Interview Success Plan
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Interview Success Plan

Placement Manager
Step 1: The Job

Each job announcement or job advertisement may include any combination of a description of the job, job applicant qualifications and desired qualities. The description, qualifications and desired qualities are the keys to preparing for the interview. On a job announcement or job advertisement, these keys may be found under headings such as:

  • Position
  • Qualifications
  • The Duties
  • The Requirements

Here's a description for a supervisory job:

    "The ideal candidate will possess excellent leadership, managerial, communications and inter-personal skills. The candidate should be a self-starter, team player, as well as promote teamwork among others, have a strong customer orientation, is approachable, and effective and creative problem solver, and establishes and maintains effective working relationships . . ."

The underlined words are the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) that we’ve identified for this job.

Knowledge - information applied directly to the performance of a function. For example, supervision is a knowledge.

Skills - learned acts. In the example above, we have managerial skills. Other examples include operating a personal computer, using a firearm or operating a backhoe.

Abilities - performance of behavior that you can see. In the description above, communications is an ability.

Step 2: Potential Interview Questions

Identify potential interview questions in 6 easy steps:

1. Review the list of questions under each KSA Question Bank category. Many of the questions are similar. We’ve tried to include as many variations as practical. People often make the mistake of studying specific questions. Study specific questions and you'll be thrown off when the question is worded differently or a different question is asked.

  1. In addition to the KSA's you've identified, think about the knowledge and skills specific to the job that you are interviewing for. For example, a heavy equipment operator will have knowledge about safety rules specific to heavy equipment. List the specific knowledge, skills, and "hot topics" specific to your job. Write possible questions for the specific requirements and "hot topics". Check out our "General Questions" heading in the Interview Question Bank. You’ll find a list of common questions that can apply to just about any technical or field expertise.
  1. Study the KSA questions and create mock or practice interviews. Choose questions from each of the KSA Question Bank categories that you've matched to the KSA's. Each practice interview should consist of seven to fourteen questions. Tailor the questions to fit the organization and specific job that you are interviewing for. Include questions that you’ve written for specific requirements or "hot topics"
  1. Ask your friend, roommate, significant other, spouse, or coworker to help you. Have them create practice interviews by pulling questions from the headings we've identified and from the questions you've written for knowledge and "hot topics". You'll benefit from having somebody else help you because: 1) you'll have to think on your feet, because you won't know what the questions are; and 2) you can receive feedback on your body language (posture, the pitch of your voice, hand movements), content, and the clarity of your answers. Ask your "interviewer" to write down the questions and their comments. Review the tips below from the Interview Game Plan so that everything you do becomes second nature.
  • Make a positive and professional first impression by being assertive and giving a firm handshake to each interviewer and addressing each interviewer as they are introduced.

  • Reinforce your professionalism and your ability to communicate effectively by speaking clearly and avoiding "uhs", "you knows", and slang.

  • Use positive words. Instead of "if", "I think", "I feel" and "I wish" use "when", "I am" and "I would"

  • Establish rapport by relating to each interviewer. Note the wording that is used by each interviewer and when appropriate use similar words. Maintain eye contact with each of the interviewers throughout the interview.

  • Sit comfortably. Sit erectly, but don’t sit stiffly or sprawl over the chair.

  • Don't expect the interviewers to have confidence in you, if you don't have confidence in yourself. Project confidence and a positive attitude. Maintain awareness of your voice, posture, energy level, and enthusiasm. Make hand gestures to emphasize important points, but avoid distracting gestures or making too many hand gestures.

  • Smile confidently, but not to the point where you would appear to be too casual. Smiling will also help you relax and establish a rapport with the interviewers.

  • Manage weaknesses or barriers so that they appear to be indications of your strengths.

  • Be attentive. Listen to each question carefully and don’t interrupt. If you aren't sure of what is being asked, politely request that the question be repeated.

  • Close the interview with a strong closing statement of your qualifications for the job.

  • Thank the interviewers. Shake their hands individually and thank each interviewer by name.

