Interview Skills for ITSS

1. Interview Skills for ITSS Tony BrettHead of IT Support Staff ServicesOxford University Computing Services

2. I’ll be talking about these things • You need to know... • What are interviews for? • Before the Interview • During the Interview • After the Interview • Final thoughts • References

3. You need to know this • This is not official advice • This is a course about how to be a good interviewee – NOT how to be a good interviewer! • No two interviews are the same • There is no right and wrong way to interview • I’ve been interviewed lots and done lots of interviewing and this is all from my experience • I hope some of it will help you to get the jobs you want, hopefully within this University!

4. Getting an interview is good news! • It means that on paper they think you could do the job • You are in a small upper section of applicants • You have impressed the panel already • They probably reckon you could do the job • You now have a chance to prove you are their best bet

5. The panel is spoilt for choice • They can’t decide on just applications • They need to interview possible people to try and differentiate between them • Panel may not know or agree exactly what they want • Longer vs. more relevant experience? • Which selection criteria are more important? • Do they care more about qualifications than experience? • Interviewing is hard • Making it easier for them will win you jobs!

6. Preparation is vital • You can pre-empt a lot of what may happen before, during and after an interview • This gives you a huge advantage if you think about what you are doing and think carefully about the panel • It should take longer to prepare for the interview than it did to do the application • Doing homework scores you points and helps you decide if the organisation is right for you • Make sure you know how to get there!

7. Bar the questions, you have the same as the panel • Job Spec, Person Spec, Application and CV • These together should tell you what you need to make sure you get across • Do a skills gap analysis • Consider each of the criteria carefully • Decide how well you fit them and how well your application proves that • Be ready to plug the gaps at interview

8. They might try an unannounced phone interview • Have stuff ready! • Be prepared to ask for a more convenient time • But don’t keep them waiting too long

9. Good communication is noticed • You should write back and thank them for the interview invitation • Confirm the time and place • Mention one or two things about the organisation and say you are looking forward to meeting the panel to discuss them further

10. You can find out lots before you arrive • Research the organisation and the panel • Know the wider picture too • Search for press mentions etc. • Know who the panel members are and what they do • Think about what in your application might worry each of them • Try to reassure them • Don’t wait for invitations but use the open questions, or your own questions

11. It’s OK to ask! • Time and length of interview • Format of interview • Panel members and the job titles • Will other staff be giving an informal view? • Will there be any tests? • Will you be expected to give a presentation? • Can you use handouts or will there be PowerPoint? • What are the parking arrangements?

12. You can take stuff with you • Instructions from employer • A pad and pen(cil) for you own notes • Some questions to ask • A bottle of water • A book for if you are early! • Have a copy of the invitation letter and a phone number to ring if you get delayed

13. The first impression makes far more difference than it should • Dress, grooming, shoes, smell, bling! • Wear smart and comfortable clothes, not brand new ones • Shirts with “new” folds are a dead giveaway! • Make sure clothes fit • Collars way too big look silly • Too much perfume or aftershave is a no-no! • Smile, eye contact, handshake, say a greeting • DO NOT BE LATE! • Always apologise profusely if you are • All sets the tone for the whole interview • May also influence others you meet on the way in and out. Don’t let your guard down for a minute. • Say positive things on the way in to the interview

14. Over-dressing is as bad as under-dressing • Be in the vicinity at start, end, or middle of day to find out what people wear • Be just a little bit smarter than that • Men: take a spare tie or put it on just before interview • Women: take spare tights if you’re wearing them

15. The washroom mirror may save you... • Check • Teeth • Nose • Makeup • Hair • Zips & buttons • Jewellery • Tuck your shirt (blouse) in!

16. This is a sales exercise • Your job is to sell yourself to the panel as the best thing to spend their money on • Don’t be afraid of trumpet-blowing • You need to tell stories that show how what YOU did made the good outcome. • Remember PREP-STAR? • Point – Reason – Evidence (Situation – Task – Action – Result) – Reason • Stories should fit the criteria, particularly the hitherto weak ones

17. Your body language will give you away • Sit up straight and lean forward a bit • Look the interviewer in the eye • Both feet on the floor, legs not crossed • Smile • We’ll try a body language exercise • Try to explain why your skills are good for your job like this, and then slouched, looking down, cross-legged and without a smile

18. It’s all about you! • They don’t want hypothetical answers unless it was a hypothetical question • Even then say why the action would have the desired outcome • “Tell me about a time...” • That’s an invitation for a story, not an invitation to theorise • Have some ready that relate to criteria • Especially those you had identified as weak • They want to know where YOU fit in the story!

