This webinar is an in-depth review of the interview process. Preparation is a key element to acing an interview. Learn the best approaches from the initial phone screen to the face-to-face meeting with the hiring manager. You will hear great answers to several standard questions, including the dreaded “Tell Me About Yourself”.

1. Guide to a Winning Interview
brought to you by
Bruce A. Bennett
Career Coach Corner
March 11, 2024

2. Introduction & Notes for Workshop
Introduction
MCWN Volunteer since 2010 & Contractor from 2018
Career Coach Corner Blogger & Presenter
B² Discuss LinkedIn Podcaster
General Notes for Today
My contact info is on the last slide
Presentation file is on SlideShare
Workshop is interactive, Q/A & Parking lot
Follow-up email will include a link to deck and survey
Social Media Revolution
2

3. Outline for Workshop Today
Interviewing
Preparing by researching a company & position
Review the interview process
Q & A examples
Five toughest question videos
Closing the interview
General Do’s and Don’ts
3

4. Goals for Workshop
Goals
Recognize and understand the interviewing situations
Repeat skills or strengths as STARs for interviewing
Learn how to respond to Tell Me About Yourself
Discover how to research employers & companies
4

5. Resources Available On-line
5

6. Guide to a Winning Interview
Self-awareness
Inventory your skills
Strength Finder 34 by Clifton Strengths or High 5 Test
SWOT analysis
Preparation
Select 3 to 5 of your key strengths
Use a STAR to illustrate the skill to the interviewer
Research individuals and companies
Practice
Scripted or bulleted answers
Mirror or camera
Family, friends or pets
6

7. Strength Finder Report
https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/home.aspx
7

8. Strength Finder Report
8

9. Strength Finder Report
9

10. SWOT Analysis
10

11. Key Strengths - STARs or CARs
Customer Service
“Are you calling me a liar” story.
Decision Making
Our equipment in the garage appeared to be the source
of the fire.
Computer Software Adaptability
Became the beta tester for new rollouts of proprietary
programs for regional managers.
Training Staff
Coached and developed 22 direct reports into
supervisory role positions.
11

12. Key Strengths - STAR Approach
Stories in the Job Interview
 Crafting stories
 Key Story Elements
 Where to Find Stories
 Practice, Improve, Practice, Improve
 Sample Stories as Interview Answers
Stories in the Job Interview.PDF
12

13. Research Company and Position
Research the company
Google the company
Company website, news, management team, etc.
Mission statement and/or core values
Check them on LinkedIn
Research the position
Search Indeed and other job boards for similar positions for
keywords or skills not covered in their posting
Check salary.com to get a range of compensation
LinkedIn Research
Search for interviewer(s) and company
13

14. Research Company Concepts
7 Fundamental Things You MUST Research
14

15. Interviewing Situations
Prescreen Phone Interview
Spur of the moment
Prearranged for a scheduled time
Determines your next step in the process
Follow up with a F2F interview
Keep your resume on file
F2F Interview
Company location
Job Fairs
On campus recruiting
Video Interviews
15

16. Phone Screen Interview Preparation
Schedule the time rather than spur of the moment
Locate to a distraction-free environment
No pets, no TV, no Radio, no computer
Have your cell phone fully charged
Take note of the interviewer’s name
Have work history and job description handy
Relate the job and your key skills
16

17. Phone Screen Interview Preparation
Stand during the phone interview
Smile while on the call
Have a few questions ready for the interviewer
Is it a new position? Is the position replacing someone?
Is it budgeted? What is the salary range for the position?
What growth is the company expecting?
Next steps in the application process
Avoid rambling and/or really long answers
8 Mistakes to Avoid in the Prescreen Call
17

18. F2F Interviewing Preparation
Prepare STAR stories that relate skills & capabilities
Interview practice with family, friends, etc.
Have work history and reference details
ABCs of references
Take several copies of your resume
Dress for the interview
Research the company and position
Google, LinkedIn and/or Company’s webpage
18

