Careers Office

Interview Skills
Once you reach the interview stage in the application process it means that the organisation is interested in you as a possible employee. It is the intention of the interviewer to hire one of the candidates and therefore they will usually be doing their best to allow you to present yourself positively. Employers value candidates who are prepared and focused. Good preparation enables you to anticipate possible questions, show that you want the position and present yourself confidently.

PREPARATION ...
Prior to your interview ... Find out as much as you can about the organisation Size of the organisation Products/services they provide Current issues in the industry Types of clients Find out name of the interviewer and the type of interview it will be. Make sure you have the job description and as much detail as possible about the roles and responsibilities. Prepare some answers to typical questions. Prepare some questions to ask. Find the location of the offices and know how long it will take you to get there. Decide what you are going to wear and ensure it is clean and ironed. Take a portfolio of original documents to support your application.

TYPES OF INTERVIEWS ...

Screening interviews Many employers have screening interview on-campus (perhaps at a careers fair) or in the work environment. The purpose is to determine who will be invited to a second interview. They serve to check technical competence and to try to ascertain those personalities that would fit into the corporate culture. Telephone screening interviews are often used where the organisation is some distance from the candidate or local companies want to screen people quickly. Unstructured interviews rely on questions such as tell me about yourself or what are your career goals? Even though the questions may seem unfocussed - you should be very focussed. Although you dont control the direction of the interview, you control the content. Panel interviews - A panel of interviewers will generally take turns in asking questions. Focus on the person who asks each particular question. Sequential interviews are conducted consecutively by different individuals in the organisation. Interviewers then compare impressions and notes after the interview. Desk-top video conferencing will often be used by interstate or overseas companies for initial interviews. You need to learn to interact with a camera and not a screen. Individual interviews are conducted one-on-one. It is important to build a rapport with the interviewer before answering questions. Assessment centres are used to interview groups of candidates. They may require you to undergo psychological/aptitude testing; role play activities or interactive exercises; and possibly individual or group presentations. There could be a number of observers together with the facilitators.

PRESENTATION ...
Dress appropriately - business attire for men and women Have neat, clean hair, hands and nails Wear minimal perfume or aftershave Dont smoke prior to interview (preferably never) Dont chew gum Have a firm handshake and make eye contact as you shake hands Body language should display confidence Try to appear energetic, positive and enthusiastic Leave the interview in a positive frame of mind and express your interest once again in the position. Smile!

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Key Interview Skills

Research the organisation ...
Having a sound knowledge of an organisation can be a great benefit in an interview. Read annual reports, recruiting brochures and the company website for detailed information. Research can reveal problems or challenges that the company may be facing. It can also enable you to select appropriate examples of your skills and abilities in advance. Try to weave your research into some of your responses as it indicates your interest in the position.

Active Listening ...

When you are listening actively, your entire attention is focussed on the person speaking. Your body, face and eyes all convey that you are listening. This skill is important as employers are attracted to active listeners, They are usually better liked and perceived to be better employees. Also, through active listening you are able to recognise clues that the interviewer is giving you. You are then able to process these clues to determine what the employer is really looking for. Use your body language to show that you are listening. Be relaxed but not slouched.

Control the content not the interview ...

Let the interviewer control the question while you control the content. This means you will be deciding what to say and which examples to give. Develop a plan to know the points you want to cover and the experiences you want to describe. Look for the earliest opportunity to present the information at the interview. In this way you control the content.

Let others speak for you ...

Using an example of what others might say about you enables you to speak highly of yourself without sounding arrogant. For example when answering a question about your strengths and attributes you could say something like ... My boss felt some of my most valuable attributes were that I could always be counted on to get a project done to schedule and that I had great attention to detail.

Answer questions using interesting examples ...

Prepare for the interview by predicting some common questions and rehearsing some answers using interesting examples from you past. These examples can come from school, university, volunteer work or from your current job. These might include examples of how you solved a problem or overcame an obstacle. Not all examples have to be successful ones - as long as you say how you learnt from the experience.

Overcoming objections ...

An objection is not a rejection - it is a request for more information. For example if the employer states that you dont have enough experience they are not rejecting you. Your task is to sell yourself and overcome that objection by offering some solutions. It is important not to become defensive if an employer poses an objection. If you respond positively, they are likely to see that as a strength. Show the employer that you learn quickly and are keen to learn new skills.

Commonly Asked Questions

Tell me about yourself ... Most people dont like this question, however, preparing for it allows you to sell yourself in the best possible way. It is the most frequently asked question in an interview and often serves as a bridge between small talk and the real interview. Your answer should include a brief description of your education and work history. You should look for opportunities to share accomplishments without arrogance. You should also mention your personal interests and anything else you feel is relevant to the position. What is your greatest strength? This question asks for your number one strength, skill or asset and requires you to analyse yourself. You should have several strengths in mind and share the one you feel is most appropriate for the position. Begin with a brief statement and provide a clear example. What are your career goals? The question tests weather youve determined your career goals and whether your goals match the organisation. Sound definite and express your goals based on what you know about the organisation. Why would you like to work for us? This question allows you to describe what you know about the organisation. In order to answer this question effectively, it is important to have an understanding of the organisation and position you are applying for. You should mention the positive aspects of the organisation and position that you have researched along with any other points that the interviewer may have brought up. This might include the reputation of the company or department, its rapid growth or your personal affinity with some of the concepts presented by the interviewer or that you are aware of. Do you prefer to work individually or as part of a team? The best response depends on what you now about the job and how you see yourself in the position. If the job or organisation is looking for a decisive person, you would emphasise your individualism and independence. If most work is done by committees and task forces, emphasise your ability to work as part of a team. If you are unsure it is best to describe how you enjoy both aspects. Why did you choose your major? Recall your reasons for choosing it and give the most positive ones. Demonstrate forethought and planning ability. If you are not using your major (eg. Psychology - going into banking) indicate the strengths you were able to develop as a result of your major.

