UELSU Programme Representatives Using your experience to demonstrate key skills Wed 25 th Nov 2015

How to maximise and highlight the skills you’ve developed as a Programme Representative

Running order Examining your motivations for undertaking the role The key responsibilities of Programme Representatives Identifying your skills as a Programme Representative The CAR technique Typical interview questions Practice CAR answers Typical Programme Rep scenarios – exchanging information CaSE services – further help

Why did you decide to become a Programme Representative? How did you become a Programme Representative?

Reasons for becoming a Programme Representative Key Motivators? Key Values? Wanting to make a difference – to change things for the better To take responsibility To gain recognition To improve mine and others learning experience To challenge myself To learn new skills

The role of a Programme Representative Enables students to have a measure of control over their own learning experience Provides academic staff with information about how programmes can be effectively improved Provides consistent, well informed opinions about the quality of teaching and learning and the student experience in general Provides an accountable system for channelling student views Supports academic staff in their bid to introduce new teaching and learning projects

The role of a Programme Representative Promotes the idea of a university culture of partnership between stakeholders ( UEL staff/Programme Reps/UELSU) and all who should be working together to enhance the quality of the total student experience Provides the opportunity to give critical commentary on the total student experience Provides ongoing feedback Gives students a level of ownership in relation to their education

Identifying the skills needed to be an effective Programme Rep

Key Skills: Communication the ability to engage with your fellow students and represent their views with academic staff on an equal basis Listening skills Achieving a consensus of opinion and/or the ability to represent several schools of thought Presentation skills – from lecture “shout outs” to delivering considered feedback via power-point presentations Written communication skills via minutes and marketing materials

Key Skills: People Skills Approachability “likeability” Empathy – finding out what are fellow students issues Understanding Influencing Persuading Negotiating - integrity Self awareness – being aware of how you come across to others Diplomacy - tactfulness

Key Skills: Organisational Problem solving Time management/ multi tasking Confidence – being prepared to stand up and be counted! Leadership Team working

The CAR Technique Context Action Result

C = Context Describe the situation ( When/where/ with who) and the task you were faced with. Keep it brief, this section is just so the person understands what was / is going on

A = Action Describe what you did. Be explicit : explain what steps you took to complete the task. If you went above and beyond the call of duty, make it clear here.

R= Result Describe what happened because of your actions. Link the action to the result and make it cleat the difference this made to you and the people involved in the situation. Use numbers or quotes to strengthen your answer.

Example Questions Tell me about a time when you displayed leadership skills Explain the steps you’ve taken in the past to create and maintain a positive relationship Describe a situation where you resolved a difficult problem Tell me about a time when you had to present complex information in a simplified manner Describe a situation where you had to convince others Tell me about a time when you were able to creatively solve a problem

Example Questions Tell me about a time when you played a key role in a team but were not the leader Tell me about a time when you varied your communication approach Explain to me what you have done when there have been people on your team who had differing opinions Describe to me a time when you have had to influence people Tell me about a time you worked successfully in a team

“SuperCAR” Checklist Use I not we Put detail in the “Action” section Say what you learnt in the Result section Tailor your answer to the reader/ listener Make sure you answer the question Quantify your results Use recent examples Be enthusiastic Have a positive result

Questions

Thank you