THE INTERVIEW

TYPES OF INTERVIEWS:

• The Informational Interview
• The Screening Interview
• The Second Interview or Site Visit
• The Critical Behavioral Interview

• Traditional Interview
• Behavioral Interview

• The Key to Successful Interviewing
• Inappropriate Interview Questions

• How did you begin in this field?
• How much education is required for this type of position?  What major best prepares you for this position?
• Is there any other special training required?  Is there any training you wished you had had before entering your profession?
• What personal characteristics do you believe are helpful for success and satisfaction in this job?
• What type of extracurricular experiences would be good background for this job?
• Are there any professional organizations in the field?
• To whom do you report?  How many people (if any) report to you?
• How does your work fit into the organization?
• What are some of the opportunities for advancement?
• How do you spend a typical day/week (paperwork, meetings, supervising, etc.)?
• What is the range of your duties and responsibilities?
• Do you work primarily alone or in collaboration with others?
• How would you characterize your working relations (formal, informal, etc.)?
• Do you determine how you structure your time or is that determined for you?
• Are you required to travel?  How often?
• What is the present employment outlook for this field?  Future?
• How do you see the jobs in the field changing over the next five to ten years?
• What are the greatest rewards and toughest demands of your job?
• What advice would you give to someone trying to break into the field?
• How can I market myself effectively for a position in this field?
• How do people usually learn about job openings in your field?
• Do you know of anyone else with whom it might be helpful for me to speak?

• Make initial contact with the person through a letter and then follow-up with a phone call to schedule a time for the interview.
• Dress professionally and be on time for the interview.  If you can't make the appointment, call and reschedule.
• Don't keep the interview going longer than the employer agreed to unless he/she seems willing to continue.
• Always send a thank-you letter promptly after the interview.

Often the questions are designed to query about your past performances and skills.  The rationale is that your successes in a past situation, whether directly related to the job or not, will probably be a good indicator of your performance in the future.

A few examples of common questions asked in a screening interview include:

• Self-starter: Describe something from your academic experience that you are proud of. How did you get involved with this and what was the outcome?
• Analytical Abilities: Can you describe a time when you had difficulty getting any part of a project accomplished.  How did you approach this difficulty?
• Genuine Interest in the Position: Where do you think your interest in (e.g., teaching) comes from?  What interests or concerns you about this position or our company?
• Leadership: Take me through a project where you demonstrated leadership skills.

THE SECOND INTERVIEW OR SITE VISIT
If you have been successful in the screening interview then you will be invited for a second interview.  This interview will always occur at the regional office.  Here are some things that you should keep in mind when preparing for the second interview.

Prior to the Interview:

• Clarify travel arrangements prior to your visit.  Some organizations will repay tickets or provide you with a travel advance.  Confirm your hotel reservation, rental car etc.
• Ask your contact at the company for an agenda for the day.
• Obtain a map of the area if you are not familiar with it.
• Travel light, if you are taking a plan, take carry-on luggage.  Get a nice piece of luggage so you don't walk on the plane with a duffle bag.
• Do your homework on the organization.  See section on "Knowing the Organization."
• If possible, contact an alumna/us who works in the organization and who would be available to talk to you.
• Know the salary range for this type of position.  Information is available in the Trustee Center, or talk with people in the field (e.g. alumni).
• Bring extra copies of your resume, and either a briefcase or professional looking portfolio in which to carry materials (bring paper and pen).
• Bring reading material in case the interview is delayed.
• Get a good night's sleep before the interview.

During the On-Site Interview:

• Site interviews are typically several hours long.  You will meet at least three to five individuals, during the day or several people may interview you at once.
• Keep receipts for all expenses incurred, including taxis, tolls, parking, meals, etc.
• If lunch is part of the agenda, it is advisable to decline alcoholic beverages and order something easy to eat.
• Remember, almost everyone you meet (including secretaries) will be involved in the evaluation process.
• Above all, appear alert and enthusiastic!  Ask questions to show your interest.  Say that you want the job.
• Make notes of people's names, and titles, and important points.  Request business cards.
• Before leaving, clarify the next step in the process.  State your interest in the position.
• If you have the opportunity, explore the area during your visit.  Pick up local newspapers and publications to get a feel for the community.

Final Tips for After the On-Site Interview:

• Write thank you notes to your host and, if it seems appropriate, to others who interviewed you.
• If you do not hear from the organization within the previously specified time, call and ask about the status of your candidacy.  Talk with your host-the person who arranged the interview.
• If you receive an offer in writing, respond immediately!  If you need a little time, express your interest and indicate a date at which you will inform them of your decision.  Most companies will have some flexibility in waiting but don't expect more than two weeks.
• Complete and return your expense report.  Reimbursement can take 4-6 weeks.

TRADITIONAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
The questions below were compiled from a survey of 242 well-known companies and published in The Northwestern Lindquist-Endicott Report, by Victor R. Lindquist, Northwestern University Placement Center, Evanston, Illinois.  They are used here with permission.  The questions are topics an employer might ask you.  Remember, an interview is not like an exam; there are no right or wrong answers to questions.  Relate answers to the position you are seeking and to strengths you possess.
 

