Interview

Course:Course: ENG-102(Technical Writing and Presentation Skills)

3.00 Credit Hours, Spring 2014, 3.00 Credit Hours, Spring 2014, BS-SE 4 years Program BS-SE 4 years Program

Instructor: Ms Safoora Batool SyedInstructor: Ms Safoora Batool SyedEmail: Email: [email protected]@uogsialkot.edu.pk

WEEK:8WEEK:8

© www.uogsialkot.edu

Interview An employment interview is a formal meeting during which both you

and the prospective employer ask questions and exchange information. Most employers interview an applicant multiple times before deciding

to make a job offer. Employers start with the screening stage, in which they filter out

applicants who are unqualified or otherwise not a good fit for the position.

The second stage is the selection stage. It helps the organization identify the top candidates from all those who qualify.

If the interviewers in the selection stage agree that you are a good candidate, you may receive a job offer either on the spot or a few days later. In other instances, you may be invited back for a final evaluation, often by a higher-ranking executive. This is the final stage.

Types of Interviews

Structured Interview: The interviewer asks a series of questions in a predetermined order. This type makes it easier for the interview team to compare answers from multiple candidates.

Unstructured/Open-Ended Interview: The interviewer adapts his or her line of questioning based on the answers the candidate gives and any questions the candidate asks.

Panel Interview: The candidate meets several interviewers at once. Group Interview: One or more interviewers meet with several candidates

simultaneously. The purpose is to observe how candidates interact with potential peers.

Behavioural Interview: In which the candidate is asked to relate specific incidents and experiences from his/her past.

Situational Interview: Similar to Behavioural Interviewer except that the questions focus on how the candidate would handle various hypothetical situations on the job.

Working Interview: In this type, the candidate actually performs a job-related activity during the interview.

Stress Interview: In this interview, the candidate is asked questions designed to unsettle. The candidate might be subjected to long periods of silence, criticism, interruptions etc. This is done to see how well the candidate handles stress.

Telephone Interviews

Prepare as thoroughly as for ‘real’ interview Select comfortable, private, quiet place Advise flatmates re answering phone Have copy of CV and company information Have pen and paper at hand Prepare for usual interview questions Practice on phone

– Record answers– Try standing– Smile and use gestures– Avoid monotones

Be yourself

Psychometric Tests

Aptitude Tests - measure skills relevant to position– Verbal comprehension - evaluate logic of text– Numerical reasoning - interpret statistical data– Diagrammatic reasoning - recognize patterns– Watch timing – complete as many as possible

Personality Questionnaires– Look at personality style– No right or wrong answers– Be spontaneous, don’t try to second-guess– Tests include built-in checks

– Employers may be looking for different personality profiles

Successful Interviews

Making the most of the interview

Overview

Preparing for interviewsThe interview experienceQuestions to expect and to askDifferent types of interviewAssessment CentresPsychometric TestsInterview resources

Interviews

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

– Employer: reviews candidate’s experience and abilities• Can you do the job? (skills, ability, 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?

You must prove that you are the most suitable candidate for this position

Preparation is the key to success

– Review 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

Watch the Body Language

First impressions very powerfulAllow time to relaxDress appropriately Entrance, introductions.Smile and make eye contactBe aware of own movementsWatch body language of interviewer

Typical Questions

About you– Tell me about yourself - Bring me up to date with your CV?– Why did you choose that particular degree programme?– 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?

Other Type of Questions

“What if” Questions– No experience - how are you likely to respond to a

situation

Probing Questions– How 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?

Competency-based Interviews

Company aims to identify key skills required for job Give elicit evidence of skills Emphasis on past behaviour as predictor of success Teamwork: Describe a team project you worked on. What problems

arose? How did you deal with them?

Communication Skills: Describe situation when you had to persuade others to support your view. Give an example of any reports you’ve written which illustrate your writing skills

Interpersonal skills: What kinds of people do you find it difficult to work with? How do you handle those situations?

