Skills and Techniques

Meaning of an interview
The word interview comes from Latin and middle French
words meaning to “see between” or “see each other”.
Generally, an interview means a private meeting
between people when questions are asked and answered
• Interview = A meeting with an objective
• Employer’s objective is to find the best person for the job
• Employer: reviews candidate’s experience and abilities
• Can you do the job? (skills, abilitie, qualifications)
• Will you do the job? (interest, attitude & motivation)
• How will you fit into the organisation? (personality)
Objectives of Interview

• In the selection process, interview serves the following

• 1. Verifies the information obtained through application form and tests.

• 2. Helps obtain additional information from the applicant otherwise not

available.

• 3. Gives the candidate necessary facts and information about the job and the
organisation.

• 4. Helps establish mutual understanding between the company and the

candidate and build the company’s image.
 Facts of Interviewing
• Interviews are the most widely
used process for screening job
applicants.
• They provide the most direct
information about a candidate’s
background, personality, and
skills.
• The purpose of an interview is to
receive the job offer.
 Know Yourself
• Employment objective and how it relates to the position
and the employer
• Educational background and how it relates to the
position and the employer
• Work experience
• Abilities and skills

Always be able to give examples!

 Know the Employer
• Research! Research! Research!
• Prepare to demonstrate your knowledge of the
profession and the company
• Prepare to give reasons for your interest in working in
that profession/company
• Develop questions in advance to ask about the
job/organization
 Interview Preparation
• Mental
Situational
Preparation
Knowledge
• Where/when
Knowledge ofthe
company
interview takes place
• Practice
Arrive 10aminutes
mock interview
early!

• Written
PhysicalPreparation
Preparation
• Get
Takeplenty
extra resumes,
of rest references, etc.
• Make
Dress notes
for success
• Ask questions
Preparation is the key to success
• Review own skills, experiences and qualities
• Check CV
• Anticipate questions and identify relevant
examples
• Prepare key selling points
• Research organisation
• Websites, reports, articles, company literature,
etc
• Contacts with knowledge of organisation or sector
• Relevant articles in the press
• Personal visit or telephone call
• Research job and occupational area
• Job description – or similar
• Current issues
• Prepare your questions
 Types of Interviews
• Basic/traditional interview
• Telephone interview
• Group interview
• Interview during a meal or
social occasion
• Serial interview
 5 Stages
Interview Process
1. Icebreaker
• Greetings
• First Impressions
• Small talk
2. Personal Qualifications and Interest in Position
• Abilities, Skills, and Work Experience
• Accomplishments and Activities
• Goals
Interview Process
3. Organization and Position
- Employer may test your knowledge of the company.
“Why do you want to work for this company?”
“What do you know about this department?”

- Other general questions regarding the company or the job.

“What is your geographic preference?”
“Are you willing to relocate?”
Interview Process
4. Candidate Questions
• Your chance to ask questions about job
“What type of on the job training do you provide?”
“What makes your company different from its
competitors?”
5. Close and Follow-Up
• Find out who makes next move
• Thank the interview for their time
• Evaluate your performance
• Send a thank you note within 24 hours
 STAR Technique
• Situation – describe the situation, problem, or issue that you
encountered.
• Task – describe the tasks/responsibilities you took on to help
solve the problem.
• Action – discuss the steps you actually took to effect a
solution.
• Result – describe the positive results of your actions.
 Tips for Successful Interviewing
• Interviewing is a two-way process
• Never give “yes” or “no” answers
• Listen carefully and react
• Use specific examples to make your case
• The interview begins the minute you step onto the
company lot
• Be positive!
 Tips for Successful Interviewing
• Think like an employer
• Don’t criticize past employers or co-workers
• Be aware of illegal questions
• Maintain professionalism, even if the employer does not
• Be prepared for the unexpected
• Be aware of body language
• Be well-groomed
Watch the Body Language
• First impressions very powerful
• Allow time to relax
• Dress appropriately
• Entrance, introductions & handshake
• Smile and make eye contact
• Be aware of own movements
• Watch body language of interviewer
Typical Questions
• About you
• Tell me about yourself - Bring me up to date with your CV?
• Why did you choose that particular degree programme?
• What experience have you had that is relevant to this post?
• What would you consider your major achievements to date?
• About the job
• What interests you about this job?
• What do you know about this organisation?
• What other options are you considering?
• How do you see your career developing – 5 years?
• If you were Head of Department, what would be your
priorities?
• General knowledge
• What do you think of the Government’s policy on college
fees?
Competency-based Interviews
• Company identifies key skills required for job
• Designs questions to elicit evidence of skills
• Emphasis on past behaviour as predictor of success
• Teamwork: Describe a team project you worked on. What problems arose? How did you deal
with them?

