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  Interview Tips

By: Ken Berkholtz, Senior Consultant
Brakke Consulting, Inc.
kberkholtz@brakkeconsulting.com


Telephone Interview Tips
Face-to-Face Interview Tips
Understanding the Interview Process
Concluding the Interview
Interview Follow-up


Telephone Interview Tips

Goal: Sell your skills to achieve a face-to-face interview. Hiring Managers use the telephone interview to narrow the applicant pool.

Preparation: Organize yourself before the telephone interview. Write or type out a list of your skills and experiences that you can mention in the conversation which you think will make you successful at the job. Develop a few questions to ask during the interview that emphasize your interest in this position. For example: "What specific skills and personality traits do you think are necessary for a person to succeed in this position?"

Avoid giving yes/no answers they offer no real information about your abilities. Be factual with your answers. DO take notes during the interview. They will be invaluable to you in preparing for the face-to-face interview.

Under no circumstance should you discuss salary, benefits, or vacation during the telephone interview. That will come later.

Always end the interview by asking to be involved the next step: "This sounds like a very interesting opportunity, Mr. Smith, and a position where I could definitely make a contribution. When can we schedule a face-to-face interview?"


Face-to-Face Interview Tips

Goal: Sell yourself again to make the initial cut of candidates that will move forward in the interviewing process. Almost all companies will conduct face-to-face interviews with multiple candidates, and from these then select the top 2 or 3 they will interview further to make their final choice and decision.

Preparation: First impressions are always the strongest. Winning a job offer depends not only on the things that you do well, but also on the absence of things you do poorly. As the interview date approaches, psych yourself with your past successes and strengths. Build your confidence. A little nervousness if perfectly natural and healthy and should be accepted as such.

Develop an interview kit that could include: history of the company you are interviewing with; extra copies of your resume; pad of paper and a professional pen; reference letters; and your list of job-related questions. This type of preparation demonstrates your organization and interest in the job.

Body language or non-verbal communication is a very important part of the interview. Control any negative body movements and employ only positive ones.

Good body language:

  • Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake and good eye contact. This sends a positive signal that the interview is off to a good start.
  • Maintain an alert head position. Keep your head up and your eyes front at all times. Never look down.
  • Use mirroring techniques. In other words, reproduce the positive signals your interviewer sends. For example, the interviewer leans forward to make a point. A few moments later, you should lean forward to show your interest and active listening.
  • Sit well back and upright in your chair.
  • Show your openness by keeping your arms on the chair arm rest or on your lap. Avoid crossing your arms.
  • Maintain good eye contact especially when the interviewer is speaking or when you are responding.


    • Understanding the Interview Process

    Hiring managers will focus on 4 different profiles during the interview. Questions are tailored to help identify personality traits within each of these profiles. The 4 profiles and personality traits are:

    1. Personal Profile: Drive; Motivation, Communication Skills; Chemistry; Energy; Determination; and Confidence.
    2. Professional Profile: Reliability; Pride; Honesty/Integrity; Dedication; Analytical Skills; and Listening Skills.
    3. Achievement Profile: Money earned; Money saved; and Time saved.
    4. Business Profile: Efficiency; Economy; Procedures; and Profit.

    Some common questions you should be prepared to answer could be:

  • Describe a typical work day for you? Your answer should describe your energy level, your use of time, your planning skills and how you evaluate your performance)
  • Describe the kind of work experience that you would bring to this position?
    • (Here is your opportunity to sell yourself)
  • Describe how your last job related to the overall goals of your department?
  • What aspects of your work do you consider most crucial?
  • What did you like best/least about your last job?
  • What would you like to be doing 5 years from now?
  • What business accomplishment are you most proud of? What process did you go through for this accomplishment?
  • What do you feel is your greatest strength that you would bring to this position?
  • What are you looking for in your next job that you do not have in your present job?
  • Describe a difficult problem that you had in your present job? How did you work through this problem?
  • What was the last book that you read? How did it affect you?
  • In what ways has your job prepared you to take on greater responsibility?
  • How would your last boss describe you?
  • In what areas did he/she felt you excelled?
  • In what areas did he/she feel you needed improvement? How did you improve in these areas?
  • What have you done that shows initiative?
  • Explain your role as a team player?
  • How do you make your opinions known when you disagree with the views of your supervisor?
  • Why did you leave the jobs listed on your resume?
  • How did you find the jobs listed on your resume?
  • Give me some examples of doing more than what was required in your job?
  • What gave you the greatest feeling of achievement in your last job?
  • What kinds of pressure do you feel in your job?
  • All jobs have frustrations and problems. Describe some examples of job conditions, tasks, or assignments that have been dissatisfying to you?
  • Tell me how you planned for this interview?
  • What are your greatest interests outside of work?
  • Give me some examples of times you have been criticized? How did you react?
  • How do you go about setting goals for yourself?


    • Concluding the Interview

    When the interviewer asks if you have any questions, this signifies that the interview is ending. Now is the time to questions from your prepared list. Be careful to not ask too many questions, but enough to demonstrate you have paid attention during the interview and are interested in the job. Always end by asking what the next step is and the time frame to expect for further communication.


    Interview Follow-up

    It is important that within 24 hours you write a follow-up letter or email to the interviewer. Sending a follow-up letter shows that you are appreciative and organized and it keeps your name in front of the hiring manager. It also shows that you are excited about the job, can do it, and that you want it. The content of this letter should be short and you should match your skills with the expected skills of the job.