This week in our BUS 2001 class we practiced giving interviews and being interviewed. In the first part of the week, we discussed the different types of interviews. We were informed that behavior-based interviews are the norm in business and that we should prepare accordingly. Having already discussed resume tips and other brand-building tips, we were prepared to implement what we had learned in an actual (practice) interview. We had been instructed on what to wear and how to present ourselves, so most of the class showed up in suits which is the appropriate attire for an interview. I wore a black suit jacket and skirt with a black and white undershirt and black low-heeled pumps. The outfit was appropriate, fit well and looked professional.
When the students arrived to class on the day of our mock-interview, we were paired up at random and given a list of interview questions. We then took turns with our partner being interviewed and then being the interviewer. I chose to be the interviewer in the first round. The student I was paired with did a very thorough job answering the different questions posed to him. The skills that he mentioned he had were backed up with examples that proved when he had acquired the skills and how he had used them in previous situations. He was a great interviewee, and I could tell he had been interviewed before at some point. He confirmed this at the end when I mentioned the excellent job he had done in answering all the questions posed to him.
Once it was time for me to be interviewed, I was a little nervous. Talking about myself and my accomplishments is not one of my strengths. I tend to lose my train of thought easily when trying to communicate ideas to others verbally; I much prefer writing. So we began, and though I have been interviewed several times before, there were a couple of questions I had never had to answer. I came up with satisfactory answers eventually, but there were times that I had to pause and think about what to say. I fear this did not convey confidence to the interviewer. I finally got through it, and it turned out fine although I certainly think I should have prepared my answers a bit more.
My main takeaway from this exercise is that preparation is key. An applicant needs to have at least a few examples memorized that demonstrate a time when they succeeded, a time when they failed and recovered and a few other examples that can be applied to different questions. If the applicant has this along with a good dose of self-confidence, he/she will most likely succeed at the interview. It's all in the prep.
Have you ever been to a scary interview or one that turned out really great? Tell me about it in the comments below!
When the students arrived to class on the day of our mock-interview, we were paired up at random and given a list of interview questions. We then took turns with our partner being interviewed and then being the interviewer. I chose to be the interviewer in the first round. The student I was paired with did a very thorough job answering the different questions posed to him. The skills that he mentioned he had were backed up with examples that proved when he had acquired the skills and how he had used them in previous situations. He was a great interviewee, and I could tell he had been interviewed before at some point. He confirmed this at the end when I mentioned the excellent job he had done in answering all the questions posed to him.
Once it was time for me to be interviewed, I was a little nervous. Talking about myself and my accomplishments is not one of my strengths. I tend to lose my train of thought easily when trying to communicate ideas to others verbally; I much prefer writing. So we began, and though I have been interviewed several times before, there were a couple of questions I had never had to answer. I came up with satisfactory answers eventually, but there were times that I had to pause and think about what to say. I fear this did not convey confidence to the interviewer. I finally got through it, and it turned out fine although I certainly think I should have prepared my answers a bit more.
My main takeaway from this exercise is that preparation is key. An applicant needs to have at least a few examples memorized that demonstrate a time when they succeeded, a time when they failed and recovered and a few other examples that can be applied to different questions. If the applicant has this along with a good dose of self-confidence, he/she will most likely succeed at the interview. It's all in the prep.
Have you ever been to a scary interview or one that turned out really great? Tell me about it in the comments below!
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