The Art of Interviewing:
Winning the Job (You Want)
Lynn Wecker, Ph.D.
Distinguished University Professor
Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine
University of South Florida College of Medicine
EB Workshop
8 April 2008
The Purpose of the Interview
Is this a place
where I would
like to be?
Do we
want her?
Remember that the interview is a fact-finding mission
for both sides.
The Interview: A Two-Way Street
Their goal
To determine whether you have all the best qualities and
skills the institution needs to be successful.
How do you present yourself?
What research and teaching experience do you have?
What are your short- and long-term goals?
Are you results and performance driven?
The Interview: A Two-Way Street
Your goal
To determine whether you want this position at this institution
Is this a place where I would like to work?
What is the culture like and do I fit in?
How long have faculty been here?
What are attitudes towards women and minorities?
What is expected of me?
Do my goals and attitudes match those of other faculty?
What are the values of the institution?
The Preface
Many questions can and should be
answered prior to your interview.
Do your homework!!!!
Identifying the scientific strengths/weaknesses of the
institution and research support infrastructure is easy.
Discovering the values, attitudes, and culture is more
difficult.
What is the institution seeking?
• Most institutions today are using competency-based
interviews to determine which individual best fills their
needs.
• Candidates are evaluated based on: competencies,
technical expertise, work history & references.
• Competency-based interviews

use behavioral questions to help interviewers evaluate
candidates based on critical competencies identified
for a particular position

are based on the theory that the best predictor of
future behavior is past behavior
What are competencies?
• a description of measurable work habits and skills used to
achieve an objective
• characteristics, behavior, knowledge, and skills required to
differentiate performance
• key characteristics held by the most successful performers
that help them achieve success
habits and skills you have
competencies = success factors = developed that have
enabled you to achieve
your objectives
The Top 10 competencies
• initiative
• integrity
• information seeking
• interpersonal
understanding
• impact & influence
• conceptual thinking
• achievement/results
oriented
• customer service
orientation
• organizational
awareness
• analytical thinking
Thoughts
One of the most frequently used
competencies is motivation to achieve
Are you results and performance driven?
Are you goal-oriented?
Are you relentlessly focused?
Do you think creatively?
Do you remain persistent when you encounter obstacles?
The Plan
identify the relevant competencies required for the position and be
prepared to answer questions with a focus on these attributes
•
•
•
•
What is your greatest accomplishment?

teaching/mentoring

research
How did you approach it?

creativity

analytical and conceptual thinking

information seeking
What obstacles did you have to overcome?

be objective as we all have weaknesses
What did you learn from this experience and how have you
used what you've learned?

increased awareness, understanding
Introspection - Know thyself
Who are you?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
What are you looking for?
Where do you want to be in 5 years?
Where do you want to be in 10 years?
Will this institution provide the environment for me to reach
my goals?
Always Remember
• how well you perform on the interview provides the
interviewers an idea of the quality of work they can
expect from you in the future
• the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior