1. Interview Workshop for Saltire Foundation 2015
Rhona Gibson
Work Placement Officer/Careers Adviser

2. Today’s Session What does the Saltire Foundation look for?
Demonstrating key competencies
You’re a STARR!
Back to basics
Additional Resources

3. Learning Outcomes By the end of this workshop you should
Understand how to prepare for a speed interview
Feel more confident about attending an interview
Be able to structure your answers
Understand how to deal with challenging questions
Have some ideas for your own questions

4. Speed Activity Find out 3 things (that you didn’t know before) about your neighbour. You have 45 seconds each.

5. You’ve been invited to an interview on Thursday! What next?

6. Arrangements You must bring the following to your interview:
Photographic identification (e.g. passport, driver's licence)
Student card or alternative documentation confirming you will graduate in 2016
“Candidates who do not bring these items to interview will be denied entry.”

7. On the day…
Make sure that you are happy with your interview outfit/suit - is it business appropriate? Do you have everything you need?
Leave with plenty of time to spare
Know where you are going (Dundee? Glasgow?)
Take a copy of your application form with you

8. You have 2 fifteen minute interviews
One interview is with a previous Saltire Scholar
One interview is with a professional from within the Saltire Foundation network. 
Interviews are competency based.
Around 10 students are interviewed at one time, creating “an exciting and relaxed atmosphere”.  

9. General competencies Skills Knowledge Self-image Values Habits Motives
What you can do
Skills
What you know
Knowledge
How you see yourself
Self-image
What you think is important
Values
Things you do without thinking
Habits
What drives your behaviour
Motives

10. Saltire Foundation Key Competencies
Achieving your goals
Leadership
How you adjust to situations
Adapting and Coping
Influencing, co-operation
Teamwork
Tenacity, initiative, energy
Personality
Investing in Scotland’s future
Understanding Saltire

11. Competency-based questions
Tell me about a time when you worked as part of a team. What role did you play? What did you personally contribute?
Describe a recent event you were responsible for. What factors did you have to consider?
What do you think are your key strengths that make you suitable for this organisation?
Please describe a time when you saw an opportunity to really make a difference for the future of a group, an activity or yourself. What did you do? … in other words it’s all about you! 11

12. First impressions … are critical!
Smile at your interviewer: appeal to their subconscious.
Look them in the eye… but don't stare them down!
Shake their hand with confidence.
Be aware of body language (yours and theirs).

13. Tips for Saltire Interviews
Read the case studies and blogs
That scholar may be interviewing you!
Read the Fellowship pages
To understand where the internships fit into Saltire’s bigger picture, and the aims of the organisation as a whole.

14. Over to you Ask your partner your allocated question
You have 1 minute!
Feedback: did they answer the question? Were they enthusiastic? What was their tone of voice like?
What would you have answered if you’d been asked that question?

15. Remember that you are a STARR!
Situation – set the scene
Task or objective
Action – what you did
Result – what was the outcome
Reflection – what did you learn

16. Over to you: speed interviews
Take turns to ask your partner your allocated questions
You have 1 minute per question!
Was STARR evident? Did you feel it helped shape your answer?
What would you do if you feel you don’t know the answer to the question asked?
What kind of questions would you ask your interviewer?

17. What else can I do? Use Careers Service website and resources
Ask last year’s Saltire Scholars for top tips
Be aware of news and current affairs:
BBC
Scotsman
Herald
P&J

18. Learning Outcomes Review
This workshop should have enabled you to:
Understand how to prepare for a speed interview
Feel more confident about attending an interview
Be able to structure answers to interview questions
Understand how to deal with challenging questions
Have some ideas for asking your own questions

19. Questions?