Part 4 of 5
Slaying the Interview
Once you have successfully secured an interview, you want to make the most of it. Here is a brief summary of a typical interview in order to provide insight into the necessary preparation.
OPENING – FIRST IMPRESSION
Start with a firm handshake, a smile, great eye contact, as well as a positive attitude. The opening questions of an interview often set the tone for everything that comes after. It usually centers on helping the interviewer get more familiar with your background and how your experiences directly apply to the job. The following two questions are the most common, “Walk me through your resume” or “Tell me about yourself.” You should tell a cohesive story that builds on each key element of your qualifications. You should also be prepared to complete this in 2 minutes – so practice, practice, practice.
FIT – SELLING YOURSELF
Most employers are very conscious of how you “fit into their organization.” Many of the questions in this part of the interview center on your skills, capabilities, personality, and your knowledge of the job, company, and industry. This section is typically the longest part of the interview and addresses behavioral questions, direct experiences, and “what-if-scenarios” to evaluate your fit. This is a great place to utilize STAR format (Situation, Task, Action and Result) to answer the interviewer’s questions. Research the major requirements of the role (from the job description) and tell brief stories using the STAR format that clearly and credibly demonstrates your qualifications. The most important part of STAR is “Results”. Each story that supports your qualifications for the job requirements should show the positive impact (results) you brought to the challenge (situation).
CLOSE – FINISH STRONG
This is your time to ask questions and build rapport with the interviewer. Ask questions that show you have done your research on the company and that you are serious about the role. This is also a good time to ask the interviewer about what they like most about the company. You can also ask about what they would change if they could. Also consider asking about what they have seen as critical attributes or skills for those that have been hired and have been successful in the role you are interviewing for.
We are teammates and fellow “B” Association members and we share a special bond built on sweat, blood and effort through our collegiate career. If you have career questions, please let me know and I will do my best to address them directly with you or to include it in future segments.
Sic ’em Bears!
Ken Buckley
Football Letterwinner 1977, 1980
“B” Association Board Member
Kenneth Buckley is the Assistant Dean for Career Management – Baylor Business School. He has 10 years with Baylor, overseeing undergrad and graduate career management for the Business School, and is responsible for career development, employer engagement, and career placement including 9 years of experience teaching career classes for BBAs and MBAs. Ken is also a published author in the career field, 2nd edition College to the Career You Love by Kendall Hunt Publishing. Prior to Baylor, he spent 24 years of progressive management experience in the technology industry with start-ups and large public companies.