Preparing for the Interview

In this interview package, we make suggestions on how to prepare for the interview, followed by descriptions of various types of interview questions, examples of questions and responses, descriptions of the different interview formats you may encounter, and illegal interview questions.

1. To create your answers i. Ensure that you have a strong understanding of your discipline ii. Review your course notes, assignments, re-read previous exams, and brush up on major concepts, themes and skills

you have developed iii. Carefully review the job posting and identify the skills, experience, education, and qualities required iv. Take an inventory of your skills, experiences, qualifications, accomplishments, and qualities v. Identify which experiences will best demonstrate your ability to do the job

2. Add details to keep the interviewer’s interest Adding little details can greatly improve your answers and keep your interviewer’s interest. Providing detailed information adds clout to your skills and expertise so whenever possible, remember to add numerical and descriptive details. Details can include your job title as well as the sector you were employed in, or the employer. Details can also include the number of people you worked with in a team, how many people you presented information to, or the different topics you can speak about. To illustrate this point, remember that an interviewer is more likely to be impressed knowing that you can speak to an audience of 200, than knowing that you have presented to an audience.

3. Provide the interviewer with results To improve your answers at an interview provide positive results whenever possible. Interviewers appreciate and look for this information in an answer.

4. Share related experience and knowledge Sometimes you may not have the exact experience the interviewer is looking for; however, if you have something similar provide that information. Chances are if you can use one programming language, you can probably learn another programming language quickly. 5. Keep your interviewer’s attention Make sure that your responses are an appropriate length. If your answers are too long you may lose the interviewer’s attention. Keep your answers within 45-60 seconds. You’d be amazed at how much information you can give in that time frame. Don’t sacrifice providing important information for time, though. 6. Always speak positively about your former co-workers and company(ies) you have worked for Speaking positively about former employers and co-workers demonstrates your professionalism and will impress the interviewer. Even if you hated your last position or your current employer, and are bored, unhappy, or unchallenged—do not share this at the interview. Focus instead on the positive aspects of the new position and the skills, experience, and other qualifications that you bring to the position.

7. Eliminate “but”, fillers (ummm, and, like) and other words from your responses For an interviewer, “but” erases everything previously said and indicates the beginning of a negative statement. Eliminate this word, as well as those listed below, from your responses:

Some not familiar no only always Never just in spite of my problem was try feel believe basically ummmmm like

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Review the frequently asked interview questions. For each question we have provided the interviewer’s motivation, a strategy to create a response, and an example.

8. Practice, practice, practice Enlist the help of your friends and family to conduct mock interviews and give you feedback. Recording a practice session is also an excellent strategy to help you see what you are doing well and what you need to improve upon. Practicing will help build your confidence and ensure that your answers are natural-sounding and conversational.

9. Never lie or exaggerate Do not try to impress the interviewer by saying you know more than you do. You may be asked to clarify details that are beyond your understanding. If this happens, the interviewer will be suspicious of the answers that follow, and the answers you have already provided. Be honest.

TYPES OF INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

While it’s impossible to predict which questions will be asked in an interview, reviewing the job posting will provide you with a list of skills, experience, education, and qualities that the employer is looking for. Using this information, you can create answers to interview questions you may be asked. Often employers will use a variety of interview questions. Standard interview questions (also known as the classic or traditional) are the most common. Examples of standard interview questions include:

• Tell me about yourself.

• What are your weaknesses/strengths?

• Why should we hire you?

• What do you know about us?

Even if you are not asked any standard interview questions, preparing responses will strengthen your performance at the interview. Behavioural interview questions are also often used at an interview to assess your past behaviour. These questions will require you to provide specific examples of your past behaviour to demonstrate your skills and experiences. Examples of behavioural interview questions and the different ways in which a question can be asked:

• Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult co-worker.

• Recall an instance when you made a mistake, how did you correct the error and what was the result?

• Provide an example of a time when you had to persuade someone to go along with your idea.

