1. LESSONS 11 & 12
INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES

2. PREPARING FOR INTERVIEWS
By the end of these two lessons you will be able to:
Recognise the importance of and practice the techniques for effective preparation and performance for an interview
Take part in a mock interview
State the factors which impact upon the assessments interviewers make
Prepare a range of responses to positively promote yourself

3. PREPARING FOR INTERVIEWS
The Purpose of the Interview
To gather information for both the interviewer and the candidate
For the interviewer to identify and make an assessment as to which candidate is best suited to the job role and the organisation
For the candidate to get to know more about the role and the organisation so as to be able to decided if it is a role they want
to undertake

4. INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES
Different companies use different styles of interviewing
techniques depending on the job and their recruitment practice:
One To One Interviews -one interviewer and one candidate
Panel Interviews - more than one interviewer often 2-3
Sequential Interviews – two or more interviews before selection takes place
Group Interviews - one interviewer and a number of candidates

5. INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES
Interview Structure- W.A.S.P
W. Welcome - Introductions and an explanation of the process
A. Acquire - The interviewer will ask questions to gain the
information to support the selection decision
S. Supply - The interviewer will supply the candidate with
information about the job and organisation and give time for the candidate to ask questions
P. Plan and Part - The interviewer will normally explain the next steps

6. HOW DO INTERVIEWERS SELECT?
First impressions
Answers to questions
How you speak
Your attitude and manners
Your personal appearance
Your eye contact
How well you have prepared

8. PRESENTATION AND APPEARANCE
Check out Level 7 Channel on the Careers Box Website for a series of short films about interview techniques.
Click on
View the Level 3 film on Preparation & Appearance, Level 4 on Overcoming Nerves, and if time, Level 6 on Behaviours.

9. QUESTIONS LIKELY TO BE ASKED AT INTERVIEW
Tell me about yourself
Why you want to do this job?
What experience you have that is related to this job?
What skills do you have that make you a suitable candidate?
What problems have you encountered in past jobs or other areas of life and how did you overcome them?
What do you do well?
Tell me about a situation when you have contributed to a team’s success?
What are your career plans for the future?
How do you see yourself progressing in the next five years?

10. QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE
Involvement - What does this job involve? Have I done anything like it before?
Qualifications - Do I have the right qualifications for the job? If not, have I got any others that might be an advantage?
Skills - What skills do they require? Could I learn these if I don’t already possess them?
Experience - Do I have the experience they are looking for? If not, what other experience do I have that might be useful?
Personal Qualities - What qualities do they want ? How can I show I have them?
Contribution - What can I contribute to this job?
Why Me?- Why do I think I can do this job and do it well?

11. QUESTIONS TO ASK AT INTERVIEW
Some Suggestions
Where will I work and with whom?
Who will I be directly responsible to?
What will I be doing in a typical day?
What further training or learning opportunities are available?
What are the opportunities for career progression?
What are the hours of work?
When would I be required to start work if successful?
What is the holiday entitlement and the arrangements for taking holidays?
What happens after the interview?

12. INTERVIEWERS DON’T LIKE...People Who
Criticise others
Are over familiar
Respond to questions with YES or NO answers
Don’t know anything about the job or company they are applying to.

13. INTERVIEWERS LIKE... People Who
Listen
Answer questions with examples
Answer briefly where possible
Come well prepared
Appear confident and enthusiastic