Job interviews

1
Job interviews

• The primary reference used for this presentation
  was Philip Garsides (1997) The secrets to
  getting a job The script for your next
  interview. Publisher by Hyland House Press,
  Melbourne, Victoria.
• Philip Garside wrote, Interviews are not about
  the best person for the job - they cant be.
  Interviews are about who interviews best, about
  who appears to be the best. The abilities,
  capacity and worth that you take into the
  interview room will never be tested only your
  ability to interview will be.
• This is perhaps a somewhat cynical view of the
  interview process, however, there are many people
  who think it to be true. It does show that
  interviewers are only human and cannot help
  perhaps being influenced by the interviewees
  performance and likeability during the interview.
• What it means though is that the more effort we
  put into our job interview preparations the more
  likelihood there is that we will be rewarded.

2
Interview preparation

• Are interviews like oral exams?
• No.
• People who do well in interviews have a different
  approach. They ask themselves How do I best
  answer each question to my advantage?
• Trying to get the right answer usually means
  offering only knowledge and information.
• Good interviewees use a question to demonstrate
  wisdom, insight and understanding because these
  are what interviewers really want to discover.
• Relying solely on information can damage your
  performance.

3
Interview preparation

• Why did you apply for this customer service
  job?
• Instead of just providing information in your
  answer, like
• It offers good prospects and I like working in a
  customer service environment
• Try
• I see this position as extremely important for
  the business, in fact it is critical. A person in
  a customer service role can make all the
  difference to whether a customer decides to do
  business or not. I recently experienced an
  example of poor service by a shop keeper he
  didnt look up or greet me when I entered his
  shop and I just started looking around. He just
  kept on with what he was doing, so after a while
  I just walked out.
• Broadening your answer demonstrates your wisdom
  and insight gained from a prior experience, used
  as an indicator of your potential value to the
  organisation.

4
Interview preparation

• Why did you apply for this customer service
  job?
• You might also include comments on how you see
  the job, what it needs, and demonstrate that you
  have the necessary skills.
• I think the position you are offering needs
  someone with a bright and helpful disposition.
  Someone who actually welcomes enquiries and takes
  a personal delight in assisting people.
• In my previous position I made it my goal to
  smile and greet customers straight away,
  regardless of how busy I was. And, if I couldnt
  assist them immediately, I would acknowledge
  their presence and invite them to take a seat.
• Its because I believe I can make a valuable
  contribution to your business in a customer
  service role that I decided to apply.
• The sample answer above, whilst not perfect,
  would provide an interviewer with a much clearer
  indication of the applicants potential to
  understand and do the job well.

5
Interview questions

• Most interview questions are based upon the
  selection criteria or list of skills and
  attributes which were used to assess the actual
  job applications. Your task is to know these,
  prepare, and be ready demonstrate convincingly
  that you possess what is expected.
• Its possible to anticipate some questions, so
  have some responses ready and examples ready to
  back up your claims.
• Be careful not to sound too rehearsed.

6
Introductory (exploratory) questions

• Tell us about yourself? What are your strengths
  and weaknesses? How would your friends describe
  you? (This is really another way of asking you
  about your strengths related to the position)
  What attracts or interests you in this position?
  What have you got to offer this position?
• Introductory questions are usually designed to
  help you to settle in, and can be used to your
  advantage.
• Did you find your way to the interview alright?
• I wanted to be sure I arrived on time, so I
  drove up last night and visited the premises to
  see where I could park and how long it took.
• How would your friends describe you?
• Focus on your strengths as they relate to the
  position and avoid just listing attributes, eg.,
  enthusiastic, hardworking and loyal.
  Elaborate, tell your story by offering a little
  insight.
• They would describe me as enthusiastic. I always
  like to do things to the best of my ability My
  father used to say, If you want something done,
  just ask her to do it. You can always rely on
  her.

7
Exploratory questions

• Employers tend to be more interested in what you
  have done that is related to the world of work.
  The knowledge gained through your degree, to an
  extent, is taken for granted. Interviewers will
  be more interested in specifics, eg., your
  communication skills, negotiation skills, problem
  solving ability and team work skills.
• How many in the team? What did you contribute to
  the team? What did you learn about yourself?
• What is your greatest achievement?
• An achievement does not have to be earth
  shattering, just something you have done which
  has given you a feeling of satisfaction, eg.,
  completing n years of study and overcoming all
  difficulties. However, you would also need to be
  specific about any difficulties you overcame.
• Why did you fail this subject?
• Never blame others (eg., the subject was badly
  taught) as this only demonstrates that you do not
  accept responsibility.

