interview prep Archives - Palladian Career Resources

Interview Prep Book Award Finalist

Power Up Your Job Search: A Modern Approach to Interview Preparation, my book teaching interview techniques for job seekers, was named an Award Finalist by USA Book News in the Careers category this week. Since publishing the book back in March, I have heard from numerous job seekers who have used the book to improve their interview skills.

Power Up Your Job Search: A Modern Approach to Interview Preparation, my book teaching interview techniques for job seekers, was named an Award Finalist by USA Book News in the Careers category this week. Since publishing the book back in March, I have heard from numerous job seekers who have used the book to improve their interview skills.

The book is set up as a step-by-step guide teaching how to get ready for an interview. It is ideal for people who want a simple to follow process. We intentionally worked to make the book as short as possible. Each chapter, paragraph and sentence had to add value to stay in the book. We also focused the book on specific skills anyone can learn. This combination makes the instruction in the book quick and easy.

I wish there was a magic bullet that would get people hired. It would make my job teaching interview skills a lot easier. All I would need is a couple minutes with someone and teach them the “secret to interviewing.” There is no secret, and it will never be that easy. To excel in an interview your need to develop your interview skills, prepare thoroughly and practice. That’s why an interview prep book like Power Up Your Job Search is so important. It will teach you the skills you need to adapt to interviewers and questions that blindside you.

If you are getting ready for an interview, get a copy of the book. The job market is too competitive and mediocre interview skills will lead to missed opportunities.

Production Worker Interview Questions: Reliability

Being reliable is an important attribute for every job seeker to demonstrate. For production workers, this is especially important. Manufacturing firms often have complex operations where every worker is fulfilling an essential role. Workers may only be trained on a few pieces of equipment, making it difficult to find backfills. A single worker who fails to come to work can disrupt an entire department.

The complexity of some manufacturing organizations makes it essential to build a reliable workforce. Hiring managers will ask job seekers about their attendance in interviews. They will also ask about attendance in reference checks. This makes it important to be honest. You don’t want to say you had perfect attendance in an interview and then have a former employer say something different.

As important as reliability is, you don’t need a history of perfect attendance to get hired. You need to show that being reliable is important to you. You also need to show a track record where your reliability was good, meeting or exceeding the expectations of your employers.

Some industries have large season fluctuations. In these organizations, having a work force that can adapt their schedules to increasing or decreasing hours can be important. Your reliability will also include your ability to work overtime when needed. A hiring manager will want to know if you can be counted on to show up when they add an extra shift or extend the hours of a shift.

No one is going to get hired because of their reliability. This is a topic designed to weed out unreliable people. Your goal is to show you reliable enough to meet the expectations of the hiring manager.

Interview Questions:

Describe your attendance at .
How many times did you call in last year?
How important is it to you to be on-time?
In our busy season, will you be able to work weekends?
Can you work any of our shifts, including either second or third shift?
During your training, you will need to work on different shifts to get trained. Will this be a problem?
When was the last time you were late for work?

The questions above are just a sampling of the questions you might see in an interview. There are hundreds or thousands of questions you may see in an interview. To prepare effectively, you can’t memorize answers to each. Be prepared to discuss your reliability and you should be able to adapt to questions in this area.

Body Language in an Interview

How you present yourself in an interview can influence the overall impressive you make on an interviewer. Some studies have said the words we use only account for 10% of the information communicated.

How you present yourself in an interview can influence the overall impressive you make on the interviewer. Some studies have said the words we use only account for 10% of the information communicated. The other 90% is made up of you body language, eye contact, tone, pitch, pace and volume.

Can you improve the non-verbal aspects of your interview performance?

Absolutely. Your non-verbal behavior can be adapted to suit any situation. Individuals in the public eye, actors, politicians and salespeople, work on their non-verbal behavior. Some employ coaches to work on these skills routinely throughout their careers. Hiring a full time coach is not practical for most people, though.

There are a few basic tactics that you can employ. The first and most important is to be enthusiastic. In an interview, you should show your interest in the position. Speaking in a monotone with low energy will make a bad impression.

The second tactic you should employ is mirroring. Pay attention to the interviewer and their non-verbal queues. If they sit very straight and lean forward, adopt a similar posture. If they sit back and slouch, you can relax and lean back a little, although you should maintain a professional appearance regardless of what the interviewer does. Mirroring can be extended to speaking style. If the interviewer speaks very quickly, you should try to match their pace.

Mirroring is a talent and a skill. Some people do it very naturally, while others struggle. To be most effective, you should mirror the interviewer almost unconsciously. I’m sure you have had the experience where you met someone and immediately liked them and bonded with them. Usually, this happens when two people have significant similarities in their non-verbal communication.

Because our non-verbal communication is done naturally without thinking, it is extremely difficult to for most people to change. You can learn mirroring techniques, but they take work and practice. Many job seekers find interviews very intimidating and struggle to know what to say. Focusing on mirroring can make this a greater challenge.

Should you adapt your non-verbal communication?

