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May 2012

Interviewing Advice || Behavior-Based Interviews
The 30-Second Elevator Pitch
The Videoconference Interview
Addressing Problems || Improper Interview Questions
Are You Overqualified? || After the Interview
More Variations on the Interview

More information can be found under Job Search Advice. You may also want to review our information on The Internet as A Job Reference.

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Interviewing Advice

Job Interview Workshop, Susan Ireland

The Resume and Cover Letter expert has included this new online workshop on her website. It covers everything you need to know to prepare for interviews, and offers the interviewer some advice as well. Be sure to check out the many how-to YouTube videos Susan has added to her site. Short (under 2 minutes) and very interesting.

Best-interview-strategies.com

...good ideas and strategies for before, during, and after your job interview. She really wants you to sign up for her free newsletter, but provides a lot on her site at no cost. Check out her article on How to Give Job-Winning Answers to Interview Questions. It is a nice example of how to prepare and how to answer any and all questions posed during a job interview.

Interview Questions: Most Common, Illegal, and Questions You Should Never Ask, Bill Pratt (youngmoney.com)

It's that last category I really want you to focus on -- the questions you should never ask. These include things like how much vacation you get and if you can dress down on Friday. There is also a short list of questions you should ask of the interviewer.

Best-Job-Interview.com

...this site gives a marvelous overview of the job interview process. Starting from lists of standard questions asked of applicants, this site reviews types of interviews (even including some guides for specific jobs), questions you should be asking (and some you should avoid), what to wear, and how to follow-up afterwards. There is no author info on the site, but it was prepared by Julia Penny, an organizational pysychologist with over 20 years experience in recruitment and interviewing. No sales, just very good information.

Job-Interview-Wisdom.com

Authored by executive recruiter Mike Petras, this site offers his insights and actual experiences interviewing during an extended period of unemployment. There is a ton of material here collected into different topics along with his daily blog, and everything I read was great. Check out his True Stories for some interesting events people experienced going to/from/during the interview. And definitely read over his Phone Dos and Don'ts (um, make sure the message on your voice mail is professional...). Excellent and free (unless you want to buy his book).

How to answer, "What is your greatest weakness?", Ronald Mitchell (gottamentor.com)

Full disclosure -- I totally blew this question on a job interview many years ago. Granted, I wasn't really interested in the job and the interviewer was obviously not interested in me, but my answer obliterated any chances I had. So don't do like I did. Review this guy's advice and follow it.

What You Wish You Knew: Job Interviews (Infographic) (Youtern.com/TheSavvyIntern)

There is an article here, but the main information is the infographic -- a graphical representation of the data being presented. And what is being presented is the results of a survey of 2000 employers and how they judge you during interviews, like that fact that most employers have made a decision on you in the first 90 seconds. It is interesting. It might be difficult for the visually impaired to view this.

Meeting the Nonprofit: Ten Interviewing Tips, Commongood Careers

Absolutely fantastic article on how to prepare to interview with a nonprofit, but I would argue it is applicable to all organizations. Tip #1: Connect with the Mission! Yes, match your skills, experiences, and qualifications to their mission! Commongood Careers is a search firm who works with nonprofit organizations.

9 Ways to Ruin a Job Interview, Alison Green (USNews.com)

Personally I think most of these are absolute no-brainers, but a few may be difficult for some people to work through. Alison is someone in a position to hire folks, so you are hearing this from the interviewer's point of view.

Like, So Anyway, Whatever Dude...It Is What It Is, You Know, Billie Sucher (CareerHubBlog.com)

After reading the Marist College Poll of Most Annoying Coversational Words or Phrases, career transition expert Sucher put together her own list of most annoying words and phrases used in interviews and business meetings, with input from her clients. Read the comments for even more examples.

Interview Preparation Tips from the RHI Career Center

...their insights on phone and in-person interviews, common questions, and pitfalls to avoid. Just one part of the Job Search Advice section, free for all visitors to Robert Half International.

21 Strengths Arising from Military Experience [PDF] (National Veterans' Training Institute)

A marvelous list specifying what you have gained from your time in the armed forces and how these "soft skills" apply to the private sector. These are items to keep in mind when you are preparing for an interview with a prospective employer.

Top 10 (Plus one) Job-Search Tips for Introverts, Marty Nemko (martynemko.blogspot.com)

"These are my adaptations of ideas in Wendy Gelberg's book The Successful Introvert." These are great ideas for those of you who are extremely uncomfortable in the interview spotlight (and you are not alone).

