The Interview

Everything is possible when you believe

Remember (Preparation)

Like-minded people looking for like-minded people

KNOW yourself so you can describe your strengths, what you overcame, interests & passion, values, personal goals & vision

Interview Kit – softcopy (thumbdrive) / Proper File

Port Folio

You are what you THINK

Remember (At the venue)

You are what you WEAR

Personal hygiene starts the DAY before

Arrive 30 min before (at least 15 min) –

Murphy’s Law

Smile

Walk with confidence, sit with style

Aims of the Interview

For the interviewee:

To convince a potential employer that you are the best person for the job

To “sell” yourself to the interviewer To collect information about the job

Aims of the Interview

For the interviewer:

To identify the best candidate for the job To evaluate the extent of the

interviewee's knowledge and experience

To gauge the interviewee’s ability to fit into the company’s culture

Levels and Stages of the Interview

Levels of interview: Informal Formal

Stages of an interview: Pre-interview Opening and rapport building Body – Interviewers gather info Body – Interviewers give info Close

Types of Interview Questions

Closed: To establish familiar facts Open: To encourage candidate to

speak freely Mirror: To invite candidate to add

further info Leading: To direct candidate to clarify

answers Probing: To probe basis for candidate’s

response

Pre-interview

Examine yourself –your qualifications, skills, interests, abilities, values and work preferences

Identify your career goals Gather company and job information Prepare answers to likely questions and

practise Plan your appearance

Gathering Company Information

Status in the industry – market share, sales, number of employees, etc.

Scope of the company – local, regional or international?

Latest stock market quote Recent news items and developments

Gathering Job Information

Job title Job description (requirements and

duties) Probable salary range Career path for the job

Plan Your Appearance

To present the right image for the job: Show care in grooming and

good dress sense Walk with purpose and confidence Sit with composure and ease

Prepare Your Interview Kit

Transcripts, CCA, Certificates of Participation

Awards / Competitions Testimonials Copies of resume Birth certificate /

PR documentation

Opening and Rapport Building

Create a positive first impression Enter confidently Reciprocate welcome given Sit when invited Be attentive and listen

Body – Interviews Gather Info

Listen carefully Answer questions thoughtfully and

confidently Sell your skills and abilities Stay calm Speak clearly and audibly

Frequently Asked Questions

Tell me about yourself. Tell me about your polytechnic programme and

why you chose it. What are some things you do in your spare time? How did you happen to apply for this job? What particular qualifications do you have for this

job? Tell me about any relevant work or training

experience you may have. Why have you chosen to work in this field? Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?

Frequently Asked Questions

Give an example of an occasion in the past when you were a good team player.

What do you see are your personal strengths which will help you to perform well in this job?

The nature of this job is quite stressful. How well do you handle stress?

What plans do you have for upgrading yourself?

How do you think you can contribute to this organisation?

If you got this position, what would you do to be sure you fit in?

Frequently Asked Questions

If your supervisor was dissatisfied with your work and you thought it was acceptable, how would you resolve the conflict?

If you had your choice of job and company, what would you be doing, and where?

Would you be able to travel at short notice? What is your expected salary?

Handling Interview Questions

Capability to do the job well

Adaptability to corporate culture

Stress tolerance

Questions on Capability

Highlight: Relevant qualifications, knowledge,

skills and experience Achievements and awards Examples to support claims

Questions on Capability

Don’t: Merely recount data in resume Point out your weaknesses Put yourself down Over-exaggerate your capabilities

Questions on Adaptability

Do: Show interest in job Emphasize your positive values

and principles Indicate willingness to contribute Be realistic about expectations

Questions on Adaptability

Don’t: Display disinterest in job Emphasize your negative values

and principles Show disloyalty Discuss how you can benefit Be unrealistic about expectations

Questions on Stress Tolerance

Do: Remain calm Be polite Stay focused on highlighting

your capability and adaptability

Questions on Stress Tolerance

Don’t: Lose your temper Break down and cry Become aggressive or defensive

Acting Professionally at Interviews

Do: Accent positive aspects Arrive early Be honest and sincere Be tactful and gracious in conversation Dress appropriately Follow the interviewer’s lead Pay attention to voice quality Show enthusiasm, vitality and interest

Acting Professionally at Interviews

Avoid: Discourtesy Interruptions Jargon and slang Lack of poise and confidence Negative comments and attitude Overaggressive or cynical attitude

Body – Interviews Give Info

Get a clear idea of what the job is about Find out about the company’s corporate

culture Enquire about career and training

prospects

Questions Asked By Interviewees What are the likely projects I would be working on if I were employed in this position? What training programmes are available from this organisation? What specific training will be given for this position? Could you tell me what it is like working here in terms of the people, management practices, workload, expected performance and rewards? When will I hear from you regarding further action on my application? Is the company intending to expand into other areas?