• Describe a situation in which you failed.

Situational interview questions are designed to evaluate how you would perform in real-world workplace situations. This type of question asks you to imagine how you would manage a situation. Here are some examples of situational interview questions:

• Imagine you have met your project deadlines, but your direct supervisor is unavailable. Describe how you would remain busy for the rest of the workday.

• During construction, a contractor unexpectedly finds a very large object in one of the trenches where he is required to dig. He requests that you instruct him how to proceed. How do you deal with this unexpected situation?

• You have planned a workshop intended to teach newcomers to Canada how to use word-processing software. Unfortunately, only four people are registered, and you are required to have a class of ten. You genuinely believe that the training is important, but you are worried about the financial cost of holding an under-attended session. The workshop is five days away. What do you do?

• You have a conflict with an employee at your company who is senior to you but not your supervisor. Describe how you would handle it.

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Skill-testing questions are most commonly asked in technical, scientific, and industrial or manufacturing fields. They provide you with the opportunity to prove your technical skills, knowledge in a field, and practical reasoning ability to successfully do the job. You may be asked to complete a task using a specific piece of equipment, or explain a concept, or solve a complex math problem on the spot. Here are some examples of skill-testing interview questions:

• Explain in as much detail as you can the difference between server-side and client-side scripting.

• Provide a brief description of a diode.

• Explain the theory of elasticity.

• What is a comma splice? Problem-solving questions test your ability to process new information quickly, apply logical thinking skills, and creatively solve problems. The interviewer is not expecting you to come up with a correct answer, the question is asked to assess your ability to think quickly and analytically when provided with complex information in a stressful situation. Here are some examples of skill-testing interview questions:

• How many lightbulbs are in this building?

• Describe the internet to someone who just woke up from a 30-year coma.

• In a small room you have a refrigerator. If you left the door of the fridge open, would the temperature in the room fall or would the temperature in the fridge rise?

• Why is a manhole cover round? Case questions are commonly used by consulting firms and investment banking companies. Interviewers often use actual business cases they have encountered in real life. Like problem-solving questions, case questions are used to evaluate your logical thought process and develop a real, workable solution. You will be presented with a realistic business situation (or “case”) and asked to resolve the situation to the best of your ability. You may be given a case question before the interview and required to present your solution at the interview, or you may also be given a specific amount of time to create a solution and then present to the interviewer. To prepare, search for sample cases that are relevant to your area of study and practice.

Tricky interview questions are not really tricky; however, they can definitely make a candidate squirm. You may not want to reveal some information, or you may worry that the question puts you in a less-than-positive light. Knowing some tricky interview questions that you may be asked is the best way to prepare. Examples of tricky interview questions include:

• Why were your grades low in your final semester?

• Have you applied to other positions? What other types of work are you looking for in addition to this role?

• Why haven’t you found a job yet?

• What would you do if you won $5 million tomorrow?

Finally, remember it’s okay to ask the interviewer for clarification if you are unsure what information they are looking for. It’s also okay to ask the interviewer to repeat the question to gain a moment and collect your thoughts before responding to the question.

COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF. The interviewer is assessing your communication skills and your ability to clearly provide details of your skills, experience, and education that are relevant to the position.

• Use PAWS to create a concise summary statement of the skills, education and experience that reflect the qualifications the employer is looking for. Here are the four components of PAWS:

Personal: Tell the interviewer why you want the position Academic: Talk about your educational background and/or relevant training Work: Highlight your related work, volunteer, or extra-curricular experience Skills: Indicate the skills you have developed that are relevant to the position

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NOTE: While it is essential to include all four components of PAWS in your answer, the order of PAWS is interchangeable. We recommend starting with your strongest asset.

