The Job Interview Pro Bowl (1979)

Heat. Heat. [music] [music] [music] [music] >> [music] [music] >> Welcome again to the job interview pro bowl. We have an exciting slate of interviews lined up for you today. The competitors are preparing themselves. The arena is being made ready and the action will begin shortly. Remember, this is the big one. The applicants will be competing for perhaps the biggest stakes in their careers, a full-time job. For some of the crafty old veterans, the person winning today's match could mean a major job advancement into a better position. For some of the talented rookies, it could mean their first job ever. Now, let's go remote to Dan Merryweather for a special report. Thank you, Howard. I've got the head of the employer team here with me, Mrs. Robera Giles. Tell me, Mrs. Giles, what do you expect to see in today's job interviews? >> Dan, I think we're going to see some really great applicants competing for starting positions today. We've screened them carefully, so we're sure of seeing only the top competitors in today's finals. But we understand that while we're evaluating the applicants, they're going to be judging us. You know, it's a fascinating situation. The interviewer is trying to convince the applicant that our company would be a fine place to work. And the applicant is trying to convince the interviewer that he or she would be an outstanding employee. And both of them are simultaneously trying to size up the other one. You know, a brisk job interview is a fascinating spectator sport. >> Well, thank you, Mrs. Giles. And back to you, Howard. There you have it. Remember, this is where you heard it. Now, before the action begins, let's meet the participants. Elellanena Gimble, high school graduate, trying out the position of assistant traffic manager. This is her first appearance on the job interview Pro Bowl. Let's see how she trained for today's encounter. >> Howard, I've been getting ready for this chance for years. I've studied hard in school, taken courses that I think should be useful to me in my work, and worked part-time during the summers in a similar job. >> Okay, Elena, that's the type of long-term training that got you into the finals. But what did you do to get ready for today's encounter? Well, I know I'm going to have to sell myself to the company if I want this job. So, I found out everything I could about the company and the job. >> How did you do that, Ellena? >> Well, I got in touch with the public relations department here and I got a hold of the latest stockholders report and a lot of other literature on the company. Then I talked with some people who are working in the job I'm applying for to find out exactly what was involved. I didn't want to look dumb if they asked me what I knew about the job. >> A very systematic approach indeed. >> Thank you. Besides finding out about the company, I've tried hard to imagine all the questions the interviewer might ask me. And I've tried to think of the best answers. In fact, I've even rehearsed my answers. I think I'm ready for anything they might throw at me today. The selfless dedication that builds champions. Any other preparations? >> Well, of course, I took special care in picking out something appropriate to wear today, and I took plenty of time to get ready so that I look my best. >> Good solid strategy, Elena. You look like a winner to me. Now, back to Dan Merryweather. Howard, this is George Miller. George is representing the employer team and he's the guy who's going to be interviewing Eleanor in just a few moments. Now, how about it, George? What will you be looking for out there today? >> Well, Dan, our game plan really doesn't change much from interview to interview. We're mainly trying to find out what sort of person the applicant is. >> Well, can you be a bit more specific? >> Sure. By the time we get to the final interview, we usually know quite a bit about the person's background, level of schooling, work experience, and so forth. >> Well, how do you know that, George? >> Well, most of our better applicants supply us with a written resume in advance. And of course, we always ask the job candidate to fill out our own employment application forms. We go over the resume and the application to see what sort of academic background the applicant has, courses, grades, level of schooling, >> right? >> And we are interested in writing skills. >> Well, uh, now is that important? >> Sure is. Almost any position in any company today requires a certain ability to express yourself clearly in writing. Well, but all this stuff with the resume and the application form, now that all comes before the interview, right? >> That's correct, Dan. We look upon the interview as a chance to size up the applicant in person. Come here. >> Well, now you mean you're checking out their personality, their poise, their enthusiasm, things like that. >> Exactly. And we're interested in their personal appearance. Do they take pride in looking good, Dan? Will they project a positive image of the company if they're hired? You'd be surprised at some of the weird outfits and hairds people wear to come in for job interviews. Here are photos of some extreme examples I've run into during interviews. >> Dan, they didn't have a chance at a job with us. >> Oh, yeah. But if somebody is applying for a job as a heavy equipment mechanic or a paint sprayer, well, does it really matter how they dress for their interview? >> It does to us, Dan, because we think that the way a person grooms and dresses is a pretty good indicator of how that person feels about herself or himself. You'd be surprised at how accurately we can predict how an applicant will