Interview skills

1. Types of interview including video, face to face, skype, telephone

2. Types of questions and how to approach them

3. Preparing for interview and handling nerves

4. Questions and further help

What we will cover:

…you will be able to approach interviews more confidently and may even start to look forward to them!

What concerns do you have about interviews?

By the end of the session…

Why have an interview?

Interviews are designed to find out :

•Can you do the job? – experience and skills

•Will you do the job? – motivation

•Do you fit in? – culture and team

Types of interviewFind out what type of interview you are havingOne to one

Panel interview

Telephone interview

Video interview

Skype interview

Interviews can include: selection tests, presentations, case studies, technical interview.

• Arrangements for interview are scheduled• A tutorial will provide instructions on the webcam

and the interview• Between 4-15 questions related to the job• Typically, the candidate will have 30 seconds to read

questions and 2 minutes to respond

• The Big Interview – practise video interviews!he big interview

Video interview

• Internet/phone signal• Quiet room, no

interruptions• Desk/table• Microphone• Lighting• Camera position• Test call

Technical preparation

Screening principles akin to applications Check application concerns PersonalityFit with, and interest in, organisation 20-25 minutes

Telephone interviews

Types of questions

•Motivational questions•Competency based questions•Strength based questions•Technical questions•General questions

Examples:

•Why are you interested in this role?•What interests you about this company?•What interests you about this career?

Motivational questions

•Use ‘past behaviour indicates future success’•Objective way of comparing you to others•Relate to skills and behaviour needed for the role•Interviewers decide beforehand which type of answers score positive points•They look for structure•Use real scenarios

Competency based questions

Examples:Can you give me an example of when you had to solve a problem?Describe a time when you had to explain something complex in simple terms?Give me an example of a time you have worked in a team? What was your role?

Competency questions

Designed to test your technical knowledge – engineering, IT…

You may be asked to solve a particular technical problem

• How much reuse do you get out of the code that you develop, and how?

• Which do you prefer; service oriented or batch oriented solutions?

Technical questions

Strength based questions

Competencies can be defined as “what you CAN do”,Strengths are “what you really ENJOY doing”

What are you good at?

What comes easily to you?

What do you learn quickly?

What did you find easiest to learn at school or university?

What subjects do you most enjoy studying?

What things give you energy?

Describe a successful day you have had.

When did you achieve something you were really proud of?

Do you prefer to start tasks or to finish them?

Do you find you have enough hours in the day to complete all the things you want to do?

More strength based questions

Anticipating questions

•Identify the competencies for the job you are seeking

•Company website•Advert•Job descriptions

•Compare these against your background •Find your best example for each and prepare this in advance•Keep the answer concise

• Give answers structure, don’t ramble

• Define the context• Be prepared with specific

answers • Your chance to paint your own

portrait• Don’t be afraid to ask for a

minute to think

Answering questions

Various approaches:• Top down

Start with the main point you want to get across and then expand with some detail.

• Number your points For example ‘I have three points to make’

• STAR Useful for competency based questions

Remember the question and what you are trying to demonstrate!

Structure

Situation: give a context by describing the situation Task: what was your goal?

Action: tell the interviewer your specific actions – this should be the biggest part of your answer

Result: shows yourself in a good light, even if the overall project was not a success

STAR model

In groups:• Mark on the job description key qualities, skills

and experience that are being sought• What question could you ask to find out more

about one of these skills or qualities in an interview?

Your turn!

Be prepared!

• Find out about the organisation and the interviewer

• Rehearse your answers to typical questions with examples

• Know your CV/application inside out

Before the interview

• Who are their main competitors?• Who are their customers/clients?• Who are the key players in the

industry?• What are the hot topics at the

moment?

Resource you could use:• Website• Speak to people who work there:

careers fairs, events, alumni• LinkedIn• Twitter feed

Research the company

Practical preparation:• how to get there• what to wear

Psychological preparation:• positive mindset• dealing with nerves

Preparation

Initial impressions are crucial!

• 50% Body language

• 40% Voice

• 10% Words

•From as soon as you walk in the building•Walk tall and straight•Be grounded before you speak •Make eye contact and smile•Shake hands•Say who you are clearly•Remember to breathe

Initial impressions

“Created poor initial impression’’

“Didn’t sell themselves effectively”

“Didn’t elaborate on responses to questions”

“Shy”

“Couldn’t discuss things they had put on their application”

“Lacked enthusiasm”

“Appeared not to know anything about the organisation”

“Showed no interest in either the job or the organisation”

Nottingham Trent University website

Quotes from employers

Sit reasonably upright

Keep hands on show

Maintain good eye contact

Keep an open posture

Minimise things you do when nervous

Speak clearly

Remember to breathe

During the interview

What you say:• Use examples • Be informative – structure your answers• Boast modestly• Take time over difficult questions - ask for

clarification if necessary

How you say it:• Think about the words you use• Talk about I rather than we

During the interview

http://www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/jobs/applyingforjobs/interviews

From CareerPlayer, Graduate Jobs and Career Advice on video

Preparation is key

What would an average day be like?How would my work be monitored and how often would I be appraised?What career paths have other graduates followed in this company?Will I have any opportunity to use my foreign language skills?Will I be working in a team? What is the make-up of these teams?What are the company’s development plans and targets over the next five years?When am I likely to hear back from you?Do you support study for external qualifications?

Your questions…

Any questions?

Careers and Employability Centre support:• For 3 years after you graduate• Short interview with a careers adviser:

Mon – Fri from 9am ‘til 5pm• Vacancies – part time, work experience, internships, graduate jobs• Briefings and workshops• Career Hub• Attend events – listed on CareerHub

Follow us on Twitter & Facebook

www.sussex.ac.uk/careers

How we can help you

Thank you for your participation!