The Riley Guide:Network, Interview, & Negotiate

Interviewing

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

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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-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.

Resumes and Interviews Here and Abroad, Caprice Lantz (jobweb.com)

...a simple summary of some differences between resumes and interviews in the US and abroad. I placed this here because the interview differences are more detailed. I especially like the notes about how some questions such as marital status and age are illegal in the US but are integral parts of an interview in other countries.

Interviewers' Favorite Questions...and Answers, Barbara Mulligan (NACE)

A list of frequently-asked interview questions, and suggested answers (they are not as apparent as they seem.)

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).

Questions to Ask Potential Employers in Job Interviews

It's that awkward moment when the interviewer says to you, "So, what questions do you have for me?" Here's the list, from asking "What do you like about working here" to "why did the previous person in this position leave?" From Circle of Experts.com

Questions to Use in Your Informational Interviews

Nice list of questions broken down into various categories for those who are doing informational interviewing. Some of these are also good for you to ask during a job interview. From Circle of Experts.com

Questions You May Be Asked in Your Next Job Interview

Some of these require some prior thought, so you should be prepared. You may notice some questions seem to skate close to illegal or inappropriate areas, but I believe these questions as stated are fine. (Obviously I'm not a lawyer, so take it as my personal opinion.) Many of those questions can be answered with a simple Yes or No, at which point the discussion should be over. From Circle of Experts.com

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.

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.

Interviews & Resumes

...a collection of articles on these topics from NACE. Not just for undergrads!

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.

Interviewing Tips, JobWeb.com

"Interviewers often ask behavior-based questions: questions about your past experiences that may indicate how you would handle tasks and problems in the future. (The job competencies they’re designed to measure are in parentheses.)" While this list is intended for college students, it is an excellent collection of examples for others.

How to Give Job-Winning Answers to Interview Questions, Bonnie Lowe (Best-Interview-Strategies.com)

...nice example of how to prepare and how to answer any and all questions posed during a job interview.

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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.

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.

Rethinking the "Elevator Speech", Kevin Kermes

A former executive search consultant, Mr. Kermes is not a fan of the "Elevator Speech". While he appreciates the concept of "getting your message across quickly, succinctly and powerfully," what he doesn't like is a one-pitch-fits-all approach. His idea: ask a few questions so you can create a more customized response.

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.

Your Personal Branding Statement, Walter Feigenson (brand-yourself.com)

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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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. He also discusses how to talk about the fact that you were "involuntarily terminated" during an interview. Check out his "five steps in the process of recovering from the loss of your job: deal with it, damage control, plan of action, execution, and 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.

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?

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.

Dealing with Age Discrimination, 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.

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."

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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.

To Thank or Not to Thank, Sally Kearsley

...how to best compose a thank you note, courtesy of NACE.

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Variations on the Job Interview

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." You can also look at the other good interviewing tips posted here.

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.

Interviewing via Video Conference

Video conferencing is becoming a popular way for companies to interview remote candidates and offer training to distant users. Real video conference set-up are available at Kinko's, in major corporations, or even at many universities. Internet video conference allows some of the same capabilities for much less cost. If you learn you are to be interviewed through a video conference, it's a good idea to practice interviewing so you can get used to controlling your body language and expression. This will also give you a chance to be prepared for how the transmission delay may affect your comfort and ability to communicate verbally and physically with your interviewer. Grab a friend and a video camera for your computer, and practice.

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