QUT Careers and Employment Writing effective applications Part 2: Interviews Nikki Penhaligon, PhD Careers & Employment

Learning objectives - Interviews Develop an understanding of: Preparation –Researching your audience –Anticipating questions –How to form an introductory/closing statement During –Managing your nerves –Body language and interpersonal processes –Structuring your answer After –The importance of reflection

How would you answer the following question......? Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult co-worker

QUT Careers and Employment Preparation

Preparation – What to expect What are YOUR interview experiences? Formal Informal Panel Structured Unstructured Coffee Shop Office Boardroom

Preparation - Researching your audience! About the interview: –Date-Time-Location-Parking –Style of interview –The interviewers roles and positions The organisation: -Who are they? What do they stand for? Where are they heading? What should I wear? Read the job ad/position description – AGAIN!

Anticipating Questions Split the room Read the position description/application form provided In groups, generate the following questions: –Generic –Behavioural –Situational/hypothetical

Know yourself Motivations Values Knowledge Skills Abilities Interests Personality Attributes Capabilities And understand how they link to the position Experiences

Activity: Think Pair Share Introductory statement (what will you say when you are 1 st introduced to the Interviewer(s)) Closing statement (prepare a statement that summarises your keys attributes) Questions to ask at the end (prepare some questions to ask the interviewers)

QUT Careers and Employment During the Interview

Managing Your Nerves Reflective activity How do you know when your nervous? –What do you do? –How could you manage your reaction?

Strategies to Manage Your Nerves PMR (before the interview) Releasing physical tension during the interview Take a sip of water Deep breathing Paraphrasing Stop – Breathe – Think - Speak

Body Language

Speak with your Look away to think

Reading the Interviewers Non-Verbals Are they telling you, you haven't answered the question? Are they telling you to continue and tell them more? Are they telling you to stop talking?

The Key to a Perfect Answer Situation (context) Task(s) Actions required Result Learning Use recent examples from study, work, social, sport…. Stick to 1-3mins response. Then ask if they want more information.

QUT Careers and Employment After the Interview

Reflection : What do I do AFTER the Interview? Reflect on the questions asked and how you responded Make notes to help you next time Don’t agonise over perceived blunders Phone and thank them for the opportunity of the interview If unsuccessful, ring to request feedback

Interview practice! Get into groups of 3 –Interviewer –Interviewee –Observer Grab a parcel 2 minutes per person. Give feedback using your booklets

Interviews: True or False? Q1. I don’t need to prepare, all the preparation has already been done when I answered the selection criteria Q2. I should research the panel members before my interview Q3. When introduced to the interview panel (and when leaving), I should shake their hands and call them by their name Q4. All the people on my panel will be highly knowledgeable in my field

Interviews: True or False? Q5. The first interview question will be easy Q6. I should answer interview questions immediately so as not to look like I don’t know that answer Q7. I can use the STAR (L) method to formulate my response Q8. It’s a good idea to prepare a closing statement

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