Congratulations! You've landed an interview, now let's make the most of it. This course covers the following topics:

  • Interview performance: employed candidate versus in-transition candidate.
  • Roadmap to the hiring manager: Pre-interview networking - knowing what questions you'll be asked.
  • What are your questions for them?

Intro Video Transcript

Job Interview Skills – Online Training By John Kogan- CEO of Illumeo This is John Kogan. I’m the CEO of Illumeo the online community for Corporate Finance Accounting, Treasury and related Professionals. I’d like to welcome everyone to today’s webinar titled “Interview Skills” so, congratulations! You’ve landed an interview. Now let’s make the most of it. This webinar will cover the following topics: • Interview Performance • Employed candidate versus in-transition candidate • Road map to the hiring Manager (which covers pre interviewed networking) • Knowing what questions you’ll be asked • Determining what your questions will be Joining us this morning is Mark Richards – who’s the Finance Executive and creator of candidateschair.com Mark is currently helping Success Factors in an immigrated company they recently purchased in Minnesota, while Mark was the consultant CFO. Mark started off in public accounting twenty five years ago and has been in corporate finance roles for the past twenty years. His roles have included being CFO for six start-up companies, an SVP for the Royal Bank of Canada in their U.S. wealth management division and a Director of international finance firm House of Companies. Mark developed candidateschair.com after a job transition and has been chair of a local finance executive group in Minnesota for five years. The site has drawn visitors from over ninety countries, and over twenty five thousand copies of his job search tools have been downloaded from his site. Mark also has two of the most read blog posts ever on Illumeo. So, Mark, thanks so much for joining us here and why don’t I let you take it away. Mark: Thanks John, appreciate it. Welcome everybody. As John said, for me, I started my candidates chair after I had my own job transition. So everything that you see here is really based upon my experience and the experience of my fellow colleagues that I’ve met in my job transition and in my running a local networking chapter and in Minnesota I’ve probably met with a couple of hundred finance executives. So a lot of it is not just my experience, it’s kind of a collective view of all the things that I’ve learned and just put in one place. And it’s really from a perspective of someone that’s looking from the job and not so much from a recruiter or HR person, but kind of what we face day to day looking for work. And also, been working with John at Illumeo the last couple of years and I’ve enjoyed it immensely. So we have a series up there today also on Illumeo. You’ll see that there’s other job search series that we’ve done. That John and I have done together. So a lot of that relates to helping you set your expectations for search and different types of networking that you can do to help you land that job. And as John talked about today, these are very specific tactics on how to improve your interview skills. So, I’m going to talk about my Outline today. The first thing to talk about is your expectations. And when I talk about where you need to be, I’m really talking about being in control. All that’s being interviewed and those interviewed before, what you’ll often find is that people are picking up your resumes, you walking into their office, and so to me, after seeing that several times, I realized that I had a lot more control then I was prepared. And I don’t mean control in a bad way like I’m trying to do something unethical, it just allows me to make sure that I was able to take control and remember everything that I needed to deliver in that interview. So we’ll start there at the expectations and then we’ll move on to which I think is part of your prep work, is matching your skills to the job which is really kind of understanding yourself, the business and really getting down to what’s critical in the role. From there we’ll go into talking about the preparation of your network. Using your network to help fill in any of the gaps you’ve got, find out who you’re interviewing, then if possible start to spread your message inside your company before you even get there. Then we’ll go into what I think is the heart of the interviewing process which are the question, and these are both questions that you’ll ask and questions that you’ll answer, and this to me is probably where if you invest time in this, this is where you’ll really stand out from other candidates. Talk about interviewing strategies once you actually get in there and then lastly coming up with a strong finish for yourself, and I make this coloration between dating and job search which we can talk about when we get to it. Then, there’s always something that doesn’t go right and what’s the best approach if something doesn’t go well in your interview and how to fix that. Discussion Outline: Interview Expectations: • Where you need to be • What you own • Define an outcome Match Skills to Job: • Understand Yourself • Understand Business • What’s critical to Role Preparation with Network: • Fill in the Blanks • Interviewers • Deliver your Message Questions to Ask and Answer: • Match Yourself • Clarify the Role • What’s important Interview Strategy: • Housekeeping • Questions • Close it Down Strong Finish (for you): • Dating and Job Search • Clarify Error • Thanks Hiring Manager (Interview: Googling a Question) So let’s start with... I think its interviewing people that are like Googling the questions, I see people don’t Google answers they Google questions and so, if you take an interview from a Hiring Manager’s perspective, the first thing that they look at from a candidate is:  Can He/ She help succeed? And they don’t say this in an anarchistic way but the reality is they’re looking to have somebody on their team to make them successful. They’re looking to have someone take some of the stress off them or handle some of the issues that they’ve got in the company. So the first thing they’re always looking at is: “Can this person help me succeed?” Then they look for:  Do you have the skills that I don’t have time to teach you? So what are the skills that they want right off the back? They’re going to be looking for very specific things because usually there is some sort of issues that needs to get managed right off the back and so they’re trying to think about:  What are the skills that are absolutely critical to me? And then lastly, when I look at people you know, they say I’m looking for a finance person that has a lot of experience with the Sales Team. So, that’s the type of things that people are talking about, I’m looking for somebody that has a specific type of experience. They don’t look for “I want someone with 3-5 years and a degree in Public Accounting.” That’s not what they want. What they want is someone that can work with the Sales Team. And lastly, they just think about:  Will He / She fit around here? So they’re trying to get a sense of your cultural hit. So, as they’re looking that’s the questions that they have. You: (Personality and cultural background) What you want to offer in return is:  What’s your promise  Skills that support the promise  Experiences that developed your skills And when I look at your set, really the first method you want to give in your promise is “What’s the promise and what you bring to that company.” So for example if you had to say: “In addition to all my typical finance work, I have worked with over a hundred clients during Pricing, Client Calls etc... so I’m great layered on in between Sales and Finance. So that’s what the Hiring Managers are looking for. That’s the promise that you bring, sure you’ve got lots of other finance experience but you want to bring that promise to match up as best you can with what the Hiring Manager is looking for and underneath your promise, that’s where you start to talk about what your skills are and the basis to support it and lastly, What were the experiences that developed those skills? And those are, your skills and experience are what support your promise and then lastly as you share, you talk about what your personality is and your management style, your work style and kind of, where have you worked? Have you work in family owned business? Because you know that’s different than a publicly owned or a very small company or a large company, whatever it is those are the things that you’ll share. So, if you start here, these are the things that the Hiring Manager is looking for. It really provides a good background for where we’re going to go and where you should be studying when you think about how you want to approach an interview.

