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UNIT 4 INTERVIEW

SKILLS

2012

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AIMS OF AN INTERVIEW Your opportunity to convince a

prospective employer that you are the best person for the job. You need to “sell” yourself to the interviewer.

At the same time, collect information about the job and the organisation.

The interviewer wants to identify the best candidate for the position. Your own role, then, is to demonstrate your suitability for and interest in the job.

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KNOW YOURSELFYour Interests. Look at the 10 in your book: Outdoor Mechanical Computational Scientific Persuasive Artistic Literary Musical Social Service Clerical

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KNOW YOURSELF

Your Abilities: What you are good at doing!

Physical Intellectual Artistic Social Persuasive Organisational

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KNOW YOURSELF

Your Values How I Want to Behave

 Ambitious

 Broadminded

 Capable

 Carefree

 Cheerful

 Clean

 Confident

 Creative

 Courageous

 Conservative

 Honest

 Forgiving

 Gentle

 Helpful

 Hardworking

 Obedient

 Independent

 Logical

 Loving

 Intellectual

 Self-controlled

 Patient

 Polite

 Careful

 Responsible

 Fair

 Trustworthy

  

   

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KNOW YOURSELF

Your Values What I Want to Achieve

 A comfortable life

 Be admired/respected

 Pleasure

 A good family life

 Be well-educated

 Security

 A life of beauty

 Freedom

 Self-respect

 A meaningful religious life

 Happiness

 Wealth

 A sense of accomplishment/success

 Mature love

 Wisdom

 An exciting/adventurous life

 Peace

 Friendship

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KNOW YOURSELF

Work Preferences Different people are attracted to

different aspects of work. The scale in your book lists 52 aspects of work that people consider important.

You have to consider which of these aspects of work you prefer.

There are no right or wrong answers.

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KNOW YOURSELFWork Preferences

 Independence(you want to be free from being told what to do)Co-workers(you want to work with people who are friendly and understanding)Self-development(you want to develop and use your skills and abilities at work)Creativity(you want to make or do something original through your work)Money(you want large amounts of money as the reward for your work)Life-style(you want to live life your own way and not have it determined by your work)

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KNOW YOURSELFWork Preferences

Prestige(you want people to think that your work is important)Altruism(you want to help others through your work)Security(you want to feel sure that you will not lose your job)Management(you want to be in charge of other workers)Detachment(you want to be free from having to work in your spare time)Physical Activity(you want to be physically active in your work)Surroundings(you want to work in pleasant surroundings)

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KNOW THE JOB AND THE MARKET Gather information on your job and

career Have a plan and know what you would

want to achieve in your career. Then take the steps to achieve your goal.

Gathering information on your job+self-evaluation, will make you: 

more focused in your job search have a ready answer if you are asked

about your career objective at the interview

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KNOW THE JOB AND THE MARKET Do a job market survey through: Newspapers, professional journals, Web

sites, personal contacts

Doing a job market survey will help you get a feel of:

the current remuneration for the job the requirements [This can include

technical/non-technical skills needed] of the job

the likely duties attached to the job

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LEVELS OF INTERVIEW 1.Informal interview This is a casual round usually conducted

by the immediate supervisor or the Human Resource Officer.

2.Formal interview A panel of interviewers usually conducts

this, and the decision to appoint the candidate rests on this panel.

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STAGES OF THE INTERVIEW

Opening and Rapport Building Body of the Interview – Interviewers

Gather Information Body of the Interview – Interviewers

Give Information Close of the Interview

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OPENING AND RAPPORT BUILDING

This is the first-impression stage. Create a positive first impression by

entering the interview room confidently. Reciprocate interviewers welcome

appropriately. [Take the lead from interviewers.]

Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security by the rapport building. Listening well.

Interviewers build rapport with you. Assess how you reciprocate.

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BODY OF THE INTERVIEW – INTERVIEWERS GATHER INFORMATION

This forms the bulk of the interview. Listening skills are required. Listen

carefully to questions and answer thoughtfully/confidently.

Sell your skills and abilities effectively. Stay calm. Even if questions confrontative. Speak clearly and audibly. Interviewers change to more business-like

tone. Probe for specific information to make

decision.