Yes and No. There are significant advantages to a positive attitude, good eye contact and paying attention to the body language of the interviewer. At the same time, you should only pay attention to these elements if they do not distract you from listening effectively. Failing to listen will hurt your chances much more than having your body language a little out of sync with the interviewer. You should focus on listening closely, providing good answers and adapting subtly to the interviewer. If you do these three things, you will give yourself the best chance of getting hired.

New Book Review

Read a review of our book, Power Up Your Job Search: A Modern Approach to Interview Preparation, from Norm Goldman, Publisher & Editor Bookpleasures.

Below is a copy of a review from Norm Goldman, publisher of Bookpleasures. To to Amazon to get our Interview Prep Book.

Review: Power Up Your Job Search: A Modern Approach to Interview Preparation

By Norm Goldman Published April 23, 2009

With the job market in the dumps now may be the time to brush up on your interviewing skills in order to stand out from your competition. A step in the right direction would be to secure a copy of copy Power Up Your Job Search: A Modern Approach to Interview Preparation authored by Executive recruiters Gary W. Capone and Mark Henderson.

Capone and Henderson are founders and executives of Palladian International-an executive search firm that caters to a select group of companies who wish to identify and attract the highest performing individuals in order to separate them from those of mediocre skills. They specialize in working with manufacturing, distribution, sales, marketing and defense organizations for management and executive level positions.

They have put together an excellent and wide-ranging guide which, as they state in their introduction, was to create a tool that would “put all of their candidates in a position to communicate their skills, experiences and abilities honestly and effectively, enabling our clients to make the best assessment, and in turn, the best hiring decision.”

In order to accomplish this feat they have divided their guide into twenty-six lessons including invaluable exercises at the end of each. Covered are such topics as interview process, interview structure, what employers consider important, developing a positioning statement, different kinds of interview types and styles, samplings of interview questions, questions pertaining to experience, skills, behavior, communication skills, career goals, company and industry knowledge, education, aptitude, career progression, compensation and even off limits questions.

One noteworthy chapter and which in my estimate is probably the most important one is Lesson 8, Star (L). According to the authors, this is one of the most powerful techniques in the course and relies on preparing powerful stories from your experiences. You are probably asking what is Star (L)? Essentially, it represents Situation, Thoughts, Actions and Results. The L stands for Lessons Learned. We are informed that if you use this format in an interview, it will facilitate the interviewer’s task in following you.

In addition, it will also help you to remain focused and arrive at a clearly defined conclusion to your reply. How often have we experienced interviews where we are taken aback by a particular question and end up long-winded and incoherent? By using the STAR (L) method we can steer clear of this trap. Fundamentally, what it all boils down to is describing the situation you are going to discuss, discussing your thoughts concerning the situation, what actions you should take, what were the results and finally, if applicable, what did you gain from the experience that will help you in future situations.

To put it more succinctly, the authors sum it up as defining the problem, planning a solution, implementing the solution and measuring the result. As they state: “It is inevitable that you will be require to think on your feet during the interview. However, framing your response using the STAR (L) Method will result in more effective answers.”

There are other chapters in the book that are likewise invaluable assets including the Appendix that contains a list of some of the most frequent interview questions. This book is indeed a weighty tome written in a breezy style that will help you to appreciate the interviewing process. Moreover, it will prepare you in presenting yourself in a way that will make you stand out from your competitors. Without any doubt, the authors have achieved their goal in presenting a well-organized guide that is “short, concise and packed with value.” Those willing to take the time to follow their recommendations and participate in the exercises will find the book a most helpful and priceless tool.

Norm Goldman, Publisher & Editor Bookpleasures

Career Lessons Learned

An important part of preparing for an interview is recognizing the lessons you have learned in your career. These lessons are the most valuable part of your experience. They allow you to do more in the future than you have done in the past.

Few job seekers talk about the lessons they have learned in their careers during interviews. There are two primary reasons for this. First, the job seeker doesn’t want to detract from the experience they are describing. Any lesson learned is an indication of a less than perfect performance. If you completed a task perfectly, what could you have learned along the way? Often we learn by making mistakes, and few job seekers want to discuss their mistakes. The second reason job seekers avoid lessons learned is they are not in the habit of assessing and discussing their performance on a regular basis. This causes them to skip over the things they learned.

These two reasons actually demonstrate weaknesses in the job seekers. If you are afraid of admitting you didn’t know everything in a situation, it is unlikely you will ask for help when you need it. Hiring managers can pick up on this. They are looking for people that can deliver results, and they understand that no one is perfect. What is important is how you deal with mistakes and failures, and what you took away from the experience.

You can also make a good impression by showing you can self-assess your performance and professional development. A job seeker that knows what they are good at and where they struggle is much more likely to avoid problems. This also demonstrates a commitment to get better. If you don’t care about your performance, it’s unlikely you will deliberate on it.

