interview and assessment centres

Careers and Employability Centre

International Students Interviews and Assessment Centres Michele Zala

Aims Provide an understanding of assessment centres Identify preparation required to succeed at job interviews Identify preparation required to succeed at assessment

centres.

Practice a typical group exercise and receive feedback Experience being an assessment centre ‘assessor’

What happens next?

One or more of the following – the order can vary

Pre-screening Telephone interview On-line psychometric test/s 1st interview 2nd interview Assessment centre

Recruitment Process Statistics

Assessment Centre

2 1 50%

Telephone Interview

14 3 21%

Online Testing 19 15 79%

Online application or CV 77 22 29%

Types of interview

Face to face or telephone 1:1 or panel Formal or informal Technical or personnel Structured/Competencies/Situational Strengths based interviews 1st, 2nd or as part of assessment centre

Telephone interviews

Tend to be used by major organisations and often for Graduate recruitment First screening stage Approach as a formal interview Preparation, dress, environment etc Comfortable, Quiet Environment

One to One

Less and less common Legal Implication Final stage in recruitment process Senior member of staff Informal

Panel Interview

2 – 4 panel members (or more) Engage all members Structured Competency Based question Formal Interview Style Presentation

Myth busting!! Always keep in mind interviewers….

Are NOT out to humiliate you Do not ask trick questions Seek out weak spots and exploit them NEVER ask people to interview to make up the numbers Good Cop vs. Bad Cop Want you to do well ….Are Human

The interviewer’s agenda

Can the applicant do the job? Qualifications / experience / aptitude

Will s/he do the job? Attitude / approach / motivation

Will s/he fit in? Personality / style / flexibility of approach

Your agenda

Gather information to determine: Can you do the job? / Will you enjoy the work? / Will you feel at home in the organisation?

Emphasise your key selling points Ask questions at the end

Typical interview questions

About you. 1. Tell me about yourself. 2. Why do you want this role? 3. Why did you choose your degree? 4. What are your strengths? 5. What are your weaknesses? 6. What skills and abilities will you bring ? 7. What is your greatest achievement and why? 8. What makes you the best candidate for this role?

Typical interview questions

About the role/company. 1. Why do you want to work for PWC? 2. What do you think is our best product/service

and why? 3. What do you know about P&G? 4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Typical interview questions

About skills/qualities. 1. Give me an example of when you’ve worked in a

team. 2. Tell me about a time you have resolved a

problem. 3. Please give an example of where you have

persuaded someone to accept your point of view?

The STAR technique

Situation: when / where – set the scene Task: the goal, aim or challenge Action: what you did / your role Result: the outcome

The STAR technique

STAR Answer Teaching Skills Whilst working as a Research Associate in the Computing department at the University of Southampton, I delivered lectures to groups of 12 PhD Students and 60 Undergraduates in C++ Programming Language, to support their assignments. This involved creating the Course Materials, delivering Lectures, Assessing students work and running discussion groups and tutorials. I consistently achieved as student pass mark of 95% and I was delighted when one of my students achieved the departmental Atkins prize for most outstanding performance.

Documenting your STAR STORIES

Preparing your examples Competency Example

Communication Speaking to customers in part time work

Teamwork a group coursework

Problem solving Analysing a fault in a robot you designed

Organisation Helping create the international day stand

Creativity/innovation Creating a new marketing to recruit members for the Malaysian society

Adaptability Succeeding in the UK education system

Commercial awareness Coming up with a new idea for managing stock in the shop where you work

Persuasive ability Raising sponsorship to put on CSSA Spring Festival party.

Summary

Getting an interview means you are well on the way to getting a job Interviewers want you to succeed Interviews are never perfect Reflect on your performance and learn from it (obtain feedback where possible)

Please create answers 2 interview questions making use of the STAR technique where you can. 10 mins Please divide into groups of 3 Practice Interview Time 15 mins

International Students Assessment Centres Michele Zala

Content of an assessment centre

One or two days Group exercises e.g. discussions, problem solving tasks, case studies Job tasks e.g. In tray exercises, case studies drafting a summary report or a role play. Individual tasks Aptitude tests or psychometric tests Presentations Interviews or group interviews Informal panel or Q&A sessions Site Tours Social events e.g. welcome dinner, lunch

Assessment Centres Why do organisations use them?

Selecting the best candidates Reduce subjectivity by interviewers Evidence from exercises increases objectivity Can test for specific skills e.g. job simulations, presentations, in-tray exercises Tests drive, enthusiasm, customer relationship and inter-personal skills Can be used for selection and development Accuracy of selection methods

Accuracy of selection methods

Assessment Centres - Benefits for you!

Variety of exercises Objectivity and fairness Not in direct competition with other candidates Two-way process Opportunities to find out more about culture and role.

How is decision made?

