Interview Workshop

David BulmerEmployability Service

InterviewsAims:

Raise the level of your confidence in preparing for interviews

Equip you with skills to perform well in interview situations

Ice Breaker

Talk to one other person & find out:• one thing they find difficult about interviews

or• one thing that concerns them about going for

an interview

Types of InterviewOne to OnePanelTelephone:Assessment Centre

Exercise 1– Preparing for Interviews

In groups of 2 (or 3) discuss how you would prepare for an interview

You could consider:appearance, questions you might be asked and information you might need etc.

You have 10 minutes, then feedback to the group

Preparing for Interviews 1Re-read your application form/CV and

letterFind out about the organisation and the job

itself – use the internet and any details provided by the employer

Decide what to wear – smart, conventional is safest

Personal HygieneCheck location, route and timing of travel If possible, find out who is interviewing you

Preparing for Interviews 2Ask if you need to take course work, portfolio

or projectPredict what questions they are likely to askPrepare your selling points – skills, strengths,

achievements, work experience etcIf there are any problems in your career

history, prepare explanationsDraw up a few questions to ask them but be

careful

Communication Styles / Body Language

Inhibited Assertive Aggressive

Saying littleSpeaking very softlyMeek tone of voiceAllows interruptions

Sitting lower than othersDowncast eyesHand wringing

SmilingEye contact

Balanced postureBeing on a level

Relaxed tone of voiceProximity

Open gestures

Forceful gesturesHarsh tone of voiceIgnoring responsesSpeaking too much

Standing over othersStaring

Interrupting

Exercise 2: What Do Employers Look For?

In a group of 3 or 4:Look at the person specification & decide

what qualities/skills the employer is looking for.

Prepare a list to feed back to the whole group

What Do Employers Look For?

The most frequently requested skills and attributes are:

CommunicationTeam WorkEnthusiasmMotivation/

CommitmentBusiness Awareness

LeadershipFlexibilityConfident with ITOrganisational

skills

Evidence - 1Quality/Skill

Good communicator

Good organiser

EvidenceWorked well with

customers in sales jobs

Arranged holiday for 6 students; organised fund raising event for children’s school.

Evidence - 2Quality/Skill

Effective leader

Good time manager

EvidenceLed project team on

final year group project

Always meet course work deadlines; manage part-time job and study effectively

Types of question - 1BiographicalTell me about yourselfTell me about your courseTell me about your job at XTell me about your hobbies

MotivationalWhy do you want to work for us?What do you know about our company?What have you got to offer?

Types of question - 2CompetencyDescribe a time when you have worked

in a teamDescribe a time when you have led a

groupDescribe a time when you have had to

make a difficult decision in your lifeDescribe a time when you have had to

be innovative or creative

Answering Competency Based QuestionsThe CAR Technique:Context - Describe the situation and the

specific task you were faced with, when, where, with whom?

Action - Describe what you did - focus on your role and your input.

Result - Tell the interviewer what the outcome was, and what skills you developed as a result.

Using CAR to analyse a situation dealing with a difficult customer

Context Action Result

Acting as a relief supervisor at Pizza Hut when a customer began to loudly complain about the service being slow. 

To satisfy the person without upsetting other customers who were also waiting for their food and who had arrived earlier.

Listened carefully to the customer, used moderate language, quiet voice and carefully explained about the lack of staff through illness. Reassured the customer that his order was being dealt with and offered complimentary drinks whilst waiting.

The customer calmed down, could see that it was not deliberate and decided to wait quietly, with the free drinks.

Exercise 3In groups of two or three look at the sample

interview questionsPick a question from 3 or 4 sectionsDiscuss how you would go about answering

each of these questions

Interview Tips - 1First impressions count (smile )Be positive about the job and positive

about yourselfAlways sound interested and

enthusiasticBe honest – but don’t put yourself down.

Avoid expressions like “it was only” or “I just did this” or “I am quite good at”

Maintain reasonable eye contact and remember that body language and tone of voice are important

Interview Tips - 2Illustrate answers with concrete

examples, but don’t waffleIt is acceptable to say “I don’t know” or

ask for a moment to consider your answer

Be natural. How you come across can be as important as what you say

Good interviews don’t just happen. Practice and preparation are the keys to success

Summary: prepare on paper & link to evidence, rehearse in front of a mirror or with a friend, book a mock interview if you are very nervous

After the Interview - 1If you have been offered feedback, do take

this upTry to review your own performance

carefully and objectively If there are areas that you feel were weak,

do some more preparation on these topics

After the Interview - 2Remember that getting an interview is an

achievement in itselfAn employer’s final choice at interview is

often very difficult; being unsuccessful does not mean you were a disaster

Remember how valuable the interview was as a practice session and try to improve at the next one

Interview Resourceswww.prospects.ac.uk/links/appsintervie

wshttps://my.lsbu.ac.uk/page/employability-how-to -

Interviews booklet

DVDs: ’Why Ask Me That’? and ‘Selection Success in One’

Book a Mock Interview

Further HelpEmployability and Careers: Student Life Centrewww.lsbu.ac.uk/careers Quick query, careers interview, e-guidanceWorkshopsGuidance/advice/informationSupport you for up to 2 years after graduation