Interviewing Techniques

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Interviewing Techniques Skills
Professional Development 451-204

• Cliff Ogleby

Department of Geomatics, The University of
Melbourne
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Overview

• Purpose
• First Impressions
• During the Interview
• Interview Questions
• Selectability
• About Yourself

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Purpose
For the interviewer

• Primarily to see if you match their requirements
• your intellectual qualities
• how you get on with people
• how enthusiastic you are
• how well you express yourself
• whether you will be an asset to their
  organisation

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Purpose
For You

• A chance to meet someone from the organisation
• For you to assess them - are they offering what
  you want?
• How you come across is as important as what you
  say...

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Purpose

• No right or wrong answers
• Be positive
• Be yourself
• Be interesting

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First Impressions

• Set the tone for the rest of the interview
• Show the interviewer that you are friendly and
  open
• Look at the interviewer, especially when
  introducing yourself
• You are allowed to smile...

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4 seconds to Form an impression4 minutes for a
Lasting impressionImpressions55 What they
see38 What they hear7 What you say
First Impressions
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Presenting YourselfThe medium is the
messageMarshall McCluan
First Impressions
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Communicating Without Words

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The Power of Body Language

• Posture
• Gestures
• Facial Expression
• Movement
• Confidence

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Communicating without Words
There are 5 main ways
Appearance Face Body Speech Position

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First Impressions
Appearance
Grooming hair dress general deportment accesso
rising make-up

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First Impressions
Appearance

• Dress
• appropriate to the position or interview
• look tidy
• look clean well maintained
• no distractions (too much jewellery,
  inappropriate hair style/footware)

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First Impressions
Face
Eye contact expression smiles frowns head tilt

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First Impressions
Face

• Visual Communication
• maintained
• directed
• definite

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First Impressions
Body
Posture Gestures Movement

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First Impressions
Body

• Stance
• balanced
• not too stiff
• not slovenly
• not fidgety
• no swaying
• do not move too much

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First Impressions
Body

• Gestures
• meaningful
• restricted
• mannerisms absent

• Poise
• relaxed
• comfortable
• no indications of tension

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First Impressions
Speech . Dont forget your VIP4 voice
Volume Intonation Pitch Pace Pause Phrasing

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First Impressions
Speech

• Articulation
• clear
• not slurred or drawled
• not over precise
• move jaw lips

• Volume
• adequate
• do not fade
• do not shout
• vary for effect

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First Impressions
Speech

• Phrasing
• natural
• awareness of meaning

• Use of words
• fluent
• avoid unfinished sentences
• avoid false starts

• Emphasis
• use effectively
• no false or excessive use

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First Impressions
Position
Orientation Distance

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First Impressions
Sometimes as little as 5 of the message is the
words - look like, sound like, feel like YOU
MEAN WHAT YOU SAY!

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First Impressions

• Presentation is all about
• ADDING VALUE to that which you present,
• whether it is
• yourself,
• a resume/CV,
• a message,
• a lecture...

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During the Interview

• Make it easy to interview you
• Give the interviewer answers that are relevant
• Support your claims illustrate with examples -
  not too many

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During the Interview

• Present yourself positively - dont put yourself
  down
• Remember, it is possible to talk about most
  experiences in a positive way
• With awkward questions, take your time keep
  your cool

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During the Interview

• Ask for a Q to be repeated/clarified if you
  didnt understand
• Dont interrupt a question
• Look sound enthusiastic interested without
  overdoing it
• Maximise your strong points minimise your weak
  points

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During the Interview

• You can anticipate some questions that will be
  asked by reading your application as if you were
  the interviewer
• Remember, you have some controls over the
  interview by the leads you give.

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During the Interview

• Find out what happens after the interview
• Thank the interviewers for their time attention

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Interview Questions
Appropriate Inappropriate

• Appropriate Questions a selector will most
  likely ask you
• Inappropriate Those that have little or no
  bearing on performing the job
• Controlled by EEO legislation.

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Interview Questions
Appropriate questions

• Are you legally entitled to work in Australia?
• What is your past work experience?
• What university did you attend?
• Do you have a car?

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Interview Questions
Appropriate questions

• Are you prepared to relocate?
• What foreign languages can you read (if job
  related)?
• Why did you choose surveying at Melbourne
  University?
• What attracted you to our organisation?

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Interview Questions
Questions about Capability

• What are 2 or 3 things youd like to learn in
  this field?
• What skills do you rely on in your everyday work?

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Interview Questions
Questions about Capability

• How much supervision do you normally receive?
• What is the scope of your responsibilities?
• What kind of training do you think would benefit
  you most?

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Interview Questions
Questions about Attitudes

• How would you feel about working in an
• all male...
• all female...
• underwater environment ?

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Interview Questions
Questions about Attitudes

• What do you like most about your present job?
• What do you like least about your present job?
• What kinds of things give you work satisfaction?

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Interview Questions
Inappropriate questions

• Where were you born?
• Do you intend to make Australia your home?
• What is the name of your Church or Parish?
• Have you ever been arrested for a crime?

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Interview Questions
Inappropriate questions

• What is your Marital status?
• What is your partners maiden name?
• Are you planning a family?
• Will you have trouble getting a baby sitter?
• Do you get sick very often?

