Successful Interview Techniques Gillian Knight, Managing Director, Kala Management Solutions & Career and Interview Coach for Irishjobs.ie www.kala.ie
Jan 14, 2015
Successful Interview Techniques
Gillian Knight, Managing Director, Kala Management Solutions & Career and Interview Coach for Irishjobs.ie
www.kala.ie
Agenda
• Purpose an interview• What employers want to know• Key to a great interview• Answer structure• Common Pitfalls• End of interview questions• Q&A
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Employers want to know
• Are you well presented?• Can you do the job?• Will you make money/save me money?• Do you think outside the box?• Will you go that extra mile? • Will you fit in with our culture?• Will you stay with us?
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Key to a great interview
• Preparation, preparation, preparation –Research company/people/departmentKnow job spec well & match itKnow your skill/experience gapsPractice strong examplesRelax – show confidenceSmile
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Answers Structure - STAR
ST – Introduction
A – Meat of the story, your process
R – Positive Outcomes & learning from example
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For Competency Based Interview questions
Questions to ask yourself
• Why me over others? • What is my unique selling point?• How am I going to add value?• When did I add value in the past- achievements?• Why this company/role?• Where do I see myself go after joining?• What are my core values & do they match the
company’s
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Common Pitfalls
• Lateness• Appearing stressed• Disinterested • No eye contact• Crossed arms, fidgeting• No research/preparation• Not answering questions asked
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Common Pitfalls
• Don’t Talk about personal problemsRush answersAnswer just yes or noLie or be too honest!Complain or criticise former employersBring attention to your weaknessesJust focus on monetary benefits
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Turn the Tables
• What I train interviewers to look for:Gaps in CVsBody languageFalse informationProof of abilityWhy leaving? Why interested in us?Key Strengths & Weaknesses
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End of interview Questions
• Don’t ask questions for the sake of it• Use this as an opportunity to bring in any
additional information you did not get an opportunity to during the interview
• Can you describe a typical day?• Will there be a handover?• Some idea of volumes the role manages• Any gaps in the job spec
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• Visit www.kala.ie for more articles on interviews and CVs.
• For information on 1:1 coaching and our CV service, please visit www.kala.ie/cvwriting for more details.
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