Skills Academy 2015:Interview Techniques Workshop

John McMenamin

Careers Consultant

Career Development Centre

Workshop Objectives

1. To outline principles and tips for successful interviews

2. To explore employers’ expectations3. To share previous interview experiences and

best practice4. To assess your own levels of confidence5. To practice creating and delivering answers to

common interview questions

Workshop Content

1. What you need to do before an interview2. What is a job interview?3. What are employers looking for?4. Interview behaviour 5. Interview questions6. Interview tips

Three things you need to do before an interview

1. Preparation

2. Preparation

3. Preparation

1. Preparation

1. RESEARCH yourself

2. RESEARCH the job

3. RESEARCH the organisation

4. RESEARCH the sector

2. Preparation

Knowledge about yourself

– Re-read your application

– Strengths and weaknesses

– Why you want the job?

Knowledge about the job itself

– What skills do you need?

– How can you demonstrate these skills with examples from University, work, outside interests?

Knowledge about the organisation & sector

– Why do you want to work for that organisation?

– What’s happening in the sector right now?

3. Preparation

– What will the interview format be?– How will you get there?– Rehearse your answers

(We can help you with this!)– Questions for the interviewer – shows interest

and enthusiasm for the role + tells you more about the job – take a notepad with you – jot down questions as they occur to you

What is a job interview?

Typical Interview Format

– Introduction phase

– The formal interview

– Information about the organization

– Summing up / questions about the job

Every job interview is a ‘marketing’ exercise, so…

– Be clear about what you want to communicate

– Support what you say with evidence (more on this later)

What are looking for?

Employers: Three Questions

– Can you do the job?

Do you have the knowledge and skills?

– Do you want to do the job?

Do you have the motivation?

– Will you fit in?

Do you have relevant values and personal qualities?

Employers’ Wish List

Interview behaviour

The Interview- First Impressions

Dress– Appropriate business dress clean shoes!

What to take– Certificates if needed, copies of CV/application

Arrive on time– Plan the route– Leave extra journey time for problems

Meeting the interviewers– Relax, but remember you are being observed

Body language– Handshake, eye contact

Behavioural Characteristics

– Remain calm– Remember your body language– Tone of voice– Be yourself– First impressions count– Communication styles

Body Language

30 Second Advert

‘Tell me about yourself’

– Name/current status– Achievements– What you value/enjoy– Your interpersonal skills

Interview questions

Types of Questions

1. Motivational Questions

2. Technical Questions

3. Competency Questions

Motivational Questions

Designed to test your motivation for the job

and the organisation

– Why do you want to work here?– How much do you know about our organisation? – Where do you see yourself in 5/10 years time?

Technical Questions

– These relate to your ability to use the technology you have learnt from your course/work experience

– “What systems and software are you competent in?”

– “What do you know about working in a photographic laboratory?”

– “What experience do you have of using the following… ?”

Competency Questions

– Questions based on the general competencies all employers expect from graduates (team skills, communication, problem solving etc..)

– eg “Can you tell us about a time when you...worked in a team/dealt with a difficult customer/met a deadline?”

– Remember that the key is providing evidence based responses based on the STAR formula (Situation, Task, Action, Result)

Skills Based Examples

Try using the STAR model:– S – situation

briefly outline where you were, what was your job?

- T – taskexplain the task you encountered, what had to be done?

– A – action

what specific actions did you take to overcome the difficulty?

– R – results

what were the results and what did you learn?

Example of a STAR responseDescribe a time when you have used an innovative approach to solving a problem:

Situation

Task

Action

Result

When I was assistant manager of an IT training workshop at a college in Brighton, we had a student who couldn’t raise her hand to ask questions due to arthritis in her shoulders. She would get very frustrated when she had a problem and even more frustrated when she couldn’t get the attention of one of my staff to get the problem fixed. I went out and bought a set of decorative lights that attach to the sides of computer monitors which could be switched on and off by a button next to the keyboard. I informed her and my staff that if she had a problem, she should switch the light on and then my staff would be able to see that she had a problem and could deal with it accordingly. She was very satisfied with the solution and found the learning experience much easier and more rewarding.

