| You've done it. You've made it through the resume | | | | circumstances when things go wrong. They want to |
| jungle. And you've finally secured an interview with a | | | | know how you've resolved problems in the past so |
| real live person. Knowing you only have 60 minutes, if | | | | that they can ascertain if your style will work for them |
| you're lucky, how do you create an impression in the | | | | in the future.o Describe the results. Successful |
| hiring manager's mind that you're the right person for | | | | managers are results oriented managers. They want |
| the job? How do you answer questions truthfully to | | | | to hear about the end results and what you learned. |
| represent the real you? And how do you do all this | | | | When you use examples, even if you're not asked for |
| when the hiring manager is asking really lame | | | | them, you illustrate in concrete terms what you've |
| questions? It easy-if you know how to "behave." | | | | done and how you've done it. The image you create |
| "Behave" is a reference to the interviewing technique | | | | helps that hiring manager envision you in the role he or |
| called behavioral interviewing. For years, behavioral | | | | she is trying to fill. That hiring manager is going to feel |
| interviewing techniques have helped hiring authorities | | | | better about you as a candidate because you've given |
| discover the best candidates for their jobs. Now, using | | | | specific examples. They may not be able to put their |
| the knowledge of behavior interviewing, you can put | | | | finger on why, but they are going to like you better |
| your best foot forward during the job interview | | | | than another candidate who only gave general, generic |
| process. But first, a little background on behavioral | | | | answers. |
| interviewing. | | | | Tip # 2 - Be honest |
| Behavioral Interviewing | | | | Simple advice? Yes. You will never go wrong being |
| Behavioral interviewing is based on the premise that | | | | honest. Don't answer the way you think the hiring |
| the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. | | | | manager wants you to answer. Answer with your |
| Managers ask questions based on the needs of the | | | | experience and factors that are important to you. If |
| job and try to elicit specific examples of previous | | | | how you solve problems and how you handle issues |
| similar experience in order to project how the | | | | when things go wrong doesn't work in the hiring |
| interviewee will perform in their position. Questions | | | | manager's company culture, you're both better off |
| typically begin with phrases such as, "Tell me about a | | | | knowing that up front and not taking that job. Trust me, |
| time when you..." or "Give me an example of how | | | | there will be another company that is a good cultural fit |
| you..." | | | | for you. You want to hold out for finding that right fit. |
| While the behavioral interviewing technique is | | | | The right fit with the right company will lead to a better, |
| extremely valuable, not all hiring managers know of or | | | | more productive work experience for you and your |
| use the technique. But the good news is, whether | | | | employer. |
| you're interviewing with a manager using behavioral | | | | Tip #3 - Prepare |
| interviewing techniques or a manager who is using less | | | | Go through your career and make a list of your work |
| productive interview questions, you will be well advised | | | | history and the successes you've had. Rack your brain |
| to follow the points below. | | | | and come up with various examples. Remember the |
| These points are not about getting the job at any cost. | | | | problems you had and how you overcame those |
| That would be a disservice to you and to the | | | | obstacles. Look for examples of what you did well, of |
| employer. You absolutely need to be your authentic | | | | what you were proud of. Look specifically for |
| self when you interview. But, there is a way to paint a | | | | examples that will appeal to the hiring manager in the |
| picture of yourself using past behaviors that will more | | | | industry that you are applying for. Invest time in |
| faithfully portray who you are and how you work and | | | | remembering what you did and how you did it. The |
| create an image in the hiring managers mind about | | | | time invested will be well worth the effort when you |
| what it would look like to have you on their team. | | | | present yourself competently and professional to that |
| Tip #1 - Use specific examples | | | | hiring manager. |
| Whether you're asked a behavioral interviewing | | | | Tip # 4 - Practice, practice, practice |
| question or asked a non-behavioral interviewing, | | | | Interviewing is a skill like any other skill. The more you |
| answer the question using specific examples.o Give | | | | do it, the more comfortable you'll be in your own skin. |
| example of the projects you completed. If the project | | | | Practice with people in your network. If you are |
| had a name, tell the interviewer the name of the | | | | attending support groups for job seekers, practice with |
| project and give further explanation if the project | | | | someone else who is looking for a job. (Be sure to |
| name doesn't adequately explain what the project | | | | give them a copy of this article before you start.) |
| was about.o Provide details about what you actually | | | | Practice with friend or colleague. Ask a family member |
| did, especially if the project was a group assignment. | | | | to help. Find a family friend who hires people and ask |
| Avoid using the word "we" so often that the hiring | | | | them to practice with you. Imagining what you will say |
| manager wonders if "you" actually did anything | | | | is very different from actually saying it out loud. You |
| yourself on the project or merely coasted along on the | | | | need to hear questions asked and practice answering |
| coat tails of the other group members.o Talk about | | | | them aloud. Better to stumble over your words in a |
| what happened on the project-the good, the bad and | | | | practice scenario and rethink how you want to say |
| the ugly. When things go well, life is great for all of us. | | | | them than to stammer through the experience in front |
| But the reality is, life doesn't always work out as we | | | | of the hiring manager. |
| want and employers need to know how you handle | | | | |