perform on the job just by the way they act and dress at the job interview. Well, that's interesting. Say, George, I wanted you to tell our viewers what this thing's for. >> Sure, be glad to. >> Dan, this is an enlargement of the form I use while interviewing an applicant. Now, you can see here exactly what we're rating them on. We're especially interested in how well the applicant communicates orally. Then we try to evaluate them for enthusiasm, self-confidence, aggressiveness and initiative, moral standards, leadership potential, ability to get along with people, personal appearance, preparation for the interview, and long range goals and objectives. >> Now, is this the kind of thing that most interviewers try to find out? Well, Dan, it might vary a bit from company to company, but yes, I'd say those characteristics would be found on most interviewers forms. >> Well, now let me ask you this, George. If you could give just one piece of advice to beginning job hunters who are going to be interviewed, what could you tell them? >> Dan, I think I'd advise them to be realistic about their abilities and absolutely honest in answering the interviewer's questions. Well, now, have you ever had problems with people not giving you straight answers? >> Yes, Dan, and I suppose most professional interviewers have run into this more often than we care to think about. >> Well, can you give me an example? >> Well, say a man got fired from his job and he was out of work for a while. He might try to cover that up by saying he was consulting at the time. >> Well, do you usually catch people who fib to you? >> Usually, we do. We check their references and listen for discrepancies during the interview. It usually comes out. Well, >> now what happens when you find out that somebody hasn't been straight with you? >> Dan, we disqualify that person immediately. >> Well, isn't that pretty rough treatment? >> We don't think so. We just don't need employees we can't trust. >> I see. So, you'd advise all job applicants to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. >> Absolutely. We can sometimes overlook past mistakes or take a chance on someone who lacks experience, but we cannot ignore dishonesty. >> Dan. Dan. >> Yes, Alan. >> The interview is about to begin. Ellen had just arrived. >> Right. Well, back to you, Howard. Thank you, Dan. A most enlightening interlude. Now, let's go down to the conference table where the action is about to begin. Mr. >> Miller will be with you in a minute. Thank you. Miss Gimble, I'm George Miller. >> How do you do, Mr. Miller? >> Won't you have a chair, please? >> Thank you. >> I've gone over your resume carefully. Very nice. It's clear, complete, and well organized. >> That's nice of you to say. I put a lot of effort into writing it. >> It shows. Well, today I think I just want to get better acquainted with you, Miss Gimble. uh answer any questions you might have about the company or the job and maybe get some more information on your background and long-range career goals. >> Fine. I'd be glad to answer any questions. >> Okay. Why don't you tell me something about yourself and your family? Sort of a brief life history. >> I was born in Springfield. I lived there until I was 9 years old. Um I have two brothers. My oldest one just got married and the younger one is a sophomore in high school. My dad works at the plant just down the way. >> While Elellanena delineates her personal history, let's pause for comments on the opening moments of the interview. >> Howie, I think Eleanor is starting off strong. She's enthusiastic and confident. >> I like her eye contact >> right now. That's one of the things that George will be looking for. Now, she's not bashful about looking him right square in the eye when she talks. She seems alert yet relaxed. Really good form. Any experienced interviewer is sensitive to the applicant's nonverbal behavior. Tell me, Dan, how do you rate her verbal facility? Oh, what's that mean, Howie? Well, do you think she's articulate? Does she express herself without obfuscation and lobration? Well, do you mean is she a smooth talker? >> That's right, Dan. >> Oh, well, you bet. She's doing a great job, and that's one of the most important things to any interviewer. >> Let's get back to the action. >> That's fine, Miss Gimble. We've been over your school record and your work experience now, so let's talk about your long range career goals. Just exactly what do you want to be doing a few years from now? I think it'll probably take me about two years to really understand all the aspects of the job of assistant traffic manager. Meanwhile, I'm enrolling in night courses in accounting and business administration at City College. After two years of on the job training and the college work, I should be ready to move up. I'd like to be traffic manager as soon as I can handle it and well as soon as there's an opening in any of the divisions. Eventually, I'd like to work my way up to regional or or even national distribution manager. >> Let's look at a portion of that again on instant replay. In the meantime, I'm enrolling in night courses in accounting and business administration at City College. After two years of on the job training and the college work, I'm sure I'll be ready to move up. >> A very impressive performance. Elena exhibited extraordinary self-confidence, initiative, and poise with that answer. >> And that was a crucial test for her. Howie, a lot of applicants are wiped out by that question. >> Exactly. So, either they overestimate their own potential and set up unrealistically high career goals or they clearly have not formulated any definite career objectives for