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Guide to a Winning Interview
brought to you by
Bruce A. Bennett
Career Coach Corner
February 7, 2023

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Introduction & Notes for Workshop
Introduction
MCWN Volunteer since 2010 & Contractor from 2018
Career Coach Corner Blogger & Presenter
B² Discuss LinkedIn Podcaster
General Notes for Today
My contact info is on last slide
Presentation file is on SlideShare
Workshop is interactive, Q/A & Parking lot
Follow up email will include link to deck and survey
Social Media Revolution

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Outline for Workshop Today
Interviewing
Preparing by researching company & position
Review the interview process
Q & A examples
Five toughest question videos
Closing the interview
General Do’s and Don’ts

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Goals for Workshop
Goals
Repeat strengths as STARs for interviewing
Learn how to respond to Tell Me About Yourself
Discover how to research employers &
companies
Know Thyself – Personal Intelligence

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Resources Available On-line
http://www.illinoisworknet.com/

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Resources Available On-line

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How to Ace an Interview
Self awareness
Inventory your skills
Strength Finder by Gallup - now CliftonStrengths
SWOT analysis
Preparation
Select 3 to 5 of your key strengths
Use a STAR to illustrate the skill to interviewer
Research company and individuals
Practice
Scripted or bulleted answers
Mirror or camera
Family, friends or pets

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Strength Finder Report
https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/home.aspx/

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Strength Finder Report

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Strength Finder Report

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Strength Finder Report

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SWOT Analysis

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Key Strengths - STARs or CARs
Customer Service
“Are you calling me a liar” story.
Decision Making
Our equipment in the garage appeared to be the source of
the fire.
Computer Software Adaptability
Became the beta tester for new roll outs of proprietary
programs for regional managers.
Training Staff
Coached and developed 22 direct reports into supervisory
role positions.

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Key Strengths – STAR Approach
Stories in the Job Interview
 Crafting stories
 Key Story Elements
 Where to Find Stories
 Practice, Improve, Practice, Improve
 Sample Stories as Interview Answers
Stories in the Job Interview.PDF

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Research Company and Position
Research the company
Google the company
Company website, news, management team, etc.
Mission statement and/or core values
Check them on LinkedIn
Research the position
Use Indeed or other job boards for similar positions for key
words or skills not covered in their posting
Check salary.com to get range of compensation
LinkedIn Research
Search for interviewer(s) and company

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Research Company Exercise
7 Fundamental Things You MUST Research

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Interviewing Situations
Prescreen Phone Interview
Spur of the moment
Prearranged for a scheduled time
Determines your next step in the process
Follow up with F2F interview
Keep your resume on file
F2F Interview
Company location
Job Fairs
On Campus recruiting
Video Interviews

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Phone Screen Interview Preparation
Schedule the time rather than spur of the moment
Locate to a distraction free environment
No pets, no TV, no Radio, no computer
Have your cell phone fully charged
Take note of interviewer’s name
Have work history and job description handy
Relate the job’s and your key skills

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Phone Screen Interview Preparation
Stand during the phone interview
Smile while on the call
Have a few questions ready for the interviewer, e.g.
Is position new or replacing someone, i.e. budgeted?
Next steps in the application process
Avoid rambling and/or really long answers

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F2F Interviewing Preparation
Prepare story examples that illustrate skills and
capabilities
Interview practice with family, friends, etc.
Have work history and reference details
ABCs of references
Take several copies of resume
Dress for interview
Research the company and position
Google, LinkedIn and/or Company’s webpage

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F2F Interviewing Process
Know the corporate culture
Turn on positives, creative, am quick learner,
relationship builder, etc.
Eye contact
Self on shoulder alter ego (good/bad angel)
Personal branding - Portfolio
Humor ok!?!?
Ideal or dream job

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Video Interviewing
Video Interviewing
Background & Environment
Practice recording on laptop or tablet
https://www.myinterviewpractice.com/

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Video Interviewing
Riveter Works video interviewing practice
https://riveterworks.com/

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Video Interviewing
HireVue
On-line interviewing application
https://www.hirevue.com/blog/how-to-take-a-hirevue-interview/

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Video Interviewing
Zoom, Skype, Facetime Interviews
Andrew LaCivita talks about Online interviewing

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Standard Questions
What would former coworkers or manager say?
What did you learn at your last job?
What level of education did you achieve?
What is your greatest strength?
What have you been doing since being laid off?
Why did you leave your last job or were you fired?

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Behavioral/Situational Type Questions
Give me an example of how you set goals and achieve them.
Teamwork is important to the position. Give me an example
of your working with a team.
Tell me about how you worked effectively under pressure.
How did you handle a difficult situation with a supervisor?
Relate when you had to enforce a company policy that you
did not agree with personally.
Pamela Skilling Discusses Behavioral Questions

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F2F Interviewing Process

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Oddball Questions
How much does the earth weigh?
What would you expect to pay for the empty lot next
to our company?
How far away is Alpha Centuri?
What animal or tree would you like to be?
What kind of cookie would you like to be?
What is your spirit animal?
Who is your hero?