Career Advice: Interviewing (Monster.com)

...a script to follow for making those phone calls, a virtual interview to help you prepare for the real thing, a sample of tough questions to practice answering in advance, and a list of questions to ask a headhunter.

Dress for Success

... advice for men, just in case you aren't sure about choosing a new suit or the latest power-accessories.

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Behavior-Based Interviews

Prepare for The Behavioral Interview, best-job-interview.com

This guide offers suggestions on how to prepare for this kind of interview, what kind of questions you might be asked, and how best to formulate your responses. As with everything, advance preparation is key in this interview!

21 Sample Interview Questions, Susan Ireland (susanireland.com)

A very quick introduction to traditional and behavior-based interviewing and some sample questions from each. Susan's suggestion: "Give behavior-based answers whenever possible. Even when asked traditional questions, take every opportunity to tell a short story about one of your accomplishments, a scenario that demonstrates your style of work, or an example of your skills in action." Be sure to check out the many how-to YouTube videos Susan has added to her site. Short (under 2 minutes) and very interesting.

Behavioral Interviewing Strategies for Job-Seekers, Katharine Hansen, Ph.D (quintcareers.com)

"The premise behind behavioral interviewing is that the most accurate predictor of future performance is past performance in similar situations. Behavioral interviewing, in fact, is said to be 55 percent predictive of future on-the-job behavior, while traditional interviewing is only 10 percent predictive." Learn about this interviewing technique and how you can best prepare.

The 35 Questions, With Answers You Have Got To Be Prepared For When Entering An Interview (CareersandJobs.UK)

This is really one of the best articles on this topic that I have ever seen. The potential questions are divided into various categories beginning with Rapport (how was your journey here today) and ending with Finishing, and each comes with an explanation of why you are being asked this question and what you should think about before answering. The website is based in the UK, but this is a universal article that everyone should read and consider.

Behavior-Based Interviewing (MRIChampions.com)

Great introduction to this interview including several sample questions you might encounter.

Are You Ready for a Behavioral Interview?, Jeanne Knight (myResumeAgent.com)

"Today, the behavioral interview is becoming increasingly popular with employers. For job candidates unprepared for this interviewing style, a behavioral interview can be a stressful experience at best … and a disappointing one at worst. While your skills and experiences could be a perfect match for a position you are seeking, an interviewer could dismiss you as a viable candidate if you struggle with the behavioral interview format." Ms. Knight offers an explanation of this interview technique and offers suggestions for and examples of responses to the various questions you might be asked.

Behavioral interviewing, Career Services @ Virginia Tech

"Most interviews include behaviorial questions. Be prepared." Short and sweet explanation with examples and suggested means of preparing responses. Definitely not just for the collegiate crowd.

Job Interview Pointers: Get Advice and Insight from Waggener Edstrom's Staffing Partner, Thad Peterson, (Monster.com)

Be Concise, Provide Examples, Be Honest, Keep Your Guard Up, and Ask Great Questions. Except for that last item. All of these are behavioral issues.

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The 30-Second Elevator Pitch

30 Second Introduction - Make Yours Outstanding, Jerry N Smith

4 quick points with short samples on how to make your speech stand out from all the others. The author is co-founder of Marketing Action Club

How to create a compelling 30-second pitch, Cristina Favreau (The Savvy Entrepreneur blog)

Offers 3 suggested methods for creating your short, sweet speech.

Interviewing Tips (USAJobs.gov)

...number 1 on this list is the "One-Minute Resume", which if you look at it is yet another presentation of your 30-second pitch, formed to answer the question "tell me about yourself". This is a pretty good example, and the rest of the tips are good as well, for all interviews, not just the Federal government.

Creating Your 30 Second Pitch, Adam Salamon

He has a nice, succinct method to help you create yours.

The 30-Second Business Plan, Cliff Ennico (entrepreneur.com)

"Want to impress a potential investor quickly? Here's exactly what to say."

The 30-Second Speech: Can You Describe What You Do? Laurie Bornstein (selfgrowth.com)

...her take -- turn that speech into a conversation.

Elevator Speech Do's and Don'ts, Katharine Hansen, Ph.D. (quintcareers.com)

...pretty extensive list of things, but a good list.

Sample 30 Second Speeches (jobstar.org)

"For expert advice on this essential step, JobStar asked Donald Asher, author of many books and articles on Hidden Job Market Techniques, to share his best tips. Here are three examples of telephone introductions, one for a management-level candidate, one for a candidate in the trades, and one for a recent college graduate." These will also work well for elevator speeches with some minor adjustments.

