Employability Skills Interviews

Interviews Job interviews give employers the opportunity to find out more about you and whether your skills, experiences and qualifications meet the requirements of the job you have applied for. They also enable you to find out more about the company and the job, and to decide whether they are right for you (BCU Careers 2012). General Information for preparing for Interviews in general is available through the BCU Careers Service at: http://www.bcu.ac.uk/alumni/careers/make-your-applications/attending- interviews You might also want to try Prospects for examples of generic Interview questions. http://www.prospects.ac.uk/interview_tips_interview_questions.htm We know that Speech and Language Interviews may ask you different things and we have put together some resources to try and help. This section will contain information on: 1. How to prepare for Interview: what the University and Employers said 2. Guidance for areas to prepare for specific SLT roles (Clinical skills) Clinical information is available in the section below References: BCU Careers 2012. Attending Interviews. Available at URL:<http://www.bcu.ac.uk/alumni/careers/make-your-applications/attending- interviews>. Accessed 23.03.12

How to prepare for interviews Interview questions can take a number of different formats. Some examples given to us by the University include: Leadership questions Clinical questions Personal development questions: What training do you see yourself needing and why? What are your career plans? Where do you see yourself in 5 years time? Why you? What can you bring to the role (what do you offer us?) What do you want from this role What help and development will you need? Are you aware of others and how will you fit in to the team?

Local employer’s opinion Graduates are often asked to complete a group task. Recruiters are looking for people who support and interact positively with the group; not just those with the most to say Graduates should tailor their application to the specific role Be up to date on and interested in the bigger picture and know why this is applicable and relevant to the role you are applying for. Have the clinical skills to match what you say: you need to be able to actually do the job, but this may involve demonstrating skills in another setting which can be transferred to the job in question. Be prepared for behavioural questions with examples: a time when you have…., strengths and weaknesses etc. Remember that the interviewers are marking the interview answers later: you need quality information (not empty quantity). It is fine to take your time, take notes, ask for a repeat – just make sure you cover everything they ask you. Show what you can bring to the team; what can you offer? Have examples for everything you say Ask current relevant questions e.g. what is the team like? Do you have any other band 5’S Remember basic interview skills: presentation, non-verbal communication etc