Career Skills Video: Interviewing
Transcript:
Interviewing
VO: Maybe you've heard some or all of these questions before. If so, then you've probably been through the most important– and perhaps the most stressful part of any job search. The interview. But interviews don't have to be intimidating. In fact, if you know how to prepare for them, they provide a chance for you to stand out, to make your best case for why you should be hired over the competition. Interviews are an opportunity.
CAREER EXPERT: The key to being successful during your hour-long interview is putting in the extra hours ahead of time. Practice answering common questions—maybe even have a mock interview with a friend or family member. Research the company so that you are prepared to ask them questions and to discuss how you would be a good fit. Gather your materials the night before: résumé, portfolio, briefcase, pen, and remember to dress professionally. The more you prepare, the more confident you will be heading into that interview, and the better you'll perform.
INTERVIEWER 1: So...do you have any questions for me about the job or what we do here?
JOB SEEKER 1: Oh yeah. I honestly have no idea what you guys do here. I just saw that you were hiring. So now let me ask you a question. Do you guys make stuff, sell stuff, or is it both?
INTERVIEWER 2: It says on your résumé that references are available upon request. Do you mind if I see them?
JOB SEEKER 2: Sure. Uhh. Just...hang on one second...I...I know I left them in here...um...somewhere... they gotta..oh ok. There we go. Um. Ok. There we go.
JOB SEEKER 3: Hello! Hi. I'm Casey Smith. I'm here for the interview (Takes a hairbrush from her bag and starts brushing her hair right there in front of the secretary).
SECRETARY: Oh. Right. I'll let Ms. Caldwell know. May I point you to the restrooms?
JOB SEEKER 3: Oh no. I’m good.
CAREER EXPERT: Interviewing is your chance to make the best possible impression— to stand out positively in the mind of the person who will hire you. For that reason, the first five minutes of an interview are the most important. Even if it's just a handshake and some small talk, your physical appearance, the sound of your voice, your eye contact, your posture, all of it combines to create an impression. You want to come off as friendly but confident, capable of succeeding under pressure. But most of all, you want to appear professional.
CELIA: Hi, Jane. Nice to finally meet you in person. I'm Celia Caldwell. So...did you have any problems getting here?
JANE: Yeah, actually. The directions your secretary gave me were terrible. That's why I didn't get here on time. It's all her fault, really.
CELIA: The important thing is that you made it. Are you ready to get started?
JANE: I guess.
CAREER EXPERT: If the first five minutes of the interview are about making a good impression, the rest of the interview is about making your case and supporting the claim that you are the best candidate for the job. That means answering some difficult questions—questions that are designed to stress you or to check if you've done your homework, or to address gaps or problems on your résumé. Your goal when answering these difficult questions is to avoid saying anything that will keep you from getting the job while at the same time accentuating your strongest skills, supporting them with examples from your work history. You can't prepare an answer for every possible question, but you can have an arsenal of prepared answers to draw from and elaborate on.
Now no matter what the question is, be positive. Show that you are enthusiastic and eager to learn. Your personality and attitude are really what the interviewers are looking at.
INTERVIEWER 1: What would you consider to be your greatest weakness?
JOB SEEKER 1: Well, to be perfectly honest, I'm not much of a people person. They kind of annoy me, really. And uhh I have trouble just going up and talking to total strangers.
INTERVIEWER 1: And yet you applied to be part of our sales force?
JOB SEEKER 1: Yeah. Why? Is that a problem?
INTERVIEWER 2: Why are you looking to leave your current position?
JOB SEEKER 2: Why? Because all the people I work with are completely incompetent, that's why. I can't stand that place.
INTERVIEWER 3: Where do you see yourself in five years?
JOB SEEKER 3: Hopefully at a better job than this place.
INTERVIEWER 4: All right. Last question. What's one thing you would improve about yourself if you could, professionally speaking?
JOB SEEKER 4: Well, I know I've had difficulty in the past being assertive with my ideas. At my old position I would often keep my opinions to myself and then just implement my improvements behind the scenes. While that worked for the most part, I've come to realize that if I collaborate more with coworkers from the start, they can help me take my ideas and make them even better. I just need the confidence to put them out there from the beginning. But I think with a company like this one that encourages teamwork and innovation, I will be more comfortable sharing my ideas.
VO: You've answered all the questions, you've given examples of your successes drawn from your portfolio and your past work history. You've asked several insightful questions about the company based on your research. It's over. Isn't it?
CAREER EXPERT: Your work isn't done after the farewell handshake. You should still follow up with a thank-you e-mail, or better still, a handwritten thank-you note. Moreover, you should be prepared for a second, or even third interview.
And even if the interview didn't go as planned, you can still treat it as a learning experience. Write down the questions that gave you difficulty. Make a note of things you can do to make a better impression. If you take the time to make adjustments, with each interview, you will get more comfortable and your confidence will grow.
VO: It may seem intimidating, but a job interview is simply a sales pitch: You are selling yourself as the best possible candidate. Your goal is stand out in a positive way by preparing ahead of time, acting and looking professional, and responding to questions in a way that emphasizes your strengths and past success. Doing so should pave the way for future success as well. Take a moment and consider the following.