The Internal Interview

How To Put Your Best Foot Forward

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 The Internal Interview

 Purpose of the Interview

 What to expect during the interview process

 How to put your best foot forward

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 Purpose of the Interview

 For the Selection Committee

to evaluate the candidate’s
fit for the position.

Selection
Committee Candidate  For the candidate to
evaluate the position for fit
with their personality and
career goals.

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 What To Expect During the Interview

 To be questioned about your work experience and education

as it relates to the position.

 To be evaluated in respect to personality fit for the position.

 To be tested to see if you have the core competencies to be

successful in the position.

 To be given a chance to ask questions of the selection

committee.

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 How to put your best foot forward

Too many of us miss out on the job we have wanted for so long
because we did not represent our skills and experience to the best of
our abilities.

These days, you can’t just show up at an interview without doing

your homework first and expect to ace it.

To make sure that you are as prepared as possible………

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 How to put your best foot forward

Research

Review

Rehearse!

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 Research
• Research the job, the department and the College by going to
the web site. Read the 5 Year Strategic Plan, the Departments
website and anything else you can find.

You will want to be able to answer the following: how the department
fits into the plan and how does the position help the department reach
the goals set out in the plan.

• Call Human Resources Services and ask for a copy of the Job
Description.

• Talk to people in the area of the job to get feedback on the

position, the managers style and the work environment

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 Review

1. Review the job description and job posting and write down the
skills, education, competencies and experience that are required
for the job.

2. Review your skills, education, experience and accomplishments

that are applicable to the job you are applying for.

3. Write out a T graph and on one side list the jobs requirements
and on the other map your skills, experience and
accomplishments to them.
They Need I’ve Got/Done

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 Review

• Develop an example of past situations where you have

shown those skills, behaviors or competencies.
BE SPECIFIC!
Give facts, figures, dates, where, when and how.

• Write out the examples. This not only crystallizes and

organizes your thoughts, but logs the details in your mind.

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 Behavioral Interview
Behavioral interviewing is based on the premise that the best way to predict
future behavior is to determine past behavior.

This technique is designed to minimize personal impressions that can effect the
hiring decision, by focusing on actions and behaviors, rather than subjective
impressions.

Instead of asking how you would behave in a particular situation, you will be
asked to give an example of how you did behave in the past to the same kind
of situation.

You will be asked to provide details. This is why you have written out all those
examples in the first place.

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 Behavioral Interview Examples
1. The person in this position needs to be innovative and proactive.
Can you describe some things you have done to demonstrate these
qualities?

2. What examples can you cite of your ability to apply prudent

judgment in a delicate situation.
A. Why was the situation delicate?
B. What did you do?
C. Why did you do it?
D. What was the outcome?

3. Give an example on how you dealt with an irate student/client.

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 Behavioral Interview Examples

4. Tell me about a time when you had a major conflict with another
employee.
A. What was the cause of the conflict?
B. What things did you do to alleviate the problem?
C. What were the results?
5. Give me an example of your involvement in a successful team effort.
A. What role did you play?
B. Why was the effort successful?

6. Tell us about a time when you were feeling overwhelmed in your

job?
A. What were the circumstances?
B. How did you handle the situation?

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 Behavioral Interview Examples

7. Please give us an example of a time when you had to make

a decision to satisfy a client, but when you were unable to
consult with a manager. Be specific.

8. Please tell us about a time in your work history in which your

manager has assigned you with a number of tasks. Explain
how you prioritized them and your rationale for doing so.

9. Would you please describe your organizational skills and

provide us with concrete examples which demonstrate these
skills?

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 Other Difficult Interview Questions

1. What key accomplishments can you cite that suggest you are an
excellent candidate for this position?

2. Please describe your key strengths

A. What two or three major accomplishments best demonstrate your
key strengths?

3. Each of us have areas where we could improve performance. In

what areas could you improve your overall performance?

4. You’re aware of the qualifications for this position. Could you

outline how your experience fulfils these qualifications?

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 Rehearse

 Rehearse your answers for the difficult types of question until

you have them down pat.

 Rehearse your accomplishments until you know them inside

out and backwards. You want to be able to highlight any skill or
competency that you think can be thrown at you.

 Rehearse the interview in your head. All the great athletes

visualize success before they go and compete. Do the same,
play the interview in your head and see yourself confidently
answering all those questions easily. By the time you actually
are interviewing, it will be like an old hat, as this is at least the
fourth time you've gone through it.

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 Body Language and Speech Skills

Dos Don’ts
 Smile  Mumble your answers

 Make eye contact  Be a low talker

 Firm handshake  Cross your arms in front of you

 Sound enthusiastic  Don’t touch your face or play

with your hair
 Sound confident
 Avoid nervous habits, such as
 Sit up straight tapping your fingers

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 Final Preparation

 Expect the unexpected……..

– Bring extra copies of your resume (just in case)
– Plan for an early arrival
– Double check your appearance (dress to impress!)
– Have a list of references available
– Bring your notes and a pen
– Relax

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