Employability and graduate Development 01392 724493 [email protected]

Interview Techniques

Employability and graduate Development01392 724493

[email protected]/employability

www.exeter.ac.uk/employability

mailto:[email protected]

Aims of this session

Preparation for interviewsTypical interview questionsNon-verbal communicationCoping with different styles of interview


What is an interview?

Getting an interview means that you are ‘nearly there’

Interviewers want you to succeed – help them!

It is not an interrogation but a chance to expand on your application form/CV

How you come across is just as important as what you say

Be enthusiastic and interested


Types of Interview

Information based/life history

Structured behaviour based (competency/strength)


What may happen….A panel interviewA technical interviewA telephone interviewA case studyA group interview/discussionSeveral different interviews on the same dayAn unstructured interview


“ The best thing about not planning is that failure comes as a complete surprise and is not preceded by a period of worry and depression “

Sir John Harvey-Jones


Three important points for a successful interview:

Preparation......... Job ,Company, MotivationPreparation.. Impact ,appearance, body

language Preparation....... Questions, strengths

competenciesAny Weaknesses????Plus “The Magic Ingredient”


RESEARCH :

Job ,Company, MotivationMarket/Sector/CompetitionPlus Commercial and Current Affairs


First impressions…..What you wear is important!

Many people believe decisions are made on:55 % body language 38 % voice7 % words


Body Language – ‘don’ts’Limp handshakeAvoiding eye contact Folding your arms Fidgeting Leaning forward and sitting on the seat edgeLooking out of the windowLooking unhappy , bored, disinterested


Body Language – ‘dos’Firm handshakeOpen body language Smile Eye contact –with everyone Sense of humour-but be carefulRelaxed and professional manner


Question typesInformation seeking questions –

knowledge of the organisation your motivations arising from your CV or application formwhy do want this job?

Behavioural questionscompetencestrength

Scenario or hypothetical questions


Examples of competency based questionsGive me an example of when you influenced

the work of others

Describe a challenging project, activity or event which you have planned and taken through to its conclusion

Remember the STAR technique


Structure your answers – the STAR format

SITUATION- “I was part of a sales team that was responsible for …..”

TARGET/TASK- “Customers were confused about the difference between ….”

ACTION – “ I questioned whether this would work and suggested that we try …..”

RESULT – “Positive feedback from customers showed that ..”


Strength Based Interviews

Shorter questions designed to discover what you

enjoy rather than what you can do. E.g

“Do you prefer starting or finishing a task?” Back this up with an example of why you think this

“What do you enjoy most about your current role?”

Tip: Research the role and prepare strong examples of appropriate strengths & state why this is relevant to the role/organisation – employers will be looking for energy and enthusiasm in your answer


Surprise questions

Who do you most admire and why?Is there a future for the European currency in

Greece?Give me five uses for the colour redHow would your best friends describe you?Tell us about a book you have just readWhy did I ask you this question ?If you were a type of sweet or confectionary

bar,what would you be?



Let’s try a few questions ………

Questions

Are we heading for a double dip recession?Tell me about a time when you have used your

initiative to cope with changes ?What makes a successful day for you?Give me an example of when you have

performed effectively in a team?How did you decide to apply to our

organisation?Have you had to solve a complex problem and

how did you approach this?www.exeter.ac.uk/employability

Your questionsTraining Promotion?Development /job content The future of organisation Avoid

Questions answered in the literatureQuestions about conditions of service/pay


Tips on the day

Help the interviewerEnjoy the interview

The magic ingredient:


Sparkle

Remember

….you don’t get a second chance to create a first impression!


Useful resourcesEGD vidcast (on web site)www.prospects.ac.uk – interview tips under the ‘Jobs

and Work’ sectionDVD – ‘Making an Impact’ – available at Reed MewsCareers and Employment GuideThe Interview Experience/mock interviews with

employers (check web for details and dates)www.bemyinterviewer.co.uk Appointment to see a Careers Consultant (Tel: 01392 724493)


http://www.prospects.ac.uk/

http://www.bemyinterviewer.co.uk/

Documents

Employability and graduate Development 01392 724493 [email protected]