Destination: Aspiration

Interview Skills

Introduction

• Modern interviews can take many different forms.

• Employers use the time to get to know potential employees and test their skills before making the decision of a job offer.

• In this session, we are going to look at some of the tasks that you may be required to do in an interview and how to make the best impression.

• Read through the slides and answer the questions.

• This session will help you with the mock interview that you will be doing as part of your next assessment.

Interviews

• Interviews are often no longer as simple as a 30 minute conversation where you answer common questions.

• Interviews now often have multiple parts using different activities so that the interviewer can obtain a much rounder picture of the person they are meeting.

• Some employers use assessment centres.• These can last anywhere from 2 hours to a whole day.• Employers will assess your skills, competencies and

traits to see if you are suitable.

Competencies

• Competencies are skills that employers require you to have:

• Communication

• Influencing others

• Problem solving

• Decision making

• Building relationships

• Planning & Prioritisation

• Time Management

• Working Under Pressure

• Working with People

The competencies an employer is looking at will depend on the job role you are applying for

Types of Activity Used in Interviews

Group Exercises

Practical Tasks

Psychometric Tests

Role Plays Presentations

Group Exercises

• Employers use group exercises when it is important how well people work together.

• This is particularly useful when establishing a new team or employing several people at once.

• You may be asked to design, create or build something.

• The employer will be looking to see what role within the team you fulfil.

Practical Tasks

• In any job that involves a lot of practical aspects, you may be asked to attend a session where you carry out some practical tasks.

• In the animal industry, some employers may ask you to spend a morning or even a whole day working with their team as a “taster” to see how you get on.

• If this is the case, you will be informed ahead of time so that you can dress appropriately.

Psychometric Testing

• Psychometric testing is a way of assessing an candidate to determine whether or not they will be suitable for the job.

• Questions may cover numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, logic, error checking and comprehension.

• It is unlikely that you will be assessed in this way in the animal industry!

Role Play

• When a job involves dealing with customers or clients, role play is an excellent way for companies to determine how you would cope in certain situations.

• You may be asked to role play what you would do in certain situations to see if you can use your initiative to solve problems.

Presentations

• In any job where you might need to present information, you may be asked to demonstrate your skills by presenting information to a panel.

• You will usually be given a topic to write about but occasionally may be given the choice.

• If you are given the choice of presentation topic, try and keep it relevant to the job.

• When you have to deliver a presentation, make sure you practice, practice, practice!

First Impressions Count!

• Enter the room confidently

• Shake hands firmly and introduce yourself

• Smile

•Make eye contact

•Dress appropriately

•Be punctual

•Don’t sit down until invited

During your Interview

• Speak clearly so that you can be heard

• Speak slowly so that people can understand what you are saying

• Make eye contact

• Sit up straight

• Don’t fidget!

Answering Questions

• Before your interview, do your research!

• Find out about the company you are planning on working for!

• Research the sort of questions you may be asked.• Many employers will use the same sort of questions regardless of

industry.

• Write down practice answers and practice them with other people.

• There is nothing wrong with taking a few notes with you to make sure that you remember the key points that you want to make.

Answering Questions – The STAR Model

1.SituationDescribe what was happening & where

2. TaskExplain what you were doing

3. ActionsDescribe what actions you took and the skills you used

4. ResultDescribe the outcome and what you achieved

Answering Questions – STAR Example

1.SituationI was working on a farm

2. TaskWe had to create an information display on H&S

3. ActionsI helped design the display and decide who would do each bit. I then did my share and helped other people do their bit

4. ResultWe created a great display that was informative and fun. It helped to answer people’s questions and keep everyone safe.

Dressing for Success

• Even if you are going for a job in the animal industry, you should still dress appropriately for your interview.

• Shirt, tie and suit make a much greater impression than jeans and a pair of trainers.

• If the employer can see that you have made a real effort, it shows that you are keen!

Summary

• If you are well prepared for your interview, you will come across as confident and relaxed.

• There are many different activities available online that you can use to help you prepare.

• Ask people to “test” you by asking you some of the common interview questions to give you a chance to practice.

• Work through the activities in this session to help you prepare for your mock interview.