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provides the best type of
preparation |
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helps you stand out from less
committed and prepared applicants |
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utilizes your STARS
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used by the majority of ISU
employers |
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How does
behavioral interviewing work? |
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employer asks questions about your past behavior to predict |
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how you will perform in the
future |
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how you will fit into their
company based upon the competencies needed for the job |
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you will evaluate your past
behavior or STARS
to determine |
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your likes and dislikes to
decide if you would enjoy performing the job described |
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your potential fit into the
company |
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| Preparation |
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Research the company |
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visit the web site to learn
about mission, vision, products and job descriptions |
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examine the job descriptions
at ECMSOnline |
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review your notes from the
Career Fair with names of representatives and interesting facts |
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STARS |
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Does the job
description provide additional competencies? If so, add more short
notes!!!!! Have you thought of additional STARS? |
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recent situations from the
classroom, work and volunteer experience, extra-curricular activities and/or learning
communities |
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prepare to add extra details for each of your examples because
the interviewer will follow-up and ask for clarification |
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provide quantifiable or measurable results, if possible |
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develop truthful and honest examples |
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| Interview process in the typical 30 minute campus visit: |
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5 minutes for greeting and small talk |
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have a firm handshake (provide a
copy of your personal resume) |
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establish eye contact |
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show your enthusiasm and interest |
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15 minutes for interviewer’s questions |
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expect the interviewer to take
notes |
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prepare for follow-up questions
with your STARS |
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expect the recruiter to ask for
situations where you did not succeed because your method of problem solving is important |
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5 minutes for your questions |
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demonstrates your knowledge of the
organization; for example, "At your web site…," "At the career fair, I
met…." |
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show your seriousness about the job |
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5 minutes for closing |
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shake the recruiter’s hand |
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inquire about the best person to
contact with a thank you |
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ask for a business card to write a
thank you letter |
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ask about the time for decisions
about offers and how to maintain contact |
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express your thanks before leaving
the room |
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Interviewer
questions: |
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Rather than questions,
interviewers will use terms such as "describe…" "give an
example…" "tell about…" and /or "recall…." |
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Examples of possible inquiries: |
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"Describe a situation when
you had to take prompt action to achieve a goal." |
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"Give an example of a time
when you used a proactive approach." |
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"Describe a time when you had
to make certain that your written or oral communications were clearly understood." |
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"Tell about a situation when
you helped a team member or peer." |
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"Describe the best/worst team
of which you were a member." |
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"Recall a time when your
education and experience did not prepare you for a task." |
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"Describe a problem that you
recently solved." |
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| Preparing for behavioral interviewing is excellent preparation for traditional
interview questions such as: |
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"Tell me about
yourself." For example,"I can tell you about specific examples related
to…(use your STARs for one or two competencies)." |
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"What are your goals?"
Possible response, "I have experience working with …(one or two competencies and
provide your STARs)." |
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"What can you offer us?"
"I can give three examples…(competencies)." |
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Your questions: |
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During the interview, you have
concentrated on the requirements for the job and how your competencies meet the job
description. Your questions relate to learning more about the job. |
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Examples |
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"I would like to learn more
about the responsibilities and duties of the job" Listen carefully and ask follow-up
questions. Do not ask your question if it was covered in the interview. |
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"What are some of the
competencies that I can develop with this position." |
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"Tell me about the type of
training that is provided for employees." |
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"Your web site
mentioned…are there other developments planned by XYZ?" |
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Final suggestions |
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Maintain records about your
interviews: for example, name of the recruiter, decision dates, additional action you need
to take; develop a "to do" list |
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Follow-up by sending thank you
letters |
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Reference Books |
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Byham, William C. Landing the
Job You Want (How to Have the Best Interview of your Life), DDI Press, 1997. |
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This easy-to-read book provides
help in: |
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knowing what to expect in the
interview, |
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preparing for the interview with
easily organized exercises, |
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critiquing your interviews to
improve the presentation of your competencies, and |
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evaluating if the job is right for
you. |
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On pages x-xi, there is a guide to
reading shortcuts if you have a limited amount of time. |
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Invest in developing your
interview skills by: |
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reading the shortcut that applies
to your situation and |
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completing the exercises. |
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| Yate, Martin. Knock'em Dead, Adams Media
Corporation, 2001 |
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