Your Toughest Interview Questions

Questions to ask your interviewer(s)

– Demonstrates an interest in the job and the employer. No questions = no interest.

– Prepare at least six questions to ask at the end– If all of your questions have been asked, say “I did

have several questions but you have actually answered them all for me already” – show them the questions too!

Questions to ask your interviewer(s)

– Why has the position become available?– What are the main objectives and responsibilities of the position?– How does the company expect these objectives to be met?– What are the measures used to judge how successful I am in the role?– What obstacles are commonly encountered in reaching these objectives?– What is the desired time frame for reaching the objectives?– What can I expect from you in terms of development and support?– What aspirations do you have for me at the company?– Where will the job fit into the team structure?– What is the main thing the organisation expects from its employees?– How do you build good relationships within teams?– What is the turnover of staff like throughout the company?– Are there any plans for expansion?– How would you describe the company culture and management style?

Interview Checklist

– Switch mobile off – Look prepared– Be prepared– Eye contact– Answer questions using STAR model– Be prepared to ask questions yourself – Take a copy of your application (CV or

application form)

10 Tips for a good interview

1. Assume the interview starts the moment you enter the building

2. Listen to the question and answer it, ask for clarification if unsure what they are asking

3. Engage all interviewers in eye contact

4. Always back up everything you are saying with examples from your experience

5. Avoid taking notes in with you and certainly never read from them if you do

10 Tips for a good interview

6. Always have questions ready for the end

7. Know what you’ve said in your application and be prepared to discuss the details

8. If they don’t tell you, ask when you will hear about the outcome of the interview

9. Thank the interviewer(s) by name

10. Smile!

Interview practice

– Describe a time when you worked as part of an effective team, what did you do and what was the outcome?

– Describe a time when you solved a difficult problem. What did you do and what was the outcome?

– What is your biggest weakness?– What factors have influenced your career choice?

Summary

Interview No-nos

– Lack of knowledge of company– Lack of knowledge of field/industry– Lack of enthusiasm– Late to interview– Over-confident / casual– Discussing salary expectations / administrative questions– Talking too much / not listening– Fidgeting– Lack of confidence– Sweaty palms syndrome– Being negative about anything

Preparation is the key to success!

– Find out the selection criteria– Know what you are offering– Identify likely question areas – Research some (original) things about the

organisation– Rehearse responses to potential questions– Practice and get feedback

Interview - but no job offer?

– Did I prepare thoroughly?

– Did I get feedback on my performance?

– Am I right for the job/organisation?

– Do I need advice?

Useful links

Engage– Brand new careers and events portal. – Search for jobs, book yourself in for appointments and events, search through the

growing bank of careers resources.

http://engage.westminster.ac.uk

Monster – Careers advice– Features lots of advice, instructional videos and an interactive mock interview

http://career-advice.monster.co.uk

Prospects– The official UK graduate careers website, lots of information and advice – ideal for

researching salary expectations and job descriptions

http://www.prospects.ac.uk

Target Jobs – for sector-specific advice

http://targetjobs.co.uk/career-sectors

Further information and guidance

Career Development Centre services:– 20-minute quick queries:

CV, covering letter, application form checks

– 45-minute individual guidance interviews: detailed career guidance, mock interviews

– Book your appointments using the Engage system

Our resources:– CV Guide – available to download as a resource on Engage– Free sector-specific and general careers publications

Contact Career Development Centre

www.westminster.ac.uk/careersengage.westminster.ac.uk T: 020 7911 5184E: careers@westminster.ac.uk

First floor, 101 New Cavendish Street (next to Cav St campus)

Also at Harrow – Maria Hewlett building

Thank you

Any questions?