interview techniques - university of exeter · 2014-06-23 · jenny clark careers consultant...

Jenny Clark

Careers Consultant

Tel:01326 253735

Email: cc-careers@exeter.ac.uk

Interview Techniques

Preparing to Graduate

www.exeter.ac.uk/careers

• The structure and content of a typical interview

• How to prepare for interviews

• Thoughts on how to perform well in an interview

What You Will Learn Today

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For the employer: • To see if you match the profile for the job For the candidate: • To sell yourself • To see if you like the job/organisation

Purpose of an interview

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• One to One

• Panel Interview

• Telephone Interview http://www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/exeter/resources/videos/interviews/

• Skype Interview

What is an Interview?

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Information based

Competency based

Strength Based Interviews http://www.exeter.ac.uk/media/universityofexeter/careersandemployability/pdfs/resources/StrengthsbasedInterviewingHandout.pdf

Unstructured Interviews

Technical Interviews

Types of interview

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• Introduction

• Settling in questions

• Main body of interview • Your questions

Structure of an interview

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Information seeking questions –

• Why do you want this job?

• What do you have to offer?

• Why do you want to work for us?

Question types

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Are you a good listener?

What energises you?

How do you handle working with someone you do not like?

Do you prefer detail or the bigger picture?

What makes you less likely to succeed?

What gets done on your “to do” list – what never gets done?

Strength Based Questions

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• Team building

• Problem solving

• Taking the initiative

• Planning/organisation

• Communication

• Commercial awareness

Typical competencies

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An employer will look for evidence of these competencies

Use examples from:

• Your studies

• Your fieldwork

• Extra curricular activities

• Employment

• Voluntary work

• Gap year

Evidence?

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Competence or behavioural questions

• I would like you to tell me about a time when

you have had to work to strict deadlines

• I would like you to tell me about a time when

you have had to communicate a complex

subject to an audience

Types of Interview Questions

www.exeter.ac.uk/careers

• Describe a time when you have worked in a

team on a challenging project, activity or

event.

Remember the STAR technique

Example of Competency Based Questions

www.exeter.ac.uk/careers

SITUATION: “I was part of the organising committee

for the departmental summer ball ”

TASK: “To produce marketing materials to publicise

the event….”

ACTION: “ I produced a marketing plan, allocated

roles in the team …..”

RESULT – “The material was instantly recognised by

students and numbers at the event were up by 50% on

last year….”

Structure your answers –

Remember the STAR format

www.exeter.ac.uk/careers

For more information about interviews

Watch excellent KMPG video and others http://www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/exeter/resources/videos/interviews/#d.en.170013

www.exeter.ac.uk/careers

Curve ball questions Hypothetical questions

Who did you most admire and why?

Give me five uses for the colour red

How would your best friends describe you?

When have you failed at something?

What is your biggest weakness?

www.exeter.ac.uk/careers

• Training • Promotion? • Development of the job • The future of organisation Avoid • Questions answered in the literature • Questions about conditions of service/pay

Your questions

www.exeter.ac.uk/careers

• Research the company / organisation

• Find out about the interview format

• Re-read through your application remind yourself of messages conveyed.

• Knowledge about the job itself – www.prospects.ac.uk . What will be your day to day activities/ refer to job description

• Current affairs / Commercial awareness

• Prepare your own questions

Preparation for the Interview

www.exeter.ac.uk/careers

Most people are nervous – nerves help you perform well !

Make sure you know where to go for the interview

Take copy of interview letter with name, copy of your CV / application form

notes or Key points

Number to call in case you are running late

Take a bottle of water, notepad, documents etc.

Help the interviewer – expand answers

Smile!

More Prep!

www.exeter.ac.uk/careers

• Firm handshake

• Open body language

• Smile

• Eye contact – with everyone

• Sense of humour- but be careful

• Relaxed and professional manner

Body Language – ‘dos’

www.exeter.ac.uk/careers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b56eAUCTLok

www.exeter.ac.uk/careers

Further information Careers Zone website some more information and videos

http://www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/jobapplications/interviews/

Prospects - www.prospects.ac.uk

Target jobs directory / online employer insights

http://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/interview-techniques

• Careers Zone – reference books

• 1:1 appointments (Not mock) campus employers

• Interview experience – Exeter Award

• Don’t forget you can remain in touch with careers after graduating

www.exeter.ac.uk/careers

Come and visit us in Career Zone in the Exchange to

discuss interview techniques further

The Career Zone

www.exeter.ac.uk/careers

The Compass Phone: (01392 724493) Email: cc-careers@exeter.ac.uk Web: http://www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/ Opening hours: Term time: 9.00am-5.00pm (Monday - Friday) Vacations: 9.00am-5.00pm (Monday-Friday)

www.exeter.ac.uk/careers

Good Luck !