Industrial Psychology Interview

INDUSTRIAL PSYCHOLOGY I. Interviewing Do's & Don’ts What To Do.... • Do express yourself clearly with a strong voice and good diction and grammar. • Do pay close attention to your personal appearance; dress to your advantage. • Do make concrete goals in planning for your career. • Do offer a firm handshake. • Do look the interviewer in the eye (but don't stare him or her down). • Do fill out applications neatly and completely. • Do have as much knowledge about the industry, employer, and position as possible. • Do take criticism gracefully. • Do equip yourself with a strong knowledge of the company. • Do have prepared questions about the employer and position. • Do display a sense of humor. • Do display self-confidence. • Do bring a pen and small notebook with you to the interview. • Do remember the interviewer's name and use it during the interview. • Do take time to think before answering difficult or unexpected questions. • Do take an extra copy of your resume and a list of references with you to the interview. • Do follow-up with a thank-you note restating your interest in the position. • Do contact the employer by phone if the interviewer does not contact you one week after the time from which he or she indicated you would be notified. What Not To Do.... • Don't be overbearing, overaggressive or conceited. • Don't show a lack of interest or enthusiasm. • Don't emphasize money as your main interest in the job. • Don't expect too much too soon - be open to the idea of starting at the bottom and working your way up. • Don't make excuses for unfavorable factors on your record. • Don't condemn past employers or institutions of education; keep comments positive. • Don't display a marked dislike for schoolwork. • Don't be indecisive. • Don't display intolerance or prejudice. • Don't interview unless you are interested in the job...don't just "shop around." • Don't be late to the interview. • Don't state specific geographic restrictions. • Don't contradict yourself in responses. • Don't take notes during the interview - jot down your notes immediately after the interview. • Don't forget: YOU control the content of the interview. • Don't glorify your past experiences - getting into a job for which you are under qualified is not recommended. • Don't assume that all employers will be delighted to hear of your plans for graduate school. • Don't smoke, chew gum, etc. even if offered or if the interviewer does so. II. The Interview: Body Language Do's and Don'ts

A. Have them at "hello" Before you walk into the interview, it's assumed that you will have done the following: prepared yourself by reading up on the company and recent company news; practiced what you'll say to some of the more common interview questions; and followed the "what to wear on your interview" advice. So you're ready, right? Some hiring managers claim they can spot a possible candidate for a job within 30 seconds or less, and while a lot of that has to do with the way you look, it's also in your body language. Don't walk in pulling up your pantyhose or readjusting your tie; pull yourself together before you stand up to greet the hiring manager or enter their office. Avoid a "dead fish" handshake and confidently -- but not too firmly -- grasp your interviewer's hand and make eye contact while saying hello. B. Shake your hand, watch yourself If you are rocking back in your chair, shaking your foot, drumming your fingers or scratching your... anything, you're going to look like you’re going to look the type of future employee who wouldn't be able to stay focused, if even for a few minutes. It's a not a game of charades, it's a job interview. Here's what to do (and not do): Don't: • Rub the back of your head or neck. Even if you really do just have a cramp in your neck, these gestures make you look disinterested. • Rub or touch your nose. This suggests that you're not being completely honest, and it's gross. • Sit with your armed folded across your chest. You'll appear unfriendly and disengaged. • Bend your legs and idly shake one over the other. It's distracting and shows how uncomfortable you are. • Lean your body towards the door. You'll appear ready to make a mad dash for the door. • Slouch back in your seat. This will make you appear disinterested and unprepared. • Stare back blankly. This is a look people naturally adapt when they are trying to distance themselves. Do: • Sit up straight, and lean slightly forward in your chair. In addition to projecting interest and engagement in the interaction, aligning your body's position to that of the interviewer's shows admiration and agreement. • Show your enthusiasm by keeping an interested expression. Nod and make positive gestures in

moderation to avoid looking like a bubblehead. • Establish a comfortable amount of personal space between you and the interviewer. Invading personal space (anything more than 20 inches) could make the interviewer feel uncomfortable and take the focus away from your conversation. • Limit your application of colognes and perfumes. Invading aromas can arouse allergies. Being the candidate that gave the interviewer a headache isn't going to do anything in your favor. • If you have more than one person interviewing you at once, make sure you briefly address both people with your gaze (without looking like a tennis spectator) and return your attention to the person who has asked you a question. • Interruptions can happen. If they do, refrain from staring at your interviewer while they address their immediate business and motion your willingness to leave if they need privacy. • Stand up and smile even if you are on a phone interview. Standing increases your level of alertness and allows you to become more engaged in the conversation. C. Say Goodbye Gracefully After a few well-thought-out questions and answers with your interviewer, it's almost over, but don't lose your cool just yet. Make sure your goodbye handshake is just as confident now as it was going in. Keep that going while you walk through the office building, into the elevator and onto the street. GOOD LUCK!!

INTERVIEW RATING SHEET Name of Applicant____________________________________ Position____________________________________________ Department _________________________________________ Answer the following questions as they pertain to the requirements of the job: I. Education [ ] excellent [ ] meets job requirements [ ] does not meet job requirements [ ] position Comments_____________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ II. Relevant Job Experience [ ] excellent [ ] meets job requirements [ ] does not meet job requirements [ ] position Comments_____________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ III. Supervisory Experience [ ] excellent [ ] meets job requirements [ ] does not meet job requirements [ ] position Comments_____________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ IV. Technical Skills [ ] excellent [ ] meets job requirements [ ] does not meet job requirements [ ] position Comments_____________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ V. Interpersonal Skills [ ] excellent [ ] meets job requirements [ ] does not meet job requirements [ ] position Comments_____________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ VI. Motivation [ ] excellent [ ] meets job requirements [ ] does not meet job requirements [ ] position Comments_____________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ VII. Strengths Comments_____________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ VIII. Weaknesses Comments_____________________________________________ _____________________________________________________

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Overall Ranking [ ] excellent [ ] meets job requirements [ ] does not meet job requirements [ ] not applicable for this position Comments_____________________________________________ Salary Expectations: ______________________________________ Date Candidate Available to Begin Work ______________________ Interviewer_____________________________________________ Date of Interview________________________________________