Preparing For a Job Interview

Presenter :Rowaida Al-khalil AlBSNBSN-Senior nursing tutor IBCLC

Rowaida Al-Khalil/Senior Nursing AlTutor/UAE/2006 1

At the end of this presentation the audience will be able to:

Perceive the value of confidence and positive attitude in establishing rapport at the beginning of the interview. Use various techniques that assist the interviewee to gain and show confidence during an interview . Use his/her nonverbal communication skills or body language to relay an impression of confidence ,openness, and warmth. Dress appropriately for the interview. Prepare and practice for the full spectrum of interview questions that may be asked. Avoid major interview behaviors and answers that would effect the interviewee chance of getting the job offer. Utilize the top ten critical success factors to enhance the interviewee s chance of getting the job offer. Develop an appropriate strategy that can enhance and show the interviewee abilities ,strength and uniqueness to the interviewer. Follow two important post interview activities that can make a final positive impression.
Rowaida Al-Khalil/Senior Nursing AlTutor/UAE/2006

Interviewing is not a science. Nor is it an art form. It is simply an imperfect form of human communication designed to increase the predictive validity of potential employeremployer-employee relationships. And it is very imperfect.

Rowaida Al-Khalil/Senior Nursing AlTutor/UAE/2006

the interview consists of three distinct steps:

Close Gather information Establish rapport
Rowaida Al-Khalil/Senior Nursing AlTutor/UAE/2006 4

Attitude is everything To be a great champion, you must believe that you are the best. If you're not, pretend you are." - Muhammad Ali

Rowaida Al-Khalil/Senior Nursing AlTutor/UAE/2006

First impressions count. Often for far more than logical

Rowaida Al-Khalil/Senior Nursing AlTutor/UAE/2006

So don't worry if you are not superstar" quality. If you can show me, in your words and actions, that you are ready to put forth your very best effort toward achieving excellence, you will be chosen over the superstar. If you can show me, by words and examples, your "can do" attitude, it is you I will hire, while all of the superstars will receive polite rejection letters to add to their growing
Rowaida Al-Khalil/Senior Nursing AlTutor/UAE/2006

The Most Important Interview Nonverbals

Following are the top five nonverbals, ranked in order of importance Eye Contact Facial Expressions Posture Gestures Space
Rowaida Al-Khalil/Senior Nursing AlTutor/UAE/2006 8

Winning The Body Language Game

o Openness and Warmth: open-lipped opensmiling, open hands with palms visible, unbuttoning coat upon being seated. o Confidence: leaning forward in chair, chin up, putting tips of fingers of one hand against the tips of fingers of other hand in "praying" or "steepling" position, hands joined behind back when standing.
Rowaida Al-Khalil/Senior Nursing AlTutor/UAE/2006 9

Winning The Body Language Game

Nervousness: smoking, whistling, pinching skin, fidgeting, jiggling pocket contents, running tongue along front of teeth, clearing throat, hands touching the face or covering part of the face, pulling at skin or ear, running fingers through hair, wringing hands, biting on pens or other objects, twiddling thumbs, biting fingernails (action itself or evidence of), tongue clicking.
Rowaida Al-Khalil/Senior Nursing AlTutor/UAE/2006

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Winning The Body Language Game

Untrustworthy/Defensive: frowning, squinting eyes, tight-lipped grin, arms tightcrossed in front of chest, pulling away, chin down, touching nose or face, darting eyes, looking down when speaking, clenched hands, gestures with fist, pointing with fingers, chopping one hand into the open palm of the other, rubbing back of neck, clasping hands behind head while leaning back in the chair.
Rowaida Al-Khalil/Senior Nursing AlTutor/UAE/2006 11

How do you gain this confidence?

If you show confidence, it will cover for a multitude of shortcomings in other areas

Through preparation. Knowing who you are and what you can do. And practicing. Over and over. Until you are not only confident in yourself, but also able to project that confidence to others. I must also be confident in your ability to do the work. Then, and only then, will I be willing to invest in you.
Rowaida Al-Khalil/Senior Nursing AlTutor/UAE/2006 12

Dress For Interview Success

Men and Women
Conservative two-piece business suit (solid dark blue or grey is twobest) Conservative long-sleeved shirt/blouse (white is best, pastel is next longbest) Clean, polished conservative shoes WellWell-groomed hairstyle Clean, trimmed fingernails Minimal cologne or perfume Empty pockets--no bulges or tinkling coins pockets--no No gum, candy or cigarettes Light briefcase or portfolio case No visible body piercing (nose rings, eyebrow rings, etc.)
Rowaida Al-Khalil/Senior Nursing AlTutor/UAE/2006

