWERS
• Talking so much that the question is not answered
• Bragging / displaying arrogance rather than confidence
• Rule of Thumb: Keep answers concise - 2-3 minutes
RINGING CELL PHONES
• Turn cell phone off before the interview!
INTERVIEW TIPS
Interviewing is an important part of the job-finding process. It can be very stressful unless you are prepared for the meeting with a potential employer. There are three aspects of the interview process:
• Pre-Interview Planning
• Interviewing
• Following-up
PRE-INTERVIEW PLANNING
It is very helpful to know enough about the organization interviewing you so that you can comfortably discuss the matters at hand with a background knowledge. You will also feel more confident and able to ask more relevant questions. This will make you appear more intelligent and motivated.
Before you get started make sure to keep a written and/or computerized record listing:
• Research the company thoroughly. This is essential but it is often neglected. Try to find out the following information:
• The Internet is an effective tool in finding information on companies and organizations. You may check company web sites or:
• The library is another good source for information. You may also be able to find some or all of this information in the Internet.

WHAT EMPLOYERS WANT
Employers try to find the best person, with the right qualifications and best potential to fill the job. Employers look for these attributes in an employee:
• Professional Appearance
• Ability and Aptitude
• Experience
• Training
• Drive and Goal-Orientation
• Motivation
• Communication Skills
• Good Grades
• Energy and Enthusiasm
• Perseverance
• Confidence
• Reliability
• Honesty and Integrity
• Pride
• Dedication
• Interpersonal Communication Skills
• Teamwork Skills
• Leadership Skills
• Analytical Skills
• Listening Skills
• Problem-Solving Skills
• Knowledge and Interest in their organization
Special qualities employers seek in managers or supervisors:
• Previous successful supervision
• Broad understanding of management
• Leadership
• Team-building Skills
• Career-mindednes