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Interview Questions
Inappropriate questions

• How much does your partner/spouse earn annually?
• Are you a member of any non-professional
  organisations (political, feminist, activist)?
• Do you have a drinking problem?
• Why do you barrack for Collingwood

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Interview Questions
You can ask about the job

• What are the responsibilities?
• What authority goes with the job?
• How long has the organisation had this position?

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Interview Questions
You can about the job

• Was anyone on staff bypassed for this position?
• When will a decision be made?
• Who makes the hiring decision?

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Interview Questions
You can ask about the department

• Whod be my immediate supervisor?
• Whats the work-style of the dept.?
• What kind of budget does the dept. have?
• How does this dept. relate to others?

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Interview Questions
You can ask about the organisation

• What is the companys
• organisational structure?
• place in the industry?
• product?
• current financial status?
• Corporate culture?
• What are the companys policies?

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Interview Questions
You can ask about evaluation

• How when are there employee reviews?
• How are pay rates determined?
• How are promotions determined?
• What is the career path for this position?

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Interview Questions
You can ask about conditions

• Besides the salary, explain the other benefits
• training, mentor programs, leave...
• Is there an orientation program?
• What are the working conditions?
• What resources are available?

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Selectability
What attributes are selectors looking for?
A collection of capabilities that will determine
your suitability to perform a task at hand, in
an existing organisation, with the potential to
develop
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Selectability
Analytical ability

• Define a task objectives
• Gather relevant data
• Identify all relevant factors restrictions

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Selectability
Analytical ability

• Apply logical reasoning
• Develop results-oriented conclusions
• Test assumptions, observe results incorporate
  revisions

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Selectability
Communication Skills

• Listen effectively
• Respond clearly objectively
• Use appropriate vocabulary

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Selectability
Communication Skills

• Present clear, concise reports
• Receive written or oral instructions
• Describe information or explain processes to
  others

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Selectability
Decision Making Ability

• Take a problem-solving approach to disruptions in
  work flow
• Gather information resources from a variety of
  sources
• Perceive evaluate alternatives

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Selectability
Decision Making Ability

• Analyse impact of decisions
• Make implement decisions
• Support decisions with appropriate rationale
  evidence

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Selectability
Intellectual Ability

• Analyse problems with an open mind
• Process information from a variety of resources
• Develop new ideas

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Selectability
Intellectual Ability

• Grasp new concepts, approaches or solutions
• Organise information in new or unique ways
• Apply creative thinking imagination

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Selectability
Interpersonal Skills

• Work cooperatively with a range of individuals
• Interface effectively with clients, the public
  and colleagues
• Recognise strengths limitations in yourself
  others

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Selectability
Interpersonal Skills

• Gain the confidence trust of others
• Exhibit appropriate sensitivity
• Focus on task or performance rather than
  personality when supervising

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Selectability
Manual Skills

• Recognise use tools with dexterity economy of
  effort
• Anticipate prevent accidents

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Selectability
Mathematical Ability

• Work comfortably with figures
• Develop pricing or financial plans
• Perform calculations accurately
• Identify correct errors
• Forecast, budget or report quantitative data

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Selectability
Organisational ability

• Plan, organise monitor activities
• Establish schedules, deadline or quotas
• Coordinate resources towards fulfilment of
  objectives
• Organise work autonomously as part of a team

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Selectability
Technical Knowledge

• Demonstrate understanding of terminology,
  principles theory
• Read manuals, plans, journals as required
• Follow guidelines of regulations

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Selectability
Technical Knowledge

• Demonstrate knowledge of issues, problems
  innovations
• Diagnose, maintain troubleshoot equipment or
  systems

A lot to determine in a 20 minute Interview!!!
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About Yourself
What do you want from a job?

• Power
• Security
• Status
• Money
• Companionship
• Challenge
• Interest
• Recognition

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About Yourself
What are you best suited for?
Personality type

• Realistic
• investigative
• artistic
• social
• enterprising
• conventional
• .MBTI

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About Yourself
What should you bring to a job?

• Responsibility
• Tolerance for stress
• Flexibility
• Independence
• Industriousness
• Initiative
• Integrity
• Perseverance
• Assertiveness
• Cooperativeness
• Enthusiasm

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About Yourself
Responsibility

• Always be accountable for mistakes
• Warn people when a deadline is going to be missed
• Look after the interests of subordinates the
  rest of the organisation

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About Yourself
Tolerance for Stress

• Maintain composure good judgement in the face
  of insurmountable odds stupidity

Flexibility

• Be open to suggestions from others
• Change strategies to meet the needs of the
  situation

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About Yourself
Independence

• Work reliably without close supervision
• Make decisions without being influenced by others

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About Yourself
Industriousness

• Be willing to work long hours
• Use time well
• Pursue goals energetically

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About Yourself
Initiative

• Begin projects without being told
• Identify business opportunities
• Exceed what is required

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About Yourself
Integrity

• Maintain personal principles even in the face of
  criticism
• Support colleagues when they need help

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About Yourself
Perseverance

• Complete important tasks despite personal
  hardship
• Complete complex tasks
• Avoid distraction in pursuit of goals

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About Yourself
Assertiveness

• Keep others from taking undue advantage
• Take leadership positions
• Discipline subordinates

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About Yourself
Cooperativeness

• Offer resources assistance in pursuit of common
  goals
• Do assigned tasks in common effort
• Place accomplishment of group over personal
  ambition

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About Yourself
Enthusiasm

• Maintain high energy level
• Demonstrate a positive attitude towards yourself
  others
• Express needs in a positive manner

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