themselves. >> But oh, Eleanor came through with flying colors. >> Indeed, she did. Her exhaustive preparations for this interview are standing her in goodstead. Hey, I think something's going on down there. >> So, it wouldn't bother you to relocate to another part of the country if you were transferred. >> No, I like to travel and I don't mind moving, but I do have a minor health problem, so I have to live in a fairly dry climate. Do you think that will count against me? >> Oh, I wouldn't think so, Miss Kimble. The important thing is you were honest about it, and that counts for a lot. >> Good. >> Now, do you have any questions you'd like to ask me about the company or the job? I have a fairly good overall picture of the company. I know you have 13,000 employees, six regional divisions, and the company is involved in the communication field, consumer hard goods, and recreation. >> You've done your homework. >> Thank you. I do have some specific questions about the job, though. Um, I have a general understanding of the duties of the job of assistant traffic manager, but I'd like to find out exactly how I would fit into the department. Would I take all of my assignments from the traffic manager or would I answer to other supervisors, too? >> Okay, fair question. I'll try to explain how that works. You see, our company, >> we're now moving into the second round of the job interview. The roles will be reversed. So Ellen will be asking the questions and George will be responding to her inquiries, but he will be evaluating the quality of those questions even as he is answering them. Well, I figure that Elellaner is a pretty sharp old gal. Now, she's going to be asking him some mighty hard-nosed questions about the company's policies on working conditions, job advancement, sick leave, vacation time, compensation, insurance, and all the rest of that good stuff. Howie, >> and well, she might, Dan. It's essential that she make an intelligent decision about whether to accept a position with this company, should she be offered one. >> Well, yeah, Howie. But let's don't forget George's responsibility during this part of the interview. Now, he's out to sell the company to Eleanor for all he's worth. Absolutely. He wants to leave each and every applicant with a highly favorable impression of the company, whether the applicant gets the job or not. I remember the classic encounter during the 1977 season when you'll probably >> Excuse me, Howie, but I think they're about to wind it up. Let's get back down to the conference table for the conclusion. >> So, this company values the people who work here, Miss Gimble. All of our personnel policies and job compensation programs are designed to contribute to the job satisfaction of our employees. Does that answer your question? >> Yes, and thank you. I now have a clear understanding of the job and the company. Unless you have any other questions for me, I I know I've taken up enough of your valuable time as it is. Thank you. >> Hey, beautiful. Chalk one up for Eleanor. She is really running up the score now. She knows when the interview is over, and she is not going to make it awkward for George to get rid of her. >> She's demonstrated a remarkably welldeveloped sense of timing for a beginner. >> And talking with me, Miss Gimble, I enjoyed our little chat. I'll send my recommendations on to our personnel supervisor and you'll be hearing from us either way. >> Well, thank you for taking the time to see me. Um, if you need to reach me for any reason, my parents' phone number is on my resume. >> Very good. Goodbye. >> Goodbye. >> Plus, another job interview becomes history. Tell me, Dan, what is your conceded opinion of today's interview? >> Well, how it was just a super win. George is a real pro. He did his usual fine job. And Ellaner, well, she is something else. I've never seen a rookie do any better. Now, let's move over to our unofficial scoreboard and see how we think Elellanena stacks up. I'd have to give her a perfect score of 10 for oral communication, enthusiasm, >> right, >> and self-confidence. >> Definitely. Certainly, she established her aggressiveness and initiative when she stated her intentions to enroll in night classes for advanced studies. [snorts] Now, I think she showed high moral standards and honesty when she volunteered that information about her health problem. >> Right you are. Now, let's check out the scores on the rest of these characteristics. Leadership potential, >> that's a 10. Ability to get along with people. >> Definitely >> very important. >> Personal appearance. >> Well, that's the most definite 10 I've ever seen. >> It's hard to fault her on any of these characteristics. Preparation for the interview. >> Give her a 10 on that one, Howie. She was ready. >> Long range goals and objectives. >> Shoot her the big 10. It looks like a flawless performance to me and a perfect score. >> Yeah, Howie, but you ain't giving away the prizes. It's up to the company to total up the official score and hand out the job to the winner. >> True, but I have the uncanny capability for being absolutely right about everything I say. >> Uhhuh. Well, I'd just like to say one last word to all those good folks out there and our viewing audience. You know, job interviewing is not just an exciting spectator sport. It can be a rewarding activity to participate in, too. Now, you don't have to wait to get on our show. There's plenty of competition going on for jobs out there every day. If you'll just study the basics and get yourself a good game plan and train hard the way Elanor did, why then you can be a winner, too. Now, I'm expecting to see you in the big time real soon. You here [music]