JOBSHOP
A guide to Job Interviews Introduction Getting an invitation to an interview means you have already made a good impression and possess the skills required to do the job; you now need to demonstrate those skills. It is important to be prepared, be confident, dress appropriately and make sure you are polite and friendly to all staff and other candidates you meet. Remember the interview starts when you walk through the door and will not finish until you leave the building.
Preparation Action Point Ø
Note the date, time and place of the interview ensuring you are able to attend and confirm as soon as possible saying you will be pleased to attend the interview.
Prepare for the interview questions In the interview you will need to expand on information given in your application form. The purpose of most of the questions asked at the interview will be to find out about your skills and experience. You need to be prepared to give examples i.e. you may be asked ‘Can you tell us about a time when you used your initiative?’ You will need to be able to give a specific example of when you used your initiative.
A useful strategy for answering questions concisely is to use the STAR technique: §
Situation - briefly describe the where/when/who;
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Task - outline the task or objective (what you hoped to achieve).
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Action - describe what you did - focus on your role and your input.
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Result - what the outcome was and what skills you developed.
You can prepare a number of examples for each of the competencies found in the person specification. Also take a look at the possible questions on page four of this factsheet and write down how you would answer these questions. It is a good idea to keep a copy of these examples, which you can update as you go through your career.
Page |2 Tests and exercises You may be asked to attend an assessment day as part of the selection process. If this is the case you will be told what to expect when you are invited to interview. The following websites have further information about psychometric tests and assessment days. §
www.prospects.ac.uk/interview_tests.htm
Graduate Prospects
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http://targetjobs.co.uk/
Targetjobs
Practice Tests §
www.assessmentday.co.uk
Assessment Day Practice Tests
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www.jobtestprep.co.uk
Variety of tests available, many free of charge
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www.shldirect.com/advice_for_graduates.html
SHL Direct
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https://www.gov.uk/civil-service-fast-stream-how-to-apply Civil Service Fast Stream application advice
Action Points You will need the original job advertisement, Job/person specification and your completed form. Ø
Make a list of your key skills and match them with the required skills of the post.
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List your achievements. In your personal life, in your education and in your employment. Look at how these can be related positively to the job requirements.
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Ensure you have a positive example of each skill the employer is looking for, use the STAR technique.
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Also have an example of when things didn’t go so well, but ensure you can illustrate either a positive outcome, or something positive you learnt from the experience.
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Take a look at the possible questions on page four of this factsheet and write down how you would answer these questions positively.
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Consider any other likely questions and your possible responses.
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Are there any other experiences or achievements that you did not have room for on the application form which would support your suitability for the post.
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Think about the weak areas of your application and how you can positively answer any questions relating to them.
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If not already done so, find out about the company.
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Try a mock interview with a friend so that you can practice your answers out loud.
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Interview day Ø
Dress smartly, appropriately and comfortably
Action Points Information to take with you Ø A Map – to ensure you don’t get lost. Use an A-Z or go online at http://uk.multimap.com/ or google maps to
search by postcode. Ø Interview letter - this should have a contact telephone number and the address, it should also have the
instructions of where you need to go when you arrive and the names of the interviewer(S). Ø A copy of your application form/CV Ø A note of the questions you wish to ask Ø Sometimes you are requested to take proof of your qualifications, ensure the certificates are well presented Ø Take money if you need it for the phone/taxi or your mobile phone, but remember to switch it off before you
arrive. On arrival Follow the instructions on the letter, remember the name of the contact person you are requested to ask for. First Impressions You are judged within the first four minutes of being met, so try and create a good first impression. Try and look relaxed, remember to smile warmly, shake hands firmly and maintain eye contact. Study suggests first impression are made up of 55% visual impact i.e. dress, facial expressions and body language, 38% tone of voice, 7% from what you actually say. The panel interview Some of the advice in this section is relevant for the whole interview process as well as the panel interview. If an interviewer is inexperienced they may be nervous themselves and unable to draw out the appropriate information from you, so try and remember to give them all the information they require. Body language §
Sit upright indicating an interest in what is being asked. Try not to use too much hand movement and be aware of not crossing your arms as this can be seen as being defensive
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Eye contact. This shows you are interested in what is being said and will help you see the interviewers’ reaction to what you are saying. With panel interviews it is best to answer the person who has asked the question glancing at the other interviewers.
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Voice. Try not to talk too fast and keep an even tone
Try and appear confident, smile and establish rapport with your interviewer.
Page |4 The Questions Listen carefully to the question as it is easy to misunderstand what is being asked. §
Give full answers Avoid Yes/No answers, be prepared to expand but do not waffle. Take your cue from the interviewer and if you do not think you have given enough information, ask if the interviewer would like you to continue
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Seek Clarification If you do not understand a question, if you need to think about a question take a sip of water, if available, to give yourself thinking space.
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Be familiar with your application form/CV/application letter. Interview questions will normally be based around the information in your application, so be ready to repeat and expand on information already given.
