Interviewing Techniques

Types of Interviews
• Panel Interviews
• One-On-One Interviews
– Initial Screening
– Follow-up Second or Third Interviews
• Telephone Interviews
• Group Interviews
 Types of Interviews
• Initial employment interview
– Pre-screening process
– Ability tests
– Language tests
– Personality tests
• Second (sometimes third or fourth)
– More focused on specific job than initial interview
– Conducted by department manager or general
manager
 Interview Skills
• Behavioral Based Interviews
• Have a Plan
• Be Flexible
• Demonstrate Your Desire to Work For
That Organization
• Research the Company
 Interview Skills
• Non-Verbal Communication
– Smile, make eye contact
• Bonding Moment
• Concise Verbage
• Hand Shakes(Coming and Going)
 Interview Preparation
1) Informational Preparation
– Research the company or organization to which you
are applying.
How: Internet, newspaper, library, talk to
others in the industry
– Know the occupation
– Know yourself
– Complete an inventory of your skills, experience,
and personal attributes
 Ten Most Marketable Skills
• Analytical / Problem Solving
• Flexibility / Versatility
• Interpersonal
• Oral / Written Communication
• Organization / Planning
• Time Management
• Motivation
• Leadership
• Self-Starter / Initiative
• Team Player
 Interview Preparation
1) Psychological Preparation

Put yourself in the right frame of mind

before the interview

Show self-confidence, be prepared

 Interview Preparation
1) Physical Preparation

Dress attire

Manners
 Interview Questions
• Directive Questions
– What skills do you have that relate to this position?
• Non-Directive Questions
– Tell me about yourself?
• Hypothetical or Scenario Questions
– Suppose you were working on a guest floor your first
day, and a fire broke out. What would you do?
• Behavioral Questions
 The best predictor of future
performance is past performance
 Behavior Based Questions
• Based on the theory that past behavior is
predictive of future success.
• Questions about skills, character, and
preference based on examples from your
past work or school experience.
• Key idea is to paint a picture of the
thinking that underlies the decision making
or behavior
 Directive vs. Behavioral
1) What do you think of working overtime?

3) Describe a time when you needed to

work extra hours to meet a deadline or
complete a task.
 Hypothetical vs. Behavioral
1) How would you deal with an angry
guest?

4) Describe a time you dealt with an angry

guest to ensure the situation was
corrected to their liking?
 Directive vs. Behavior
1) Can you identify a specific incident
where your leadership proved to be
valuable to the operation?

3) Do you feel you have leadership traits?

What are they?
How To Answer Behavior Based
Questions

Situation

Action Result
1) Describe a time when you needed to
work extra hours to meet a deadline or
complete a task.
2) Can you identify a specific incident
where your leadership proved to be
valuable to the operation?
3) Describe a time you assisted an angry
guest to ensure the situation was
corrected to their liking.
 Tough Questions
• Eye Contact
• Demonstrate Energy
• Time Out/Re-Group
• Prepare Examples of SAR
– Situation
– Action
– Result
 Most Frequently Asked
Questions
• What are your short-term and long-term goals
and how do you expect to achieve them?
• What motivates you?
• What are you strengths and weaknesses?
• Give a specific example of a time when you have
gone above and beyond to satisfy a customer.
• Tell me about a conflict with a co-worker and
how you resolved it?
 Prepare Questions for the
Interviewer
• Always have 4 or 5 questions prepared
– One of the most effective ways to compare
employers

• Make sure you questions show interest and

enthusiasm
 Interview Do’s
• Do find out the exact time and place of the
interview – arrive 10 minutes early and relax!
• Do research the company interviewing you
• Do be neat in appearance
• Do be clear about you job objectives
• Do bring a copy of your resume and other
supporting data, perhaps in a portfolio
• Do give the appearance of energy and self-
confidence
 Interview Don’ts
• Don’t chew gum or smoke
• Don’t go on talking and talking
• Don’t bring up the subject of salary
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions
 Interview Attire
• THIS IS CRITICAL!
• Wear a Suit
• Aloha Attire is Not Appropriate
• Gentlemen-Jackets Buttoned
• Hair Conservatively Groomed
• Professional Watch
 Interview Attire
• Ladies- Closed-Toe Shoes and Hose
• Minimal Jewelry
• Make-Up and Earrings for Balance
• Purse/Portfolio
• Conservative Length Skirts
• Groomed Hands
 Employment Protocol
• Thank You Notes
• Follow-Up Phone Contact
• Status of Process
• Preparation for Second Interviews
• Salary Negotiation
• Job Acceptance and Rejection