A step by step guide to getting yourself into the right frame of mind for an interview, what to expect in an interview, and how to prepare for one.

1. THE INTERVIEW
PROCESS
Oluwatoyin Puddicombe
Toyin Talks Talent

2. • I am an HR professional with over a decade of active work
experience. I have worked in Aviation, Business Services,
Consulting, and Insurance, gathering and acquiring skills
and competences in Client Services, Relationship
Management and Human Capital Management with a
strong bias for Talent Acquisition and Development.
• I believe that our work is a platform for sharing our gifts with
the world. Unfortunately, a lot of people underestimate
themselves for various reasons; the economy, wrong course
choices, wrong career choices, failure to plan their careers,
multiple rejections and so on.
• I believe that each person is uniquely gifted by God to
make their way in the world using those gifts and I would
like to help in discovering them and finding fulfilling careers.
• This is the reason for Toyin Talks Talent.
Oluwatoyin
Puddicombe
ACIPM, SPHRi, SHRM

3. CONTENT
BEFORE THE
INTERVIEW
THE INTERVIEW AFTER THE INTERVIEW.

4. BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

5. 1. PURPOSE

6. 2. JOB DESCRIPTION

7. ➢ Keywords are specific abilities,
skills, expertise and traits recruiters
and hiring managers look for in a
candidate. Keywords consist of
job-related nouns that describe
your hard and soft skills and
qualifications for a job
KEYWORDS

8. 3. RESEARCH THE COMPANY
 Visit the company’s website
 Key players in the organization.
 News and recent events about the employer.
 The company's culture, mission, and values.
 Clients, products, and services.
 Insider news
 The person interviewing you, if possible.

9. 4. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
 Your Introduction – brief summary of
your career and how your
experience ties into the core skills
advertised
 Answers to common interview
questions
 Questions for the interviewers
 Mock interviews
 Aptitude tests

10. NOTE
 Keep track of your applications. You never know
when the call might come
 Be mentally alert
 Practice good telephone etiquette.
 Have an ‘elevator pitch’ ready

11. THE INTERVIEW

12. TYPES OF INTERVIEWS
 Telephone interview
 Written or computer-based interviews
 Video interviews and Virtual Interviews
 In-Person Interviews
 One-on-one or Panel interviews
 Competency based
 Scenario based
 Group interviews

13. TELEPHONE INTERVIEW
 Usually indicates the start of the interview process, after
sorting the applications
 It is used as a screening tool to narrow the pool of applicants.
 It is also used to gain first impressions about your fit for the role
 Emphasis is typically on soft skills – courtesy, oral
communication, responsiveness, adaptability.
 Recruiter asks every candidate the same questions and rates
preference according to the responses.
 Sometimes, it might be the only interview you ever have.

14. Research the company.
TIP: have a short portfolio
on all companies you
apply to.
Have your materials close
by e.g. resume and JD
Use a quiet space without
interruptions
Follow the interviewer's
lead.
Listen carefully. Don’t
interrupt.
If you need it, take a few
seconds to think about a
response.
• Don’t leave dead air
• If you need the
recruiter to repeat the
question, ask
Don’t be afraid to
reschedule if you need to.
Call back if necessary
Give yourself a little time
to mentally prepare.
Be polite and give a good
reason.

15. DO’S AND DON’TS
 Do use Mr. or Ms. Only use their first
name if they ask you to.
 Do smile. Smiling will project a positive
image to the listener and will change
the tone of your voice.
 Do focus, listen, and speak clearly.
 Do take notes.
 Do give short answers.
 Do have questions ready to ask the
interviewer.
 Don't smoke, chew gum, eat, or drink.
 Don't interrupt the interviewer.
 Don’t use conversation fillers like “em”
or “like” continually.
 Don’t forget that your goal is to set up a
face-to-face interview so ask what the
next steps are after the interview.
 Don’t forget to say thank you.

16. WRITTEN
INTERVIEW
 Typically used for fresh graduates or people with less
than about 3 years of work experience.
 It usually involves a test of psychometrics.
 It could also consist of an essay, a PowerPoint
presentation or some research.
 Candidate responses to specific scenarios could also
be used.
 Sometimes, ASSESSMENT CENTRES are used.
Psychometric tests are used to assess
cognitive capabilities of candidates. The
kind of tests used depend on the employer
priorities. The most used are numerical
reasoning tests, verbal reasoning tests,
diagrammatic reasoning tests, situational
judgement tests and personality tests .