Taking Responsibility: Describe a time when you took responsibility to achieve a challenging goal

Problem-solving: Tell about a time when you had several tasks to manage at one time with conflicting deadlines.

Preparing for Competency Interview

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

Responding to Competency Q

Q 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?

Matching Skills to Requirements

Employer needsCommunication Team workLeadershipInitiativeCustomer CareIT Commercial awareness

Your evidencePresentation to classExample from CoopClass rep, CommitteeFundraising for charityWorking in FranchiseDesigned websiteBusiness pages

Your Answers

Listen carefully, seek clarification Illustrate answers with real examples and

evidenceBe positive – constructive criticismKeep answers specific and succinctTake time to respondBe alert to interviewer’s body languageSpeak clearly, smile and show enthusiasmKnow what you want to say, and find the

opportunity

Qualities Employers Seek

Good all-round intelligenceEnthusiasm, commitment and motivationGood communication skillsTeam work abilityAbility to solve problemsCapacity to work hard Initiative and self-relianceBalanced personality

Competencies required by X Company

Adaptability Integrity InnovationTeamwork InitiativeDrive for ResultsKnow the BusinessOpen Exchange of InformationMakes Difficult Decisions

Your Questions

Training programmesCareer development opportunitiesTypes of projects & responsibilitiesReporting structurePerformance appraisalProfile of staffQuestions about topics raised in interviewWhat happens next?

Interview Marking Sheet

Name Mark-max 100

Communication Skills Max 30

Problem Solving Max 20

Team Fit Max 20

Relevant Experience Max 20

Project Management Max 10

Total Marks

What creates a bad impression

Poor personal appearanceNegative attitude – evasive, using excusesLack of interest and enthusiasmLack of preparationPoor knowledge of roleFailure to give concrete examples of skillsOver emphasis on money/rewardsLack of career plan

After the 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

Interview DO’s Dress appropriately for the industry. When in doubt, go

conservative. Personal grooming and cleanliness should be impeccable. Keep cologne or perfume to a minimum. Pay particular attention to hands and fingernails.

Arrive 10 minutes early. Know the exact time and location of your interview; know how long it takes to get there, park, and find a restroom to freshen up.

Treat other people you encounter with courtesy and respect. Their opinions of you might be solicited during the hiring process.

Make eye contact, and have a friendly expression when you are greeted by the interviewer.

Listen to be sure you understand your interviewer’s name and the correct pronunciation.

Even when your interviewer gives you a first and last name, address your interviewer by Mr. Or Ms. And the last name, until invited to do otherwise.

Maintain good eye contact during the interview. Sit still in your seat; avoid fidgeting and slouching. Respond to questions and back up your statements about

yourself with specific examples whenever possible. Ask for clarification if you don’t understand a question;

and be thorough in your responses while being concise in your wording.

Use good grammar and good diction. Say “yes”, not “yeah.” Don’t fill pauses with “um,” uh” or “ah”. Don’t punctuate sentences with “you know”, “like”, “see” or “okay”.

Treat the interview seriously and show interest in the employer and the opportunity presented and respond to questions in a positive manner.

Watch the tone of your voice. While it might be trendy among your friends to “up speak” (end sentence with a higher tone of voice so that sentences sound like questions), this habit will kill your credibility during the interview.

Answer the question and use professional experiences or descriptive information to demonstrate how you would react or respond to a situation.

Make sure answers have a definite flow. In the beginning state major points you want to make; in the middle expand upon those points or ideas, and in the end reinforce your key points and end on a positive note.

Make sure you understand the employer’s next step in the hiring process; know when and from whom you should expect to hear next.

Interview Don’ts Don’t make excuses. Take responsibility for your decisions

and your actions. Don’t make negative comments about previous employers

or supervisors (or others). Don’t treat the interview casually, as if you are just

shopping around or doing the interview for practice. This is insulting to the interviewer and the organization.

Don’t give the impression you are only interested in salary. Don’t act as though you would take any job or are desperate

for employment. Don’t chew gum or smell like smoke. Don’t take cell phone calls during an interview. If you carry

a cell phone, turn it off during the interview.