Interview Preparation

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Interview Preparation
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Be prepared

• Before the interview, confirm TIME, DATE
  LOCATION!
• Plan your journey!! Know where you are going,
  how youll get there and the travelling time
  required
• Dont be afraid to ask wholl be conducting the
  interview and how long it might take

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Do your research!

• Know your company or organisation
• Use Websites, Industry journals/papers, annual
  reports etc
• What is the companys culture and its key
  business interests/activities
• Research the companys key clients, competitors
  and current projects
• What is the company looking for in Graduates, and
  why you fit

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How to demonstrate good fit

• Think about what you would bring to the company
• What are your strengths weaknesses?
• What experiences have you had which might
  demonstrate technical skills and cultural fit
• Know your resume and use it as a reference but
  dont read from it.
• Take samples of your work to date provide
  evidence of your abilities wherever you can!
• Be passionate!

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Final preparations

• Prepare questions you would like answered about
  the role, the company and your future within it
• Plan your trip there. try to arrive at least
  10-15 minutes before your scheduled interview!
• Dress comfortably but appropriately smart
  business attire demonstrates professionalism
• Be positive and enthusiastic!!! First
  impressions count.

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AT THE INTERVIEW
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THE BASICS

• Interviews are about sharing information
• Make a good first Impression
• Deal with NERVES
• Ask quality questions.
• Answer honestly and completely
• Dont be afraid to ask to repeat the question
• Dont complain or bag other people (employers,
  team members, other grads you know).

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TYPES OF INTERVIEW

• Phone experience interest areas,
  communication skills
• Group / Assessment Centre social skills /
  interaction, communication (verbal non), team
  work, time management, problem solving
• First communication skills, fit for role /or
  company, your opportunity to ask questions
• Second let the negotiations commence...

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MOTIVATIONAL QUESTIONS

• HOW you go about your work
• Test WHAT you are MOTIVATED by
• Test your culture FIT to an organisation
• Test the CONSISTENCY of your responses
• If you were a Dog, what kind of dog would you be?
  (trick questions)

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BEHAVIOURAL QUESTIONS

• What are they for? Past Actions future
  performance
• What are competencies?
• Teamwork, Problem Solving, Flexibility,
  Ownership, Time Management, Delivery / Deadline
  orientation. Etc.
• How to recognise these questions ?

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BEHAVIOURAL QUESTIONS CONT..

• Can you detail an occasion when you took
  responsibility beyond what was required of you in
  your role? What was the outcome?
• What has been the most challenging customer you
  have dealt with? What made it challenging? What
  is the relationship like now?

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STAR!!!!

• How do I answer these sort of questions?
• Its like telling a story about YOU - Dont
  waffle!
• Use the first person I did
• S - Situation
• T Task or thing that was required of you
• A Action or what you did
• R Result, and what you learned

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EXTRA TIPS

• Prepare!!
• Follow up (email thanking for the opportunity)
• Ask what happens now (know what to expect)
• Turn your mobile off!!
• Strike a balance - Be clear on what you want
  (ideal role) but be flexible also. Dont say you
  are interested if you are not!!!
• Ask questions if you dont understand the JOB.