When preparing for an interview, consider the major challenges, projects and accomplishments from your career. Think about each, focusing on what you did and the results you achieved. Then, second guess your actions. What would you do differently with what you know now, and how would the results be different. If you are prepared to discuss the lessons you learned throughout your career, you will be much more successful in interviews.

Top 8 Reasons to Schedule a Mock Interview

Mock interviews simulate actual job interviews, allowing the job seeker to practice their interview skills. Interviewing is a performance. Without practice, a job seeker cannot perform at their best. This makes mock interviews one of the most important steps in a job search.

Few job seekers complete a mock interview during their job search. There are a few reasons for this. Some job seekers fail to realize how much a mock interview can improve interview performance. Other job seekers believe their interview skills are exceptional and do not need to be improved. There are even job seekers that are afraid of the feedback after a mock interview. Many people have a fear of public speaking and are intimidated in interviews. The idea of conducting an interview in front of someone who will criticize their interview performance is terrifying. This is unfortunate since the people most afraid of interviewing often need the most help.

There is no replacement for mock interviews, though. You cannot practice interviewing alone. You have to have someone ask you a question that you must answer on the spot. This is the core of any interview and can’t be recreated without the interviewer.

There are a number benefits to mock interviews, and below are the eight most significant:

Practice allows you to try different ways of answering common interview questions
You can make a mistake in a mock interview without hurting your job search
A mock interview is the only way you can prepare for unforeseen questions
You can get specific feedback from the interviewer in a mock interview that an employer will never share with you.
Mock interviews can help build your confidence
Interviewers often think of questions the job seeker doesn’t anticipate
A mock interview offers a chance to try different styles of interviews
Mock interviews are one of the fastest and most effective ways to improve your interview skill

If you haven’t completed a mock interview in your job search, schedule one now. Ideally, the interviewer you choose will be similar to type of interviewer you will encounter in a real interview. This may require finding someone you don’t know to conduct a mock interview. Interviews with close friends or co-workers may make the mock interview less effective due to your familiarity with the interviewer. If you can’t find a suitable interviewer, find a professional interviewer coach that can conduct the mock interview with you.

Interview Tip #10

Interview Tip: Don’t try to make a fashion statement in an interview.

Interview Tip: Don’t try to make a fashion statement in an interview.

How you dress for an interview will not help you get an offer, but it can hurt your chances. In most situations, conservative professional attire is expected. There are a few exceptions, but they are rare. Research the company. If nothing in your research indicates unusual expectations for how a candidate dresses, stick with a professional appearance. You want to be remembered for your skills, experience and potential, not your fashion choices.

Interview Tip #9

Interview Tip: Don’t try to be someone you aren’t in an interview.

Interview Tip: Don’t try to be someone you aren’t in an interview.

Some job seekers try to exaggerate their background to appear vastly different from reality. This is a mistake. Being genuine and honest is always the best course. First, exaggerating your background may cause a hiring manager to question your claims – there are stories that job seekers tell that just seem too good to be true. Second, if you make yourself out to be something you aren’t, there is a good chance you won’t be happy in the job if you get it. Even worse, your claims may cause you to be rejected for a position that is a good fit.

My Interview Prep Book Is Now Available

My new book, Power Up Your Job Search: A Modern Approach to Interview Preparation, provides a step-by-step system to prepare you for an interview, and will help you outpace the competition.

My new book, Power Up Your Job Search: A Modern Approach to Interview Preparation, provides a step-by-step system to prepare you for an interview, and will help you outpace the competition. I co-wrote the book with my business partner at Palladian, Mark Henderson.

We started writing this book more than three years ago in an effort to develop a simple guide to help candidates in our executive recruiting business. We were shocked by the poor interview performance of many exceptional job seekers. Some of the most successful candidates in a field could not present their capabilities and potential effectively. Over the years, we developed a powerful system to prepare individuals to interview quickly. This book teaches our system in a clear straight-forward manner.

We wrote the book with three audiences in mind – experienced professionals and executives, transitioning military personal, and individuals entering the workforce. Each audience possesses a different background, but similar needs. To address all three groups, the book starts with several chapters that provide a foundation. It then moves on to advanced interviewing techniques. By following this approach and considering the needs of all three groups, the book will benefit the most experienced job seekers in a straight-forward style that even the least experienced job seekers will find easy to follow.

Almost everyone will benefit from this book, but some people need it more than others. If a person has gone on an interview, felt they did great but never heard from the company again, they need this book. Too many job seekers make fundamental mistakes in interviews but have no idea they are sabotaging their search. These individuals need to learn the techniques in the book.

For regular readers of my blog, some of the techniques in the book will be familar, but a lot of the content is new and never published before.

To learn more about the book, go to Power Up Your Job Search.

Interview Tip #6

Interview Tip: Demonstrate your potential in an interview by showing your past successes.

Interview Tip: Demonstrate your potential in an interview by showing your past successes.

Many job seekers only state their qualifications and potential. The candidate that stands out will show their qualifications by presenting examples from their experience. Successful candidates will also demonstrate their potential by providing specific accomplishments in situations similar to those they will encounter in the new position.