Job Interviews
- Types of interviews
- Interview Tips/Hints
- What will the Interviewer be doing?
- The '3 Ps' - Preparation, Preparation & Preparation
- Pre-empt possible questions & prepare examples
- On the day - things to consider
- What to project at the interview
- What will they ask me?
- At the interview
- Interviews - after the event
Types Of Interviews
- Information Interviews: Involves the prospective job applicant speaking to an employer about their company and the position or positions available.
- One Interviewer: The interviewee is formally interviewed by one representative of a company or agency.
- Panel: The interviewee is formally interviewed by more than one representative of a company or agency.
- Teleconference or Videoconference: These are usually utilised when the interviewee is geographically distant from the interviewers.
- Assessment Centre/Group: These can be used in Government or Corporate recruitment, and can involve spending a day at an assessment centre along with other prospective employees. Throughout the day, interviewees may be asked to participate in a number of tasks and exercises whilst observed by a panel of appointed company delegates.
Interview Tips/Hints
- View the interview as a proactive, rather than passive, exercise. You have won your right to be there! Take advantage of the opportunity to sell yourself - it is not a time for false modesty, though be aware of the difference between confidence and arrogance.
- The interview process is designed to find the best person to do the job, but it is also about building trust & rapport. Would they like to work with you?
- Performing well at interviews is a learned process.
- The person who gets the job is not always the best candidate - sometimes this is the result of a good interview.
- Leave salary negotiation until the end of the interview, then quote a range.
- You are not alone: most people find interviews awkward and stressful. They are rare events that require you to sell yourself in a potentially competitive environment.
- Preparation is key to enable you to provide specific examples to reinforce claims about skills and competencies.
What Will The Interviewer Be Doing?
Generally, they will be comparing you against his or her criteria, either formally of informally. Typical selection criteria can be:
- Specific technical skills
- Time management
- Analytical skills
- Communication skills - verbal and written
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Personal impact
- Problem solving
The Interviewer(s) may be grading you against each of these criteria as: Inadequate, Poor, Competent, Good or Excellent. They do this on the basis of evidence of what you've done that demonstrates your effectiveness in these differrent competencies.
The '3 Ps': Preparation, Preparation & Preparation
Prepare beforehand and you will look and feel more confident.
- Research the company: history, structure, purpose(s) & goals.
- Research the job: duties, context & what the employer would view as the perfect candidate. Knowing what employers will want to hear is a great reference point for preparing your answers.
- Be familiar with your application: many employers will use an interview to explore your resume further.
- Conduct practice or mock interviews: practice answering unexpected questions out loud.
- Picture a positive experience pre-interview.
- The 4th 'P': Pre-empt questions and prepare examples.
Pre-empt Possible Questions & Prepare Examples
Each time they ask you to talk about a skills area, selectors want to hear what you have done that proves you have the skill and can apply it. They don't want theory, they want examples.
So a crucial part of your preparation for an interview is to draw up your own list of what you think the selectors will want and examples of how you have demonstrated those skills in the past.
Draw your examples from different areas of your life:
- Work experience
- Part-time or voluntary work
- Academic study
- Student life
On The Day - Things To Consider
- Location: Ensure that prior to the interview you know exactly where it will be held and how to get there.
- Dress: The general 'rule of thumb' is to dress one or two stations above the position you are applying for. Essentially, ensure that you look professional, neat and clean.
- Parking/Transport: Again, prior to the interview ensure that you establish exactly how you intend to get to the venue, and where to park if applicable. If you are parking in a city location, make sure that you have enough change for parking with you!
- Time: Generally, it is a good habit to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your allocated interview time. This will give you time to collect yourself, go to the toilet, have a drink of water and calm your nerves. It also reduces the chance of you being late (a definite no-no) should traffic or another factor 'hold you up'.
What To Project At The Interview:
- Calm confidence
- Controlled friendliness
- Good body language and eye contact
"What Will They Ask Me?"
Some examples of questions to practice answering:
- Why are you the best person for this job?
- Can you describe a time when you have managed a project?
- Can you describe a time when you have organised an event?
- Tell us about how you organise and prioritise tasks?
- What are your strengths/weaknesses? - sometimes this question is asked indirectly.
- Can you give an example of when you have worked in a team and there has been conflict within that team? What did you do?
At The Interview
- Speak thoughtfully and clearly - don't rush responses.
- If you are not sure what an interviewer is asking, clarify the question by rephrasing it or ask them to explain what they mean.
- Prepare one or two questions to ask them at the end of the interview.
- If unsure whether to go on, check to see that you have sufficiently addressed questions.
- Remember names, & use them when thanking interviewer(s) for the opportunity at the end of the interview.
- Shake hands with panel members/interviewer at the start and end of the interview.
Handy Hint: By keeping record of your career milestones, and ensuring that your Resume is a 'live document' it will make it much easier for you to recall specific examples to draw upon at interview.
Interviews - After The Event
- If unsuccessful, ask for feedback about your performance, for example:
- Your approach or attitude.
- How you could improve your interview skills?
- What other skills or qualifications you need to obtain for the job?
- Remain friendly and polite, as you never know when another position in the company may become available. It also shows you are mature and professional about setbacks.
- Reflect on your own performance - the areas you did well in and the areas you could improve on.
Remember:
Every interview is a good interview - you will be left with more confidence and experience for the next one.
"I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward." - Thomas Edison