8
Interview questions

• Employers sometimes use behavioural questions.
• Position descriptions and selection criteria help
  to identify the particular skills, personal
  traits and behaviours which are important to the
  employer.
• Behavioural questions are used to assess whether
  you are likely meet the behavioural requirements
  of the position being offered.
• Evidence is sought from asking about your past
  behaviours which demonstrate acquired skills or
  how you coped with past situations or problems.

9
Behavioural questions

• You are likely to be asked questions to
  demonstrate how you handled a past situation as
  an indicator of how you might handle situations
  in the future.
• Describe a time when you had to deal with a
  difficult customer. How did you handle it?
• To be clear and precise consider using the STAR
  method
• S Situation Whilst working as a barman
• T Task ...I experienced a variety of
  customers and on occasions had to cope with
  some very difficult ones.
• A Action ...These situations required skilful
  and tactful handling. I would listen, speak
  calmly and assist by suggesting solutions that
  I could help with, or just had to happen.
• R Result I was able resolve or reduce the
  intensity of some really difficult situations
  in this way.

10
Examples of behavioural questions

• What have been your achievements and what have
  you learned from them?
• What mistakes have you made and what have you
  learned from them?
• Tell us about working as part of a team and what
  team work means to you.
• Give me an example of a time when you were able
  to successfully communicate with another person,
  even when that person may not have liked you.
• Have you ever set yourself and achieved a
  personal goal? Tell me what your goal was and how
  you achieved it.
• Describe a time when you had to cope with change.
  How did you handle it?
• Can you describe a time when you have been
  concerned about someones ethical standards. What
  was your reaction and how did you handle things?
• Describe a situation where you had to come up
  with a creative idea at short notice. How did you
  handle this situation?
• Have you ever had to convince somebody of your
  particular point of view. Describe the situation
  and tell us how you handled it.

• Describe a time when you had to meet a deadline
  for one of several important projects. What did
  you do to ensure that you met the deadline whilst
  not jeopardising the other projects.
• Can you tell us about a situation where you have
  demonstrated tenacity and commitment?
• Describe a time when you have had to adapt and
  fit into a situation different from the one you
  are used to.
• Tell me about a time when you tried to do
  something that was really important to you and
  you failed. What did you learn from that?
• Tell me about a time you had to overcome a major
  obstacle to meet a challenge. What did you learn
  from that?
• Describe a time, in any job youve had, where you
  were faced with problems or stresses that tested
  your coping skills. What did you do?
• Give me an example of a time when you felt you
  were able to motivation co-workers or
  subordinates at work.
• Describe the most important written
  document/report/presentation which you have had
  to complete

11
Open versus closed questions

• Closed questions require a simple yes , no or
  maybe responses.
• Is it raining?
• Open ended questions require a more expanded
  answer.
• What do you think of the current situation in
  the middle east?
• How would you answer the following open ended
  questions?
• What are the most important considerations when
  choosing a job?
• Why did you apply to our organisation?
• Why should we give you this job?
• What do you know about us?
• What motivates you to succeed?
• What style of management gets the best from you?
• What have you done in your life to demonstrate
  that you have initiative?
• What interests you about our products and
  services?
• What do you think determines a persons progress
  in an organisation?

12
Appearance, dress and grooming
It is often considered that first impressions are
important. When you are greeted by an interviewer
you will make an impression. The rest of the
interview may be spent either confirming or
refuting that impression.

• You need to appear confident, friendly and
  professional
• Your smile and/or handshake are important aspects
  of the overall impression you make
• Make good eye contact and maintain this
  throughout the interview
• Be friendly, but not too casual

• Dress appropriately. A crisp look is often a
  good look.
• Be in fashion, but err on the side of
  conservatism
• Pay attention to your grooming
• Body language is important
• Sit upright, look alert and interested
• Avoid folding your arms or leaning on a table.