• Tell me about yourself.
• Why did you choose (Hartwick) College and how did you arrive at this decision?
• What factors did you consider in choosing your major?
• Of the courses you have had at college, which courses have you enjoyed the most?
• Describe how your favorite course has contributed to your career interests.
• What is your GPA?  How do you feel about it?  Does it reflect your abilities?
• Since you have been at college, what have you done that you are proudest of?
• How have you changed personally since starting college?
• What has been your greatest challenge?
• If you could change a decision you made while at college what would you change and why?
• Why did you choose the involvements you did?  What did you gain?  What did you contribute?
• In a particular leadership role you had, what was your greatest challenge?
• What work experiences on your resume taught you about managing and working with people?
• How have your educational and work experiences prepared you for this position?
• What type of work environment appeals to you most?
• What characteristics do you think are important for this position?
• Why do you feel this company will be a career for you rather than a job?
• Name two management skills that you think you have.
• What characteristics are most important in a good manager?  How have you displayed one of them?
• We are looking a lot of great candidates; why are you the best person for this position?
• Why are you interested in our organization?
• Where do you think your interest in this career comes from?
• What interests you about this job?  What challenges are you looking for in a position?
• What makes you think you can handle this position?
• What can you contribute to this company?  Why should my company be interested in you?
• What goals have you set for yourself?  How are you planning to achieve them?
• What is your most significant accomplishment to date?
• If I asked the people who know you well to describe you, what three words would they use?
• If I asked the people you know for one reason why I shouldn't hire you what would they say?
• Of the hobbies and interests listed on your resume what is your favorite and tell me why.
• When you take on a project, do you like to attack the project in a group or individually?
• What are your team-player qualities?  Give examples.

THE CRITICAL BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEW (CBI)
Critical Behavioral Interviewing is a form of interviewing based on the concept that: the most accurate predictor of future performance is past performance in a similar situation.  CBI probes much deeper into your experience than the traditional form of interviewing so preparation is the key.

Key Points to Critical Behavioral Interviews:

• Your preparation should include thinking through examples of situations where you have demonstrated behaviors the company is looking for.
• As the interviewee, you will tell your “story” for a few minutes.  Then the interviewer will pick apart the story to try to get at the specific behavior(s).  He/she may probe further for more depth or detail such as “What were you thinking at that point?”  or “Tell me more about your meeting with that person.” or “Lead me through your decision process.”
• Use the STAR technique (explain the Situation, state the Task, tell what Action you took, and share the Results) in preparing your responses to keep them clear and to the point.
• Listen carefully to the question and ask for clarification if necessary.  Make sure you answer the question completely.
• Use your resume as a guide when answering questions.  Use examples from past internships, summer jobs, class projects, campus activities, community involvements, and work experience.

• Tell me about a time in which you had to use your written communication skills in order to get an important point across.
• Describe a leadership role you had and tell why you committed your time to it.
• Tell me about a project you initiated.
• Describe the project or situation that best demonstrates your analytical abilities.
• Since attending college, what is the toughest decision that you have had to make?
• What types of situations put you under pressure, and how do you deal with pressure?
• Give me a situation in which you failed, and how you handled it.  Give me an example of an idea that has come to you and what you did with it.
• Give me an example of a problem you solved and the process you used.
• Give me an example of the most creative project that you have worked on.
• Tell me about a team project of which you are particularly proud and your contribution.
• Describe a situation where you worked with someone who was difficult, how you handled the situation.

THE KEY TO ANY SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW IS BEING PREPARED!
There is a great deal you can do to prepare for an interview.  Your agenda is to be able to describe your abilities as they relate to the position, and to determine if the company or opportunity is indeed something that you would like to be involved with.  Use the following guidelines to help you prepare for your interview:

Know Yourself

• Know what you are marketing!  The focus of the interview is on you, so be ready to articulate your interests, skills, and abilities.  Be able to expand on any item on your resume.
• Review the job description and create your own list of skills.  You may find it helpful to conduct an informational interview with someone who is currently working at or who has knowledge of the position.  Use Hartwick's alumni connections, this is a great resource for this type of information.
• Once you have determined a list of appropriate skills, use your resume as a guide and check off things that you believe prepared you for the position. Employers like to see concrete examples that show transferable skills.  You should be able to relay examples from your course work, extracurricular activities, and/or work experiences (paid or volunteer).
• If possible, prepare a portfolio of your best projects.  This is especially valuable for those seeking a career in the visual arts or a writing career; examples of work are often requested.  Computer Science students also may find it helpful to prepare an online portfolio of programming projects which show a degree of proficiency with different languages.  A word of caution though, use visual aids only as a supplement to your explanations, and only when it seems appropriate.

Know the Organization

• Your preparation shouldn't focus only on you; thoroughly research the organization.  Be familiar with the company's history, products, geographic locations and plans for growth.  Learn if the company is a parent company of any subsidiaries.  Much of this information can be gleaned by reviewing recruitment literature or corporate literature such as annual reports.  You can also research many company home pages on the Internet.
• If the information is not readily available, don't feel that you have to be a sleuth to obtain it.  It is appropriate for you to call and ask for materials to be sent to you (e.g., brochures, job descriptions, and recruitment literature). Don't hesitate to call the company and request information.  However, don't limit yourself to company glitter; go to your library and check other sources, periodicals, etc.  Alumni networks can again play an important role, particularly if an alumna/us is working for the company.
• Once your research is finished, draw up a list of four or five questions about the company or position that are not immediately addressed in the company's literature.

How should you respond if you are asked an inappropriate question?
In an article in the National Business Employment Weekly, James M. Jenks suggests three alternatives on how to respond when you feel the interviewer has asked an improper question.

1. You can refuse to answer - tell the employer you think the question is improper.  Using this response may make you feel better, but chances are you will not get the job.
2. You can answer the question asked - swallow your pride to stay in the running for the job.
3. You can answer the legitimate concern of the employer - ignore the improper question itself, and respond instead to the concern underlying the question.

The third choice allows you to present yourself in a positive manner and control the way you answer the question.  You might want to rephrase the question or simply ignore it and answer the issue behind the question.  If you feel there are sensitive areas for you, be prepared to answer them before going for the interview.