Interviewing Skills

Insaf AliServices
Siming
Saint Louis University Career
 Interviewing-What is it?

- A structured
meeting between
you and an
employer
- Interviewing is a
skill- like riding
your bike
- PRACTICE makes

PERFECT

Insaf Ali Siming

Interviewing is a two-way street
- Employers are
attempting to
determine if you
are an appropriate
fit for the job and
their culture
- You decide if the
environment is
right for you.

Insaf Ali Siming

 Types of Interviews
 Phone: used as an initial screen of candidates or
to narrow the pool of applicants
 One-on-One: most common interview style and
incorporates you with the potential employer
 Panel or Group: allows many individuals to
interview you at once
 Meal: used to see how you interact or function in
a social setting
 Second or On-site Interview: this allows one to
get a tour of the facility, meet the staff, and
additional questioning from different employees
and/or administration
Insaf Ali Siming
 Pre-Interview Preparation
 Research position, company, & industry
 Know yourself and be able to articulate
skills, strengths, accomplishments, and
career goals
 Prepare necessary materials (Copies of
resume, references, portfolio/pen, palm
pilot or organizer, breath mints)
 Ask for directions and where to park

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 Arriving
 Be sure to allow yourself plenty of
time to arrive at your destination
(you may want to conduct a dry run
prior to your interview day)
 Try to arrive 10-15 minutes early at
the site to allow you to park, walk to
the interview, use the restroom, or
just gather yourself

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 Greeting & Introduction
Only 1 chance to make a
good 1st impression
 Dress appropriately

 Smile

 Maintain eye contact

 Firm handshake

 Remain poised and

confident

Insaf Ali Siming

 Body Language:
What signals are you sending?
Positive Signals
 Leaning forward =
interest
 Smiling = friendly
 Nodding = attentive
and alert
 Eye contact = curious
and focused
Insaf Ali Siming
Negative Signals
 Crossed arms =
defensive
 Fidgeting hands or
tapping feet =
nervous or bored
 Lack of eye contact
= untrustworthy
 Leaning back=
discomfort
Types of Interview Questions
Standard or 
Sample Questions
Tell me about yourself?
traditional-  What is your greatest
strength? Weakness?
targeting your
 Why did you choose to
education, work interview with us?
experiences, and  What did you like most
career goals about your last job? Least?
 What are your short and
long term career goals?

Insaf Ali Siming

 Types of Interview Questions
Behavioral Questions
-These focus on your actions
and/or behaviors in a
previous setting.
- Past behavior provides
clues to future behavior
Insaf Ali Siming
Sample Questions
 Describe a time you had
to make a difficult
decision?
 Tell me about a time
you worked under a
deadline?
 What do you do when a
team member is not
pulling his/her weight?
 Think about a time you
made a mistake. What
did you learn from it?
 Types of Interview Questions
Inappropriate or Sample Questions
unethical questions
 How old are you?
- Questions which probe
into your private life or  Do you have

personal background children?

- Questions about your  Do you have a
ethnicity, religion, disability?
sexual orientation,
 What religion do
disabilities, marital
status you practice?

Insaf Ali Siming

 Types of Interview Questions
Questions asked by the
interviewee
To determine if you are an
appropriate fit for the
company and position,
prepare a list of questions
for the interviewer
Insaf Ali Siming
Sample Questions
 What type of assignments
can I expect within the
first year?
 What do you like most
about this company?
 What is the biggest
challenge facing this
department right now?
 What skills are you looking
for in this position?
 What is the next course of
action?
 General Interview Strategies
-Be prepared to talk about yourself and your
experiences
-Master the art of storytelling
-Provide specific and concrete examples of
your results/accomplishments
-Remain positive, enthusiastic, poised, and
confident throughout the interview
process

Insaf Ali Siming

 General Interview Strategies
 Remember an interview is a formal
conversation--avoid filler words like “Um”,
“Ah”, & “You know”
 Avoid indecisive phrases like: “I think,” “I
guess,” “probably,” or “pretty good”
 Think before speaking
 Avoid long verbose answers--limit your
response to 1-2 minutes
 If you do not hear or understand a
question, ask them to repeat or clarify it
for you

Insaf Ali Siming

 General Interview Strategies
 Remain calm,
relaxed, and be
yourself
 Try to focus on the
message you are
trying to convey--
NOT how well you
are doing!

Insaf Ali Siming

 Dressing for Success-Men
 Suit-Single or double
breasted
 Polished shoes
 Solid white shirt
 Conservative tie
 Neatly groomed hair,
beard, and mustache
 Avoid strong colognes,
earrings, and body
piercing

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Dressing for Success-Women
 Pant or skirt suit
 Pumps with small
to medium heels
 Light makeup,
perfume, and
jewelry
 Wear neutral color
hosiery

Insaf Ali Siming

 FOLLOW-UP
 Ask good questions

 Thank the interviewer

 Request a business card

 Inquire about next steps in the process

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 FOLLOW-UP CONT
 Send a thank you
note within 24
hours
 Letter may be
handwritten or
typed; e-mail is
also acceptable
 Tailor each one to
the individual.

Insaf Ali Siming

 Final Thoughts
 Remember that only 15% of the
success of an interview is out of your
control
 Take some time to reflect
- Overall, how well did I do?
- What went well?
- What steps can I take next time to
improve?

Insaf Ali Siming

 Suggestions
 Conduct a test run the day before the interview
 Practice! Practice! Practice!
•Obtain a list of practice interview questions and
jot down short answers
• Stand in front of a mirror and rehearse your
answers
•Schedule an appointment for a mock interview
with Career Services
 Get a good night’s sleep-be well rested and alert
for the interview
 Be relaxed and be yourself!

Insaf Ali Siming

Insaf Ali Siming