Interviews and Assessment Centres Preparation

Prepared by:

Career Development & Employment

RMIT University

www.rmit.edu.au/careers

March 2012

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The Interview: a two-way process

For the employer, an interview is a way of

• clarifying information in your resume

• searching for the skills and experience you offer

• searching for negative information

• establishing your potential for development

• assessing your communication skills and “cultural fit”

For the applicant, the interview is a way of identifying

• career opportunities and training

• positive and negative aspect of work conditions

• experiencing the “culture” of the organisation

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Types of interviews

• Structured

• Unstructured

• Panel interviews

• Group interviews

• Case study based interviews

• Pre-screened on-line

• Telephone/video conference

• Questions: open or closed

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The Assessment Centre

• Individual and group Activities

• Presentation

• In-tray exercise

• Case study or written exercise

• Psychometric and aptitude testing

• Behavioural interview

• Social or informal events

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Behavioural interviews

“Behavioural interviews are

based on the assumption that

past behaviour is the best predictor

of future performance”

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Competencies/skills: Where to find examples

Relevant experiences to draw upon include:

• university projects

• part- time work experiences

• vacation work

• voluntary work

• extra-curricular activities

• personal achievements

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Tips for answering behavioural questions

•STAR technique– Describe the SITUATION– Outline the TASK required of you– Explain the ACTION (Approach you took)– What was the RESULT (Outcome)?

•Don’t generalise: the interviewer wants to hear about a SPECIFIC situation

•Use EXAMPLES- ideally within past 1-2 years

(relevant examples from last 2 years secondary school ok eg. leadership positions)

•Avoid using ‘we’: what did YOU do?

•Don’t be alarmed if you feel you are being interrogated!

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Behavioural interviews - question openings

• Tell me about a time when…

“ Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult person?

• Give me an example of…“Can you give an example where you have used imagination to solve a problem?”

• Describe a time when….

“Describe a time when you had to use reference materials to write a research paper. What was the topic? What journals did you read?

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Behavioural interviews - follow up/ probing questions

• What was your role?

• Can you give me an example?

• What did you do?

• What were you thinking?

• What did you say?

• What were you feeling?

• What was the outcome?

• How were you involved?

• How did you react?

• What happened next?

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General Questions:About you, about us

• Why did you choose to study……..?

• Why do you want this job?

• What are your short and long-term career goals?

• What are your weaknesses? Your strengths?

• Which area of our company interests you most?

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Preparation: what will my visit consist of?

•Assessment Centre–what type of activities will be involved?–how many other participants?–What competencies will be assessed?

•Interview–how many people will be interviewing me?–what kind of things will be discussed?

•Tests–what kind of tests should I expect?

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Preparation: thinking about the organisation

• What do they do?

• Who are their clients

• How are they structured?

• Difference in functions?

• Source of funding?

• Growth rate?

• Challenges within industry?

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Preparation: what are they looking for?

•Review your application

•What ‘transferable’ or ‘generic’ competencies are they seeking?

•What ‘content’ or ‘technical’ knowledge, skills are they seeking?

•Selection criteria?

•‘Key words’ and information can be identified in:–recruitment literature–the advertisement or position description –conversations with current employees–company web-site/annual report–newspapers/magazines

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Preparation- Practise Practise Practise!

• Practise discussing your experiences out loud!

• Anticipate questions- What would you want to know if you were the interviewer?

• Practise with a friend (or in front of a mirror!)

• Time your responses

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Preparation: be punctual!

• Where is the interview located?

• How will I get there?

• How long will it take me?

• Where will I park?

• “Dry run” if necessary or possible –

• It might be useful to come earlier so that you can find a place to have a cool drink/coffee and go to the bathroom to tidy yourself before you enter the actual office building for the interview

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Preparation: your appearance

BE WELL GROOMED AND NEATLY DRESSED!

• First impressions do count

• Dress to suit the profession you have chosen

• Dress within the expectations of the interviewer

• For interviews for Graduate programs a suit is generally appropriate dress, tie for males, skirt (not too short!) in preference to pants for females

• Pay attention to general grooming - hair tidy, nails clean, shoes clean, not too much jewellery and so forth

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Preparation: what to take with you

•File containing:–interview documents including letter, position details, etc–copy of letter and resume/application form originally sent–originals of academic transcripts–references (some may decline to read)

•List of questions you would like answered

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The Interview Format

• Vary from 20 - 60 minutes

• Interviewer often takes notes

• Stage 1: an icebreaker

• Stage 2: “About You” questions

• Stage 3: Wrapping it up

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The Interview – correct etiquette

• Nerves are natural!

• Firm (not too hard!) handshake

• Don’t chew gum

• Don’t be afraid to smile

• Be honest, enthusiastic, professional, interested and positive

• Thank the interviewer for their time

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The Interview: verbal and non-verbal communication

• Speak clearly and look directly at the interviewer while speaking

• Listen!

• Draw breath!

• Complete your sentences

• Avoid monotone responses

• Sit comfortably but maintain posture

• Watch for distracting gestures

• Don’t move and shift in your chair

• Eye contact suggests interest and sincerity

• If there is more than one interviewer shift your glance between the interviewers

• Nod and Mmmmm to show you are listening

• Try to be you!

• The right body language shows that you are confident and believable

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Tips when answering questions

• Don’t ramble: pause, think and respond. Don’t be afraid of silence

• Emphasise the positives and play down the negatives

• Ask for clarification if unsure

• Counter negatives with a positive–DON’T go into excuse, blame, or denial mode–DO take responsibility for yourself–DO highlight what you have learnt

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After the interview

•Analyse the interview– What did you do well?– Congratulate yourself!– What could be improved?– Difficult questions– Unexpected challenges

•If at first you don’t succeed...–Other applicants may simply be more suitable–If concerned about your technique, ask for feedback on your

performance–Focus on what you will do even better next time

PRACTISE, PRACTISE, PRACTISE

Resources

Career Quick Tips

•Quick Tips for Interviews (PDF,79KB,2 pages)

•Quick Tips for Assessment Centres (PDF,70KB,2 pages)

Online resources

•Career Track Jobsearch module (login required)

•Going Global (login required) 

DVD streaming (can only be accessed at RMIT)

•Relevant section of Careers website:Students/Get that job

•Making an Impact This is a streamed video link that includes three interviews of real students by real graduate recruiters.

•The Assessment Centre This is a streamed video which shows an assessment centre in action. The activities and assessment processes are well demonstrated.

•Behavioural Interview and Case Study Interview are two short video clips which demonstrate the do's and don'ts of interview techniques. McKinsey and Company Global Consulting Firm

•Be My Interviewer

•Careers Resource Centre

•Information on Assessment Centres from GCA http://www.graduatecareers.com.au/CareerPlanningandResources/InterviewsandBeyond/AssessmentCentres/index.htm

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