Interview Workshop David Bulmer Employability Service

Interviews Aims: Raise the level of your confidence in preparing for interviews Equip you with skills to perform well in interview situations

Ice Breaker Talk to one other person & find out: one thing they find difficult about interviews or one thing that concerns them about going for an interview

Types of Interview One to One Panel Telephone: Assessment Centre

E xercise 1– Preparing for Interviews In groups of 2 (or 3) discuss how you would prepare for an interview You could consider: appearance, questions you might be asked and information you might need etc. You have 10 minutes, then feedback to the group

Preparing for Interviews 1 Re-read your application form/CV and letter Find out about the organisation and the job itself – use the internet and any details provided by the employer Decide what to wear – smart, conventional is safest Personal Hygiene Check location, route and timing of travel If possible, find out who is interviewing you

Preparing for Interviews 2 Ask if you need to take course work, portfolio or project Predict what questions they are likely to ask Prepare your selling points – skills, strengths, achievements, work experience etc If there are any problems in your career history, prepare explanations Draw up a few questions to ask them but be careful

Communication Styles / Body Language InhibitedAssertiveAggressive Saying little Speaking very softly Meek tone of voice Allows interruptions Sitting lower than others Downcast eyes Hand wringing Smiling Eye contact Balanced posture Being on a level Relaxed tone of voice Proximity Open gestures Forceful gestures Harsh tone of voice Ignoring responses Speaking too much Standing over others Staring Interrupting

Exercise 2: What Do Employers Look For? In a group of 3 or 4: Look at the person specification & decide what qualities/skills the employer is looking for. Prepare a list to feed back to the whole group

What Do Employers Look For? The most frequently requested skills and attributes are: Communication Team Work Enthusiasm Motivation/Commitment Business Awareness Leadership Flexibility Confident with IT Organisational skills

Evidence - 1 Quality/Skill Good communicator Good organiser Evidence Worked well with customers in sales jobs Arranged holiday for 6 students; organised fund raising event for children’s school.

Evidence - 2 Quality/Skill Effective leader Good time manager Evidence Led project team on final year group project Always meet course work deadlines; manage part-time job and study effectively

Types of question - 1 Biographical Tell me about yourself Tell me about your course Tell me about your job at X Tell me about your hobbies Motivational Why do you want to work for us? What do you know about our company? What have you got to offer?

Types of question - 2 Competency Describe a time when you have worked in a team Describe a time when you have led a group Describe a time when you have had to make a difficult decision in your life Describe a time when you have had to be innovative or creative

Answering Competency Based Questions The CAR Technique: Context - Describe the situation and the specific task you were faced with, when, where, with whom? Action - Describe what you did - focus on your role and your input. Result - Tell the interviewer what the outcome was, and what skills you developed as a result.

Using CAR to analyse a situation dealing with a difficult customer ContextActionResult Acting as a relief supervisor at Pizza Hut when a customer began to loudly complain about the service being slow. To satisfy the person without upsetting other customers who were also waiting for their food and who had arrived earlier. Listened carefully to the customer, used moderate language, quiet voice and carefully explained about the lack of staff through illness. Reassured the customer that his order was being dealt with and offered complimentary drinks whilst waiting. The customer calmed down, could see that it was not deliberate and decided to wait quietly, with the free drinks.

Exercise 3 In groups of two or three look at the sample interview questions Pick a question from 3 or 4 sections Discuss how you would go about answering each of these questions

Interview Tips - 1 First impressions count (smile ) Be positive about the job and positive about yourself Always sound interested and enthusiastic Be honest – but don’t put yourself down. Avoid expressions like “it was only” or “I just did this” or “I am quite good at” Maintain reasonable eye contact and remember that body language and tone of voice are important

Interview Tips - 2 Illustrate answers with concrete examples, but don’t waffle It is acceptable to say “I don’t know” or ask for a moment to consider your answer Be natural. How you come across can be as important as what you say Good interviews don’t just happen. Practice and preparation are the keys to success Summary: prepare on paper & link to evidence, rehearse in front of a mirror or with a friend, book a mock interview if you are very nervous

After the Interview - 1 If you have been offered feedback, do take this up Try to review your own performance carefully and objectively If there are areas that you feel were weak, do some more preparation on these topics

After the Interview - 2 Remember that getting an interview is an achievement in itself An employer’s final choice at interview is often very difficult; being unsuccessful does not mean you were a disaster Remember how valuable the interview was as a practice session and try to improve at the next one

Interview Resources Interviews booklet DVDs: ’Why Ask Me That’? and ‘Selection Success in One’ Book a Mock Interview

Further Help Employability and Careers: Student Life Centre Quick query, careers interview, e-guidance Workshops Guidance/advice/information Support you for up to 2 years after graduation