WHAT IS AN INTERVIEW
The interview is a dialogue between a candidate and a prospective employer. The most commonly accepted objective of the interview is to determine whether there is a match between the candidates' education, experience, interest and goals and the goals of the organization related to the position for which the candidate is interviewing. But it is important to remember that the interview is a "two-way street," thus you should not be afraid to ask questions related to your interest and goals.
Being able to interview successfully is an essential skill in finding a career. At Resources In Food, we are interested in helping our candidates to make the best impression possible on the clients with whom they interview.
Preparing for the potential interview may very be the most important step. Going into an interview unprepared is a sure-fire way to NOT get the job. The recruiters at Resources in Food have put together the following list of interviewing tips to help you in your preparation.
A. 40% OF A SUCCESFUL INTERVIEW IS YOUR ATTITUDE (ENTHUSIASM, EXCITEMENT AND ENERGY).
· SMILE
· STAY POSITIVE!
· USE 60-80% EYE CONTACT
· REMEMBER TO HAVE FUN
B. 20% OF THE INTERVIEW IS SELLING YOURSELF
· KNOW ALL OF YOUR BEST MANAGEMENT QUALITIES
· SELL POSITIVE – DON’T TELL NEGATIVE
C. 40% OF THE INTERVIEW IS THE CLOSE
· THINK OF AN INTERVIEW AS A SALES CALL, AND YOU ARE THE PRODUCT. YOU ARE THE BEST “SALESPERSON”
· AFTER YOU HAVE FINISHED ASKING QUESTIONS, YOU CAN LEAD INTO THE CLOSE – ASK FOR A 2ND INTERVIEW!
· THANK THEM FOR THEIR TIME.
FORMAT OF AN INTERVIEW
Introduction -The employer may spend some time in small talk to help you relax (i.e. weather, recent events, etc.)
Interviewer Asks You Questions - This will be the heart of the interview. It will be during this time that you will be glad that you spent the time getting to know the organization and how your skills and experiences will apply to the position for which you applying.
The interviewer will probably ask questions related to your goals, jobs, what motivates you, qualities you possess, activities you have done to show initiative and why you would be a strong candidate for this position
You Ask the Interviewer Questions - Interviewers often view this part of the process as a measure of your interest and your ability to think on your feet. Most applicants go into an interview with three or four questions and find that during the course of the interview they are answered. If your prepared questions were answered during the interview then move on to more in-depth questions. Ask the interviewer about their experiences with the organization, make sure you know enough about what your specific responsibilities would be or ask what past interns are now doing. Remember that this is your future and your time you are talking about. Be prepared to ask questions similar to these. Remember a lack of questions may be mistaken as a lack of interest. Ask questions that will help you determine if you are a good match for the position and organization.
Closing - Somewhere during this time the interviewer will ask if you have any more questions. If you feel that there are still some things they need to know about you, utilize this time to summarize those assets. Use this time to find out what the next steps are and when you should be hearing from them. Thank them for the interview and restate your strong interest in the position. End the interview the same way you began it, with a firm handshake and an enthusiastic smile.
BEFORE THE INTERVIEW
Do prepare for the interview. Talk to your RIF recruiter and find out the exact location of the interview and the interviewers name and title (including pronunciation).
Do dress in business attire. No jeans or low-cut blouses! Always put your best foot forward. Wear proper attire and greet your interviewer with a firm handshake and an enthusiastic smile. Do make direct eye contact.
Do research the company. Read up on the company itself. A company's web site can usually be helpful for telling you its history, mission statement, annual sales revenue and different locations it may have. Research the actual position you are applying for with the company. Know what key skills they are looking for and what key skills you have that will make you right for the position. Also know what personality traits you have that would separate you from other applicants and make you better for the position. Your Resources In Food recruiter should be able to help you with this information.
Do arrive 10-15 minutes early – unless otherwise specified. Late arrival for a job interview is never excusable.
Do bring a copy of your resume.
Do prepare a copy of references.
Do bring a pen and notebook to take notes during the interview.
Do prepare questions to ask during the interview. Develop thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer about both the job and company with which you are applying. Don't ask generic questions and do not ask questions to which the answers could easily be found in the company literature.
Do greet everyone in the office/restaurant with a smile and hello. First impressions are crucial!! Make sure that your posture, body language and voice inflection portray you as a confident and excited candidate.
Do fill out applications neatly and completely.
Do psyche yourself up! It’s OK if you are nervous or a little frightened. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Don’t be unprepared for the interview. You’ll never get another chance to make a first impression. Familiarize yourself with possible interview questions. Reflect on how you would answer the questions. Develop specific examples that highlight your skills. Make sure that you can answer each question honestly and sincerely without sounding like you prepared them.
Don’t be late.
DURING THE INTERVIEW
Do have a positive attitude - Life is Good!!
Do wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. Sit upright, look alert and interested at all times. Be a good listener as well as a good communicator.
Do be confident. You are the kind of employee this employer needs.
Do represent yourself honestly.
Do maintain direct eye contact.
Do use examples to back up your answers.
Do ask questions about the position, training, company and interviewer.
Don’t ask questions about salary, bonuses, vacation, or anything else the company can do for you. These questions come later, when they bring it up or you are about to be made an offer.
Don’t get too comfortable – Remain professional and on guard.
Don’t use slang words or curse words.