Elevator Speeches, Harding & Co Blog

An example of a bad elevator speech and what you need to do to make a great one. Includes examples. Harding & Company is a consulting firm dedicated to helping professionals learn to sell and market.

Three Kinds of Elevator Speeches - Starting with the Stern Elevator Speech, Harding & Co Blog

This is the first of 3 articles talking about varieties of elevator speeches, but this one is potentially the best for informal, "just bumped into someone" introductions (like talking to the person next to you at the ball game). The Stern Elevator Speech is not "stern" as in "firm and strict" but Stern as in Doug Stern, the guy who came up with this particular idea. This is the elevator speech used in social, rather than business, situations (like the other parents at the soccer game). It should be light and conversational, and if it makes people smile, so much the better. Harding & Company is a consulting firm dedicated to helping professionals learn to sell and market.

Classic Elevator Speeches, Harding & Co Blog

Defines this bit of information, what it should be, and when you will find uses for it. Harding & Company is a consulting firm dedicated to helping professionals learn to sell and market.

Forget the elevator pitch – you have 6 seconds for your personal branding statement, Walter Feigenson (feigenson.us)

Think of it as your Professional Headline for sites like LinkedIn. Your Personal Branding Statement is a very quick (6-second) summary of who you are that you use when introducing yourself to someone. (When they respond you can hit them with the 30-second speech.) It's not your job title, it's what you are in 15 words or less. Marvelous idea!

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The Videoconference Interview

Are Skype Interviews Good for You?, Nick Corcodilos (AsktheHeadhunter.com)

No, he doesn't think they are appropriate, so he offers you a script to use to politely decline this sort of interview in favor of a live meeting. Be sure the read the many comments at the end as the responders include recruiters and persons who have experienced (and in some cases, survived) these interviews.

Virtual Job Interview, Kelly Yang (nytimes.com)

This Op-Ed by a hiring manager discusses what she sees when she is conducting an interview via Skype, from the mysterious "dropped connection" right when she asks a tough question to the distracted surfing during the interview, and how this affects her impression of the candidate.

Presentation Tips, TKO VideoConferencing

Nice article on what to wear and how to act during a video conference (or video interview) from a company that offers these services to businesses.

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Addressing Problems

I've Been Fired, So Now What?, Wade A. Mitchell (Special to ZDNetAsia, July 5 2002)

...this article presents a "survival kit" that can help you get back on track afterwards, but my reason for placing it here is he also discusses how to talk about the fact that you were "involuntarily terminated" during an interview [Damage control (reprise)].

You're Fired: How to Handle a Termination, Alison Doyle, About.com Job Search

Getting fired, unfortunately, can happen to the best of us. It can happen even when it's not your fault. There could be a personality conflict between yourself and your supervisor. Your idea of what the job was going to be like might differ from what management was thinking. You could have simply screwed up. It happens. You're not alone. [...] Regardless of the circumstances, what to do if you've been fired? Where do you go from here?

Getting Fired Is A State of Mind, Nick Corcodilos (AskTheHeadhunter.com)

You've heard the conventional wisdom: it's easier to win a new job if you already have a job. [...] And the terrifying corollary: If you've been fired, forget it. [...] My advice: don't sweat it. As long as you know you're a good worker, that your skills are solid, that you work with intelligence and enthusiasm, and that you're pursuing the right new job for the right reasons, you can get over the "I was fired" hump.

Forum: Whistleblower’s dilemma, Nick Corcodilos (asktheheadhunter.com)

"Employers keep asking me in interviews why I don’t want them to contact a previous employer. The reason is that I turned my employer in to the state attorney general for selling fraudulent discount health benefits. Instead of respecting my candor in answering the question (and for doing the right thing), they run from me like crazy. So how does a whistleblower effectively answer that question?" This is a question submitted by a reader of Nick's newsletter, and his response includes comments from other readers as well as his own notes.

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Improper Interview Questions

Handling Questionable Questions, RileyGuide.com

...what do you say when the interviewer asks you for something like your Date of Birth? We posed that question to several career and human resource professionals. Read their advice here.

Are They Allowed To Ask That? What you can do when a job interview gets too personal, Vickie Elmer (aarp.org)

"Some questions asked by a prospective employer may actually be illegal under federal discrimination laws. Others can be politely brushed aside. Here's a guide, based on a review of labor laws and interviews with employment attorneys." This not only discusses some questions and points out why they may be improper or illegal but offers suggestions on how to respond.