• Here is another strategy to use to answer this question. This strategy breaks down into three steps: o Briefly highlight your education and relevant work/volunteer experiences o Discuss relevant skills and achievements o Describe why you are excited to be interviewing for that position

While I’m passionate about public education and have a Bachelor of Education from the University of Windsor I am most effective working with adults and hope to establish a successful career in human resources and corporate teambuilding. My undergraduate Business degree from Western has given me a solid foundation in the business world, and I’m eager to apply my skills in the fast-paced, competitive business setting. Teambuilding has been an integral part of my work experience as a camp counsellor and youth basketball coach for the past four years, always with much success. Additionally, my ongoing volunteer role with Student Mental Health Services at the University of Windsor has given me an excellent platform for strengthening my interpersonal skills and improving my ability to resolve conflicts efficiently and empathetically. HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE POSITION? The interviewer is assessing your job search skills and your ability to network.

• Demonstrate your enthusiasm for the company by sharing some of the information you gained through your research.

• If you heard about the posting from someone in your network, tell the interviewer. Be sure to ask the person in your network for their permission to use their name.

• What attracted you to the job posting?

• Draw connections between your experience and skills and what the employer needs. In my last semester at the University of Windsor, I started monitoring the company’s online job postings because this is where I want work. When I saw the job posting I reached out to my network to connect with someone who had firsthand knowledge of working here and learned that my former professor Dr. Susan Ambassador has done consulting work for the company in the past. She reinforced for me my fit for this position, noting my natural curiosity and strong communication skills, as demonstrated in one of her fourth-year seminars, would make me a good fit for this opening in your team. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE COMPANY? The interviewer is assessing your research skills. Will you provide information that is easily found on the website, or will you provide information that demonstrates your enthusiasm for the company?

• The interviewer should clearly hear enthusiasm in your voice when you are answering this question, so do your research.

• Read all the information available on the website: find something about the company that you like! It could be a project they are working on, or that they are working on becoming ecofriendly, or the organization’s values reflect what is also important to you.

• Demonstrate how you will be of value. I started creating my “want to work for” list of companies as an undergrad. This company was first on the list because of its reputation for innovation. In addition to following the company’s social media accounts for the past two years, last fall I attended the open house and had a productive conversation with Jeff in marketing about the company’s future goals. I’m impressed that you’ve been able to grow as much as you have without having a dedicated backend web developer on the team before this point. I know, based on the breadth of your suite of services, that a stronger, more functional and responsive web presence could significantly grow your market share. With my expertise in computer science I can help the company reach its goals. WHY DO YOU WANT THIS JOB? The interviewer is assessing your confidence in your abilities, and your authentic interest in the position. The interviewer will also assess your skills and personality to ensure you will be a good fit with the staff.

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• Articulate how this job fits into your career goals.

• Tell the interviewer that the position provides you with the opportunity to use your best skills and qualities.

In addition to having an academic background in business administration and computer science, I also have a keen interest in community building. My combination of related business and volunteer experience in banking and community development has given me a unique perspective. I want to use this knowledge to continue to support WFCU in building a strong community and financial prosperity. WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST WEAKNESS?

The interviewer wants to know if you can self-assess and willing to continue improving your skills.

• Do not use the word weakness in your answer.

• Identify a skill or quality in the job description that you would occasionally (10-15% of the time).

• State what you have done in the past year, are currently doing, or will do in the near future, to improve the weakness.

• Provide the interviewer with the positive results you achieved.

• Use STAR to create your answer. Use STAR to create your answer.

Situation: state your job title, where you worked and what the situation was

• For example, if you are attending classes indicate the program you are studying, or the class you were taking. Task: tell the interviewer what needed to be done Actions: indicate the steps YOU took Results: note the positive results you achieved

NOTE: If you are taking a course, provide the start and end dates and the institution that is providing the training. I wanted to minimize my lack of professional work experience in a management capacity in my last two years at the University of Windsor in the business administration program. I decided to get involved with intramural soccer to gain this skill. I started off assisting the manager in scheduling and coordinating the league that consisted of 10 teams. In the winter semester I was also given the task of tracking the expenses and arranging for competitions with other leagues in the Windsor-Essex County area. I also developed a reputation for being the go-to person when there was conflict between players. This resulted in my advancing to a paid position as Intramural Coordinator, where I oversaw a team of 45 referees in addition to continuing to schedule and coordinate games for the league. I am eager to bring this experience to this position. WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST STRENGTH? The interviewer is assessing your confidence and your ability to self assess what is most required in the position.