  1. Practice, practice, practice. One practice interview is not enough. If you have somebody help you, have at least three practice interviews. You'll be able to use their feedback to correct mistakes, strengthen weaknesses, and build upon strengths.

Note: The underlined words in the Interview Question Bank are words that may be interchangeable. For example, instead of the word "job", the word "position" might be used.

Step 3: Interview Answers

The interview focuses on "what you say" and "how you say it". In this step, we focus on "what to say".

As you know, there are many different types of interviews and interview questions. You can review the different types at Job-Interview. Let's keep it simple. You're going to be asked about:

  • What you know - about your work experience, education, training, goals, character, personal qualities, the job that you're seeking, the company that you're interviewing for, and the knowledges required to perform the job that you're seeking.
  • Identify a problem or issue - given a situation, find the problem or issue. The question may focus on a situation that you've handled in the past or how you would handle a hypothetical situation.
  • Identify a solution - given the problem or issue, how do you proceed? The question may focus on a problem or issue that you've handled in the past or how you would proceed in a hypothetical situation.

The questions may be straightforward or combine the above. For example, "Tell us about a safety issue at your current job. How did you handle the issue and what reports were you required to file?"

Your goal is to provide an answer that not only answers the question, but also reinforce your qualifications for the position.

People prepare for job interview questions in many ways. Often people will write specific answers to as many specific questions as possible and memorize the answers.

We recommend looking at categories of questions and using outline answers. Why? With practice, you will hit all the important points and although your answer will be slightly different each time, your answer will come across naturally and with confidence. The key is to be able to think during the interview and adjust your answer to fit the question. For example, take the category of "General Experience". The answer to the question, "How does your current position qualify you for the job?" is simply a variation of your answer to the question, "How does your experience qualify you for the job?".

Key success points to remember:

  • The most qualified person to do a job is someone who has already done the job. If you were to hire someone to fix the plumbing in your house, who would you hire? Someone who has never fixed the plumbing or someone who has? As you answer the interview questions, cite your work and life experiences in examples to reinforce to the interviewers that you've already done what they're looking for, and you've done it successfully.
  • The interview will typically focus on the KSA's you've identified. If the interviewers start the interview with a description of the job, you may learn more about the job.
  • Try to use the same wording as the KSA's. If you use different wording, then you are depending on the interviewers to make the connection between the words you use and the KSA's. For example, if the job requires someone to supervise, use the word "supervise" and not the word "manage".
  • Do you know the company and the job that you're interviewing for? Check financial sources, annual reports, and news media for information on the company, their culture and current events. If possible, visit the company, their stores or offices to get a sense of the culture and dress code.
  • What salary are you seeking? What's the appropriate salary for the job that you're seeking, for your geographic area and for your industry. Check Salary.com for free salary information. Don't guess. A guess or inaccurate information can cost you real money. To go a step further, find out what you're worth with a report based on your experience and qualifications.
  • For each Question Bank Index category that you've matched to a KSA, review the answer tips that are either provided with the questions or at the bottom of the page.
  • Don't use limiting words, such as only or just. For example, I "only" supervise five employees. You're making an assumption that five employees is a small number. The fact is that you don't know what the interviewers consider as a small number and what is a large number.
  • Use appropriate wording. You won’t receive extra points for every word that has more than 10 letters. Use technical terms only when appropriate to the question.

  • Use action words. Here's just a sample:

    accomplish lead
    achieve manage
    coordinate negotiate
    delegate organize
    develop prioritize
    direct recommend
    establish reduce
    evaluate reorganize
    execute resolve
    expedite review
    expand revitalize
    implement supervise
    improve train
    increase transform
    initiate upgrade
    introduce
    implement
  • Be concise, logical and to the point. Use short sentences.

Step 4: Inappropriate Questions

State and Federal laws govern the interview process and inappropriate questions. These policies are usually available from the personnel or human resources department. Interviews should be based on "job-related" criteria and questions based on those criteria. If you've been asked an illegal question, talk to the personnel or human resources department or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Here are examples of inappropriate topics and questions:

Topic
: Example

Age: What’s your age?

