Careers & Employability Centre

Winning at Interviews

Types of interview

• 1 to 1

• Panel

• Phone

• Skype

• Assessment centre

• Case study

• Technical

Types of question

Ideal Candidate

Can you do the job?

Will you do the job?

Will you fit in?

Are you eligible?

Types of question

• Biographical

• Motivation

• Competency

• Situational

• Self awareness

• ‘Random’

• Technical

• Strengths-based

Biographical

• Traditional approach

• Know your CV/application thoroughly

• Prepare your story

• USPs

• Gaps and blips

Are you eligible?

Competency

• Research = no nasty surprises

• ‘Tell us about a time when/give us an example of…’

• Examples can come from anywhere in your life

• Develop your competency grid

Can you do the job?

STAR

• Situation

• Task

• Actions

• Results

Can you do the job?

Non-verbal behaviour

• Dress

• Tone of voice

• Body posture

• Eye contact

• Breathe!

Will you fit in?

Your questions

• Have several prepared:

•Career development

•Working conditions

•Training

• Don’t be afraid to ask during the interview

• Don’t be silent if they’ve already been covered