• Communication Skills: Describe situation when you had to persuade others to support your
view. Give an example of any reports you’ve written which illustrate your writing skills

• Interpersonal skills: What kinds of people do you find it difficult to work with? How do you
handle those situations?

• Taking Responsibility: Describe a time when you took responsibility to achieve a challenging
goal

• Problem-solving:Tell about a time when you had several tasks to manage at one time with
conflicting deadlines.
 Preparing for Competency Interview

• Identify the competencies required for job

• Review job description or ask for information
• Define each competency in behavioural terms
• Identify past experience to illustrate how you demonstrated
that behaviour
• Prepare examples for each competency
• Practice talking about your experience
• Try to give a complete answer - STAR
Matching Skills to Requirements

Employer needs Your evidence

Communication Presentation to class
Team work Example from Coop
Leadership Class rep, Committee
Initiative Fundraising for charity
Customer Care Working in Supergun
IT Designed website
Commercial awareness Business pages
Your Answers
• Listen carefully, seek clarification
• Illustrate answers with real examples and evidence
• Be positive – constructive criticism
• Keep answers specific and brief
• Take time to respond
• Be alert to interviewer’s body language
• Speak clearly, smile and show enthusiasm
• Know what you want to say, and find the opportunity
Qualities Employers Seek
• Good all-round intelligence
• Enthusiasm, commitment and motivation
• Good communication skills
• Team work ability
• Ability to solve problems
• Capacity to work hard
• Initiative and self-reliance
• Balanced personality
Competencies required by Company

• Adaptability
• Integrity
• Innovation
• Teamwork
• Initiative
• Drive for Results
• Know the Business
• Open Exchange of Information
• Makes Difficult Decisions
Your Questions
• Training programmes
• Career development opportunities
• Types of projects & responsibilities
• Reporting structure
• Performance appraisal
• Profile of staff
• Questions about topics raised in interview
• What happens next?
What creates a bad impression
• Poor personal appearance
• Negative attitude – evasive, using excuses
• Lack of interest and enthusiasm
• Lack of preparation
• Poor knowledge of role
• Failure to give concrete examples of skills
• Over emphasis on money/rewards
• Lack of career plan
After the Interview
Review own performance
what went well
what went badly
what you wished you had said
prepare for next stage
Invitation to second / final round interviews
assessment centre
psychometric testing
panel interview
Rejection letter / email
if you can request feedback - use it
Telephone Interviews
• Prepare as thoroughly as for ‘real’ interview
• Select comfortable, private, quiet place
• Have copy of CV and company information
• Have pen and paper at hand
• Prepare for usual interview questions
• Practice on phone
• Record answers
• Try standing
• Smile and use gestures
• Avoid monotones
• Be yourself
Other Types Of Interviews
• Rotating
• Like one-to-one with different interviewers
• Group
• 6-8 candidates
• Group observed while discussing topic
• Be aware of group interaction
• Panel
• 2-5 interviewers, or as many as 13!!
• Try to identify different roles
• Respond to interviewer, include others through eye
contact
• May involve presentation
Interview preparation
Before The Interview
• Research the potential employer
• Review the job description and be able to match your
experience and education with the duties of the position
• Prepare a 1 to 2 minute script about yourself
• Make sure you have the appropriate interview attire
Tips Regarding Attire (Men)
• If possible, wear a suit to the interview
• Belt and shoes should be same color
• Avoid ties with elaborate patterns or too many colors
• A wedding ring and/or watch is generally the only jewelry
that should be worn
• Head to Toe: Hair should be well groomed and shoes should
be polished
Who Would You Hire?
Tips Regarding Attire (Women)
• A suit or dress is preferable
• Skirts should meet at the top of the knee or longer
• The amount of jewelry should be minimized
• Make-up should be light
• Avoid perfumes and scented powders
Starting The Interview
 Be sure to arrive 10 to 15
minutes prior to the start of
the interview
 Greet the interviewer with
a firm handshake
 Maintain good eye contact
and posture
 Make sure you are
energetic and enthusiastic
 Speak clearly and
articulate
Standard Interview Questions
• Would you tell me about yourself?
• What is your greatest strength?
• What is your greatest weakness?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
• What about this position do you find most appealing?
• Why do you want to work for our company?
• Why should we hire you?
The five most important factors
interviewers considered when hiring
• Work experience (36%)
• First impressions of the candidate (24%)
• Education (12%)
• Professional qualifications (10%)
• References (9%)
 Ask Questions
• What are your expectations of the employees in your
company?
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of your
organization?
• Describe a typical day on the job in this position.
• Avoid asking questions about salary and benefits.
Graceful Exits
 Thank you for your time
 I appreciate it
 I will be looking forward to hearing from you

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 After the Interview
• Evaluate your performance
• Send a thank-you note within 24 hours
• Keep records of important dates and details for the follow-
up