Childcare: Do you have after school care?

Conditions of work: Does your family approve of your travel?

Criminal Record: When was the last time you were arrested?

Ethnic origin of last name: Is your last name Japanese?

Gender: Are you female?

Language: Do you speak English at home?

Marital Status: Are you divorced?

Name/Title: Is that Ms. or Mrs.?

National origin: Are you Chinese or Japanese?

Race: What race are you?

Relatives: Is your husband employed?

Religion: Are you ?

Residence: How can you handle the long commute?

Sexual preference: Are you gay?

Step 5: Interview Day Preparation

  • If you've followed the Interview Success Plan, you should be ready by the day before the interview. For most people, we recommend completing your preparation the day before the interview.
  • Get your rest.
  • Don’t get distracted or excited by little things, don’t schedule meetings over controversial issues, or do anything that might break your concentration.
  • Taking into account the time of your interview and traffic, go early to find parking and make sure that you have money for parking meters.
  • Dress appropriately. If you're applying for a job where you haven't worked before, visit the offices of facilities. See what other employees in positions similar to the one that you're seeking are wearing. Dress at least at that level or higher. Don't visit on a Friday, you may find yourself dressing for casual Friday.
  • Be early. If the interviewers are ahead of schedule, they'll appreciate the opportunity to get an early start.

Step 6 - Interview Game Plan

Many books are available that discuss interview behavior. Among the best and least expensive sources are the guidelines available through your organization's personnel office. Why? Because the guidelines are often the basis for formal training in the organization.

Here are our top tips:

  1. Don’t smoke, chew gum, tobacco, or anything else.
  2. Make a positive and professional first impression by being assertive and giving a firm handshake to each interviewer and addressing each interviewer as they are introduced.

  3. Reinforce your professionalism and your ability to communicate effectively by speaking clearly and avoiding "uhs", "you knows", and slang.

  4. Use appropriate wording. You won’t receive extra points for every word that has more than 10 letters. Use technical terms only when appropriate to the question.

  5. Use positive words. Instead of "if", "I think", "I feel" and "I wish" use "when", "I am" and "I would"

  6. Establish rapport by relating to each interviewer. Note the wording that is used by each interviewer and when appropriate use similar words. Maintain eye contact with each of the interviewers throughout the interview.

  7. Sit comfortably. Sit erectly, but don’t sit stiffly or sprawl over the chair.

  8. Project confidence and a positive attitude. Maintain awareness of your voice, posture, energy level, and enthusiasm. Make hand gestures to emphasize important points, but avoid distracting gestures or making too many hand gestures.

  9. Smile confidently, but not to the point where you would appear to be too casual. Smiling will also help you relax and establish a rapport with the interviewers.

  10. Emphasize your strengths and qualifications that make a compelling reason that you are the ideal person for the job.

  11. Don’t dominate the interview. Time does not equal quality.

  12. Manage weaknesses or barriers so that they appear to be indications of your strengths.

  13. Be attentive. Listen to each question carefully and don’t interrupt. If you aren't sure of what is being asked, politely request that the question be repeated.

  14. Close the interview with a strong closing statement of your qualifications for the job.

  15. Thank the interviewers. Shake their hands individually and thank each interviewer by name.

Step 7: Interview Wrap

The Interview Wrap captures the important points of your interview. This probably wasn't your first interview and it probably won't be your last interview. If you want to improve, learn from this interview and use what you learn on future interviews. Use our free Interview Checklist to complete the Interview Wrap.

  • Write down the questions.
  • Review your responses. What would you have worded or answered differently? Why would you have answered differently? And what would be a more appropriate answer?
  • Review your own behavior during the interview. Did you fidget? Use any "uh's" or "you know's"? Did you smile? Did you use hand gestures to emphasize important points?
  • Did you establish a rapport with the interviewers? How did they act during the interview?
  • Did you carry out the "Interview Game Plan"?
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