19. F2F Interviewing Process
Know the corporate culture
Turn on positives, creative, am quick learner,
relationship builder, etc.
Eye contact
Self on shoulder alter ego (good/bad angel)
Personal branding - Portfolio
Humor ok!?!?
Ideal or dream job
19

20. Video Interviewing
Riveter Works video interviewing practice
https://riveterworks.com/
Video Interviewing Tips
Background & Environment
Practice recording on laptop or tablet
20

21. Video Interviewing
HireVue
Online interviewing application
https://www.hirevue.com/blog/how-to-take-a-hirevue-interview/
21

22. Video Interviewing
Zoom, Teams, Skype, Facetime, etc.
Andrew LaCivita talks about Online interviewing
22

23. Standard Questions
What would former coworkers or managers say?
What did you learn at your last job?
What level of education did you achieve?
What is your greatest strength?
What have you been doing since being laid off?
Why did you leave your last job or were you fired?
23

24. Behavioral/Situational Type Questions
Give me an example of how you set goals and achieve them.
Teamwork is important to the position. Give me an example
of your working with a team.
Tell me about how you worked effectively under pressure.
How did you handle a difficult situation with a supervisor?
Relate when you had to enforce a company policy that you
did not agree with personally.
Pamela Skilling Discusses Behavioral Questions
24

25. F2F Interviewing Process
25

26. Oddball Questions
How much does the earth weigh?
How far away is Alpha Centauri?
What would you expect to pay for the empty
lot next to our company?
What animal or tree would you like to be?
What kind of cookie would you like to be?
What is your spirit animal?
Who is your hero?
26

27. Five Toughest Questions Videos
“Tell me about yourself!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhWq1Q8uGg4&t=2s by John Heaney
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmFuWmzeiDs by Pamela Skillings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCoqmcyHedA by Don Georgevich
“What are your greatest weaknesses?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhTbeeUtWKs&t=3s by John Heaney
“Why should we hire you?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx1_CZTdKAc&t=8s by John Heaney
“Why do you want to work here?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g619eeLPSi0&t=81s by John Heaney
“Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRURxgW4eBE&t=3s by John Heaney
27

28. LinkedIn Offers Interviewing Resource
LinkedIn offers Interview Prep on the Jobs tab
More features Skills Assessments & Resume Builder
28

29. Interview Prep provides sample Q & A with video & tips
LinkedIn Offers Interviewing Resource
29

30. LinkedIn Offers Interviewing Resource
Free accounts provide an answer framework
30

31. Categories button offers additional questions
LinkedIn Offers Interviewing Resource
31

32. Lack of preparation, not knowing about company
Getting name of company wrong
Inappropriate language during the interview
“Beating around the bush” regarding compensation
expectations
Needing to pull responses from candidate
Candidate talking too much, long winded
Not flexible with scheduling
Ghosting during the process
Source: C. Schroeder, Talent Acquisition Manager
Interviewer Pet Peeves
32

33. Do You Have Any Questions For Me?
You better!
Be prepared with questions to ask the interviewer
Interview Questions Hallmark Data Systems
A printed list demonstrates your preparation and
interest in the company and position
Questions can range from evaluations to management
style
Is corporate culture another potential topic?
33

34. Interviewing Closing Suggestions
John Heaney suggests not ask these questions
10 Questions to Never Ask on a Job Interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNW8u1yC4Bg 7 minutes
Don Georgevich advises never to ask these questions
Never Ask These Questions in a Job Interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPRG7_fXe_E 8 minutes
34

35. Interviewing Closing Suggestions
Closing statement?
Elevator speech repeated with knowledge gained
through the interview
Express interest in the job, “I want the job!”
Next steps in the candidate selection process
“May I have your business card?”
Handshake, elbow or fist bump?
35