Course Series

This course is included in the following series:

7 CoursesManaging Your Career

  1. Why You Need to Compete in Your Career
  2. What is The Road Map to Career Success?
  3. Target Your Next Job: How to Develop Your Personal Marketing Plan
  4. Building A Great Corporate Resume
  5. Interview Essentials and Resume Writing Course
  6. Job Interview Skills Training
  7. Succession Planning
Learning Objectives
  • Discover best practices in preparing for an interview.
  • Recognize what to do and what not to do during an interview.
  • Discover how to effectively close the deal after an interview.
Last updated/reviewed: August 27, 2023
102 Reviews (378 ratings)

Reviews

4
Member's Profile
The material covered is useful and seems timeless. I wish there was some discussion of managing remote interviews and even of the new trend to have people video tape themselves or take some type of non-skills based test as these are becommint more comon assessment tools.

5
Member's Profile
I think this was a solid, high level course for all interviewing. Oftentimes we may know and have come across these points, but it does a good job placing the points into 1 presentation and this is a great refresher course.

2
Anonymous Author
I rated this course as just "OK", because the sound quality is atrocious. It was a listening ordeal. The speaker does make a lot of interesting points, some of which I may use when preparing for my next job interview.

4
Anonymous Author
As someone who is starting to look for new opportunities, I found the topics a good reminder of how to properly prepare myself for interviews, as well as things I should/should not be doing while in the interview.

4
Anonymous Author
Provided a practical overview and very helpful things to think about in preparation for an interview. The course works for first time interviews, interviews throughout a career, as well as transition roles.

3
Member's Profile
I disliked that many of the links didn't work in the presentation. It would have been helpful to provide more detail around asking and answering questions although the instructor did have some good examples

5
Member's Profile
This is a great course for helping in interviewing for a job or even being the interviewer. I learned a lot about how to get through an interview and would recommend this to all of my coworkers.

5
Member's Profile
I like how the presenter discussed the topic based on his and others experiences. It is very informative. The course provides the interviewees a blue print on how to conduct an interview process.