Team of assessors

List of competencies and attributes looking for

Tested on attribute 2 or 3 times

Compared against a benchmark

Objective information collated

Review evidence with all assessors

How to prepare for assessment centres

Revisit your application form Research the company, their industry, culture, competitors, projects Competencies and attributes Watch the assessment centre video Careers and Employability /Resources/Videos Careers and Employability Centre Website Careers Centre leaflets Attend an assessment centre workshop Talk to a Careers Adviser Think about interview skills, questions and answers Know what to expect from the exercises…

Useful video showing aspects of assessment centres

1. Go to our “Resources” page 2. Click on the “videos” link

3. Assessment Centre videos from Enterprise Rent-A-Car, HSBC and RWE

Never Switch Off…

Be aware that anyone you come into contact with, throughout your interview may provide Feedback -

Receptionist Administrator showing you to interview room Team member you shadow Person showing you round the department Informal lunch or dinner

Importance of a good first impression

Sales Director of a large FTSE 350 company Interviewing Trainee Salespeople in an Assessment Centre Walking from the door to the desk… Did they smile ? Did they make eye contact ? No = Thanks and Goodbye !

Preparation

Preparing for the assessment centre

What it will involve? How long will it take? Where are you going and how are you getting there? What do you need to take with you? What will you wear?

Preparing yourself mentally

Controlling nerves Positive thinking-visualise Confidence, enthusiasm, and motivation Remember your agenda Lower the stakes! Forget mistakes and move on

Making a good impression

Most importantly - be yourself! Dress appropriately Give a firm handshake Eye contact Keep calm and positive Look and sound interested and enthusiastic – smiling helps!

55%38%7%

Positive Assessment Centre Body Language

Good handshake and smile Confident Entrance Can you do small-talk ? Building relationships with Managers and Peers Upright but relaxed posture Don’t be afraid to “own the space” Maintain eye contact Smile !

What will you be assessed on? Group exercises

Your contribution to the group’s goals. On time? Deliver what was required? Fulfilment of your team role e.g. time keeper, leader, scribe etc. Inviting participation from other group members Listening to others Negotiating with group members Presenting a reasoned argument Initiative and ideas.

What will you be assessed on? Presentations

Your research and knowledge of the subject. Structure; introduction, body and summary. Clear, jargon free, informative content tailored to audience. Delivery: engaging the whole audience with confidence. Effective use of visual aids. Body language; eye contact, voice pitch nerves controlled. Ability to field questions well.

Assessment centre tips

Contribute and show your enthusiasm Do your homework Take any opportunity for feedback Use informal bits to gather information Don’t be put off by a bad exercise “This part’s not assessed”- maybe not formally, but it contributes to the overall impression of you! Learn from the process and about the company

Assessment Centre Group Exercise Please arrange yourselves into teams of 6 people

Ask Yourself …

Do you feel you got your point across? Did you interact well? Could it have been better? Did you listen and value other’s views? How did you overcome different opinions? How did you come to conclusions?

How did your team do? Would you do anything different? Did one person lead? Did you develop a strategy?

Would you do anything different?

Tips for Success

PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE Practice your star stories out loud Practice and TIME your presentation Focus on WHY you want the job/the company Determine your USPs - Unique selling Points Study and research for technical interviews Watch the videos and get involved in group tasks First Impressions

Useful resources

Careers and Employability Centre Website Links from our website to test providers – so you can practise on-line tests http://www.lboro.ac.uk/service/careers/advice/applying/psychometric-tests.html

Careers Centre leaflets Videos: At the Assessment Centre Making an Impact

Quick Advice Desk (15 minutes) Mock interviews-referred by Jo Higham or if you have had a couple of failed attempts.

Careers Advice and Guidance Quick Advice

15 minute appointment For short careers related questions e.g. CVs, applications, interviews, career opportunities, employers, further study … Monday - Friday 10.00 – 4.00

Book on the day Online after 8.00am Phone: after 9.00am In person: at the CEC in HMB

Quick Advice is popular, so booking online first thing in the morning is advisable.

Career Consultations 45 minute appointment

With the careers adviser for your department to explore careers issues in depth. (You do not need to know what you want to do after graduation!) Monday - Friday Various times available

Book in advance In person at the CEC in HMB

Unless you have already had a consultation, you will need to book a Quick Advice appointment first, before being referred for a Career Consultation.

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Herbert Manzoni Building

Monday - Friday 9.00 - 5.00

Open during vacations

Courses for International Students

Online Aptitude Test Sessions for International Students Wed 13th March 2pm – 3.30pm Finding Work in the UK after your studies – Non EEA Students Wed 17th April 1.30 – 3.30pm Business Immigration Appointments – Non EEA Students Must attend the talk above Apply by 8th April – Form on International Students Section of the website

Thank you for attending these sessions. We hope you have found them useful. If you need any more assistance please visit us in person or on-line at www.careers.lboro.ac.uk Best of luck!

Careers and Employability Centre

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careers@lboro.ac.uk 01509 222039