• Refer back to the skills you highlighted in Tell me about yourself and choose your strongest skill.

• Provide the interviewer with examples from your experiences that demonstrate your use of the strength and the positive results you achieved.

• Use STAR to create your answer (see page 5 for the formula). My greatest skill is my ability to network. During my last internship with a local not-for-profit music school, I noticed early on that we were underfunded and didn’t have enough equipment to meet the needs of our students. Although I was interning as a bookkeeper, I wanted to use my networking skills to benefit the school. I first reached out to a former instructor at the Royal Conservatory and emailed a high-school music teacher with whom I’ve kept in touch. I also started a blog about my experience and posted it in on LinkedIn to reach a wider audience. I also reached out to the local music stores to see if they could provide some assistance. This resulted in my high school teacher lending us four guitars and two drum sets for our winter season. We were also able to get a discount of new set of books for the piano students at a below-market rate through my connection with a former Business professor and two music stores provided free instruments to children who wanted to continue taking lessons over the summer season. Going forward, I am confident that my natural aptitude for networking will be beneficial in this position as a financial advisor.

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IDENTIFY A TIME YOU HAD A CONFLICT AT WORK. The interviewer is assessing your ability to manage conflict and maintain good working relations with your co-workers.

• Use STAR to create your answer (see page 5 for the formula).

I was working on an issue of the student newspaper at the University of Windsor. At the time, I was the Arts Editor for the paper. We were working on an issue that had to be printed and distributed before a break in the school calendar. It wasn’t an option for the publication date to be pushed back. One of the Arts writers failed to make the deadline. When I brought this to her attention, she became angry and confrontational. As she was doing a feature article this had to be resolved. I reiterated the importance of releasing the newspaper before the term break in a calm manner. She relaxed and admitted having difficulty balancing her responsibilities with the newspaper and her upcoming exam schedule. I then asked if assigning two of her lesser responsibilities to another staff person would be helpful. She said yes. I also spoke with the Editor in Chief to implement a policy of talking with inexperienced writers before assigning heavy workloads around exam time. We published the issue on time, and I was happy with the quality of her feature article. A policy was also put into place that eliminated this problem.

TELL ME ABOUT A TIME WHEN YOU FAILED. The interviewer is assessing your ability to learn from experiences and your whether you accept responsibility for your actions.

• Use STAR to create your answer (see page 5 for the formula).

In my previous role as an outreach coordinator for a non-profit, my first pitch meeting with a potential contributor was unsuccessful. I realized that I needed to improve my sales and public speaking skills. I decided to join Toastmasters to become more comfortable speaking in front of strangers. I also joined the Windsor Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce to develop a network of professionals that I could learn from and also found a mentor who is a successful financial advisor. Over the last four months I have become more confident delivering my pitch and have also developed my writing skills. Most importantly, I have increased the organization’s business contributions by 20% in the last quarter. WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN FIVE YEARS? The interviewer is assessing a couple of things: 1) are you viewing the position as a steppingstone, or as a position with long term

potential; 2) do you have realistic goals. Review the research you have gathered to determine if there are opportunities for

advancement, or specific needs that you can fill. Provide this information in your answer.

I know the company would like to get into the Asian market over the next five years. One of my long-range goals is to advance into a management role in Financial Planning. I am currently working towards my CPA designation and would like to help the company meet its expansion goals.

OR

My long-term plans are to continue improving my skills by taking courses that will allow me to grow and contribute to the company with the goal of attaining a managerial role where I can use my project management and negotiation skills.