Handling Illegal Interview Questions, Heidi M. Allison, Managing Director, JobReferences.com (myResumeAgent.com)

"Jim, 48, is sitting in an interview, which has been going well. He's confident that his qualifications match those of the position, and he believes he'll fit into the corporate culture. As the interview is winding down, the interviewer casually asks: 'Will your family mind the relocation from New York to Texas?' How should Jim answer this question?" Ms. Allison discusses your options and offers some suggestions which, if you wish, allow you to take an improper question and deflect it (rather than argue it).

Illegal Questions

Prepared by the Statistics Department at the University of Washington, this is a short list of questions that may not be asked of a job applicant according to the Fair Inquiry Guidelines established by the EEOC. However, the article also includes parallel legitimate questions which may be asked with a note on what information you should provide to answer the question correctly without revealing more than required. There is some advice on how to handle the illegal questions, if they are asked, which summarizes as diplomatically.

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Are You Overqualified?

How to Overcome Being "Overqualified", Bonnie Lowe, (Best-Interview-Strategies.com)

"Be the first one to raise the "overqualified" issue with a potential employer. If you bring it up yourself, you can discuss it openly and convince the interviewer that it won't be a problem."

Job Interview Answer: Are You Overqualified for This Job? Best Answers to Are You Overqualified for This Job?, Alison Doyle (About.com)

"Are You Overqualified for This Job?" Are you prepared to respond when an interviewer asks if you're overqualified? In this article, Alison cites advice career expert and author Joyce Lain Kennedy, who shares her best job interview answers to that very question which you can take and customize for your own situation and comfort level.

Ask Electra: Over-Qualified at 60? (JobStar.org)

This is Electra's advice to a job seeker who feels his most serious problems seem to be (1) he's over 60 and (2) he has 2 college degrees and almost 40 years experience in his field, both of which seems to scare some people away. She addresses more than just how to answer interview questions but also suggests evaluating the idea of pursuing regular employment.

Handling Age Discrimination in Your Mid-Life Job Search, Dr. Jan Cannon (Job-Hunt.org)

"Some potential employers may see you as too expensive. Or that your experience will be a hindrance rather than an asset. They may believe your work style will be a carryover from your previous positions rather than learning their approach. Whatever the reason, interviewers may say you’re overqualified. That could be shorthand for too old, but legally an OK response." Dr. Cannon offers several proactive tactics to dispel the employer’s fears that you are too old or too expensive.

Positioning Yourself When Overqualified, Mark Swartz (Careeractivist.com) [PDF format]

One of Mark's readers asked "How do I deal with employers who consider me to be 'overqualified?’ If I want the position, andam happy with the salary, why would the y not jump at the chance to hire me?" Mark then offers suggestions to make yourself more attractive to the hiring manager.

Fighting the Overqualified Label: 10 Tactics for a Successful Job-Search, Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.(Quintcareers.com)

"The key for any job-seeker who thinks that the "Big O" label will be applied during his or her job-search is to attack the perception head-on -- before the hiring manager even has a chance to think it herself." One of his strategies -- let your network speak for you.

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After the Interview...

How important is it to follow-up after an interview?

What are the best ways to follow-up after an interview?

....these two tips from CareerPerfect.com stress the important of following up as a way to improve your chances of an offer, and the best ways to do this in writing or electronically.

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More Variations on the Interview

New Interview Types: Speed Interviews, Laura DeCarlo (Job-Hunt.org)

"First, there was speed dating, and now there is speed interviewing." These are short interviews with multiple recruiters in a large environment, like a career fair. The tips offered here will also work well for career fairs without formal "speed inteviewing" sessions and full-day interviewing sessions where you are expected to meet with several different employees within the hiring organization.

Quick Encounters of the Hiring Kind, Wallace Immen (orig published the Globe & Mail's Workopolis section, Feb 2006) [PDF]

This concept is becoming more and more popular, but is it the best way for employers to find new employees? While that question is pondered on their side, on your side this article contains several tips on how to prepare for this kind of event and how you can make that first impression fantastic.

Advice for the Job Seeker: The Telephone Interview

...how to handle yourself when you get an expected call from a recruiter. From TEKsystems, "one of the nation's largest single source providers of information technology and communications staffing and service."

Second Interview Preparation Guide, Florida State University Career Center

...you have been invited back, but it's not the same kind of interview. They've outlined the differences and the goals for both you and the interviewer so you know how to handle this situation.

Information Interviews, Florida State University Career Center

...you've heard about them, but it's hard to find good guidelines for these special situations. Here's a guide to the kinds of questions to ask and how to find potential interviewees.

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