Step by Step Interview Guidelines

During the Interview

Do...

• Remember that 70% of a successful interview is enthusiasm, excitement and energy.
• Have a positive attitude. Smile.
  
• Be energetic. If you have trouble exuding energy, try a cup of coffee.
  
• Be confident. You are the kind of employee this employer needs.
  
• Be yourself. People can tell when you are faking it.
  
• Represent yourself honestly.
  
• Maintain direct eye contact. (Research shows using 60-80% eye contact is most effective.)
  
• Sit up straight.
  
• Use your hands. If you don't know what to do with your hands, talk with them.
  
• Remember that 20% of the interview is selling you.
  
• Be sure to emphasize your skills and use Feature-Example-Benefit (explained below) selling to answer the employer's questions.
  

Don't...

• Say anything negative. Be careful when talking about past and present employers.
• Get too comfortable. Remain professional and on guard.

F.E.B. Sell Yourself

During the interview it is essential that you sell yourself. Feature-Example-Benefit (F.E.B.) selling is a great way to get your point across! F.E.B. selling teaches you to effectively sell yourself by using personal examples. Here is how it works:

FEATURE: A fact that sets you apart from other people.
EXAMPLE: A specific, personal example that supports your fact.
BENEFIT: How your fact and example benefit the employer.

For Example:

FEATURE: Strong work ethic.
EXAMPLE: While working on my last contract, I worked 40+ hours per week and always put in the extra time to finish the initiative.
BENEFIT: I'm used to working hard in order to achieve positive results.

By using the examples above, we come up with this statement:

I have a strong work ethic. For example, while working on my last contract, I worked 40+ hours per week and always put in the extra time to finish the initiative. What this means for your company is that I'm used to working hard in order to achieve positive results.

Below are some additional features many employers look for in their candidates. Examine your background and complete the example and benefit.

FEATURE EXAMPLE BENEFIT
Goal Oriented
Motivated
Resilient
Persistent

Ask the Employer Questions

Sample Questions

Make sure to ask 3-5 questions for your interview. Use your own creativity. It is important to be yourself in an interview. Employers will quickly see through a memorized and over-rehearsed question. These questions are guidelines for what types of questions may work for you:

• What has your career path been?
• What have you liked most about the company and what have you liked least about it?
• What do you see as the major challenges of this assignment?
• What types of projects do you anticipate over the next six months?
• What attributes make people successful in your organization?
• Could you please describe a typical day?
• What does the training program consist of?
• How is performance evaluated?
• What are your expectations of a new hire?
• What are your company's strengths and weaknesses?
• If you had to isolate 3 things that determine a persons success with your company, what would those be?

What Not to Ask

Never ask a company about sick leave, paid vacations, holidays or other benefits that allow you to get away from work. Leave those to your ASG recruiter.

Ask a Lead-In Question

The purpose of a lead-in question is to identify if you did your job of selling yourself in the interview. If asked properly, these questions will pull out objections / hesitations the employer has about you filling the position. Choose one of the following questions or create your own based on the examples given:

• How do you see me fitting in?
• How do I compare to other people you have hired?
• Describe your ideal candidate. Do you see me as that type of person?
• Am I the kind of person you are looking for?
• Are there any concerns you have about me filling the position?
• Can I count on your recommendation for the next step?
  

Closing the Interview

Do...

• Remember that 10% of the interview is the close. The interview is a sales call; you are the product.
• Employers expect you to close. Don't be surprised if they make it tough on you!
• Ask questions about the position, company and the interviewer.
• Ask a lead-in question to see how you did in the interview.
• Overcome any concerns, objections, or hesitations.
• Close for the next step/job.
• It is absolutely crucial you ask the following questions:
  For initial interviews: Where do we go from here? Can we set that up right now?
  For final interviews: Where do we go from here? When can I start?

Don't...

• Ask questions about salary, commission, bonuses, vacations or anything else the company can do for you. Your ASG representative will work with the client on your behalf after you've received the job offer.

Don't forget, as you have practiced your close, the employer has spent many an hour thinking of ways to strike you out. Some "strike out" statements are:

• I still have more people to interview.
• I will be getting back with ASG or "your agency."
• I will be letting you know in a couple of days.

Beware of those smokescreens. DO NOT be fooled into thinking you will get the next step. If you don't set up the day, date and time of your next interview, it probably will never happen. The employer may still have genuine concerns or may create concerns to see how you handle the situation. Use F.E.B. selling to overcome the objections. As a rule of thumb, attempt to get to the next step three times.

Note: As with everything, there may be an exception to the rule. For some unknown reason, the interviewer may not have the power to set up the next step. At least find out if the interviewer will be recommending you for the next step.