Skills Academy 2016:Interview Techniques Workshop

John McMenaminCareers ConsultantCareer Development Centre

Workshop Objectives

1. Know how to prepare effectively for interviews2. Know how to create a good first impression3. Know how to perform well at interviews4. Learn what to do and what not to do at interviews

Workshop Content

1. Anticipating the questions2. Preparing for the interview3. First impressions4. Typical and non-typical interview questions5. How to answer competency-based questions6. Interview tips7. Interview practice

Anticipating the questions

Anticipating the questions

1. Do your researchKnow yourself– Re-read your application– Strengths and weaknesses– Why you want the job?

Know about the job– What skills do you need?– How can you demonstrate these skills

with examples from University, work, outside interests?

Know about the organisation & sector– Why do you want to work for that organisation?– What’s happening in the sector right now?

Anticipating the questions

2. Look at the job descriptionThe person specification is often primary source for interview questions

Anticipating the questions

3. Research questions other people have been askedStudent room and Glassdoor are very useful sites for such research

Nightmare candidate story #1:Lever Arch GirlApplication Appearance

Interview resultMoral of the story:Never read from prepared notes in an interview unless you are the interviewer

Prepare but don’t overprepare

Preparing for the interview

Preparing for the interview

– 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

Nightmare candidate story #2:Fishing Net Nightmare

Memorable handshake

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Interview resultMoral of the story:– Dress to impress– Don’t bring anything to the interview

that you don’t need for the interview– Turn off your phone

First impressions

First impressions

– Assume your interview starts LONG before you walk into the interview room

– The initial visual impression can make or break your chances of success– Dress to impress– Look confident– Be confident (easier said than done)– Don’t take anything into the interview that you

don’t need for the interview– Assume that the interview isn’t over until LONG after

you walk out of the interview room

Typical interview questions

Non-typical interview questions

Why this company?

Tell us about yourself

Describe an effective team you were part of

What would your training needs be if we offered you the role?

Tell us about a difficult situation you handled

Give an example of good customer service

What are you really good at?

Do you have any questions for us?

Why are you here?

Sell us this pen

What flavour ice cream would you be?

If you were a superhero, what powers would you have and why?

Aren’t you a little old to be working for us?

Are you planning on having children?

Explain a database in three sentences to your eight-year-old nephew.

Types of interview questions

There are 3 broad types of question at interview:

– MotivationalDesigned to test your motivation and enthusiasm for the role, the company and your future

– TechnicalRelate to your ability to undertake the tasks that you could expect to be given on a daily basis in the role

– Competency-basedRelate to the skills and competencies you would be expected to demonstrate in order to perform the duties of the role effectively

Types of interview questions

Motivational– 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– 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-based– Can you tell us about a time when you...worked in a team/dealt with a

difficult customer/met a deadline?– When answering competency-based questions, you should follow the

STAR model…

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 actionWhat specific actions did you take to overcome the difficulty?

R result What was the outcome 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

This STAR response could equally be used for a question relating to making a reasonable adjustment for a disabled person, going the extra mile for a customer or use of initiative.

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.

Tips forinterview success

Know what the purpose of the interview is

– It’s a marketing exerciseYou are selling a product to the employer. YOU are the product. Know your product well and sell it as best you can.Support everything you say with evidence – use the STAR model to achieve this.

Know what the employer is looking for

All employers are looking to answer 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?

Know what you have to offer the employer

– Communication skills– Interpersonal skills– Customer service skills– Teamwork– Commercial awareness– Problem-solving skills– Enthusiasm

– Motivation– Initiative– Leadership– Commitment– Organisational Skills– IT skills– Others…..

Most employers will be looking for a broad range of skills:

Know what to expect on the day of the interview

– How many people will be on the panel?– What format will the interview take?– Will there be a skills test or psychometric

assessment?– Where will the interview take place?– Have you planned for transport problems?– How many other candidates are there?– Have you prepared questions to ask the employer?

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?

Create a good first impression

Dress– Appropriate business dress clean shoes!

What to take– Certificates/portfolio if needed, copy 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 – firm, dry, confident– Eye contact– Avoid closed gestures– Vary your tone of voice– Smile!

10 tips for a good interview

1. Assume the interview starts the moment you leave home

2. Greet everyone with a smile3. Handshakes: Firm. Not bone-crushing or wet

lettuce leaf.4. Listen to the questions and answer them, ask for

clarification if you are unsure what they are asking5. Engage all interviewers in eye contact when giving

your answers

C

10 tips for a good interview

6. When answering competency-based questions always give a specific example rather than a general one

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

8. Always have questions ready for the end 9. Know what you’ve said in your application and be

prepared to discuss the details10. Switch your mobile off!

JOHN’S DAD’S BONUS TIP:Take a few deep breathsbefore you enter the interview room

C

10 tips for a bad interview

1. Demonstrate a lack of knowledge of company/field/industry2. Show a lack of enthusiasm3. Turn up late to the interview4. Being overconfident or casual5. Discussing salary or asking administrative questions6. Talking too much / not listening7. Fidgeting8. Demonstrating a lack of confidence9. Sweaty palms syndrome10. Being negative about anything

D

Interview practice

– Groups of 3– 3 rotations of 10 minutes– In each rotation you will take on the role of:

– interviewer, interviewee or observer– Once all questions have been answered in a rotation,

the interviewer and observer should provide feedback to the interviewee

– By the end of the third rotation you should have had an experience of each role

– There will be different questions for each rotation

Interview practice – Rotation 1

– 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 was your biggest failure? What did you learn from it?

– What factors have influenced your career choice?

Feedback checklist for interviewers/observers:– Did they use the STAR model effectively?– Were their examples backed up with evidence?– Did they engage in eye contact?

Interview practice – Rotation 2

– Describe a time when you dealt effectively with a difficult client or customer?

– Describe a time when you had to teach someone something? How did you ensure that they understood?

– What are your career plans for the future?– What qualities does a good manager have?

Feedback checklist for interviewers/observers:– Did they use the STAR model effectively?– Were their examples backed up with evidence?– Did they engage in eye contact?

Interview practice – Rotation 3

– Describe a time when you had to organise your time and workload effectively to meet multiple deadlines

– What are you really good at?– What are you really bad at?– What advice would you give to your 16 year-old self?

Feedback checklist for interviewers/observers:– Did they use the STAR model effectively?– Were their examples backed up with evidence?– Did they engage in eye contact?

Feedback and summary

– What was the worst question?– What was the easiest question?– Did anyone have/hear a really good answer to a

question?– Do you have any questions for us?

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 linksEngage– Search for jobs, book yourself in for appointments and events, search through the

growing bank of careers resources.http://engage.westminster.ac.uk

Engage Plus – Interview simulatorhttps://engage.westminster.ac.uk/students/abintegro/InterviewSimulator

Monster – Careers advice– Features lots of advice, instructional videos and an interactive mock interviewhttp://career-advice.monster.co.uk

Prospects– UK graduate careers website, lots of information and advice

http://www.prospects.ac.uk

Target Jobs – for sector-specific advicehttp://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