Ace the interview!_jill_2007
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Transcript of Ace the interview!_jill_2007
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Ace the Interview! Effective Interview
Preparation
Jill McAlisterCareers and Employment
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Activity: First Impressions Count!
Step 1: Introduce yourself to somebody - shake hands
Step 2: For 1 minute, explain. . .
Key information about yourself
Your career goals
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First Impressions Count!
• Tone of Voice
• Start the interview
confidently
• Opening lines
• Handshake
• Body language
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Three-step process
The Interview Itself
Pre-Interview Preparation
Post – Interview Activities
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Pre-Interview Preparations
Know the Job and Organisation– Organisation: structure, culture, values,
recent developments– Job: purpose, criteria, daily duties,
terminology
Know and Critique Yourself– Why do you want the job, & why in that
organisation?– Familiarise yourself with your resume,
cover letter / application form– What do you have to offer?– Prepare answers to typical questions
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Pre-Interview Preparations Know What to Expect
– Structured v.s. unstructured
– One to one, panel, group
– Who is interviewing you? Names and roles?
– Face to Face / Telephone / Online / On Campus
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Purpose of the InterviewFor the interviewer
– Can you do the job?
– Will you do the job?
– Do you fit?
Confirmation of their impressions
For the interviewee– To present your abilities, knowledge, aspirations
and experience
– To gain a further insight into the position, employer and organisation
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Interview Question Types
Standard (Open-ended) questions
Situational questions
Behavioural questions
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Standard (Open-ended) Questions
General questions used as ice-breakers. Eg:
• What attracted you to apply to our organisation?
• What are your strengths? And your weaknesses?
• Tell me about yourself.
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Standard (Open-ended) Questions
General questions used as ice-breakers. Eg:
• What attracted you to apply to our organisation?
• What are your strengths? And your weaknesses?
• Tell me about yourself.
Address the essential criteria Focus on your achievements Ask if you should expand on any of the points made, if you are worried that your answer is too short
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Situational QuestionsHypothetical scenarios to see how you would
respond.
• How would you handle a difficult customer if your boss was away?
• Here is a problem we faced recently ... How would you have dealt with this?
Understand how situational questions are developed Take the time to think about your answer Make assumptions Address WHAT you would do and WHY
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Behavioural QuestionsQuestions for you to describe previous experiences
• Describe a complex problem you have solved recently.
• Have you been in any situations where you were required to perform as part of a team? What was the situation, what part did you play in the team and what was the outcome of the exercise?
Choose relevant, recent and special examples Use the STAR Approach:
S T A R
S
A
TRituation
ask ction esult
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Sample Behavioural Answer
Where have you previously demonstrated high-level organisational skills?
(S) I have shown strong organisational skills as a project
assistant while assisting a research team.(T) One time, I helped the team to schedule some clinical
trials. (A) That involved booking facilities and equipments plus
arranging for participants to attend. I developed aspreadsheet where I could record and track information.
(R) Doing this ensured the trials ran smoothly, despite the tight schedule. I was invited to join the team again when
they received funding for a new project.
S
A
TR
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Sample Interview Questions
1) What would you do if you disagree with your supervisor in a meeting?
2) Have you ever been responsible for the generation of a new idea or suggestion? Describe and explain.
3) What do you see yourself doing five years from now?
4) Describe how you have coped with a new or difficult situation.
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Activity -
Practice makes
perfect . . .
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Questions For You To Ask• How much scope will there be for …?
• What are some of the current projects being undertaken? What could my first project be?
• What do you see as the immediate goals of the position? How will you measure performance?
• What do you see as the future for the position?• Daily routine, specific demands and challenges
for a graduate employee (day in the life)?• How does this position relate to the others
within the organisation?• Opportunities for career progression, training
and advancement?• Growth plans for the organisation?
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Post Interview Activities
Constructive thinking– Review and analyse what happened– What went well/not so well and why?– Use this for future reference
Follow-up action– Quick call / Email to the interviewer– Express your appreciation for their
time – Reinforce your interest and enthusiasm
in the role in as few words as possible
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Post Interview Activities –
What is Next?Invitation to the next round
– Assessment day / centre– Psychometric testing– Panel interviews– Reference checks
“Rejection” letter– Use interview feedback to
your advantage
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?
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U N S W C A R E E R S A N D E M P L O Y M E N T
www.careers.unsw.edu.au
Level 2, East Wing, Quadrangle Building. Ph: 9385 5429