1. Interviews and Assessment Centres Preparation
Prepared by:
Career Development & Employment
RMIT University
March 2012
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2. The Interview: a two-way process
For the employer, an interview is a way of
clarifying information in your resume
searching for the skills and experience you offer
searching for negative information
establishing your potential for development
assessing your communication skills and “cultural fit”
For the applicant, the interview is a way of identifying
career opportunities and training
positive and negative aspect of work conditions
experiencing the “culture” of the organisation
INTERVIEWS .
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3. Types of interviews Structured Unstructured Panel interviews
Group interviews
Case study based interviews
Pre-screened on-line
Telephone/video conference
Questions: open or closed
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4. The Assessment Centre Individual and group Activities Presentation
In-tray exercise
Case study or written exercise
Psychometric and aptitude testing
Behavioural interview
Social or informal events
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5. Behavioural interviews
“Behavioural interviews are
based on the assumption that
past behaviour is the best predictor
of future performance”
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6. Competencies/skills: Where to find examples
Relevant experiences to draw upon include:
university projects
part- time work experiences
vacation work
voluntary work
extra-curricular activities
personal achievements
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7. Tips for answering behavioural questions
STAR technique
Describe the SITUATION
Outline the TASK required of you
Explain the ACTION (Approach you took)
What was the RESULT (Outcome)?
Don’t generalise: the interviewer wants to hear about a SPECIFIC situation
Use EXAMPLES- ideally within past 1-2 years
(relevant examples from last 2 years secondary school ok eg. leadership positions)
Avoid using ‘we’: what did YOU do?
Don’t be alarmed if you feel you are being interrogated!
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8. Behavioural interviews - question openings
Tell me about a time when…
“ Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult person?
Give me an example of… “Can you give an example where you have used imagination to solve a problem?”
Describe a time when….
“Describe a time when you had to use reference materials to write a research paper. What was the topic? What journals did you read?
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9. Behavioural interviews - follow up/ probing questions
What was your role?
Can you give me an example?
What did you do?
What were you thinking?
What did you say?
What were you feeling?
What was the outcome?
How were you involved?
How did you react?
What happened next? •
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10. General Questions: About you, about us
Why did you choose to study……..?
Why do you want this job?
What are your short and long-term career goals?
What are your weaknesses? Your strengths?
Which area of our company interests you most?
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11. Preparation: what will my visit consist of?
Assessment Centre
what type of activities will be involved?
how many other participants?
What competencies will be assessed?
Interview
how many people will be interviewing me?
what kind of things will be discussed?
Tests
what kind of tests should I expect?
You may be required to complete a range of selection processes
Eg………..slide
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12. Preparation: thinking about the organisation
What do they do?
Who are their clients
How are they structured?
Difference in functions?
Source of funding?
Growth rate?
Challenges within industry?
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13. Preparation: what are they looking for?
Review your application
What ‘transferable’ or ‘generic’ competencies are they seeking?
What ‘content’ or ‘technical’ knowledge, skills are they seeking?
Selection criteria?
‘Key words’ and information can be identified in:
recruitment literature
the advertisement or position description
conversations with current employees
company web-site/annual report
newspapers/magazines
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14. Preparation- Practise Practise Practise!
Practise discussing your experiences out loud!
Anticipate questions- What would you want to know if you were the interviewer?
Practise with a friend (or in front of a mirror!)
Time your responses
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15. Preparation: be punctual!
Where is the interview located?
How will I get there?
How long will it take me?
Where will I park?
“Dry run” if necessary or possible –
It might be useful to come earlier so that you can find a place to have a cool drink/coffee and go to the bathroom to tidy yourself before you enter the actual office building for the interview
• 'dry run' is an old fashioned term for a rehearsal so that you run yourself through it. You might add that it might be best for the interviewee to drive to the place a few days earlier to know how to get there, where to park, etc.
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16. Preparation: your appearance
BE WELL GROOMED AND NEATLY DRESSED!
First impressions do count
Dress to suit the profession you have chosen
Dress within the expectations of the interviewer
For interviews for Graduate programs a suit is generally appropriate dress, tie for males, skirt (not too short!) in preference to pants for females
Pay attention to general grooming - hair tidy, nails clean, shoes clean, not too much jewellery and so forth
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17. Preparation: what to take with you
File containing:
interview documents including letter, position details, etc
copy of letter and resume/application form originally sent
originals of academic transcripts
references (some may decline to read)
List of questions you would like answered
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18. The Interview Format Vary from 20 - 60 minutes
Interviewer often takes notes
Stage 1: an icebreaker
Stage 2: “About You” questions
Stage 3: Wrapping it up
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19. The Interview – correct etiquette
Nerves are natural!
Firm (not too hard!) handshake
Don’t chew gum
Don’t be afraid to smile
Be honest, enthusiastic, professional, interested and positive
Thank the interviewer for their time
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20. The Interview: verbal and non-verbal communication
Speak clearly and look directly at the interviewer while speaking
Listen!
Draw breath!
Complete your sentences
Avoid monotone responses
Sit comfortably but maintain
posture
Watch for distracting gestures
Don’t move and shift in your chair
Eye contact suggests interest and sincerity
If there is more than one interviewer shift your glance between the interviewers
Nod and Mmmmm to show you are listening
Try to be you!
The right body language shows that you are confident and believable
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21. Tips when answering questions
Don’t ramble: pause, think and respond. Don’t be afraid of silence
Emphasise the positives and play down the negatives
Ask for clarification if unsure
Counter negatives with a positive
DON’T go into excuse, blame, or denial mode
DO take responsibility for yourself
DO highlight what you have learnt
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22. After the interview Analyse the interview What did you do well?
Congratulate yourself!
What could be improved?
Difficult questions
Unexpected challenges
If at first you don’t succeed...
Other applicants may simply be more suitable
If concerned about your technique, ask for feedback on your performance
Focus on what you will do even better next time
PRACTISE, PRACTISE, PRACTISE
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23. Resources Career Quick Tips
Quick Tips for Interviews (PDF,79KB,2 pages)
Quick Tips for Assessment Centres (PDF,70KB,2 pages)
Online resources
Career Track Jobsearch module (login required)
Going Global (login required) 
DVD streaming (can only be accessed at RMIT)
Relevant section of Careers website:Students/Get that job
Making an Impact This is a streamed video link that includes three interviews of real students by real graduate recruiters.
The Assessment Centre This is a streamed video which shows an assessment centre in action. The activities and assessment processes are well demonstrated.
Behavioural Interview and Case Study Interview are two short video clips which demonstrate the do's and don'ts of interview techniques. McKinsey and Company Global Consulting Firm
Be My Interviewer
Careers Resource Centre
Information on Assessment Centres from GCA
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