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BODY OF THE INTERVIEW – INTERVIEWERS GIVE INFORMATION

Discuss your concerns and get a clear idea of what the job is about.

How you ask the questions matters as much as what you ask about.

Interviewers supply information requested by interviewee.

Assess interviewee’s priorities from the questions asked.

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CLOSE OF THE INTERVIEW

When the interviewer indicates that the interview is over, recognize this signal. Be ready to express thanks..

Ask when to follow up and clarify last-minute doubts.

Interviewers thank interviewee. Indicate what next stage will be, if

relevant.

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TYPES OF INTERVIEW QUESTIONS Open Questions

Closed Questions

Mirror Questions

Leading Questions

Probing Questions

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OPEN QUESTION   The open question encourages

interviewees to speak freely and talk about themselves while the interviewer listens, observes and makes notes.

Could you tell me about your work experience?

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CLOSED QUESTIONS

The closed question is designed to limit the interviewee’s response and to establish familiar facts such as their address, previous place of employment or qualifications.

How long was your industrial attachment?

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MIRROR QUESTIONS

The mirror question restates the interviewee’s previous answer and invites them to add further information.

Interviewee: “I thought my project group was great.”

Mirror question: “The group was great?” Interviewee: “Yes. We shared ideas and I

liked the support provided. I like working in groups.”

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LEADING QUESTIONS

The leading question directs the interviewee to clarify answers.

- You like using computers in your work? - Are you satisfied with the quality of the

product?

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PROBING QUESTIONS

The probing question follows on from the last response of the interviewee. This type of question is spontaneous rather than planned. It aims to probe the basis for the interviewee’s response.

Interviewee: “My current job requires me to manage my time.”

Probing question: “How do you manage your time?”

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HOW TO HANDLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

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QUESTIONS ON CAPABILITY

On capability, adaptability to corporate culture and stress tolerance.

To show your capability to do the job well, you need to discuss what you can do and how much experience you have in the area required by the job specification.

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DO’S AND DON’TS

Do Highlight relevant qualifications, knowledge,

skills and experience Make known your achievements, awards and

scholarships Provide examples to illustrate and support your

claims  Don’t Recount your bio-data as given in your resume Point out your weaknesses candidly Talk openly about what you lack Exaggerate your knowledge and experience,

even if it sounds a little unrealistic

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QUESTIONS ON ADAPTABILITY TO CORPORATE CULTURE

Find out more about the company’s corporate culture before the interview.

During the interview, you should then seek opportunities to display interest in the job and the positive values you possess, related to the company’s corporate culture.

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QUESTIONS TO GAUGE STRESS TOLERANCE Interviewers ask “way out” questions/

make insulting statements. Interviewers act unpleasantly or

impolitely toward you to try and make you angry, defensive or frustrated.

The main thing is to stay calm. Focus on the need to talk about your qualifications and skills.

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DO’S AND DON’TS

Remain calm and polite Stay focused on highlighting your

suitability for the job  Don’t Show them that you have a temper and

will not swallow abuse Break down and cry at the last resort Be defensive and even aggressive if

necessary

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Do check up on some questions

commonly asked by interviewers and interviewees. (Your text has quite a few.)

Think through and prepare the answers you would supply as an interviewee/interviewer.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Tell me about yourself. Tell me about your polytechnic

programme and why you chose it. What are some things you do in your

spare time? Hobbies? Sports? What will my duties be if I were selected

for this position? Is the company intending to expand into

other areas? Why is this position open? Did the

person who held it previously leave?

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IMPRESSIONS

HOW TO CONDUCT YOURSELF AT INTERVIEWS

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THINGS TO DO:

Accent the positive aspects Use expressions that indicate you are competent

/dependable/positive. Take time to weigh the pros and cons of an idea to show

analytical skills. Arrive early   Be honest and sincere Stick to the facts, and state achievements without

exaggeration. Be tactful and gracious in conversation Listen carefully. Do not interrupt. Follow the interviewer’s

conversation leads. Do not bore the interviewer but do reply with more than a “yes” or “no”. Never contradict the interviewer?

Dress appropriately Choose suitable, comfortable clothes and consider your

personal grooming.