WHY ARE YOU LEAVING YOUR CURRENT JOB? The interviewer is assessing your career plans and your professionalism. Do not under any circumstances speak negatively about any person(s) or the organization. Be honest without being negative; tell the truth and maintain a positive attitude. Leaving a position is a natural part of career development and is not necessarily seen in a negative light.

• If you have been fired from your position construct your answer using the Sandwich Formula (PNP).

Positive: focus on the positive aspects of your employment (skills developed, processes implemented, costs reduced). Neutral: state the reason for leaving (a difference of opinions, wanting to further develop skills, going in different directions). Positive: demonstrate how you will use the skills developed in the new position.

Over the past two years working in quality control I have developed a strong network of vendors and minimized productions costs by 10% and increased efficiencies on the 5 production lines of the company. When a new CEO came on board, the company’s goals for

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the future moved in another direction. After having discussions with my manager, it was decided that I leave. The operations manager was sorry to see me go and is one of my references. I am eager to use my experience in quality control to maximize profits here at _________.

OR While working towards my bachelor’s degree at the University of Windsor, I enjoyed working in computer repairs. I am proud of the fact that I was offered full time employment each summer. My manager appreciated my reliability and I developed excellent troubleshooting and customer service skills. Having graduated from the computer science program, I am now looking for a position where I can focus on software development. I am grateful that I was able to develop my oral communication skills and look forward to using my interpersonal skills to work with the team of software developers creating new products. Although my manager is sad that I will be moving away from Windsor, he is also very happy that I am starting my career in software development and is one of my references.

DESCRIBE A TIME YOU EXERCISED LEADERSHIP. The interviewer is assessing your ability to work with others, take responsibility, meet deadlines and produce results.

• Use STAR to create your answer (see page 5 for the formula).

This last year at the university I was president of my sorority with 80-chapter members. My biggest challenge was leading our annual fundraiser for XYZ Charity which in the past three years had not reached the anticipated level of donations we had targeted. I knew things had to be done differently. The first thing I did was create a social media team to create a buzz for the event. I also assigned members to be in charge of catering, finances and other logistics. I also organized at team of 4 to get local celebrities to perform for free. We had the most successful year in the past 10 years raising $10,000 for the charity. The new contacts we developed during the campaign will also be beneficial in next year’s campaign. We were also recognized on campus for our efforts and won ‘Sorority of the Year’. HOW WOULD OTHERS DESCRIBE YOU? The interviewer is assessing your interpersonal, professionalism and conflict management skills to determine if you can relate to others empathetically and have a strong sense of self-awareness.

• Talk about a strength you mentioned in Tell me about yourself.

• If possible, use a comment from a co-worker, fellow student, manager, or professor, that you have evidence for (an email, a performance review, a work evaluation, comments on an assignment).

• Bring the original document and a copy to the interview; show the interviewer the original and provide a copy.

My direct supervisor at my previous job nominated me for employee of the month on four occasions in the year that I worked for the company. Here are copies of the nominations.

OR

Greg, my previous managing editor, often complimented me on my ability to finalize the copy ahead of deadline. This was noted in my performance review. Here is the original and a copy for your records. IF HIRED, HOW LONG DO YOU EXPECT TO WORK FOR US? The interviewer is assessing your commitment to the position and whether you would be a good investment.

• Do not give a specific time frame.

• Restate the reason you applied for the position (the skills you will use, the company culture, the mission or values of the company that fit with yours, etc.) and how you look forward to a mutually beneficial working relationship.

I don't have any immediate plans to move on. I’m excited about this position because I will be working as part of a team.

OR

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I chose to apply for the position here at __________________ because of its commitment to the community as well as its innovative approach to sustainability. I'm excited to join the research team and contribute to the future success of the company. Research takes time and commitment. That’s what I bring to the position. WHAT ARE YOUR SALARY REQUIREMENTS/EXPECTATIONS? The interviewer is assessing 3 things: your confidence, knowledge of the labour market and if your salary expectations are reasonable.

• Research the current labour market (use JobBank.gc.ca to research wages across the country), to know what you are worth; you can also use your professional network to ask for advice.