36. Interview Do’s
Bring a notebook to take notes
Press your clothes and shine shoes
Be aware of your body posture
Turn off your phone
Be friendly with everyone you meet
Smile
36

37. Interview Don’ts
Do not be too early or late
Do not answer cell phones or texts
Do not wear perfume or cologne
Do not disparage previous employer/boss
Do not leave your notebook at home
Do not cross your arms
Do not answer with simple yes or no
Do not fidget
37

38. Post Interview Suggestions
Debrief yourself
Keep a journal of interview questions and answers
Rate your answers to learn from interview to interview
Thank you letter
Personal thank you card is best and/or email is acceptable
Follow up with a phone call
Send a post-rejection thank you note
Lastly, remember the Challenging interview
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2xhxte
38

39. Simple Thank You Letter Template
Hallmark Data Systems
Attn: Julie Jones, HR Manager
Phone: 847-999-9999
Web: http://www.halldata.com/
Dear Ms. Jones,
I wanted to thank you for your time and consideration for the Senior Client
Relationship Manager position. Our discussion about my experience and
the position clarified how much this job matches my background. My
extensive management, operations, client service, and relationship building
experience would benefit Hallmark Data Systems. I look forward to
progressing to the next step in the candidate selection process.
Thank you,
Bruce
39

40. High Performance Interviewing
by David King and Jim Starkey
Another Interviewing Resource
40

41. Presentation Video Resources
Social Media Revolution - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6k_G_h41ZaQ
Paul Cameron - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvAHjpKR9rg
Andy LaCivita - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05WWE0Afz1k
Pamela Skillings - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mH3DaeJSwy4
Bill Burnett -
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G3aixm2C6LHzub6wNNHy7QwbUEgrj9Rz/view?us
p=sharing
41

42. Additional Video Resources
Madeline Mann
When is your job interview - Timing is Everything!
Andrew LaCivita
The Best Answer to "What's Your Expected Salary?"
Madeline Mann - Self Made Millennial
How to Answer Behavioral Interview Questions Sample Answers
Professor Heather Austin
7 Job Interview Red Flags
LinkedIn Learning
https://opportunity.linkedin.com/prepare-for-interview
42

43. McHenry County Workforce Facebook
43

44. McHenry County Workforce Facebook
44

45. Success Stories
Paul L. - Writer
Melissa P. - Market Research
Liz T. - Market Research
Kurt B. - Marketing
Lisa A - Administration
Mark H. - Operations
Mandi S. - Sales
Karl K. – Marketing
I want to add your name to the list!
45

46. McHenry County Workforce Network
March Calendar of Events & Services
Free Personalized Job Search Assistance Services
To sign up, request the professional directly by email
Mock Interviews
60 minute virtual session
March 4 & 18
Kraig Roberts
Email: mcwnkraig@gmail.com
46
Mock Interviews
In-person sessions
March 13 & 27
Bob Lueders
10:00 - 12:00
Email: luedersbob@gmail.com

47. Artificial Intelligence
Paul Cameron is the
presenter at this virtual
event.
https://plainfieldpublicl
ibrary.librarymarket.co
m/event/virtual-job-
club-66054
47

48. Upcoming Webinar Events
Network to Success - Job Search for Over 50
Wednesday March 13, 2024 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm
LinkedIn for Your Job Search
Monday March 18, 2024, from 10:00am to 12:00pm
LinkedIn Strategic Guidelines
Wednesday March 20, 2024 from 10:00am to 12:00pm
Resumes, Cover Letters and Applying Online
Wednesday April 3, 2024 from 10:00am to 12:00pm
NTS - Using Social Media in Job Search
Wednesday April 13, 2024, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm

49. Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn
Bruce A. Bennett
Mobile: 815-302-9552
Email: BABennett73@gmail.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/bruceabennett
Career Coach Corner Blog: http://bruce73.wordpress.com/
https://bruce73.wordpress.com/upcoming-presentations/
Podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/show/b-squared-linkedin