SELF PRESENTATION Facilitated by: Course Tutor Giselle Ruoss and Course Assistant Frances Saggers

Task 1: ‘First impressions count’  There is no denying that impressions count but what first impression is most important to you?  Is it how someone looks?  Is it what someone wears?  What someone says?  How punctual someone is?  Or something else?

NOT ENOUGH CONFIDENCE CAN LEAD TO: TOO MUCH CONFIDENCE CAN LEAD TO: Task 2:Confidence – just right!

Task 3:Body language (British acceptance code)  Body language plays a huge role in how we present ourselves or how other people we are perceived by other people:  Eye contact  Head position e.g. (head up or bowed head)  Facial expressions  Hand gestures  Arms  Legs  Feet  Personal proximity

Cultural difference in body language  In many ways it is difficult to interpret body even if two or more people are from the same cultural background.  So it can be even harder to get right if we do not know that body language is not the same in every culture.  Socially it can be interesting and even fun getting to know the difference (depending on how well we know the person)  However, in an interview these differences can be misinterpreted on both sides(interviewer/interviewee) may effect the outcome of the interview.

Task 4: Consider the various cultural backgrounds in this room  How many different nationalities in this room. In groups of three or four discuss what gestures and body language means in your culture:  Consider:  Eye contact  Head position  Facial expression  Hand gestures  Arms  Legs  Feet  Personal proximity

Task 5: Assumptions  Apart from body language there many other reasons why we can misunderstand first impressions or how we understand another person. Take a look at this picture, what does it tell you?

Ask!  If you do not understand something or it is not clear, just ask people are less likely to be offended and may even respect you more for having the courage to ask. Rather than making an assumption about a situation which you may easier get wrong if you do not ask  This is the same in work people are often happy to help if you ask them. If you do not ask they may think you understand

It natural to have a difference of opinion  It is natural and healthy to have different opinions after all that is one of the most effective ways to educate ourselves and learn  However, you need to be able to express a difference of opinion in a calm and constructive manner in order to get the most effective results  It is not always necessary for people to agree but it is important to respect each other

Task 6: Respect each other  Learning to respect each others opinion is an invaluable way to educate ourselves about how other people live their lives and what they are faced with in life:-  What are some issues that people have differences of opinion about?

Task 7: We are all unique  We are all unique and have different skills and qualities  What skills and qualities do you have that you can use in the workplace?

Task 8: Meeting people  When meeting people for an interview or business appointment what is important to show people you are the right candidate for the job:-

Social networking  Social Networking is an expanding way to contact customers With site such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn your business is instantly available to people locally, nationally and internationally  Networking is a vital part of successful employment and business. Often people require recommendations from other people as a character reference e.g. what someone is like to work with  Alternatively people will often employ companies or individuals who have proven track record of excellent service.  Networking may well result in getting an interview

Preparation is the key to success Review own skills, experiences and qualities  Check CV  Anticipate questions and identify relevant examples  Prepare key selling points  Research organisation  Websites, reports, articles, company literature, etc..  Contacts with knowledge of organisation or sector  Relevant articles in the press  Personal visit or telephone call  Research job and occupational area  Job description – or similar  Current issues  Prepare your questions  Practice

Typical Interview Questions  About you  Tell me about yourself - Bring me up to date with your CV?  Why did you choose this particular area of work?  What experience have you had that is relevant to this post?  What would you consider your major achievements to date?  About the job  What interests you about this job?  What do you know about this organisation?  What other options are you considering?  How do you see your career developing – 5 years?  If you were Head of Department, what would be your priorities?  General knowledge  What do you think of the Government’s policy on college fees?  What’s your opinion of … (a topical subject relating to the company or current affairs).

Other types of questions  “ What if” Questions  No experience - how are you likely to respond to a situation  Probing Questions  How exactly did you deal with the situation?  How did you know it worked?  How did you feel about the outcome?  Could you have handled it differently?

Responding to Competency Questions  Q Give me an example of a problem you encountered. How did you approach it. What was the outcome?  STAR response  S: Describe the situation  T: Explain the task/problem that arose  A: What action did you take?  R: What was the result or outcome?  What did you learn from this experience?

Preparing for competency based interviews  Identify the competencies required for job  Review job description or ask for information  Define each competency in behavioural terms  Identify past experience to illustrate how you demonstrated that behaviour  Prepare examples for each competency  Practice talking about your experience  Try to give a complete answer - STAR

Purpose of the interview  Interview = A meeting with an objective  Employer’s objective is to find the best person for the job  Employer: reviews candidate’s experience and abilities  Can you do the job? (skills, abilities, qualifications)  Will you do the job? (interest, attitude & motivation)  How will you fit into the organisation? (personality)  You: impress employer and assess position on offer  What does this position offer me?  How does it fit with my career plans?  Congratulations - you have passed the first hurdle  You must prove that you are the most suitable candidate for this position

Task 9: Talk about your achievements  It is often hard to talk about your achievements and much easier to say what you are not good at. In this task we would like you to think of 5 things you are good at and why you think you are good at them:  For example: You might say you are a good listener because you volunteer for the Samaritans which requires someone to listen in a supportive way without being judgemental

What happens after an interview? Review own performance what went well what went badly what you wished you had said prepare for next stage Invitation to second / final round interviews assessment centre psychometric testing panel interview Rejection letter / if you can request feedback - use it

Not getting the job  Use every interview as a learning experience  Ask for constructive feedback  Don’t give up  Seek ways to increase your employability (take on voluntary work to develop your skills while looking for paid employment  Use the time to study, or travel  It may even be a time to start your own business or rethink your goals

Getting the job Getting the job is a fantastic feeling.  It is a new challenge  A huge boost in confidence  A chance to use your knowledge and experience from your life and past employment  An opportunity to learn new skills  Security  A chance to improve your social life

BE WILLING TO LEARN  Its true what they say your never too old to learn and there are many ways to do so:-  Workers Educational Association course – attending a course such as this  Attending a college or University course – full-time, part-time or day release if at work  The Internet – there is a wealth of knowledge and information available on the internet  Reading material – books, newspapers, journals, etc.  Speaking to people – just by speaking to people we can acquire knowledge that we did not have before

YOU DID IT!