• Do not go under entry level wages; this may cause the interviewer to be suspicious of your confidence in your skills.

• Go into the interview with a salary range based on your research and be prepared to negotiate.

• Remember–you have the most power to negotiate before you sign a job offer.

I would need more information about the job and the responsibilities before discussing salary. Could you provide me with this information along with the salary range for the position?

OR

After researching the current market in Ontario on Jobbank.gc.ca, I would be happy to negotiate a salary in the range of $42,000 to $46,000. What salary are you offering?

OR

I have always been given fair compensation for my work and am confident that would continue here at ABC. I would love to learn about some of the challenges you are currently dealing with.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO OUTSIDE WORK? The interviewer is assessing your ability to integrate work with your personal life, as well as your fit with the company culture.

• Do not mention drinking, gambling, and other potentially dangerous activities like moto sport racing.

• Focus on hobbies that can be tied back into an impressive work ethic.

I like to cycle and take the canoe out on weekends. It’s an excellent stress management activity, helps to clarify my thoughts, and helps me come up with some of my best ideas.

OR

I have a 1969 Mustang that I am restoring. It’s fascinating a long-term project that has also opened up a whole new network for me.

OR

I’m a big Sudoku and crossword puzzle fan. Working with numbers and words helps my creativity. DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME? The interviewer is assessing your research of the company, your curiosity, your attentiveness, and your genuine interest in the position.

• After you have thoroughly reviewed the job posting (or job description) and researched the organization, write out 5-7 questions and bring them to the interview.

• Ask questions that will provide the information you need to assess the fit of the job and the company. Do not ask any questions that can be answered by going onto the internet.

• Often candidate’s questions are answered during the interview, so make sure to scan the questions first, prioritize and ask the question that is most important to you. You may only be given the opportunity to ask one question.

• You could ask questions based on research of the company or information provided during the interview regarding goals of the company, or department, or performance:

I was reading on your website about a new initiative working with homeless youth. Can you tell me about the organizations you have partnered with?

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I was really impressed with the company’s 80% success rate in __________. What are the keys to ensuring this success?

Can you tell me a little bit more about (something you learned about in the interview)?

• You could ask questions to assess whether the job and company are a good fit:

What is the mentoring/coaching/training program like?

What are some of the first projects I would be involved in and how do you measure performance?

What are the goals for this position within the first 30 or 60 days?

What did you like and dislike about the way the previous person approached this position?

Would it be possible to have a tour of the workplace?

• You could ask questions to find out where you stand in the competition:

Do you have any hesitations in hiring me that I can clear up right now?

Given what we’ve just discussed during this interview, do you have any concerns about my fit for this position?

This discussion has made me even more excited about this job opportunity and I would love to be the person you hire. Is there anything else you need from me before you decide?

• Ask one of the following questions before leaving the interview:

What are the next steps in the hiring process?

When can I call you to get the results of this interview, next ______________ or ________________? NOTE: Do not call on a Monday or Friday; these are very busy days for employers

TRICKY INTERVIEW QUESTIONS The interviewer is assessing your critical thinking skills and ability to remain composed when presented with a difficult or unexpected task. The goal is not necessarily to come up with the correct answer, but to keep your composure and demonstrate your critical thinking skills. Here are two examples of outside the box interview questions:

If you were an animal, what kind of animal would you be?

How many windows are there in Toronto?

• To give yourself time to think about a response, repeat the question aloud as if you’re thinking about it.

• To strengthen your answer, give 1 to 3 reasons as to why you chose that answer and how that would benefit the position.

• If the question requires analysis, provide the interviewer with the steps you would take to solve the problem. ARE YOU INTERVIEWING WITH OTHER COMPANIES? The interviewer is assessing whether you have other options, where you are in your job search and if you are genuinely interested in the position? The interviewer may also want to find out who the company’s competitors are.

• Be honest.

• Suggest that the current interview is your first choice.

