Note: Although the outline contained here focuses on the interview process form the candidate's standpoint, this workshop is also available for hiring managers and Human Resources personnel.  

Hiring managers make judgments about a candidates qualifications based primarily on what they are told during the interview. Some hiring managers interview often and are highly skilled at it.  The best interviewers have been trained in Behavioral Interviewing or a similar system.  Others may be more nervous than you are about the interview – and less skilled.  This session is designed to help you prepare for all of them.

When you have completed this program, you will be able to:

• Use a Positioning Statement

• Understand the interviewing process

• Gain significant advantage over other candidates

• Prepare for commonly asked interview questions

• Follow-up effectively

What You Will Cover

Interviewing as Part of Your Overall Communications Strategy

• Effective Interviewing Begins with Effective Listening
• The Importance of Non-verbal Communication

Your Positioning Statement

• Constructing a Positioning Statement
• Tell Me About Yourself: Matching the Positioning Statement to Needs

The Interview Process

• The Screening Interview
• Subsequent Interviews
• What you Should Look for During the Interview

  • Competency

  • Compatibility

• Guidelines for the Interview

• Conducting the Interview

Traps to Avoid

Questions that Can and Should be Asked

• Commonly asked Questions

  • Career

  • Current - or Last - Position 

  • Background, Skills, Experience

  • Education

  • Knowledge of Prospective Employer

  • Sensitive Issues

• Suggested Responses

The Behavioral Interviewing Systemä            

The Behavioral Interviewing System is designed around the concept that an individual’s past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior. This method of interviewing is a form of structured interviewing. The Behavioral Interviewing System was developed by Dr. Paul Green of Behavioral Technology, Inc. and is being used by major companies throughout the world. 

Guidelines for the Behavioral Interviewing System

• Preparing for the Interview

• Conducting the Interview

How to Handle Behavioral Interviewing Questions

Traps to Avoid

Commonly Asked Behavioral Interviewing Questions

The Group (or Panel) Interview

The Telephone Interview

The Five Spokes of the Wheel