Interviews and Negotiations

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Agenda

1. Preparing for the interview

2. During the interview

3. Waiting for an offer

4. What is negotiable

5. Questions & Answers

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Before you start

Remember that an interview is as much about you assessing if the job is right for you as it is about them assessing if you are right for the job!

You want to find the right place to work, so use the interview as an opportunity to find out as much as possible about the people, the organization and the growth opportunities that exist for you.

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Getting the call!

• Often we are so excited to get short listed for a job, we forget to ask for important information like:– how long will the interview be?– is there anything I should prepare in

advance?– who will be interviewing me?– ask if there is any more information they

can give you about the job prior to the interview (ie full job description)

– Directions to where the interview is taking place and where to park

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Preparing for an interview

• Research the organization and the specific unit you are applying to – find out the types of work/research they do – gather as much public info as possible

• Make a list of questions that you aren’t able to find info on to ask at the interview (eg – benefits, salary range, professional development opportunities)

• Match your experience to the job posting• Identify which areas you may need

training in.

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Preparing for an interview (con’t)

• Think of examples of when you have demonstrated skills listed in the advertisement

• Also be prepared to answer: – why you are interested in the position– what your goals are– why you left/are leaving your current job– a significant achievement– your salary expectations

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Things to take with you

• Copies of your resume/cv• Presentation materials (if required)• Contact information for your

references• List of questions you have prepared• Paper and pen

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Behavioural Interviewing

Behavioural Interviewing is the style of interviewing that we recommend for use at the University. In a nutshell, it means that you will be asked to provide examples of when you have demonstrated the skills they are looking for in the position.

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During the interview

• Try and make eye contact with the person speaking to you

• Answer the question with an example from your past – if you don’t have a work example, try to think of one from your education or personal experience

• Take your time to think of an example -silence is okay!

• If you have questions ask them!

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Common Mistakes

• Being late for interviews• Not putting enough money in the

meter• Using hypothetical answers to

questions that are not hypothetical• Not asking for clarification• Talking and talking and talking…….

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Waiting for an offer

• Ask at the end of the interview when they expect to make a decision

• Sometimes there are multiple rounds of interviews associated with a positions

• Don’t fret if you don’t hear from the employer right away – give it a day or two past when they indicated and then do a follow-up call

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Reference Checks

• Ask if you can use someone as a reference, don’t just put their name down

• Have a conversation with your reference about what they will say

• Talk to your references after the interview and let them know they may receive the call

• Forward a copy of the job to your references • Employers use this opportunity to get

another opinion on what you said in an interview

• References don’t have to be previous employers, but if they aren’t provide an explanation

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What if you don’t get the job?

• It is okay to ask for feedback• Make a list for yourself what went

right and what went wrong• Get back on the horse!

– the more interviews you do the better you get at them

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Negotiation

• Do your homework– try and find out what is and what isn’t up

for negotiation– if you have friends who are in similar

roles ask them what they would have negotiated

• Know your negotiable from your non-negotiable– what is important to you?

• Don’t worry if an employer says they have to look into your request

Questions