1. Interview Skills Training
Kathleen Campbell
APAC Regional Recruitment Manager, Microsoft

2. Agenda The Recruitment Continuum
Understanding the Recruitment Transaction
Interview Roadmap
CV Development
Getting Noticed
Interviews
Best candidates vs. Best employees
Competency Based Recruitment

3. The Recruitment Continuum

4. Mindset Stage for Candidate
Mindset Stage for Hiring Manager
Mindset Stage for Candidate
NEGOTIATION
RETENTION
AND
Succession planning for departures from your team
Networking externally
Networking internally
Performance Management
Career Development
Passive Hiring Manager
Not looking to hire
Passive candidate
Not looking for a new role
Planning for future departure from current team
Defining the new business needs for your team
Preparing to buy talent
Preparing to sell your team
Preparing to sell this job
Preparing to sell Microsoft
Preparing to sell yourself as a Manager
Preparing to sell talent
Preparing to buy a new team
Preparing to buy a new job
Preparing to buy a new company
Preparing to sell self as an Employee
Defining his/her new needs
Searching for the right people to meet business needs
Looking to buy talent
Ready to sell your team
Ready to sell this job
Ready to sell Microsoft
Ready to sell yourself as a Manager
Looking to sell talent
Ready to buy a new team
Ready to buy a new job
Ready to buy a new company
Ready to sell self as an Employee
Searching for the role, company and manager to meet needs
Selecting the right people for the right jobs
Making purchase decision
Selling to unique needs of talent
Buying the best match to need
Selecting the right role, company and manager
New employee orientation
Confirming your purchase decision
Confirming talent’s purchase decision
Confirming his/her purchase decision
Developing your team’s skills and experience
Developing your purchase decision
Preparing to sell/buy again
Developing skills and experience

5. CV Development Resumes – Curriculum Vitae
Soft copy application unless otherwise specified in advert
No more than 3 pages – bullet points
Typed and clearly presented
No colours; fonts; graphics; clip art
Keywords (for database search)
Do include multiple contact details
Bring a copy to interview
Advance reference checking

6. Getting Noticed... Make direct applications where possible
Don’t waste money on hard copies & postage
Present well to agencies
Don’t contact all agencies – be selective
Be ready to consider all employment options
Utilise online job board agencies
Utilise Employee Referral Options
Own your own job search!

7. Interviews Master your telephone interview techniques Be on time
Have good/smart questions prepared for your interviewer
Have a pen and paper
Read the description fully
Visit company web page – Research
Bring samples to demonstrate your skills if appropriate
Be honest and be yourself
Don’t let nerves control your interaction (they are just people!)
Practice

9. Attitude WHAT MAKES ME SAY “NO-HIRE”? Poor listening skills
Over confidence (arrogance)
Poor communication skills
Bad attitude towards managing conflict
Lack of self critical
Mobile phones left on
Obsequious
“Money is #1 priority”
“I have learnt all I need to know”
Lack of creativity or ability to think outside the box
Stronger candidates available
Dishonesty or unethical actions
Inability to say ‘I don’t know’
Poor presentation
Incomplete CV
Lack of genuine interest in the role
Religious vs. Agnostic in Technical Beliefs
WHAT DO I LOOK FOR IN CANDIDATES?
Friendly positive attitude
Team worker
Hunger/thirst to learn new things
Honesty and ethics
Self-confidence
Breadth of experience
Right attitude towards money
Respect for Managers & others
Creativity and original thinking
Someone who proves they can work hard
Excellent communication skills
Relevant skills/qualifications/experience
Tenacity and determination
Religious vs. Agnostic in Technical Beliefs

10. Desire to Learn Formal Learning Informal Learning
Desire to Break & Fix
Willingness to try something new
Hunger to learn from others
Learn the competition
Retrospective wisdom
Ability to demonstrate

11. The Difference Factor What makes you so special? Travel
Extra-curricular activities
Sports
Hobbies
Community Service
Awards
2nd Languages
Responsibilities
Passions

12. Skills Technical Skills Non-Technical Skills University Qualifications
MSCE Qualifications (& equivalent)
Self-taught skills
Networking
Web languages
Reading – online subscriptions
Betas & Testing
Competitive Knowledge
Demonstrations & Industry Events
Non-Technical Skills
Presentation Skills
Debating and Negotiation
Selling Skills
Customer Service
Project Management
Writing Skills
Team working Skills
Planning & Organisation
Competitive Knowledge
Understanding Business & Industry

13. Presentation Telephone – write down what you want to ask
A good clear CV with no spelling errors
Better to be over dressed than too casual
Careful with: jewelry; perfume; tissues; scarves;
Accepting “coffee”
Practice presenting answers at a whiteboard
Public Speaking*
Good eye contact & communication skills
Business cards
Good handshake skills
Build your network – stay in touch

14. Hiring the Best Best Candidates Good first impressions
Prepared, on-time
Seem interested
Friendly, out-going
Give complete responses
Have skills and experience
Assertive, confident
Well-groomed
Education
Best Employees
Achieve, exceed results
Committed – don’t give up
Always prepare fully
Go out of way to help others
Initiative to improve things
Plan, organize, anticipate
Initiative to learn
Work well with others
Creative
Problem solvers
Take feedback

15. Successful Interviewing Model
Comps Must
Be Present
FIRST
Successful Interviewing Model
Technical and Functional Skills
Job Related
Core Comps:
Core competencies
Smart
Works Hard
Gets the Right Things Done
Passion for Technology and Business
Flexible
Core Talents and Company Values =
FOUNDATION
Company Values: Integrity and Honesty; Open and Respectful; Self-Critical; Big, Bold Challenges; Passion; Accountable

16. Our Values Are Who We Are
Why do we need them?
Positive and consistent “way of life”
Establishes “rules”
Aligns internal actions with external words
Customers look to our behavior to confirm this
More competitive in the marketplace
Creates a culture that deepens customer trust
Today’s choices help determine tomorrow’s culture
Easier to train for skills than for values
First priority: Company cultural and values fit
Second priority: The job itself

17. Questions
Thank you