Job Interviews For Dummies, 3rd edition (For Dummies (Career Education))

336 Pages·2008·4.19 MB·english

by  Joyce Lain Kennedy

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Job Interviews
FOR
DUMmIES
‰
3
RD EDITION
by Joyce Lain Kennedy
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Job Interviews For Dummies®, 3rd Edition
Published by
Wiley Publishing, Inc.
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www.wiley.com
Copyright © 2008 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published simultaneously in Canada
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2007941166
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Manufactured in the United States of America
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About the Author
Joyce Lain Kennedyis America’s first nationally syndicated careers colum-
nist. Her two-times-weekly column, CAREERS NOW, appears in newspapers
and on Web sites across the land. In her four decades of advising readers —
newbies, prime-timers, and those in-between — Joyce has received millions
of letters inquiring about career moves and job search and has answered
countless numbers of them in print.
Joyce is the author of seven career books, including Joyce Lain Kennedy’s
Career Book(McGraw-Hill), Electronic Job Search Revolution, Electronic
Resume Revolution, and Hook Up, Get Hired! The Internet Job Search
Revolution(the last three published by Wiley). Job Interviews For Dummiesis
one of a trio of job market books published under Wiley’s wildly popular For
Dummiesbranded imprint. The others are Resumes For Dummies and Cover
Letters For Dummies.
Writing from Carlsbad, California, a San Diego suburb, the country’s best-
known careers columnist is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis.
Contact Joyce at [email protected].
About the Technical Reviewer
James M. Lemke has earned a reputation as a leader in talent strategies
and processes. He is director of organizational development for Opportunity
International. Previously, Jim spent 15 years as a human resources consultant.
His client list included: Real Networks, Southern California Metropolitan Water
District, Northrop Grumman, Southwest Airlines, Jet Propulsion Laboratory,
United Arab Emirates University, and the White House. Jim has held
executive positions with Wachovia Bank, TRW, UCLA, Walt Disney
Imagineering, and Raytheon. He resides in Mesa, Arizona. Contact Jim at
[email protected].
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Author’s Acknowledgments
“We’re better together” is a philosophy proven yet again in this richly
informed book. The largess of helpful information you find within these
pages is to a large degree due to my luck in sourcing many respected minds
in the employment space. Contributors to whom I am especially indebted
are individually credited in chapter pages. Applause to one and all.
Additionally, thanks a billion to the following individuals who worked long
and hard to make this book happen:
Traci Cumbay,intrepid editor and clear-eyed train engineer who kept this
ambitious work running on track; she’s earned her rave reviews, chapter
by chapter.
James M. Lemke,above-the-title technical reviewing star whose brainwork
is indispensable to every book I write.
John S. Gill,college student, computer genie, and editorial whiz kid who
I predict has a big future ahead of him; after he graduates, he’ll have to fight
off recruiters.
Muriel Turner, Alberto Mendez,and Kelly James,each of whom kept my
landfill . . . er, I mean office. . . from crashing and burning; I appreciate you.
Gail Ross,literary agent–attorney and friend who continues to help me make
the right moves in the world of publishing.
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Publisher’s Acknowledgments
We’re proud of this book; please send us your comments through our Dummies online registration
form located at www.dummies.com/register/.
Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following:
Acquisitions, Editorial, and Composition Services
Media Development
Project Coordinator: Patrick Redmond
Project Editor: Traci Cumbay
Layout and Graphics: Reuben W. Davis,
(Previous Edition: Kelly Ewing) Alissa D. Ellet, Joyce Haughey,
Melissa K. Jester
Acquisitions Editor: Lindsay Lefevere
Anniversary Logo Design:Richard Pacifico
Copy Editor: Traci Cumbay
Proofreaders: Laura Albert, Tom Arany,
Editorial Program Coordinator:
John Greenough
Erin Calligan Mooney
Indexer: Estalita Slivoskey
Technical Editor: James M. Lemke
Special Help: Carmen Krikorian
Editorial Managers: Michelle Hacker,
Carmen Krikorian
Editorial Assistants:Joe Niesen, Leeann Harney
Cover Photos: © Michael Prince/Corbis
Cartoons: Rich Tennant (www.the5thwave.com)
Publishing and Editorial for Consumer Dummies
Diane Graves Steele, Vice President and Publisher, Consumer Dummies
Joyce Pepple, Acquisitions Director, Consumer Dummies
Kristin A. Cocks, Product Development Director, Consumer Dummies
Michael Spring, Vice President and Publisher, Travel
Kelly Regan,Editorial Director, Travel
Publishing for Technology Dummies
Andy Cummings,Vice President and Publisher, Dummies Technology/General User
Composition Services
Gerry Fahey,Vice President of Production Services
Debbie Stailey,Director of Composition Services
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Contents at a Glance
Introduction.................................................................1
Part I: And the Interview Winner Is . . . You!..................9
Chapter 1:Job Interviews Are Reality Shows. Really!..................................................11
Chapter 2:Tailoring Your Qualifications for Targeted Job Interviews......................33
Chapter 3:Going Wireless for Your Interview..............................................................41
Chapter 4:Interviewing on the World Stage.................................................................57
Chapter 5:A Chorus Line of Interviews by Type..........................................................63
Part II: Backstage Researching and Rehearsing............83
Chapter 6:Research is Your Ticket Inside....................................................................85
Chapter 7:Your Close-Up: Personality Tests................................................................95
Chapter 8:Showing You the Money.............................................................................107
Chapter 9:Costuming Yourself for a Starring Role....................................................127
Chapter 10:Overcoming Stage Fright: Rehearse, Rehearse, and Rehearse............139
Chapter 11:Looking Good With Questions You Ask..................................................147
Chapter 12:Outlining Interview Scenarios You Can Expect.....................................153
Chapter 13:Closing the Show.......................................................................................163
Chapter 14:When You’re Offered the Part..................................................................175
Part III: Actors’ Studio: Casting Your Character..........183
Chapter 15:From iPods and Texting to Jobs and Paychecks...................................185
Chapter 16:Tips and Scripts That Sell a Switch.........................................................193
Chapter 17:Spotlighting Prime-Timers over 50.........................................................201
Part IV: Lights, Camera, Talk! Answering Questions....211
Chapter 18:What Can You Tell Me about Yourself?...................................................213
Chapter 19:What Do You Know about This Job and Our Company?......................229
Chapter 20:What Are Your Skills and Competencies?..............................................235
Chapter 21:How Does Your Experience Help Us?......................................................243
Chapter 22:What Education Do You Have?................................................................251
Chapter 23:What about Your Special Situation?........................................................263
Chapter 24:How Should You Answer an Inappropriate Question?.........................279
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Part V: The Part of Tens ............................................287
Chapter 25:Ten Tips to Avoid Wretched Reviews.....................................................289
Chapter 26:Tens of Lines on the Cutting Room Floor...............................................293
Chapter 27:Ten Interviewer Personality Types.........................................................297
Index.......................................................................303
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Table of Contents
Introduction..................................................................1
What Is a ShowStopper in Job Interviewing?...............................................1
About This Book...............................................................................................2
Conventions Used in This Book.....................................................................2
Terms Used in This Book................................................................................3
Foolish Assumptions.......................................................................................3
How This Book Is Organized...........................................................................4
Part I: And the Interview Winner Is . . . You!.......................................4
Part II: Backstage Researching and Rehearsing.................................5
Part III: Actors’ Studio: Casting Your Character.................................5
Part IV: Lights, Camera, Talk! Answering Questions..........................5
Part V: The Part of Tens.........................................................................5
Icons Used in This Book..................................................................................6
Where to Go from Here....................................................................................6
Part I: And the Interview Winner Is . . . You! ..................9
Chapter 1: Job Interviews Are Reality Shows. Really! . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Interviewing Is Theater.................................................................................12
Why “Be Yourself” Can Be Poor Advice......................................................13
Your role: Job seeker............................................................................13
Outtake: Forget about being “natural”...............................................14
New Faces, New Factors in Interviewing.....................................................14
Expect new kinds of interviewers......................................................15
Watch for new calls for a fast start....................................................15
Find out about the new way to meet ................................................15
Focus on fitting in.................................................................................16
Cut out the loyalty oath.......................................................................17
Revisit the dramatic pause.................................................................17
Polish your storytelling skills.............................................................18
Learn new lines for small-business jobs............................................18
Get ready for the global job interview...............................................19
Ten Concepts to Make You a Star.................................................................19
Amplify your preparation for top billing...........................................20
Distinguish screening from selection interviews.............................20
Verify early what they want and show how you deliver.................21
Connect all of your qualifications with a job’s requirements.........21
Master a one-to-two-minute commercial about yourself................22
Seal the deal with a branding brief....................................................22