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Dress For Interview Success

Men Necktie should be silk with a conservative pattern Dark shoes (black lace-ups are lacebest) Dark socks (black is best) Get a haircut; short hair always fares best in interviews No beards Mustaches are a possible negative, but if you must, make sure it is neat and trimmed No rings other than wedding ring Women Always wear a suit with a jacket; no dresses Shoes with conservative heels Conservative hosiery at or near skin color No purses, small or large; carry a briefcase instead If you wear nail polish (not required), use clear or a conservative colour Minimal use of makeup (it should not be too noticeable) No more than one ring on each hand One set of earrings only
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Rowaida Al-Khalil/Senior Nursing AlTutor/UAE/2006

The One Thing You Must Do Before Your First Interview

Prepare your homework
Search Information
The very best thing you can do to prepare for an interview with a specific company is to interview someone who is already on the inside. If you don't have anyone on your first level who works at the company.Check with the Alumni Office .The ideal is an individual who went straight out of your college into the company--the company--the more recent, the better. it will give you insider information that can make you Rowaida Al-Khalil/Senior Al- the interview. a standout Tutor/UAE/2006 Nursing in

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The One Thing You Must Do Before Your First Interview Prepare your homework
Practice
go through a mock interview . This is not the time to talk to yourself in the mirror. You need to master your ability to present the very best you.

Rowaida Al-Khalil/Senior Nursing AlTutor/UAE/2006

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the interview consists of three distinct steps:

Close
Gather information Establish rapport
Rowaida Al-Khalil/Senior Nursing AlTutor/UAE/2006 17

The Eight Types of Interview Questions

Credential verification questions Experience verification questions Opinion questions Dumb questions Math questions Case questions Behavioral questions Competency questions

Rowaida Al-Khalil/Senior Nursing AlTutor/UAE/2006

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Ten Commonly-asked Interview CommonlyQuestions

 Tell me about yourself.  Why should I hire you?  What is your long-range longobjective? Where do you want to be 10 or 15 years from now?  How has your education prepared you for your career?  Have you ever had a conflict with a boss or professor? How was it resolved?

 Are you a team player?  What is your greatest

weakness?  If I were to ask your manager to describe you, what would they say?  What qualities do you feel a successful manager should have?  If you had to live your life over again, what would you change?

Rowaida Al-Khalil/Senior Nursing AlTutor/UAE/2006

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To avoid Commiting One Of The Worst Interview Sins

speak in specifics rather than generalities give a specific example An important aspect of being specific is to use the quantitative approach

Rowaida Al-Khalil/Senior Nursing AlTutor/UAE/2006

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Top Ten Critical Success Factors

every employer is seeking: Confidence Interpersonal skills Positive attitude toward work Proficiency in field of study Communication skills (oral and written)

Flexibility SelfSelf-motivation Leadership Teamwork Critical thinking and problem solving skills

Show your competence in as many of the above critical success factors as possible and you will rise above the competition.
Rowaida Al-Khalil/Senior Nursing AlTutor/UAE/2006 21

The One Question To Ask Every Interviewer

Find the strategic opportunity to inject this question as early as possible during the course of the interview: "Can you tell me about the position and the type of person you are seeking? this question can provide you with your single greatest opportunity for understanding more about the job and your ability to fill the role. frame your answers around what they are seeking in the person to fill the position
Rowaida Al-Khalil/Senior Nursing AlTutor/UAE/2006 22

The Money Response Technique

If asked early in the interview (as it often is), the best response is: "What would a person with "What my background and qualifications typically earn in this position with your company?" If asked late in the interview the best response is: "I am ready to consider your very best offer."
This is one time you don't want to be specific. If you give specifics, you lose--you lose--you will either be too low or too Rowaida Al-Khalil/Senior Nursing Alhigh, Tutor/UAE/2006

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the interview consists of three distinct steps:

Close
Gather information Establish rapport
Rowaida Al-Khalil/Senior Nursing AlTutor/UAE/2006

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The Two Most Important PostPostInterview Activities

Call the interviewer to thank them for their time. Do it the same day. immediately write the interviewer a short note, thanking them for their time and reemphasizing your interest in the position. Then do your best to get it to them as quickly as possible. E-mail it, fax Eit, hand deliver it, messenger it, use overnight mail, whatever. But be sure they have it before the end of the following day.
Rowaida Al-Khalil/Senior Nursing AlTutor/UAE/2006

to make a lasting impression and a positive impact after your interview, and greatly increase your odds of success.
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Rowaida Al-Khalil/Senior Nursing AlTutor/UAE/2006

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