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Applications and Interviews

Amy Wiggins & Natalie Smith, Careers and Employability Service. Applications and Interviews. Social Work www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm. How to succeed at the application and interview process. What we will be covering:. Applications What employers look for The STAR approach

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Applications and Interviews

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  1. Amy Wiggins & Natalie Smith, Careers and Employability Service Applications and Interviews Social Work www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm

  2. How to succeed at the application and interview process What we will be covering: • Applications • What employers look for • The STAR approach • Personal statements • Interview skills • Typical questions • How to handle difficult questions • Presentation • Body language • Group interviews

  3. Applications

  4. Application forms (online) • RTFQ! • Re-read and highlight the main points • Write your answer • Check you have covered each point • Include key words

  5. An application form could include various questions… Please let us know why a career at Deloitte appeals to you compared with other career options? (max 100 words in bullet point format).

  6. STAR approach (online) For questions where you are asked to ‘explain a time when…’, it is useful to use the STAR approach: • Situation – set the scene • Task - what needed to be done/achieved? • Action - this should take up the main chunk of the answer, what action did YOU take? • Result - this is the ‘proof’ that you succeeded, try and give evidence such as statistics if possible

  7. Personal Statements • You may not always be asked questions, you may need to write a personal statement… • You can find lots of tips here, including the ‘point and evidence’ technique • The main thing is to ensure you have covered everything they are looking for • Structure – can be in essay form or use headings from the person specification

  8. Example job specification…

  9. Top tips • Always put your answers in Word first, as not all application forms will spell check (and you can save your answers) • Use the word limit as a guide to how much you should write • Keep in mind the qualities the employer are looking for – they will ‘tick off’ each quality as they see evidence of it

  10. Interviews

  11. Does what I wear really matter? 37% of employers decided against hiring someone because of what they were wearing 80% of interviewers think it is inappropriate to wear red to an interview 99% of bosses interviewing female applicants say they would be inclined to mark them down if they wore dangly jewellery 95% find low-necked tops and no tights unsuitable interview attire (The Ladders)

  12. The thing that annoys me the most in the interview process is when a candidate hasn’t bothered with their physical presentation. We want to see business dress – wear a suit. Make an effort, do your hair, don’t be scruffy! UoK Careers Fair – November ‘12 We look for how the candidate is presented. They need to be professional. We also value communication skills and confidence. The thing that annoys us most in the interview process are the ‘know it all’ candidates! Tom: Audit Supervisor Baker Tilly Alison, Vanessa, Caroline, Liz Canterbury Christ Church PGCE

  13. Tips for women: http://www.channel4.com/4beauty/style/what-to-wear/what-to-wear-to-an-interview Tips for men: http://career-advice.monster.com/job-interview/interview-appearance/mens-interview-fashion-tips/article.aspx

  14. Interviews – do your research • Be familiar with the employer website • Re-read employer information • Remind yourself why you find this employer attractive • Keep up to date with current affairs – know about any changes in social work/be aware of relevant news stories

  15. Interview Questions Interview questions may be: • Hypothetical (what would you do if…) • Competency based (describe a situation where you…) • ‘Traditional’ interview questions (tell me about yourself) In your answers, keep in mind the skills the employer will be looking for. Be honest.

  16. Prepare answers to obvious questions • Why did you choose to study Social Work? • Why should we employ you? • What do you know about the organisation/role? • Tell us about yourself • What are your strengths and weaknesses? • What do you do in your spare time? • What is your greatest achievement?

  17. Questions about your experience • Tell me about a time where you have worked at the edge of your comfort zone? How did you manage? • What has been your biggest challenge in your experience so far? • How is your experience relevant to this position?

  18. Prepare for Competency Questions Describe a situation where you had to ..... • show leadership • make a difficult decision • overcome a difficult obstacle • refuse to compromise • work with others to solve a problem What would you do differently?

  19. Task 1 - the STAR approach • Take turns to be the interviewer/candidate • Interviewer – take notes identifying how the answer fits into the STAR approach (list the situation, task, action and result) • You have 5 minutes so make sure you split your time accordingly 5 minutes End

  20. Hypothetical Questions – What would you do if ………? • What would you do you felt threatened during a home visit? • How would you handle a psychotic outburst in the clinic waiting room? • What would you do if you disagreed with something your supervisor was doing? • What would you do if a person became aggressive when talking to you?

  21. Thinking on your feet • Used precisely because it's impossible to work out your answer beforehand • Tests your ability to think quickly, logically, produce practical solutions • Don't panic! Take a few seconds to think - this shows confidence • There may be many possible solutions.

  22. Difficult Questions • Ask for some thinking time • Tell them you would need to research the answer • Ask if you can come back to that question later • “I’m afraid I don’t know” is better than waffle • Keep the answer short if you are operating at the edge of your comfort zone

  23. Body Language • Shake hands warmly, but wait to be invited to sit down. • Smile • Try to relax - don’t sit on the edge of your chair, but don’t slouch. • Speak clearly and not too fast • Don’t fidget • Keep up good eye contact with the interviewer

  24. Body language at interviews

  25. Task 2 – Body Language • Get back into your pairs and take it in turns to be interviewer/candidate • Interviewer – take notes regarding the candidate’s body language using the assessment form • You have 5 minutes 5 minutes End

  26. Prepare Some Questions to Ask • Will I have a mentor in the workplace? • How many people work in the team? • Is there room for progression? • How did you progress to your role?

  27. Group interviews • Some local authorities use group interviews, examples have included: • Applicants were given a case study and were given questions to answer in a small group. Selectors were looking for understanding of the issues, relevant law and guidance, communication skills, the ability to argue their point and respect views of other candidates • In tray exercises – candidates were given 8 different circumstances and were asked to prioritise them.

  28. Any Questions?

  29. Further information • www.kent.ac.uk/ces • www.prospects.ac.uk • medwaycareers@kent.ac.uk • www.facebook.com/ukmemployability

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