SELF PRESENTATIONFacilitated by:

Course Tutor

Giselle Ruoss

and

Course Assistant

Frances Saggers

Task 1: ‘First impressions count’

There is no denying that impressions count but what first impression is most important to you?

Is it how someone looks? Is it what someone wears?What someone says?How punctual someone is?Or something else?

NOT ENOUGH CONFIDENCE CAN LEAD TO:

TOO MUCH CONFIDENCE CAN LEAD TO:

Task 2:Confidence – just right!

Task 3:Body language (British acceptance code)

Body language plays a huge role in how we present ourselves or how other people we are perceived by other people:

Eye contactHead position e.g. (head up or bowed head)Facial expressionsHand gesturesArmsLegsFeetPersonal proximity

Cultural difference in body language

In many ways it is difficult to interpret body even if two or more people are from the same cultural background.

So it can be even harder to get right if we do not know that body language is not the same in every culture.

Socially it can be interesting and even fun getting to know the difference (depending on how well we know the person)

However, in an interview these differences can be misinterpreted on both sides(interviewer/interviewee)

may effect the outcome of the interview.

Task 4: Consider the various cultural backgrounds in this room How many different nationalities in this room. In groups of

three or four discuss what gestures and body language means in your culture:

Consider: Eye contact Head position Facial expression Hand gestures Arms Legs Feet Personal proximity

Task 5: AssumptionsApart from body language there many other

reasons why we can misunderstand first impressions or how we understand another person. Take a look at this picture, what does it tell you?

Ask! If you do not understand something or it is not

clear, just ask people are less likely to be offended and may even respect you more for having the courage to ask. Rather than making an assumption about a situation which you may easier get wrong if you do not ask

This is the same in work people are often happy to help if you ask them. If you do not ask they may think you understand

It natural to have a difference of opinion

It is natural and healthy to have different opinions after all that is one of the most effective ways to educate ourselves and learn

However, you need to be able to express a difference of opinion in a calm and constructive manner in order to get the most effective results

It is not always necessary for people to agree but it is important to respect each other

Task 6: Respect each other

Learning to respect each others opinion is an invaluable way to educate ourselves about how other people live their lives and what they are faced with in life:-

What are some issues that people have differences of opinion about?

Task 7: We are all uniqueWe are all unique and have different skills and qualities

What skills and qualities do you have that you can use in the workplace?

Task 8: Meeting peopleWhen meeting people for an interview or business

appointment what is important to show people you are the right candidate for the job:-

Social networking Social Networking is an expanding way to contact

customers With site such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn your business is instantly available to people locally, nationally and internationally

Networking is a vital part of successful employment and business. Often people require recommendations from other people as a character reference e.g. what someone is like to work with

Alternatively people will often employ companies or individuals who have proven track record of excellent service.

Networking may well result in getting an interview

Preparation is the key to successReview own skills, experiences and qualities Check CV Anticipate questions and identify relevant examples Prepare key selling points

Research organisation Websites, reports, articles, company literature, etc.. Contacts with knowledge of organisation or sector Relevant articles in the press Personal visit or telephone call

Research job and occupational area Job description – or similar Current issues

Prepare your questions Practice

Typical Interview Questions About you

Tell me about yourself - Bring me up to date with your CV? Why did you choose this particular area of work? What experience have you had that is relevant to this post? What would you consider your major achievements to date?

About the job What interests you about this job? What do you know about this organisation? What other options are you considering? How do you see your career developing – 5 years? If you were Head of Department, what would be your priorities?

General knowledge What do you think of the Government’s policy on college fees? What’s your opinion of … (a topical subject relating to the company or

current affairs).

Other types of questions “What if” Questions

No experience - how are you likely to respond to a situation

Probing QuestionsHow exactly did you deal with the situation?How did you know it worked?How did you feel about the outcome?Could you have handled it differently?

Responding to Competency QuestionsQ Give me an example of a problem you

encountered. How did you approach it. What was the outcome?

STAR response S: Describe the situation T: Explain the task/problem that arose A: What action did you take? R: What was the result or outcome? What did you learn from this experience?

Preparing for competency based interviews Identify the competencies required for job

Review job description or ask for information

Define each competency in behavioural terms Identify past experience to illustrate how you

demonstrated that behaviour Prepare examples for each competencyPractice talking about your experienceTry to give a complete answer - STAR

Purpose of the interview

Interview = A meeting with an objectiveEmployer’s objective is to find the best person for the

job Employer: reviews candidate’s experience and abilities Can you do the job? (skills, abilities, qualifications) Will you do the job? (interest, attitude & motivation) How will you fit into the organisation? (personality)

You: impress employer and assess position on offer What does this position offer me? How does it fit with my career plans?

Congratulations - you have passed the first hurdleYou must prove that you are the most suitable

candidate for this position

Task 9: Talk about your achievements

It is often hard to talk about your achievements and much easier to say what you are not good at. In this task we would like you to think of 5 things you are good at and why you think you are good at them:

For example: You might say you are a good listener because you volunteer for the Samaritans which requires someone to listen in a supportive way without being judgemental

What happens after an interview?

Review own performancewhat went wellwhat went badlywhat you wished you had saidprepare for next stage

Invitation to second / final round interviewsassessment centre psychometric testingpanel interview

Rejection letter / emailif you can request feedback - use it

Not getting the jobUse every interview as a learning experienceAsk for constructive feedbackDon’t give upSeek ways to increase your employability (take on

voluntary work to develop your skills while looking for paid employment

Use the time to study, or travel It may even be a time to start your own business or

rethink your goals

Getting the jobGetting the job is a fantastic feeling.It is a new challengeA huge boost in confidenceA chance to use your knowledge and experience from your life and past employment

An opportunity to learn new skillsSecurityA chance to improve your social life

BE WILLING TO LEARN Its true what they say your never too old to learn and there

are many ways to do so:- Workers Educational Association course – attending a

course such as this Attending a college or University course – full-time, part-time

or day release if at work The Internet – there is a wealth of knowledge and information

available on the internet Reading material – books, newspapers, journals, etc. Speaking to people – just by speaking to people we can

acquire knowledge that we did not have before

YOU DID IT!