Interview Preparation

Congratulations! You made it to the interview! Now maximize your chances of getting selected by being fully prepared for what to expect in a federal interview. The federal job interview is a TEST! Your answer that you give your interview will be SCORED by the panel or the hiring manager. Get prepared with practice and review by an expert interview trainer.

Get ready with a competency and skill review, interview practice by telephone, and discussion of answers. Work with an expert Interview Trainer to improve your techniques and confidence.

We have two expert interview prep services to tailor to your needs and budget. Talking to an expert interview trainer can increase your confidence and examples for your interview.

INTERVIEW QUICK PREP

Getting Ready for the Behavior-Based Interview

In a 90-minute phone consultation, we will provide you:

Insight into the top level skills and competencies for the target position by reviewing the target announcement
Discussion about interview formats for government
Practice on your best success story
An introduction to the Behavior-Based Interview Style

Please be aware that we need 2-3 working days notice to provide you with this service.

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INTERVIEW FULL PREP with audio recording

First session will be preparation and discussion. Second session will be with a recording. You will receive private access to the session recording that you can listen to online. Listen to your words, answers, voice and improve your ability to present your best accomplishments and skills. We will conduct two separate one-hour phone conversations with you and provide:

A Basic Interview Skills packet, including general practice questions
Sample position-specific questions, based on a thorough review of your application materials and vacancy announcement, for practice and preparation
A telephone mock-interview with audio recording, consisting of 5 to 10 interview questions
Question-by-question critique of the mock interview with feedback, suggestions for improvement, and tips on successful interviewing
Follow-up discussion and consultation
Private access to your session recording, so that you can listen and practice your interviewing skills

Please be aware that we need at least one week to schedule the two separate appointments for this service.

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BEHAVIOR-BASED INTERVIEW PREP with audio recording

The Behavioral Based Structured Interview is founded on the premise recent past behavior is the best predictor of future performance in similar circumstances. A Behavioral Based Structured Interview consists of carefully planned, job-related questions that can be systematically scored to reliably identify highly qualified job candidates. An expert federal interview trainer will prepare you for this type of interview giving you the insights and confidence you need.

This service is conducted in-person or by phone. Training is completed in two sessions of 90 minutes each. A prior one hour is included as part of the training for the instructor to review your resume, objectives, ECQs, and other documents. The instructor will prepare sample questions relevant to your situation for practice in the Behavior-Based Interview. The first session will be spent discussing and focusing the accomplishments and message that you will want to present in your interviews. The second session will be role-playing, feedback, and tips on how to improve your presentation in your behavior-based interview.

Specific topics covered:

Understand what the interviewers use as the process for scoring behavioral bench marks to quantify interview responses.
Learn a framework response to the question “Tell us about yourself and what makes you a good applicant for this position?”
Map your accomplishments by ECQ and sub competencies, as identified by OPM, to create a response that matches the structured interview format.
Use a powerfully-created work experience description to develop a compelling statement and response to the interview questions.
Participate in a practical exercise using a videotaped mock SES-level Behavioral Based Structured Interview.
Analyze and review your video of the mock interview and gain insights for improving interview performance.
Understand how to answer the unscored supplemental interview “fit” questions and follow post interview etiquette.

Please be aware that we need at least one week to schedule the two separate appointments for this service.

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Federal Selection Interview: Unrealized Potential

Check out this 2003 report with helpful information about federal job interviews. Download report here » Kathryn’s favorite pages from the report: page 6, 7, 13, and 23.

Call us during office hours: 9 to 5 Eastern time.