I have had an interview with __________ and have an interview with ___________ scheduled for next week, for an entry level HR position. Based on the job descriptions this position is my first choice. I thrive in an environment where I am engaged in a wide variety of activities.

• If you are not comfortable revealing this information, politely explain your position.

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I had an interview last week and have two more lined up this week. I would like to maintain the confidentiality of the organizations and will also keep this interview confidential when meeting with the other organizations. I hope this also reflects the company’s ethics. WHAT DO YOU THINK WE COULD DO BETTER OR DIFFERENTLY? The interviewer is assessing your interest in the position, knowledge of the company, if you have given any thought to how you could add value to the organization, and finally if you would be a good fit within the organization.

• During your research you probably found positive features of the company and some things that could be improved upon. Include both the positive and the negative when creating your answer.

• Let the interviewer know you are ready to step in and help the company reach its goals.

• To increase the interviewer’s interest in your answer, align your response with the company’s values, goals and reputation.

When researching companies, I quickly became aware that the company has an excellent reputation with customers and employees. That’s very important to me. I would be proud of working for this company. I did, however, notice that the use of social media is minimal. As this is an excellent way to reach new customers while maintaining a solid base, this is an area that could use more output. As an avid and enthusiastic user of social media with experience in creating and implementing successful strategies, I do have ideas on this topic that I would be happy to share with the marketing team. TELL ME ABOUT YOUR DREAM JOB. The interviewer does not expect that the position you are applying for is your “dream” job; however, it is a good question to ask to assess a candidate’s long-term career plans, their motivations and what they are passionate about.

• To prepare, review the job description and pinpoint 2 or 3 things that the job has in common with your dream job.

• Tell the interviewer about the similarities between the job you are interviewing for and your dream job

• Do not give a specific job title to the dream job.

• End by telling the interviewer what excites you about the company.

My dream job would be a combination of working with local communities and helping to create policy at a provincial level to elevate people out of poverty. In this position, I would be using my marketing skills and developing the trust of the community and the provincial government. In my volunteer experience, this is what I excelled at. I chose to apply to this position because I could immediately apply these skills to strengthen anti-poverty initiatives at the municipal level. IF YOU HAD A SUPERPOWER, WHAT WOULD YOUR SUPERPOWER BE? The interviewer wants to find out what you think is your biggest personal asset for the position.

• Think of an ability or trait, (flexibility, patience, endurance, perseverance, attention to detail, compassion, speed) that you have consistently used when facing a challenge or in your everyday life—that is your superpower.

• Provide the interviewer with an example of your superpower from your experiences

• Use STAR to create your answer.

As a social worker working in non-profit, it’s essential that I understand each client’s unique history, personality, and needs. Empathy is the superpower I use to listen compassionately and respond to difficult situations appropriately. These skills have been actively developed through several years of volunteer work with the Children’s Aid Society, getting my Master of Social Work degree from the University of Windsor and most recently working with the Multicultural Council of Windsor & Essex County’s C6 Program over the past 6 months to support a refugee family.

INTERVIEW FORMATS

- Screening - Telephone/Skype - Panel/Committee - Unstructured

- Serial - Group - Structured - Meal

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Screening Interviews Screening interviews are help the employer determine whether or not a candidate has the necessary qualifications and is typically the

first step in the hiring process. They are conducted by recruiters or hiring managers and not the person you would be reporting to if

you were selected for the position. Successfully passing the screening assessment is a prerequisite for moving on to the next “round”

of the interview process.

Telephone / Skype Interviews Companies interview applicants over the phone or via the internet to a) schedule a large volume of interviews in a relatively short amount of time, and b) consider applicants who live far away but are willing to relocate. Telephone interviews are an excellent way to evaluate potential employees for oral communication skills and gather information. Telephone interviews can also double as screening interviews.

Treat this as you would an in-person interview and double check your technical equipment prior to the interview. Eliminate background noise and distractions by setting up in a quiet place with minimal visual distractions. Ask for a copy of the tip sheet Telephone Interviews (Answer the Call) for more information on this type of interview.

Panel / Committee Interviews Panel interviews are conducted by 3 or more interviewers. Organizations use this format to ensure they get several perspectives on a potential hire in the same time it takes to conduct a conventional one-on-one interview. Here are a few specific pointers for this format.

1. Know your interviewers beforehand, if possible. It’s acceptable to ask recruiters, hiring managers, or secretaries which employees will be on your interview panel. The more you know about each individual panelist, the better you can tailor your responses to everybody on the panel. We also encourage you to ask tailored questions to the panelists.

2. Focus your attention on the panelist asking the question, however, do remember to also look at the other panelists occasionally.

3. After the interview, thank all panelists with individual emails. Group Interviews This type of interview allows the employer to interview several candidates at the same time, in the same room. Group interviews are considered an effective way to evaluate candidates for interpersonal and problem-solving skills and teamwork. Interviewers pay close attention to how candidates respond to and interact with each other. Sometimes, interviewers will pose questions to the group and instruct all candidates to work together to arrive at an answer. Unstructured Interviews This interview type is more conversational in style. While some questions may still be prepared in advance, this format allows for spontaneity and for questions to develop during the interview. This format is seen as a good tool to evaluate candidates for personality types and fit within a company culture. Be sure to maintain a professional attitude at all times. Structured Interviews Most interviews are structured. The interviewer will ask a number of prewritten, prearranged questions, make notes and score your

responses.

Serial Interviews In this process a candidate can be interviewed sequentially by a group of people with candidates moving on to another interview as they pass each interview. Or a candidate may have an interview with each person in the company before a decision is made. If you are told that the hiring process will include serial interviews you can ask what format that will take. Meal Interviews

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Very occasionally hiring managers will prefer to conduct a job interview over lunch or dinner. Certain positions require employees to conduct frequent lunch or dinner meetings with clients. In these cases, a meal interview is a logical way to evaluate a candidate’s performance, as they are an excellent way to evaluate candidates in terms of personality and social skills. Do not let your guard down—remain professional at all times. Also order a reasonably priced dish that can be neatly eaten with a fork and be sure to treat the wait staff respectfully.

QUESTIONS EMPLOYERS ARE NOT LEGALLY ALLOWED TO ASK IN CANADA While Canadian employers are legally prohibited from asking certain questions, keep in mind that not all interviewers are experts, and may, without realizing it, ask an illegal question. If you are asked an illegal interview question you have some options:

1. You can politely indicate your preference to not answer the question, unless there is a specific reason why it is relevant. 2. You can ask the interviewer to explain how the question is applicable to your performance of the job. 3. You can identify what the interviewer’s concern is and provide reassurance that the concern will not affect your ability to

do the job.

Regardless of the option you choose, it is important to know your rights before going into an interview. Here are some examples of questions an interviewer is not allowed to ask:

• Your age, however, an employer can ask if you are between the ages of 18 and 64.

• Questions related to your gender, sexual orientation, race, or religious affiliation; interviewers can ask if you are able to work specific days of the week.

• If you are legally entitled to work in Canada; interviewers can discuss your spoken language(s) if is relevant to the position.

• About your marital or relationship status and whether you have or plan to have children. Asking about childcare arrangements is also illegal. However, an interviewer can ask if there is anything that would stop you from completing the tasks of the job.

• About your country of origin.

• Questions about your body (e.g. your height and weight), unless the job specifies minimum standards (e.g. the need to be a certain height or lift 50 lbs frequently over a period of 8 hours).

• If you have ever been arrested. They can ask if you have been convicted of a specific crime, if it is relevant to the position.

• About political affiliations and membership in social clubs.

• Questions about disability and health conditions are also illegal. However, you may be subject to tests of physical health and fitness after a conditional written job offer has been made.

For more information about your rights regarding employment, go to: Ontario Human Rights Commission http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/social_areas/employment