Interview technique Kathryn McFarlane, Careers Adviser.

Careers course Career Management Skills CV writing Application forms and covering letters Interviews

Interviews - outline Before - preparation During - how to perform effectively Afterwards - how to learn from it.

Preparation How did you prepare for previous interviews? What preparation do you think is useful?

Targeting your applications Your skills, experience and qualifications Their criteria The overlap

Preparation Research the company Research yourself Research the ‘match’ Prepare answers to likely questions Practise your answers Prepare a list of questions Check out your wardrobe!

Interviews What happened during your previous interviews? What helped you to do well? What hindered you from doing well? What do you think are the hardest questions?

During Arrive early / on time Use appropriate body language - smile, eye contact, posture, voice Be pleasant with all staff Look at all interviewers (spinning plates)

During - answering questions Listen for ‘open’ questions - use your preparation. Check you understand each question. Ask for clarification if needed Pause - take time to think before you answer Use three points; answer fully but don’t ramble Use summaries where appropriate Focus on the positive, not ‘skeletons’ Avoid clichés - what do you mean?

Afterwards What did you do well? What did you do badly? What questions were you asked? How can you improve next time? Get some feedback from them.

The five Rs of interviews Research Rehearse Relax Respond Record

Comments from a recruiter What sort of preparation do you expect candidates to do, before an interview? Know the firm and the environment in which we operate. Visit the website Have some prepared questions.

Comments from a recruiter What sort of techniques do you use during the interview process? Our policy is one of ‘no trick questions’. We simply want to find out about the applicant and to assess their suitability. Relaxed. Any other advice? Try to smile!