19. Questions need careful answers • Stick to facts and actions/behaviours • Tell stories that are about you • Avoid one-word answers • Good interviewers should make that easy • Don’t be negative about yourself • Play things up not down (but be honest) • Listen to the question carefully • Maybe repeat it as start of answer

20. Internal interviews should be no different to external • I often have to remind people of this • You should never say “you know” • Never assume you don’t need to say something because you think people know it about you • These happen a lot in places like Oxford • None of the panel should have a vested interest in hiring you or not hiring you • If you feel that’s the case then raise it before the interview • Panel members should not write references

21. Being nervous is not a bad thing • It shows you care • Everyone is to some extent • Good Interviewers should put you at ease • Try to relax • Use a glass of water • It can buy you time • Practise with a friend/colleague first • Laugh at yourself if you mess-up • “just look at what those nerves have done to me”

22. They sometimes test how you react to pressure • These might feel like trick questions • They are probably not • Don’t argue • Be truthful • NEVER criticise your current boss, tutor, colleagues etc. • It shows you as disloyal • Some questions can invite this. RESIST! • Be careful mentioning major stuff not in CV/application • They may wonder what else you missed out!

23. Tough questions exercise • In groups of three or four consider answers to: • Are you a good leader? • How well do you handle criticism? • Why have you only been with your previous employers a very short time? • What part of your job do you dislike the most? • What sort of people do you find it difficult to work with? • What is your current boss’ biggest weakness?

24. You’ll need some questions ready • Once they’ve finished asking you things it’s your turn • Fine to have notes prepared • Focus on what you can offer the organisation rather than what it can offer you • Be positive and deferential • Not “Tell me...” but, “ I’m really interested in joining this organisation and there are a few things...” • Why the vacancy? • Do you have any reservations about me? • Where do you see the post in 5 years? • What is the top priority for the first year • Do you promote internally? • Don’t ask about salary etc. at this stage

25. A good exit is as important as a good entrance • Finish on a good note • Eye contact • Hand shake • Thank the panel and say you enjoyed it • DO NOT start negotiating terms, even if they try to make you do so • It’s OK to answer when you could start the job though

26. Don’t leave yourself in a weak negotiating position • Beware of selling yourself short • Avoid answering questions about salary yet • Negotiating is for after the job offer • All cards on table • No free concessions • The interview is where the panel decide if you are the best candidate!

27. A thank you letter goes a long way • Write to them professionally straight after the interview, thanking them • You can say one or two things about the interview that you found positive/encouraging • It costs nothing and keeps/generates good will • May just make the difference between you and another, especially if the first choice candidate declines

28. You’ve got the job! • Now is the time to negotiate • Do your research • Don’t sell yourself short • Demonstrate you know how to negotiate • All cards on table • No free concessions • You can negotiate on salary, pension, overtime, meals, parking, holiday, medical insurance, mobile phone, gym membership... • Don’t resign from current post until it’s all in writing and you have received and signed a contract

29. You should ask for feedback • If you don’t get the job then ask positively and politely for feedback in writing (email fine) • It will help you next time • Make a diary note to keep in touch with the organisation if you really want to work for them! • NEVER argue or tell them they made the wrong decision • You may be interviewed by them or one of them in the future!

30. Sometimes they’ll do a second interview • Dress differently • Show you remember people and say how much you enjoyed the first interview • It may be informal but remember you are still always on trial • Beware booze and food! • A second interview is not a second chance • It’s a refining of the decision • or a check by a very senior person who won’t have time to interview lots of people • There may still be other candidates. Ask!

31. It’s all about getting the job! • Remember your job is not to convince them you can do the job • They already believe that • You have to convince them you are the BEST for the job • So research hard and prepare as carefully as you can • ITS3 can do mock interviews if you want to practise

32. References • “Brilliant Interview” Ros Jay, 2005 (2nd Ed), Pearson Education Limited • “Brilliant answers to tough interview questions”, Susan Hodgson, 2008 (3rd Ed), Pearson Education Limited • http://www.redgoldfish.co.uk/cvinfo/toughquestions.aspx