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Careers Day Interviews. Interview essentials Mock interview Q&A Top tips. What to expect?. Types of interview. One to one Panel interview Telephone Competency-based Strengths-based Technical. Interview+ Presentation Psychometric exercise Written exercise.
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Careers DayInterviews • Interview essentials • Mock interview • Q&A • Top tips
Types of interview • One to one • Panel interview • Telephone • Competency-based • Strengths-based • Technical • Interview+ • Presentation • Psychometric exercise • Written exercise You need to be ready for anything!
What recruiters look for... Why you want the job • Understanding of the role, enthusiasm and genuine interest in the job - motivation Why you want that company • Knowledge and genuine interest in the company/sector Why you are suitable for the job • Experience– University, projects, work - what you gained • Skills (competency based questions) – your potential • Knowledge - about the subject / role, organisation and sector, technical knowledge • Hypothetical questions – reacting under pressure, judgement
Preparation 1: Research the job/company Research: Annual report and website Press articles (news sites, professional bodies etc Personal contacts – e.g. from careers fair/ employer presentations Social media, Twitter etc • Job description, duties, skills and competencies required • History and structure • Products and services • Clients & competitors • Philosophy and ethos • Significant recent developments in the company/industry Researching the organisation: www.careers.dept.shef.ac.uk/infotree/Employers.php
Preparation 2: Know yourself! Remind yourself: • What did you put on your application form/ CV? • Review your other skills and experiences • What are your key selling points? • Have examples and STAR stories ready • Situation • Task • Action • Results
Preparation 3: Focus on how you want to present yourself • 8% is interpreted from the words we use • 37% from our voice – speed, tone, pitch, rhythm, volume etc. • 55% is what the other person sees from our body language
Body Language – First Impressions • Is it a positive or negative one? • Firm handshake? • Do you look pleased to be there? • Do you present the right ‘professional image? • Are you appropriately dressed?
Body Language – Non verbal communication • Eye contact • Body posture / movements • Voice • Speech patterns • Facial expression
Motivations questions • Why do you want this job • Why do you want to work for this company? • Competency questions: • What is your greatest achievement to date and why? (Achievement orientation) • Describe an occasion when you have had to work with others to achieve a goal. (Team work) • Tell me about a time when you have had to overcome a disappointment or setback. (Resilience/ self confidence) Typical questions Motivations questions Competency questions: Strengths based questions Hypothetical questions Technical questions • Strengths based questions • What makes a good day for you? • What do you do when you find a task boring? • How do you always make sure you do your best? • If you had a couple of hours free at work, what would you do? • How do you handle working with people you don’t like? • Hypothetical questions • What would you do if...
Chance to practise... • Tell me about yourself? • What’s your biggest achievement to date and why? • Tell me of a time you have worked in a team to achieve a goal. • How did your contribute to the success of the task? • How did you manage the project and ensure you met your deadline? • How do you handle a task when you find it difficult or boring? • Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
Top Tips • Alumni / employer suggestions • Have confidence • Be friendly • Prepare! Know about the job role/company • Go in with an agenda of things you want to tell them • Prepare the evidence of your knowledge, experience and skills • Rehearse telling your STAR stories • Your ‘greatest achievement’ doesn’t have to be world peace! • Have a question(s) for them
After the interview • Reflect – record – discuss • Remember what you did well • Think of how you could improve your other responses If you aren’t successful: • Ask for feedback from the interviewer • Talk to a Careers Adviser • Keep trying – you’re nearly there!
RESOURCES • Prospects website ‘Applications and Interview’ www.prospects.ac.uk/links/interviews • The Careers Service website www.sheffield.ac.uk/careers/students/gettingajob/interviews.html • Interviews – Online Talks - http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/careers/students/gettingajob • ‘Interviewer’ – interactive interview practice • ‘Interviews and Assessment Centres’ booklets • Reference books in abundance!