Interview Skills

By Barbara Limmer

Director of Career Management Programs

Thunderbird, The American Graduate School of International Management

 

As a global business manager, you've likely been responsible for conducting employee interviews throughout your career. But, it may have been awhile since you've been on the other side of the interview table.

If that's the case, and you're looking for a career change, there are some simple steps you can follow to ensure a positive interview experience.

Preparation is Key

Learn as much as you can about the company's financial history, product focus and goals. Conduct research online (see the links at the right) or call the company directly to obtain information in advance. It is also acceptable to ask for more information on a particular job (such as the job description) to help you prepare for an interview.

Next, dissect the job description and imagine the questions you may be asked. If a listed qualification is “helping to consolidate the company's financial statements,” it's likely you'll be asked about your experience consolidating financial statements. Write down your responses, practice them aloud or at least think them through in advance.

And, while company research is important, don't discount the power of knowing your own strengths and skills. Create a list of three to five points that you want to make during the interview. This may include the fact that you speak three languages or highlights of a particular project you completed that has relevance to the position. You can weave these points throughout the conversation of the interview.

The Introductions

The first minutes are critical as the interviewer is forming an opinion of you. What can you do to make this period less awkward? Review your surroundings for ways to develop rapport. For example, a hiking photo in the interviewer's office can be a great ice-breaker if you're a hiking enthusiast, too.

The Questions

Understanding the meaning behind the questions you may be asked will help you to prepare.

Traditional questions range from “Tell me about yourself” and “What do you want to do?” to “Why do you want to work at this company?” As clichéd as they seem, they are valid questions and you must be prepared to answer them.

Behavioral questions focus more on your previous experience and usually begin with wording such as “Tell me about at time when…” or “Describe a situation when…” It's easy to veer off on tangents when responding since you're discussing a specific situation and want to share details. The STAR or STAR-D model can help you stay focused on the meaning behind the behavioral question.

· S - Describe the Situation at hand, the background.

· T - Describe the specific Task that you or your team were facing.

· A - What Action did you (or your team) take?

· R - What was the Result of your actions? Don't allow yourself to get so bogged down with the details that you neglect to tell the interviewer about the results you delivered.

 

The above is an excerpt from The Last Job Search Guide You'll Ever Need: How to Find and Get the Job or Internship of Your Dreams, which is available for sale for $19.85 in our bookstore or $27.00 at Amazon.com but for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. This hot new book contains job search secrets of the most experienced, most knowledgeable and most respected career experts. Learn career planning, job hunting tools and tactics, interviewing, cover letter and resume writing (lots of samples!), networking, and how to find an internship. Written by 149 career experts. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

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