InterviewsA ‘how to’ guide

CCHS Home StudyPersonal, Social, Health and Economic

Education

How not to interview!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo0KjdDJr1c&feature=youtu.be

All things considered……...

▪ What time do I need to be there?

▪ What do I wear?

▪ How should I behave?

▪ What do I say?

? ?

What time do I need to be there?

While you obviously know how to get into college and at what time, going to a real interview will be slightly different. For your interview in school, make sure that you know which room you need to go to, and arrive around 5 minutes early. Wait patiently outside the room until you are invited to enter.

For future interviews…..

❏ You’ll be nervous enough, so don’t add stress to your day. Plan your journey the night before so you know exactly where to go and how to get there.

❏ Remember to leave yourself plenty of time for travel (think of possible delays). You are far better off being early than late.

❏ Make a note of the contact telephone number in case of emergency.

What do I wear?

It goes without saying that you want to impress. But you also don’t want to be the only person going for an interview in a three piece suit! For your interview in school you should follow some simple guidelines, but these will be relevant to all interviews.

➔ You need to look serious about the interview, so smart is good. No denim, no trainers, no caps, no sportswear.

➔ Smart shoes - no trainers or pumps, flimsy sandals, or flip-flops. Heels are fine, but keep them sensible and make sure you are confident enough to walk in them!

➔ A smart skirt or trousers and a blouse or shirt, jacket or blazer and for the men, a shirt and tie.

➔ Think of the sixth form dress code - no inappropriately bared flesh➔ It is a good idea to remove facial piercings and keep tattoos covered where possible.➔ While purple or blue hair may be fashionable, consider how this will be seen by a

prospective employer. How would this fit in with their company image?➔ If you are finding it hard to decide, there may be a company dress code detailed on

their website

First impressions DO count.

How should I behave?

Sounds easy, but when we are nervous we lose our ability to control even the most simple facial expressions! Make sure you start the interview off with a nice big smile (not an insane grin). Employers want good workers, but they also want people who are friendly and a pleasure to work with.

Stand tall! The way you enter the room will say a lot about you. Enter with your head up, make eye-contact as soon as possible. Use a certain amount of speed, but don’t look rushed or flustered; too slow and you will look reluctant.

A firm handshake goes a long way, so practice this with friends - you want to come across as confident, not too weak or too forceful.

Playing with your hair, pushing sleeves up and down, fiddling with jewellery and biting your nails are all very common things people do when they’re nervous. Worst of all, they have no idea that they are doing it….and it doesn’t come across well.

Tip: Imagine a box the size of a laptop screen in front of your lap. Your hands must either stay in your lap, or occasionally go through this window and back again.

BODY LANGUAGE: A great way to get comfortable is to practice sitting down. Yes it sounds ridiculous, but bear with us.Sit on a chair in front of a mirror. Observe yourself. Where are your hands? How are your feet positioned? Are your legs crossed? Are you hunched over? Are you shoulders back, is your chin up high? Are you sitting far back in the chair or right on the edge?

What should I say?

Do★ Introduce yourself - this can be done either

before or during shaking hands. ★ Expand on your answers - Give a little detail

but don’t ramble on if you have nothing relevant to say.

★ Listen - make sure you understand what you are being asked, and if you don’t, ask the interviewer to repeat the question.

★ Speak clearly and politely★ Be honest - if you can’t answer a question

then say so★ Be truthful - a lie will very quickly be found

out and tie you up later★ Be enthusiastic - the interview is to find out

about you and that is one thing that you should be confident talking about!

★ Be positive - advertise your strengths

Don’t★ Mumble - take a moment to pause and think

about what you want to say, then speak clearly and directly to the interviewer.

★ Avoid one word yes or no answers - this makes the process painful for everyone.

★ Don’t use slang, colloquial or offensive language - obviously!

★ Avoid contentious or controversial subjects -even if your passion is politics, your own personal manifesto doesn’t belong here -keep it general.

★ Don’t lie - it will only trip you up★ Get distracted - there may be students

outside or in the corridor but ignore them and focus on the interviewer.

★ Don’t worry - the interviewer will know you are nervous

Interview Questions

On the following pages are a selection of generic interview questions that you may be asked at any interview. It will help your confidence to take some time to think about how you would go about answering them. Knowing that you are prepared for something will help when it comes to those questions that you can’t predict.

Use the space provided to jot down any thoughts you have and practice your answers with a friend or family member. Remember that what you say in these answers may be picked up by the interviewer for use later, so try not to include anything that will be a bit of a stretch to talk about in detail. For example, don’t say your hobby is rock climbing if you’ve only ever walked up Snowdon once!

Once you have made your notes, it may help you to practice talking through your answers, either to a friend, a family member, or even a mirror! The more prepared you are, the more confident and relaxed you will feel.

Tell me about yourselfFour or five sentences that give an impression of who you are. Maybe start with your current study and add hobbies or interests,work experience or part-time job. What are your dreams for the future? Think about what makes you stand out e.g. have you any achievements that you are particularly proud of?This is your chance to influence the interview, by including something that you feel able to talk about more fully, should the interviewer pick up on it.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?For strengths, think of skills such as communication, ability to adapt, determination and organisation - and have an example of something you have done that will demonstrate each one.While a golden rule is not to admit to weakness, everyone is aware that they have some. Choose to only mention something that would not hurt you as a candidate and explain what you are doing to correct it e.g. ‘sometimes I am shy when meeting newpeople, but I have recently joined a local theatre group which is quickly helping me increase my confidence’.

Tell me about a challenge that you have faced and how you overcame it.This may take some thinking about, so it pays to be prepared in advance. Think about situations that you have found hard or frightened of. Being able to tell the interviewer concisely about the problem and how you overcame it will show the skills ofresilience and determination.

What would your friends and family say was your best quality?A good preparation for this question would be to actually ask them! This is very similar to the question of strengths, but also points to being self-aware and able to self-assess. Be ready to provide evidence of why they would say something about you.

What motivates you?The interviewer is trying to find out what drives you and what sort of tasks you enjoy most. Do you enjoy problem solving? Isthe end result of seeing something work satisfying to you? Think of examples where part of the process or the result has excited you. What is your reward?

Do you have any questions?

This is a difficult one, but is guaranteed to be asked at the end of any formal interview that you may attend. For the future, research into the job role/course that you are applying for is essential. Have two or three questions about the role or course so that you have spares if one is already covered by the interviewer. Asking about specific progression pathways or opportunities for the future will demonstrate a desire to improve and progress. Whatever it is that you ask, make sure to ask something.