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THINGS TO DO:

Follow the interviewer’s lead Remember that you are a guest. Do not sit until you are

told. Shake hands if the interviewer offers to do so and give a firm handshake.

Pay attention to voice quality A moderately low voice is usually the most pleasing.

Use a cheerful and pleasant tone and speak at an appropriate speed. Use pauses to stress major points, as they add variety and give emphasis.

Show enthusiasm, vitality and interest The way you sit and look, your facial expressions, the

questions you ask, and the answers you give speak volumes about your interest and attitude. Speak with vitality and variety. Show interest in the company. Then tactfully relate your achievements to the employer’s needs wherever possible.

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 WHAT TO AVOID:

Discourtesy Don’t behave as if you are among colleagues of

equal rank. Neither should you use first names. Don’t show nonchalance by chewing gum or doodling.

Interruptions Don’t finish the question for the interviewer, even if

it is clear to you where the question is headed, thinking that this saves everybody time and shows them your intelligence.

Jargon and slang Don’t punctuate your speech with such expressions

as ‘yeah’, ‘y’know’ and ‘cool’.

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WHAT TO AVOID 

Lack of poise and confidence Don’t be nervous and lack confidence.   Negative comments and attitude Don’t use words with negative

connotation such as ‘can’t’, ‘won’t’, ‘unable’, ‘failure’ and ‘incompetent’.

  Overaggressive or cynical attitude Don’t show a superior ‘better-than-thou’

attitude or that you ‘know-it-all’.

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ASSIGNMENT 3: MOCK INTERVIEW (50 MARKS)

In the series of units on Job Search Skills, you would have already done the following:

Carried out research on companies and positions available

Decided on a company and a position in that company to apply for

Submitted your cover letter and resume to apply for the job

This assignment now wraps up your job search preparation. The assignment will entail both group and individual work.

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ASSIGNMENT 3: MOCK INTERVIEW

Interview Panel: Work in groups of four to five. You will form the interview

panel for candidates from other groups. Your tutor will tell you which group you will interview.

Work out your roles ahead - the immediate supervisor, the department manager, the Human Resource manager and the Managing Director, for instance.

Brainstorm for questions an actual interview panel would ask candidates during your SDL session. Use your course notes and the form on the next page as a guide.

Give the interview process structure. Have time for rapport-building, info seeking, info giving and a proper close. Your questions should cover all the main areas such as capability, adaptability and stress tolerance.

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ASSIGNMENT 3: MOCK INTERVIEW

Interview Panel: Your classmates in the group you will

interview will hand you their cover letters, resumes, clippings or printouts of the vacancies they are applying for, as well as the company research they have done. Based on these, as well as your own research if necessary, brainstorm for questions an actual interview panel would ask candidates.

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ASSIGNMENT 3: MOCK INTERVIEW

The interviewee You are going to be interviewed for the

job that you have applied for. Prepare to ‘sell’ yourself at the interview. Think of questions likely to be asked and arm yourself with good answers ahead of time to impress your interview panel.

Come suitably attired for the interview, complete with your interview kit.

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ASSIGNMENT 3: MOCK INTERVIEW

Assessment of interview (40marks): Overall: Well-prepared/Confident &

enthusiastic /Positive & polite /Friendly/ Highlights strengths & suitability /Asks appropriate questions

Non-verbal skills: style of walking/ posture/ gestures/ eye contact)

Verbal Skills: Clear voice quality/Fluent and appropriate pace of speaking/Good pronunciation

Grooming & Attire: professional dressing/shoes/hairstyle etc.

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ASSIGNMENT 3: MOCK INTERVIEW Reflections (10marks) – to be submitted

a week after the mock interview In 300 words, provide an evaluation of

your learning experience in conducting an interview and your experience as an interviewee. Reflections or feedback should be meaningful and specific. Assess your own performance as an interviewee and share how you would improve if you were to be interviewed again. If you are giving feedback on others, remember to be constructive.

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ASSIGNMENT 3: MOCK INTERVIEW

Half the class will be interviewers on Wed 4 July 2012(Week 12), the other half will be job applicants.

You will switch roles on Wed 11 July 2012 (Week 13).

Reflections to be handed in by Week 14.