Questions Asked By Interviewees

Will I be required to travel in this position? What are the major challenges for people in

this position? What will my duties be if I were selected for

this position? Why is this position open? Did the person

who held it previously leave? Who would be my immediate supervisor?

Close of the Interview

Take the cue from the interviewer Thank interviewer Ask when to follow up Exit confidently

ASSIGNMENT 2: JOB SEARCH SKILLS~ INTERVIEW SKILLS (30 marks)

Objectives: Students learn the do’s and don’ts of interview skills through research and presentations of their research materials in this area. Students will also develop the confidence of thinking on their feet when tested on

their areas of expertise at an interview.   Description: Part One: Interview Skills Seminar (18 marks)   Form groups of 5 or 6. Your group belongs to the human resource department of a multinational

company.   Your group has kindly agreed to do a brief presentation at a seminar on Interview Skills for job seekers.   Each group presents on ONE of the following topics (no duplication):-   1Avoid the Top 10 Interview Mistakes 2Biggest Blunders Job Seekers Make When They Attend Interviews

ASSIGNMENT 2: JOB SEARCH SKILLS~ INTERVIEW SKILLS (30 marks)

3Ten Things You Should Never Say In an Interview 4Dealing with Unusual Job Interview Questions 5Ten Tough Interview Questions and Ten Great Answers   Length of presentation should be 15 minutes. Choose a presentation style that can

capture audience’s attention and benefit them. You can include PowerPoint Slides, demonstration, self-made video clips etc.

Part Two: Think on Your Feet (12 marks) Immediately after your group’s presentation, you will show the audience a ‘live’ session of

how an interviewee can be tested to think on the feet at an interview. Each member will assume the role of an interviewer in a panel to ‘interview’ some job seekers.

  Each member in the panel must come prepared with a ‘test object’ and at least two

questions to test the job seeker’s area of expertise (see Role of Interviewee for more details). You can bring the physical ‘test object’ or project an image of it on the screen.

  After all the 4 or 5 interviewees have been interviewed/ tested, the panel will give a short

evaluation of each interviewee’s performance to the audience. All members in the panel should gather their thoughts and contribute collectively. Remember to start from the positive aspects and move on to areas for improvement.

ASSIGNMENT 2: JOB SEARCH SKILLS~ INTERVIEW SKILLS (30 marks)

Role of Interviewee: Each student will take turns to assume the role of an interviewee. At the interview for the position of an industrial and consumer product designer, exhibition

and event designer or packaging and branding designer, the interviewee will be tested on his/ her area of expertise.

The panel of interviewers will show the interviewee a ‘test object’ - it can be anything, e.g. a drawing, newspaper advertisement, a package, a picture, a gadget or even something small such as a toothbrush. It can be a physical object or an image projected on screen.

  The interviewers will ask at least two questions: 1st question can be a general interview question not related to the ‘test object’ Next 2 - 3 questions will be related to the ‘test object’ to test the interviewee’s area of

expertise such as product design, development or aesthetics; exhibition and convention design; furniture design; point-of-sale kiosk design; interior design; product packaging and branding. Think of creative challenging questions to test the interviewees, but keep within the scope of their expertise.

(E.g: “How would you improve the design of this xxx to better serve its purpose?” or “Tell us why this xxx ought not to be seen ever again.” or “Looking at this xxx, what would you do to ….” . )

ASSIGNMENT 2: JOB SEARCH SKILLS~ INTERVIEW SKILLS (30 marks)

 

As the interviewee, you need to present your replies to the questions, giving adequate elaborations to reflect your level of expertise and skills. You have only 5 minutes to do so.

  Your panel of interviewers will then give you a short evaluation of your performance.   Note:   This entire assignment (Part 1 and 2) will take two tutorial sessions to complete. In one

tutorial session, only 2 or 3 groups will do their presentations for the Interview Skills seminar plus demonstrate the ‘Think on the Feet’ session. Students who are not involved in speaking at the Interview Skills seminar on the day of the tutorial will assume the role of interviewees.

  The matching of interviewees to each member in the panel will be randomly assigned by

your tutor on the day of interview. One interviewee will be ‘tested’ by only one member in the panel i.e. if there are four members, four interviewees will be tested one after another.