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Five Toughest Questions Videos
“Tell me about yourself!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhWq1Q8uGg4&t=2s by John Heaney
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmFuWmzeiDs by Pamela Skillings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCoqmcyHedA by Don Georgevich
“What are your greatest weaknesses?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhTbeeUtWKs&t=3s by John Heaney
“Why should we hire you?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx1_CZTdKAc&t=8s by John Heaney
“Why do you want to work here?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g619eeLPSi0&t=81s by John Heaney
“Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRURxgW4eBE&t=3s by John Heaney

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LinkedIn Offers Interviewing Resource
LinkedIn offers Interview Prep on the Jobs tab
More features Skills Assessments & Resume Builder

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Interview Prep provides sample Q & A with video & tips
LinkedIn Offers Interviewing Resource

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LinkedIn Offers Interviewing Resource
Free accounts provide an answer framework

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Categories button offers additional questions
LinkedIn Offers Interviewing Resource

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Lack of preparation, not knowing about company
Getting name of company wrong
Inappropriate language during the interview
“Beating around the bush” regarding compensation
expectations
Needing to pull responses from candidate
Candidate talking too much, long winded
Not flexible with scheduling
Ghosting during the process
Source: C. Schroeder, Talent Acquisition Manager
Interviewer Pet Peeves

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Do You Have Any Questions For Me?
You better!!
Be prepared with questions to ask the interviewer
Interview Questions Hallmark Data Systems
A printed list demonstrates your preparation and interest
in the company and position
Questions can range from evaluations to management
style
Is corporate culture another potential topic?
How has Covid-19 affected the business?

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Interviewing Closing Suggestions
John Heaney suggests to not ask these questions
10 Questions to Never Ask on a Job Interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNW8u1yC4Bg 7 minutes
Don Georgevich advises never ask these questions
Never Ask These Questions in a Job Interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPRG7_fXe_E 8 minutes

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Interviewing Closing Suggestions
Closing statement?
Elevator speech repeated with knowledge gained
through the interview
Express interest in the job, “I want the job!”
Next steps in candidate selection process
“May I have your business card?”
Handshake, elbow or fist bump?

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Interview Do’s
Bring a notebook to take notes
Press your clothes and shine shoes
Be aware of your body posture
Turn off your phone
Be friendly with everyone you meet
Smile

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Interview Don’ts
Do not be too early or late
Do not answer cell phone or texts
Do not wear perfume or cologne
Do not disparage previous employer/boss
Do not leave your notebook at home
Do not cross your arms
Do not answer with simple yes or no
Do not fidget

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Post Interview Suggestions
Debrief yourself
Keep a journal of interview questions & answers
Rate your answers to learn from interview to interview
Thank you letter
Personal thank you card best or email is acceptable
Follow up with phone call
Lastly, remember the Challenging interview
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2xhxte

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Simple Thank You Letter Template
Hallmark Data Systems
Attn: Julie Jones, HR Manager
Phone: 847-999-9999
Web: http://www.halldata.com/
Dear Ms. Jones,
I wanted to thank you for your time and consideration for the Senior Client
Relationship Manager position. Our discussion about my experience and the
position clarified how much this job is a great match with my background. My
extensive management, operations, client service, and relationship building
experience would benefit Hallmark Data Systems. I look forward to progressing to
the next step in the candidate selection process.
Thank you,
Bruce

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High Performance Interviewing
by David King and Jim Starkey
Another Interviewing Resource

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Presentation Video Resources
Social Media Revolution - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6k_G_h41ZaQ
Paul Cameron - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvAHjpKR9rg
Andy LaCivita - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05WWE0Afz1k
Pamela Skillings - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mH3DaeJSwy4
Bill Burnett -
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G3aixm2C6LHzub6wNNHy7QwbUEgrj9Rz/view?usp=sh
aring

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Additional Video Resources
Madeline Mann
When is your job interview - Timing is Everything!
Andrew LaCivita
The Best Answer to "What's Your Expected Salary?"
Madeline Mann - Self Made Millennial
How to Answer Behavioral Interview Questions Sample Answers
Professor Heather Austin
7 Job Interview Red Flags
LinkedIn Learning
https://opportunity.linkedin.com/prepare-for-interview

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Success Stories
Jackie L. – Financial Industry
Attended workshops, one on one coaching and received job offer
Kenya B. – Financial Industry
Incorporated resume & job description scanning to get offered job
Cheryl W. – Accounting Professional
Attended webinars and offered a position
Tom W. – Customer Service Professional
Attended workshops and was hired after three interviews
Michael B. – Marketing
Incorporated my recommendations from workshops
I want to add your name to the list!

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McHenry County Workforce Facebook

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McHenry County Workforce Facebook

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McHenry County Workforce Network
February Calendar of Events & Services
Personalized Job Search Assistance Services
To sign up, request the professional directly by email
Mock Interviews
60 minute sessions
February 13 & 27
9:30 – 10:30
Kraig Roberts
Email: mcwnkraig@gmail.com

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Upcoming Webinar Events
Plainfield Area Public Library
LinkedIn Strategies for Job Seekers
Wednesday February 15, 2023 at 12:00pm to 1:30pm
LinkedIn for Your Job Search
Monday February 20, 2023 from 10:00am to 12:00pm
LinkedIn Strategic Guidelines
Monday February 27, 2023 from 10:00am to 12:00pm
Resumes, Cover Letters and Applying Online
Wednesday March 1, 2023 from 10:00am to 12:00pm
NTS Job Club - Boost Your Job Search by Volunteering
Wednesday March 8, 2023 at 1:00pm to 3:00pm

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Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn
Bruce A. Bennett
Mobile: 815-302-9552
Email: BABennett73@gmail.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/bruceabennett
Career Coach Corner Blog: http://bruce73.wordpress.com/
https://bruce73.wordpress.com/upcoming-presentations/
Podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/show/b-squared-linkedin