Don’t ever say anything negative – be careful when talking about past and present employer.
Don't smoke, even if the interviewer does and offers you a cigarette. Do not chew gum.
Don't lie. Answer questions truthfully, frankly and succinctly.
AFTER THE INTERVIEW
Do jot down notes to help you remember the highlights of the interview. This will help you in future interviews and thank you letters.
Do call your RIF recruiter to provide feedback on the interview.
· Do email, fax, or drop off a thank you letter with 24 hours. It is also advisable to send one via regular mail.
HOW TO CLOSE
Employer: Do you have any more questions?
Applicant: Yes, just one- I am extremely interested in this opportunity and I would like to continue with the interview process.
Choose one: 1. What do I need to do to get to the next step?
2. Am I the type of person you are looking to hire?
3. Will you be recommending me for the position?
4. Who can I meet with next?
Sometimes, the employer will not set up the next step at your first request. Instead, they will throw out an objection for you to overcome. Here are some typical objections:
1. I am interviewing several more people before I make my decision.
2. We have other candidates with strong experience.
3. I’d like you to think about it and get back to me.
4. I’ll be calling your recruiter with my decision.
Here are possible answers to overcome each objection:
1. Great, if you could make a decision today though, is there any reason you wouldn’t send me to the next step?
2. Pinpoint what makes the other candidates stronger and overcome this objection i.e. “Oh, but I didn’t tell you-when I was at XYZ restaurant, I did all the local marketing and increased profits by etc…
3. I have already researched your company and know that I want to move forward with the interview process, so let’s schedule the next step.
4. Great – I’ll be calling my recruiter as well and telling her how very interested I am and I hope she hears the same from you. Thank you for your time today.
QUESTIONS TO PREPARE FOR
Be prepared to answer questions similar to these. Please note that these are just example questions and should not be construed as an exhaustive list.
Behavioral questions are becoming an increasingly large percentage of the questions asked in interviews. Behavioral interviewing is a structured pattern of questions designed to probe your past behaviors in situations to get a perspective on how you would handle similar situations in the future. The focus of these questions is the thought process you went through to solve the problem.
1. Tell me about yourself?
2. What have you learned from your previous career?
3. Describe a work experience where you held a leadership role.
4. What qualifications do you have that make you think you will be successful in this company?
5. What two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction? Why?
6. What is the biggest project you ever had to plan? How did you organize the situation?
7. In what type of work environment are you most comfortable?
8. Do you have a geographical preference? Why?
9. Will you relocate? Does relocation bother you?
10. Why the Restaurant Industry?
11. Why this Restaurant Concept?
12. Why did you leave, or why do you want to leave your current/last position?
13. Tell me about you Management Strengths. Weakness?
14. As a Restaurant Manager how do you control costs:
Food
Labor
15. What do you want to accomplish in your first year with this company?
16. Where do you want to be in 3-5 years?
17. What motivates you?
18. Why should we hire you – how do you stand out?
19. What are you looking for in a position?
20. What do you know about our company?
21. What qualities do you think a top restaurant manager should possess?
22. Where else are you interviewing?
23. What is your biggest achievement?
24. What is your biggest failure? What did you learn from it?
25. What do you see yourself doing in 5 years – what position do you see yourself in.
26. In you current position or past positions, what features did you like the most? Least?
27. What would be your ideal job?
28. How do you define success?
29. What do you do in your spare time?
30. What books have you read recently?
31. Do you have a problem with commuting to work?
32. How do you think those that know you would describe you?
33. Give an example of a time you had a conflict with a co-worker and how did you handle it.
34. How do you work under pressure?
35. Did you ever work for a Manager you didn’t care for? What did you do about it?
36. Describe the relationship that should exist between a supervisor and their subordinates.
37. Give me a specific example of a time when you dealt with a disgruntled customer.
38. Tell me about an important goal you set for yourself and how you achieved it.
39. Give me an example of a particular time you had to be persuasive in order to get your idea across.
40. Tell me about a time when you worked really hard for something over a period of time and did not get it.
QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK
1. What would I be expected to accomplish in this position?
2. What are the greatest challenges in this position?
3. How do you think I fit the position?
4. Describe your most successful employees.
5. What training will I receive? Where does that training happen?
6. What has your career path been?
7. What do you love/like about XYZ company?
8. What expectations do you have for the company over the next 5 years? 10 years?
9. What are my opportunities for advancement?
10. What separates your top managers from everyone else?
11. What is your competitive edge?
12. What is your company doing to gain market share?
13. If you had to isolate 3 things that determine a person’s success with your company, what would they be?
SELLING YOURSELF
FAB (Feature – Advantage – Benefit) Selling
During the interview, it is essential that you SELL YOURSELF. Feature-Advantage-Benefit Selling is a fabulous way to do this!! FAB selling teaches you to effectively sell yourself by using personal examples.
FEATURE: A fact that sets you apart from other people.
ADVANTAGE: A specific, personal example that supports your fact.
BENEFIT: How your fact and example benefit the employer.
As an example: FEATURE: Motivated
ADVANTAGE: While at XYZ Company, I was regularly sent to
under producing stores to coach and mentor the staff and
increase profits.
BENEFIT: I can bring my coaching/motivating technique and
skills to your company and achieve positive results.
Below are additional features many employers look for in their candidates. Examine your background and complete the advantage and benefit chart below.