Win two thumbs up from the hiring manager and you’re in!..........23
Allow interviewer to direct the improv.............................................24
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Show sensitivity for the hiring manager’s
dislike of interviewing......................................................................24
Try not to talk money until you know they want you.....................24
Take Home an Oscar from Any Interview...................................................25
Sing “I really, really like you!”..............................................................25
Style your body language....................................................................25
Be a treat: Act upbeat..........................................................................26
Start your interview off on the right foot..........................................26
Remember that you have a speaking part........................................27
Agree to take pre-employment tests..................................................27
Flesh out your story beyond a college degree.................................27
Bring a pen and notebook with you...................................................28
Keep your ears up and your eyes open.............................................28
When Interviewers Chase You......................................................................30
Building Lifetime Confidence........................................................................31
Chapter 2: Tailoring Your Qualifications
for Targeted Job Interviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Connecting the Dots: Showing You’re the Right One................................34
Presenting Your Qualifications in a Targeted Interview............................35
Hunt for Red Demon: The screenplay................................................35
Telling your qualifications tale, again and again..............................38
Making Up for Missing Qualifications..........................................................39
Chapter 3: Going Wireless for Your Interview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Can You See Me Now?....................................................................................43
What is a video interview?..................................................................44
The gamut of video interviews...........................................................44
What’s video’s upside? Downside?....................................................45
Making an on-camera impression......................................................46
Rock the Video Interview..............................................................................47
Before the interview.............................................................................47
During the interview............................................................................49
When You’re on the Phone...........................................................................50
Hold the phone.....................................................................................51
Keep your phone well stocked...........................................................51
Make phone appointments.................................................................52
Project a winning image.......................................................................52
Which Way to the Future?.............................................................................54
Have your avatar talk to my avatar....................................................54
Holy hologram: I see right through you............................................54
Don’t dare lie: Your mind is an open book........................................55
Chapter 4: Interviewing on the World Stage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Changing the Global Interviewing Game.....................................................57
Looking at Remaining Cultural Norms........................................................58
Interviewing Across Cultures.......................................................................59
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Table of Contents
Tracking Down Country Research...............................................................60
International Web sites........................................................................60
International social networking .........................................................61
Preparing for the Global Job Interview.......................................................62
Chapter 5: A Chorus Line of Interviews by Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Mastering Interviews by Objective..............................................................63
Screening interview..............................................................................64
Selection interview...............................................................................65
Combination interview........................................................................67
Promotion interview............................................................................67
Recruiter courtesy interview..............................................................68
Recruiter general screening interview..............................................68
Recruiter search interview..................................................................69
Second interview..................................................................................70
Mastering Interviews by Interviewer...........................................................70
One-to-one interview............................................................................71
Group interview....................................................................................71
Serial interview.....................................................................................72
Mastering Interviews by Technique............................................................72
Behavior-based interview...................................................................73
Directive interview...............................................................................75
Nondirective interview........................................................................76
Stress interview....................................................................................77
Mastering Interviews at Remote Locations................................................78
Mealtime interview...............................................................................78
On-campus interview...........................................................................80
Job fair interview..................................................................................80
What’s Playing at the Roxy?..........................................................................82
Part II: Backstage Researching and Rehearsing ............83
Chapter 6: Research Is Your Ticket Inside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
Here’s What Computers Tell Us....................................................................86
Asking Questions about Potential Employers............................................87
Size and growth patterns.....................................................................87
Direction and planning .......................................................................87
Products or services............................................................................88
Competitive profile...............................................................................88
Culture and reputation........................................................................88
Company history..................................................................................89
Company financials..............................................................................90
Ready, Aim, Fact-Find....................................................................................90
Preparation Makes You a Headliner............................................................94