Mastering Interview Techniques for Graduate Employability Success

1. Interview Techniques Employability and graduate Development 01392 724493 careers@exeter.ac.uk www.exeter.ac.uk/employability www.exeter.ac.uk/employability

2. Aims of this session • Preparation for interviews • Typical interview questions • Non-verbal communication • Coping with different styles of interview www.exeter.ac.uk/employability

3. What is an interview? • Getting an interview means that you are ‘nearly there’ • Interviewers want you to succeed – help them! • It is not an interrogation but a chance to expand on your application form/CV • How you come across is just as important as what you say • Be enthusiastic and interested www.exeter.ac.uk/employability

4. Types of Interview • Information based/life history • Structured behaviour based (competency/strength) www.exeter.ac.uk/employability

5. What may happen…. • A panel interview • A technical interview • A telephone interview • A case study • A group interview/discussion • Several different interviews on the same day • An unstructured interview www.exeter.ac.uk/employability

6. “ The best thing about not planning is that failure comes as a complete surprise and is not preceded by a period of worry and depression “ Sir John Harvey-Jones www.exeter.ac.uk/employability

7. Three important points for a successful interview: • Preparation......... Job ,Company, Motivation • Preparation.. Impact ,appearance, body language • Preparation....... Questions, strengths competencies • Any Weaknesses???? • Plus “The Magic Ingredient” www.exeter.ac.uk/employability

8. RESEARCH : • Job , • Company, • Motivation • Market/Sector/Competition • Plus Commercial and Current Affairs www.exeter.ac.uk/employability

9. First impressions….. What you wear is important! Many people believe decisions are made on: • 55 % body language • 38 % voice • 7 % words www.exeter.ac.uk/employability

10. Body Language – ‘don’ts’ • Limp handshake • Avoiding eye contact • Folding your arms • Fidgeting • Leaning forward and sitting on the seat edge • Looking out of the window • Looking unhappy , bored, disinterested www.exeter.ac.uk/employability

11. Body Language – ‘dos’ • Firm handshake • Open body language • Smile • Eye contact –with everyone • Sense of humour-but be careful • Relaxed and professional manner www.exeter.ac.uk/employability

12. Question types • Information seeking questions – • knowledge of the organisation • your motivations • arising from your CV or application form • why do want this job? • Behavioural questions • competence • strength • Scenario or hypothetical questions www.exeter.ac.uk/employability

13. Examples of competency based questions • Give me an example of when you influenced the work of others • Describe a challenging project, activity or event which you have planned and taken through to its conclusion Remember the STAR technique www.exeter.ac.uk/employability

14. Structure your answers – the STAR format • SITUATION- “I was part of a sales team that was responsible for …..” • TARGET/TASK- “Customers were confused about the difference between ….” • ACTION – “ I questioned whether this would work and suggested that we try …..” • RESULT – “Positive feedback from customers showed that ..” www.exeter.ac.uk/employability

15. Strength Based Interviews Shorter questions designed to discover what you enjoy rather than what you can do. E.g • “Do you prefer starting or finishing a task?” Back this up with an example of why you think this • “What do you enjoy most about your current role?” Tip: Research the role and prepare strong examples of appropriate strengths & state why this is relevant to the role/organisation – employers will be looking for energy and enthusiasm in your answer www.exeter.ac.uk/employability

16. Surprise questions • Who do you most admire and why? • Is there a future for the European currency in Greece? • Give me five uses for the colour red • How would your best friends describe you? • Tell us about a book you have just read • Why did I ask you this question ? • If you were a type of sweet or confectionary bar,what would you be? www.exeter.ac.uk/employability

17. Let’s try a few questions ……… www.exeter.ac.uk/employability

18. Questions Are we heading for a double dip recession? Tell me about a time when you have used your initiative to cope with changes ? What makes a successful day for you? Give me an example of when you have performed effectively in a team? How did you decide to apply to our organisation? Have you had to solve a complex problem and how did you approach this? www.exeter.ac.uk/employability

19. Your questions • Training • Promotion? • Development /job content • The future of organisation Avoid • Questions answered in the literature • Questions about conditions of service/pay www.exeter.ac.uk/employability

20. Tips on the day • Help the interviewer • Enjoy the interview • The magic ingredient: Sparkle www.exeter.ac.uk/employability

21. Remember ….you don’t get a second chance to create a first impression! www.exeter.ac.uk/employability

22. Useful resources • EGD vidcast (on web site) • www.prospects.ac.uk – interview tips under the ‘Jobs and Work’ section • DVD – ‘Making an Impact’ – available at Reed Mews • Careers and Employment Guide • The Interview Experience/mock interviews with employers (check web for details and dates) • www.bemyinterviewer.co.uk • Appointment to see a Careers Consultant (Tel: 01392 724493) www.exeter.ac.uk/employability