INTERVIEW COACHING : INTERVIEW COACHING WELCOME TO THE SESSION…!
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Contact Shrikumar :
Email : shrikumar01@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/shrikumarmenon
About Shrikumar Menon… : About Shrikumar Menon… Corporate and Career Guidance Consultant
Visiting Faculty to many prestigious educational Institutions in India, Dubai and Srilanka
Author of the inspirational book “Live with Passion” and eBook “50 FAQ’s in Interviews”
Internet Educator on Career and Interview coaching
Over 10,000 students enrolled in my online/offline sessions all over India, Middle East and South East Asia in a span of 5 years.
Most candidates are not aware of how to approach the GAME called INTERVIEW : 3 Most candidates are not aware of how to approach the GAME called INTERVIEW
As a result, they often stumble into the biggest interviewing traps : 4 As a result, they often stumble into the biggest interviewing traps Background research Background
research Background
research Pre- Interview Research &
preparation Handling Q & A Sessions Managing the
interview
effectively
Each decision maker has a different agenda and you must prepare/behave accordingly : 5 Each decision maker has a different agenda and you must prepare/behave accordingly Looking for leadership qualities - decisiveness, passion, intensity, work ethic, integrity
High level things, not too much of detail Senior executives Checking for competencies to do the day-to-day tasks well (technical, business and soft skills)
More detailed Hiring managers Checking that you fit qualifications of the job
Overall fit with team/culture and potential to grow with the company Human resources
Manage the interview in three stages for maximum success and impact : 6 Manage the interview in three stages for maximum success and impact Rapport
building 1 Job fit 2 Stating your
interest/Attitude 3 Take a few minutes in the beginning to build rapport
Engage in general ‘chit-chat’ conversation to help develop some connection
Non-official
Do some preparation through internet research, to find common interests and other information Primary goal is to position yourself as most qualified candidate
Show how well you fit the job requirements
Connect the dots for the employer
Make it a 2 way dialogue and take a proactive role in steering the interview Show some excitement and enthusiasm for the company and its:
Culture
Mission
Values
Ask questions
It is important to gather information about your past work experience to ace the interview : 7 It is important to gather information about your past work experience to ace the interview This information will form the most important part of your interview preparation
It will also provide vital inputs for your resume and all other communication with potential employers
So make sure you spend enough time and effort on this exercise
Start by making a list of your important achievements during your career : 8 Start by making a list of your important achievements during your career Start with your most recent position & move back in time
If you have many years of experience, go back around 10-15 years
Aim for at least 3-4 achievements for each job you have held
The stories do not have to be ground breaking, just something that you are proud of and/or something that helped your team/department meet its objectives Increased sales for xyz product in my region
Doubled customer service scores
Got a promotion in shortest timeframe
Made 2-3 important operational improvements
Raised satisfaction scores for my team
Knowledge Transfer through Training Examples
You then need to select 7-10 of the most significant achievements : 9 You then need to select 7-10 of the most significant achievements Aim for:
At least one achievement for each job held and
At least one for each important skill or other requirements for the job(s) you are targeting
Elaborate on each of the shortlisted achievements using the CAR approach : 10 Elaborate on each of the shortlisted achievements using the CAR approach Challenge/Context: What was the situation or circumstances you faced?
Action: What did you do to deal with the situation?
Result: What were the results that followed? (Quantify wherever possible)
Why is it important to have CAR stories? : 11 Why is it important to have CAR stories? Group Discussion...
Researching the industry and company is crucial to perform well at interviews : 12 Researching the industry and company is crucial to perform well at interviews Industries trends
Key players
Factors for success Company vision/mission
Competitive position and strategy
Culture
Growth and profitability
Key executives
Recent news Industry Company
You must get specific information about the requirements for jobs that you are targeting : 13 You must get specific information about the requirements for jobs that you are targeting Look at job postings for your target positions on the internet and see what they typically ask for in candidates
Search an occupational database
Look for skills, knowledge, personality traits, values, etc. that are required Note: In case your target jobs require
characteristics which you have not written
CAR stories for, make sure you write
some additional stories for
these requirements
Once you know the job requirements you can show how well you meet those needs : 14 Once you know the job requirements you can show how well you meet those needs Job requirements/Ideal candidate Your skills, background X
Y
Z Outperform other candidates Extent to which you meet each requirement
Project your characteristics (CAR exercise) that match the specific job requirements
Show the interviewer how well you fit the requirements by highlighting all your relevant characteristics only
Gives tremendous confidence that you will perform well and stay longer with the company
There are many interview questions but in the end, interviewers are looking for a few things : 15 There are many interview questions but in the end, interviewers are looking for a few things Can this person actually do the job?
Who is this person? What are they really like? What type of personality? What characteristics and traits?
Will this individual fit in my company, team, and culture?
How much will this person cost me?
Whenever possible, use the CAR framework to effectively answer these main questions : 16 Whenever possible, use the CAR framework to effectively answer these main questions Challenge: What was the situation or circumstances you faced?
Action: What did you do to deal with the situation?