5
Anonymous Author
It was very organized and informative. Most would benefit from it. I will refer to it often as it was full of a lot of interesting tips and pointers. Question/Answer session at end was great.

2
Member's Profile
its webinar with poor audio recording and two presenters when the job could easily be done by one, nothing special, can fast forward and finish in 20 minutes or google tips on interview

5
There is some very good, very concisely put information here about prep, networking, and most importantly *having a productive conversation*. Very powerful and helpful stuff.

4
Anonymous Author
The course is very informative however the audio was not too clear. The speaker and the facilitator gave so many useful insights for the interviewer and interviewee.

4
Member's Profile
Short and practical if a bit dated at this point (2012 vintage). Some good points about making sure you get what you need from the interview and behaviors to avoid.

4
Anonymous Author
Good course. This course focus on specific tactics to improve interviewing skills. Very solid interview strategy. I like the "Your Answers: Complete and short".

4
Member's Profile
Good concise points for interviewing. Some it is basic common sense. I liked the comparison between job seekers that already have a job and those that don't.

4
Member's Profile
I liked the info about starting out the interview letting the interviewer know you have questions and asking them how they would like to proceed. Great tip!

5
Member's Profile
I really enjoyed this course. It helped me brush up and be ready if I need to interview again in the future. It also helped with my communication skills.

3
Member's Profile
Very helpful refresher. I would've been nice if the audio was better quality. It sounded as if the presenter was speaking through a speaker phone.

5
Anonymous Author
This course was helpful in reinforcing and highlighting common sense points of how to prepare for and how to conduct yourself in an interview.

5
Anonymous Author
Overall a solid course. I thought the tips and skills mentioned were useful for anyone who needs to interview or is doing the interviewing!

5
Member's Profile
although some of the advice might seem too obvious, overall it's a great overview of best practices on how to prepare for the interview

5
Member's Profile
This was an extremely enlightening session and I highly recommend it for those who will be or are going through the interview process.

4
Member's Profile
It was a good course, but the exam questions were confusing. Seemed there were more than one right answer on some of the questions.

4
Anonymous Author
This was a basic course but it did contain useful information so I am satisfied. I would like to see a more advanced class, however.

4
Member's Profile
This was very informative. I have been having a hard time as the interviewer what are the expectations from the other side.

4
Member's Profile
Pretty good perspective and summary on the steps of the interview process, and how to make it go well for both parties.

5
Anonymous Author
Informative and makes you think about prior interviews, what went well and what didn't in order to do better next time.

4
Anonymous Author
It's nice to get valuable input from someone on this side of the fence. The audio could have been a little cleaner.

5
Member's Profile
the course was effective and down to the point. very visual slides and good explanation matching skills to the job.

5
Anonymous Author
It was very informative. I recommend this course for anyone wanting to know/review the basics of job interviewing.

4
Anonymous Author
Good tips on interviewing. It is important to stay up to date on these. You never know when you may need them!

5
Anonymous Author
Great job, thank you so much, really appreciate it, very helpful information, it is a very worthwhile course!

5
Anonymous Author
Good tips for preparing for interviews. The presenter kept it fresh and interesting. I would recommend

5
Member's Profile
Great interview preparation tips subsidized with personal anecdotes, Q&A helped to clarify questions

4
Member's Profile
I took this course right before I had an interview and it definitely helped me feel more confident.

5
Anonymous Author
The presenter shared really good and practical tips that make a lot of sense and are easy to apply.

5
Anonymous Author
Course contained good pertinent information and was well presented. Good refresher/update for me.

5
Member's Profile
This was a great course. While the audio was not great, the content and speaker were very good.

5
Member's Profile
Very practical suggestions for interview. I learned a few new techniques to bring to the table.

Member's Profile
Good course but the audio was difficult to hear. No other Illumeo courses were like this.