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Give Varied Examples Show your knowledge and experience from different areas of your life rather than concentrating on one aspect. You should already have prepared for a range of examples.
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Personal Be prepared to talk about your personal experiences, attitudes, ideas and interests.
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Balanced view Be positive about your experience and skills but do not praise yourself excessively or criticise yourself.
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Positive When giving examples of your knowledge and skills always express them positively. Remember, the interviewers do not know you so it is up to you to tell them how good you are, but remember to be honest.
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Honesty If you have been dishonest in an interview which is discovered at a later stage you could be dismissed. If there is anything in your personal or work history which could be considered a problem present it in a positive light i.e. indicating what you have learnt.
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Questions may include those about: Your course, yourself, personal considerations, why you want to work at that organisation, career development.
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Questions you Should Not Be Asked:
Decline to answer any questions which are personal, these can be
linked to race, gender, religion or disability or any questions which are not relevant to the job.
Page |5 Possible questions §
Give an example of when you have used your initiative?
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Give an example of when you have worked successfully in a team?
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Describe a difficult problem you had to deal with?
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Is there something you learnt at university that could be used in your job?
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What do you hope to be doing in five years’ time?
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What interests you most/least about this job?
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What is your greatest strength?
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What is your greatest weakness?
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What skills would you like to develop in this job?
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Why do you want to work here?
www.jobapplications.co.uk/ has an ‘Interview’ section with a list of organisations (mostly retail and finance) with information about their interview process and a list of possible questions. Your questions §
There is usually an opportunity at the end of the interview for you to ask questions. These should include the ones you have already noted when you were preparing for the interview.
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If all your questions have been answered in the interview inform the interviewer they have answered all your questions and reiterate your enthusiasm for the job.
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Only ask Questions that you want to know the answer to, and do not ask too many
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If you are not given the chance to ask questions you can politely assert yourself asking if this is the appropriate time to raise some points.
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Even if you do not feel the interview went well, end it on a positive note, smile and remember to keep you body language open.
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Always end the interview on a positive note.
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After the interview make a note of any difficult questions so that you can be better prepared for next time.
Tests and exercises You are usually informed in your invitation to an interview if there will be a test or exercise. These could consist of writing or typing answers to some written questions i.e. scenarios and how you would deal with the situation. They may include computer application tests, group exercises, psychometric tests, telephone test, in-tray exercise, a presentation...
Page |6 Action Point Find out more about tests and exercises and how to prepare for them by going to: •
Graduate Prospects: http://www.prospects.ac.uk/interview_tests.htm
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TARGETjobs: http://targetjobs.co.uk (see careers advice)
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‘How to master Psychometric Tests’ (Book) available to view in the Resource Centre
Telephone Interviews The following websites have useful hints and tips §
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/422001427562093265/
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http://targetjobs.co.uk (see careers advice)
The Job offer You will normally be contacted the same day with a job offer, occasionally you may be asked to wait after the interview for the panel to make their decision. After a verbal acceptance of an offer you should receive written confirmation of appointment. This should also confirm your starting salary point. You should then reply in writing accepting the offer. Reviewing an interview When you have attended an interview you will need to review your ‘performance’. If you are unsuccessful in you may need to consider: Did I give enough appropriate examples?
What impression did I give at my interview?
Did I effectively convey to the employer my skills and experience and how I would be suited to the job? Feedback If you are not offered the position it is a good idea to ask for some feedback on your performance, which may be given to you over the telephone after the interview date. This should help you be better prepared for the next interview and ensure success in the future.
Page |7 FURTHER INFORMATION AND RESOURCES If you have any questions or need information, please email bgfutures@bishopg.ac.uk Resource Centre The Resource Centre has a number of useful books to help you prepare for your job interview. View a list of books via the ‘Resource Centre’ page on the ‘Services’ section of Blackboard. Also view a list of books on www.librarything.com/catalog/BGcareers Useful links §
www.prospects.ac.uk Go to the Careers Advice section for interview tips and interview tests and exercises.
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Careersbox (http://www.careersbox.co.uk/preview/level7_catchup.html) Video with advice on interviews
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Careers Player (http://www.careerplayer.com/) Advice section includes interview tips
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Be My Interviewer (www.jobsite.co.uk/bemyinterviewer) Watch videos of various leading industry professionals, who ask different interview questions. You answer the question and then play their response which shows the response they are looking for. There is the option to choose by interviewer or question type. There is also an interview surgery where you can ask a question or offer your own advice.
Advice and guidance You can book an appointment with careers staff who can help you with interview techniques. bgfutures@bishopg.ac.uk to make an appointment.
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We operate in accordance with the University Diversity and Equality Policies. If you require this document in an alternative format, for example in large print, please email us at bgfutures@bishopg.ac.uk For more information go to the BG Futures: Careers, Employability and Enterprise module on Blackboard