Result: What were the results that followed? (Quantify wherever possible) It is best to show, prove and back-up what you say, with examples of what you have actually done. This makes the difference between an average and an excellent interview/candidate
Do not speak too much and give long winded answers : 17 Do not speak too much and give long winded answers Studies have shown that, in general, people who get hired:
Follow the 50-50 rule
50% of time speaking and 50% listening
Answer each question in a timeframe lasting between 20 seconds and 2 minutes. No more
Slide 18 : TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF….
Tell me about yourself? : 19 Tell me about yourself? Use positioning/personal brand statement
Like a 30 seconds personal commercial
Clear and concise language to summarise 3 things
Education and/or experience
Key accomplishments and and/or assets
Unique strengths/talents
Only provide information that is relevant for the specific position
What not to say
“What would you like to know”
Talking about where you were born/raised, how many children you have, any other personal/non-job related information
Slide 20 : WHAT IS YOUR SALARY EXPECTATION…
What are your salary requirements? : 21 What are your salary requirements? Way to quickly eliminate candidates early on
You have nothing to benefit by answering this question in initial selection stages
Address it after you know more about the company/ position and have sold yourself to them
You can then negotiate salary effectively
Sample responses:
“I’m interested in knowing more about the position and will then be able to make an estimate of the salary”
“I’m interested in the position but don’t have enough details at this point to make an estimate of the salary. What range are you looking at?
If they really press you for an answer. Give a broad range and mention that it is negotiable based on job requirement and total compensation package
Slide 22 : WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS…
WHAT ARE YOUR WEAKNESSES…
What are you strengths? : 23 What are you strengths? Focus on concrete and tangible job skills which are needed to be successful in the role (e.g. increasing sales, managing turnaround or merger, written communications, software programming)
Most people give generic and clichés as answers
Good with people, focussed, hardworking
You need to use new and powerful language instead
Incorporate a short CAR story
What not to say
“I’m a really great person and team player and I’m sure I’ll fit right into your organisation” (The problem: too subjective and intangible)
What are you weaknesses? : 24 What are you weaknesses? You certainly don’t want to give a valid reason or shortcoming for not hiring you
Site a trait that was challenge in the past but which you have learned to overcome. Always end on positive note
You don’t want to use clichéd language either
I’m a perfectionist, I try too hard, I’m think too much about the team
Again use CAR stories if appropriate
What not to say
“I don’t really have any”
“I know the job required computer skills and I really don’t have much experience with that (the problem: this is a shortcoming not a weakness)
Slide 25 : WHAT ARE YOUR CAREER GOALS…
What are your career goals? : 26 What are your career goals? “I want to use my skills in a challenging role and interesting role”
“I also want to keep working in companies that match my personal characteristics and traits”
Gives the message that you only target jobs for which you are a good fit
Makes interviewer more comfortable
What did you like most/least about your last position? : 27 What did you like most/least about your last position? Tie your answers into what the needs of that job are
Turn it around – “There was one thing that I would have liked more in that position”
Example of good response
“Though I liked most aspects of the job and company, the one limitation for the lack of customer interaction”
Why did you leave your last job? : 28 Why did you leave your last job? Keep it short and sweet
Don’t be negative or complain about your previous employer/role
If laid off, simply mention that the company was downsizing
Clearly state that it was not for performance
Similar response as question - What did you like least about your last position?
Why do you want to work here, or, Why should be hire you? : 29 Why do you want to work here, or, Why should be hire you? Again, reinforce key message in your brand/positioning statement
Again, say how your skills and personality are a good fit for the company
This will convince them that you will perform well and stay with them longer
Liabilities can be managed by using the ‘acknowledge and re-direct’ technique : 30 Liabilities can be managed by using the ‘acknowledge and re-direct’ technique Examples Response Gaps in resume
Not meeting skill requirements directly
Not having right degree
Not having worked in the industry yet
Body language is as important as the actual words you use : 31 Body language is as important as the actual words you use Examples of positive signals
Making natural eye contact
Warm open smile
Relaxed movements/appearance
Proper handshake
Sitting up-straight (but relaxed)
Leaning slightly forward and looking attentive
Hands away from pockets and face
Feet planted firmly on ground
Examples of negative signals
Closed folded arms
Leaning away
Being too stiff
Too many hand gestures
The day and time of the interview CAN have an effect on how your interview goes : 32 The day and time of the interview CAN have an effect on how your interview goes Better on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Nothing too early or too late in the day.
Between 10am and 3pm
Keep the ball in your court : 33 Keep the ball in your court Ask them what the next steps are
Find out when you can contact them regarding results and/or next steps
Send a thank you note to all your interviewers, within a day
Join my Wiziq Online Interview Coaching….! : Join my Wiziq Online Interview Coaching….! What do you get when you Join?
10 hours of Online Training on Interview Preparation
Workbook
Resume Correction
Ebooks
Money back guarantee
Thank you and I WILL SEE YOU AT THE TOP : Thank you and I WILL SEE YOU AT THE TOP You can contact me at:
Email: shrikumar01@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/shrikumarmenon