5
Member's Profile
Basic but important to hear as we tend to miss the elephant in the room. Nicely presented.

5
Member's Profile
Great advice that could be easily applied to any interview, whether internal or external.

4
Anonymous Author
Good refresher with some suggestions that make sense even for a seasoned interviewee.

3
Member's Profile
it was informative and on point with good examples. a strong course to look at more.

3
Anonymous Author
Good course, a refresher, a check list before you start prepping for an interview

4
Anonymous Author
Good, quick tips and reminders for those interviewing or preparing to interview.

4
Member's Profile
The course was very informative, but the audio quality was less than desirable.

4
Anonymous Author
This simple course was very easy to understand and I would highly recommend it.

5
Anonymous Author
This was an interesting perspective, i learbed quite a few hints on wgat to do.

5
Member's Profile
It was to the point and refreshing. Good advice for anyone about to interview.

5
Member's Profile
This course on interviewing skills was very well rounded in content and advise

4
Anonymous Author
Good Information. Any person seeking employment or wants to change employers.

5
Member's Profile
An excellent and succinct review on what you need to do to nail an interview.

5
Member's Profile
Good course covering interview prep and the actual interview presented well.

4
Anonymous Author
very insightful. Good point about the employed and in-transit candidate.

4
Member's Profile
The course had some good tips that could be helpful in the future.

5
Anonymous Author
A good refresher for anyone going into an interview. Good course.

5
Anonymous Author
This is a great discussion on interview do and donts. Can use now!

4
Anonymous Author
Good conversation regarding the dynamics of the interview process.

4
Anonymous Author
This was a very good course. Highly recommended and informative.

5
Member's Profile
Excellent bullet points and clarity of thoughts while presenting

4
Member's Profile
Good interview tips. Great way to refresh on interview pointers.

5
Member's Profile
very useful tips! Really hadn't considered some of this before.

5
Anonymous Author
Very good information to begin a transition process. thanks

5
Member's Profile
would like to hear more real life examples to tough questions

4
Anonymous Author
Dispelled some common misperceptions to empower interviewee.

4
Anonymous Author
Nice short class that goes over key job interviewing skills!

3
Member's Profile
Basic interview preparation course with focuses on process.

5
Anonymous Author
Very useful advice, well presented. I have watched it twice.

4
Member's Profile
Some of the links no longer work. 404 Web page not found.

5
Anonymous Author
Good resource. Will come back to this again for pointers.

5
Member's Profile
Very practical tips on how to prepare for an interview

5
Anonymous Author
A great course for persons seeking that interview edge

3
Anonymous Author
Quality of the audio isn't as good as other courses.

5
Member's Profile
This should be required for recent college grads.

5
Member's Profile
Thank you very much Mark! Very engaging indeed!

5
Anonymous Author
Excellent course organization and good points!

5
Anonymous Author
Good course on best practices interviewing.

4
Member's Profile
Very good for the prospective interviewee.

5
Anonymous Author
Great course. Would recommend to others.

5
Member's Profile
very practical and helpful. Thank you!

4
Anonymous Author
Good tips for the interview process.

5
Anonymous Author
Not too rushed and very informative.

4
Member's Profile
Good content. Poor audio quality.

4
Anonymous Author
Very informative and concise.

5
Member's Profile
Great course! Very informative.

4
Member's Profile
Parts were very hard to hear.

5
Anonymous Author
Instructor had good examples.

3
Anonymous Author
Useful hints on interviewing

5
Member's Profile
Good common sense advice

5
Member's Profile
Speaker did a nice job.

5
Member's Profile
Some audio difficulty

5
Member's Profile
This course is great

4
Member's Profile
Good refresher!

5
Member's Profile
Very helpful!

4
Anonymous Author
Very helpful

4
Member's Profile
good course

5
Anonymous Author
Great tips!

5
Anonymous Author
Informative

3
Anonymous Author
Good tips.

4
Anonymous Author
Fine

5
Member's Profile
Good

Prerequisites
Course Complexity: Foundational

No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.

Education Provider Information
Company: Illumeo, Inc., 75 East Santa Clara St., Suite 1215, San Jose, CA 95113
Contact: For more information regarding this course, including complaint and cancellation policies, please contact our offices at (408) 400- 3993 or send an e-mail to .
Instructor for this course
Course Syllabus
INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
The Interview Process
  Interview Expectations and Matching Your Skills to the Job5:45
  Network Preparation and Asking/Answering Questions9:24
  Interview Strategy and a Strong Finish11:50
Conclusion
  Where You Want to Land and Q&A8:35
Continuous Play
  Job Interview Skills Training59:10
SUPPORTING MATERIALS
  Slides: Job Interview Skills TrainingPDF
  Job Interview Skills Training Glossary/IndexPDF
REVIEW & TEST
  REVIEW QUESTIONSquiz
 FINAL EXAMexam