Interviewing Guide

SUNY Westchester Community College  Career Services Interview Guidelines 2017-2019 4 One-on-One This is the most common format for job interviewing. It consists of two individuals sitting down and having a conversation with a particular purpose; to determine whether there is a fit between the applicant and the interviewer/organization. Most candidates experience this type of interview. Group A group interview would require that you interview simultaneously with other candidates. It provides the organization with a sense of your leadership potential and style and how you interact with peers. The interviewer might ask the group to discuss an issue with the other candidates, solve a problem collectively or have individuals discuss their qualifications in front of the other candidates. This might seem intimidating, so ask for clarification if you are unsure of the “rules”. Treat others with respect; avoid power conflicts which may make you look uncooperative and immature. Committee As a candidate, you are interviewed by a group rather than an individual. Organizations often want to gain the insight of various people when interviewing candidates. This method is popular in organizations where teamwork is important. Search Committees help organizations determine not only if you have the right skills/background, but whether you would “fit in” with the other members of the team. Telephone Many organizations use a phone interview as an initial screening technique for a variety of reasons. By asking a few key questions, employers can determine whether or not it is worthwhile to pursue the candidate further. Preparing for a phone interview is similar to the preparation that you will do for a face-to-face interview. Since the chances are great that you will be asked to participate in a phone screening interview , here are some tips to increase your success:  Treat the phone screening interview as seriously as you would a face-to-face interview- remember, the outcome will determine whether or not you will be invited for an in-person interview  Take the call when you are at home or in a quiet place alone  Have your resume and cover letter in front of you  Make a “Cheat Sheet” for critical points you want to discuss with the interviewer  Dress up - at least a little - it will put you in the right frame of mind  Stand up or sit up straight at a table or desk; you will feel more confident Behavior Based The premise behind behavior based interviewing is that past performance is the best predictor of future success. Candidates are asked to provide specific examples of past experiences and how they were involved or handled the situation. This technique can show an interviewer whether an applicant has key skills and the experience needed for the job. Behavior based interviewing is said to be 55% predictive of future behavior while traditional interview questions/techniques are said to be only 10% predictive. It also can be a more objective way to evaluate candidates. Detailed information, sample questions and techniques for answering behavior based interview questions are in the Appendix.