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Do you feel you did the best work at university that you were capable of doing? If you worked hard in your studies, you might say I worked very hard and took my studies seriously. I graduated with a 5.2GPA (or with Honours). Even the classes I didnt do so well in grade-wise really taught me something. Alternatively you could say something like I worked hard and got good grades but I also wanted to balance my education. I was active in ... (eg. sports, debating, volunteer work). If you were a poor student you could admit to a lack of focus at the time, adding that you are very focused now. If you got your best results in your major or in individual subjects, mention these rather than your overall GPA. Why should we employ you? This question is often asked at the end of the interview and allows you to summarise your strengths. Since this is a summary you can discuss points that youve already covered and add new ones. Sell yourself. Be prepared to take up to 4 minutes. Try to focus on everything you have learnt about the job, your future boss and the needs of the company. Cover the points that will have the greatest impact. You can create an impact by describing a combination of technical skills, your personality, and transferrable skills. What are your weaknesses? This is an opportunity for the interviewer to find out how aware you are of yourself as a person. Use only one or two words to describe your weaknesses. Provide the answer in three parts ... for example 1. Sometimes/Some people say that I am quiet. 2. The good aspect of this is that I listen well or when I do say something it usually makes a significant contribution to the conversation. 3. But I know I need to work on being a bit more outgoing at times ... Scenarios ... Often you will be given a scenario and asked how you would respond in that situation. It could be a situation that assesses your professional competence or alternatively it could be intended to ascertain how you would respond in a stressful or common workplace situation.

Other questions you may be asked ...

These are questions that are commonly asked by employers at an interview .... How many are you prepared to answer? What are your short-range goals and objectives? What would you like to be doing in five years? What are your long-range career objectives? What are the most important rewards you expect from your career? Why did you choose this career? How do you think a friend/lecturer would describe you? What motivates you to put forth you greatest effort? How has your university experience prepared you for your career? In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to our company? What qualities should a successful manager possess? Describe the relationship that should exist between a supervisor and those reporting to him or her? What accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction? Why? Why did you select your university? Do you have plans for continued study? An advanced degree? Are your grades a good indication of your academic ability? In what kind of work environment are you most comfortable? What have you leaned form participating in community or extra-curricular activities? How do you work under pressure? Give an example. Which of your part-time jobs have been the most interesting and why? What do you know about our company? Do you have a preference of location? Are you prepared to travel? Move interstate or overseas? What two or three things are the most important to you in your job? Are you willing to spend at least 6 months as a trainee? What major problem have you encountered and how did you deal with it? What have you learned from your mistakes?

Behavioural Questions
Behavioural questions are becoming increasingly popular within the interview process. They relate specifically to selection criteria such as communication skills, teamwork, customer focus and time management. An example of a behavioural question might be ... Tell me about a time when youve had to deal with conflicting priorities. The idea behind a behavioural question is that past behaviour is a fairly accurate indicator of future performance. If you have demonstrated a particular skill in one context, it is likely that the skill is transferrable to the job you are applying for. When answering a behavioural question you should use the STARL approach ie. Situation - Task Action - Result - Learning. Try to also link your answer with one of the job requirements.

Asking Questions
Employers like being asked questions. A lack of questions for the employer may be interpreted as a lack of preparation for the interview. Giving the interviewer a chance to answer your questions makes the interview more interesting and makes you appear interested and motivated. The following questions could be appropriate at any time depending on the position for which you are applying ... Could you describe your management training program? What types of people seem to do well in this department/company? If Im as effective as I could be, where could I be in 5 years? Is there anything else I should know that would help me understand the position? What are the challenges that have to be faced? What are the timelines for the selection process? When would I expect to be contacted? What type of growth do you foresee in the next 5 years? Does the company promote personal and professional development? What opportunities are available?

Projecting Your Personality

On a conscious or subconscious level, employers will be evaluating your personality and asking themselves Do I like this person? Will we work well together? Will this person work well as part of the existing team? When considering two people with equal qualifications, the one with the more pleasing personality will always be hired. Some highly desirable personality traits include being co-operative, effective under stress, energetic and enthusiastic. It is important to demonstrate some or all of these attributes in your interview. Your body language will tell them a great deal and also the examples you use to demonstrate some of these character traits. Some examples of attributes you might like to highlight are ... Assertive Cheerful Conscientious Co-operative Decisive Diplomatic Discrete Energetic Enthusiastic Flexible Goal-oriented Hard-working honest Humorous Inquisitive Loyal Open-minded Optimistic Patient Persistent Practical Productive Reliable Resourceful Responsible Thorough Trustworthy Self-confident Sincere Make sure you are genuine in your presentation of yourself as interviewers will pick up any inconsistencies.

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Summary
Good preparation will lead to a higher level of confidence Research the company/interview process Anticipate questions and selection criteria Know where you are going and how long it will take to get there Approach the receptionist in a friendly confident manner Develop a routine for entry/introduction Prepare examples to use to demonstrate skills and personal strengths 3-part response to weaknesses STARL approach to behavioural questions Formulate several questions to ask the interviewer Rehearse strategies Be positive and genuine!

RESUME CHECKING SERVICE Send your draft to Matthew Bennett (Careers Officer ) University of Notre Dame matthew.bennett@nd.edu.au

For further information regarding Careers and Employment, contact the Careers Officer at the Student Life Office (NDS2 Broadway or NDS10 Darlinghurst) or phone 8204 4405 or email sydney.careers@nd.edu.au