17. ➢ ASSESSMENT CENTRES are a series of exercises commonly used by employers to
test skills which are not assessable from the traditional interview alone.
➢ An assessment centre usually lasts a whole day but can last anything from half a
day up to several days of testing and assessments.
➢ You will normally be invited to an assessment centre only after you have passed
initial screening by the employer, for example an application form and an online
aptitude test.
➢ The assessment centre is usually the final hurdle in the recruitment process and is
where the employer really tests the candidate.
➢ Designing and running an assessment centre take a lot of resource and time from
the employer, so they put through only short-listed candidates who they think have
a real chance of being right for the job.

18. VIDEO AND VIRTUAL
INTERVIEWS
 Video interviews are sometimes a substitute for an in-
person interview.
 It could also be a step prior to an in-person interview.
 Some recruitment software allow for interviews to be
done purely through video.
 Here the candidates record themselves answering a
series of questions, usually with a time limit.
 The video responses are then submitted for assessment.
 Virtual interviews can also take place through tools like
Zoom and Google Meet.
 Some recruitment software are also video enabled.

19. TIPS FOR A VIRTUAL INTERVIEW
➢ Prepare! Do your research. Have a copy of your resume at hand.
Note any points you want to remember.
➢ Test Your Technology. Internet connection, webcam
➢ Set the Scene and Minimize Distractions. Find a private, well lit
place. Check your background.
➢ Practice, Don't Memorize.
➢ Monitor Your Body Language. Eye contact. Smile. Convey
enthusiasm
➢ Dress professionally.
➢ Make a Connection.
➢ Be Yourself. Be Authentic.
➢ Follow up.

20. IN-PERSON INTERVIEW
 You face an individual or a panel
 They ask you questions to determine your fit for the role
 Questions could be technical, competence based or
scenario based.
 There could even be some role play.
 Using the STAR technique is a good rule of thumb – Situation,
Task, Action, Result.
 It is another opportunity to demonstrate
 Your value
 Your understanding of the role
 Your interest in the organisation

21. TIPS FOR AN IN-PERSON INTERVIEW
➢ Get a good night’s sleep.
➢ Get there early. If you’re running late for any
reason, communicate, communicate,
communicate!
➢ Dress appropriately. Grooming.
➢ Take hard copies of your resume if you have
made amendments to the one you used for
your application
➢ Establish trust and friendliness as soon as
possible
➢ Remember what you practiced.
➢ Switch off or silence your phone
➢ Tell them your story. Make emotional
connections. Your research will help
here.
➢ Mind your body language.
➢ Maintain eye contact.
➢ Keep your expression open and
approachable.
➢ A picture is worth a thousand words.
Bring a portfolio filled with work you
have done in line with the role.
➢ Prepare questions to ask after the
interview
➢ Be authentic!

22. GROUP INTERVIEWS
 The candidates applying for the same
position are brought together in a room
and tested on their responses to questions
and how they would react in a teamwork
environment.
 It is an assessment of how well you can
work with other candidates can and
whether you are able to take in the
suggestions of their team members or feel
they are superior and put other candidates
down.
 The interviewer puts you in hypothetical
situations and evaluates how you address
the problem, how you communicate within
the team and how much you contribute to
the team activity.
 This might be less likely in the current COVID
realities but cannot be entirely ruled out.

23. OVERCOMING FEAR IN THE INTERVIEW
 Understand that it is natural to feel nervous. Use your nerves,
don’t give in to them.
 Breathe in and out slowly to calm yourself.
 Preparation and practice are the key to handling fear.
 Focus on the positives. Know your value.
 If possible, pay a visit to the venue ahead of the interview. Then,
it wouldn’t be entirely unfamiliar.
 DO NOT GIVE IN TO DESPERATION.
 The conversation is about you, a subject you are an expert in!
 Have a repertoire of stories relating to your skills or the role
requirements. Storytelling is a powerful tool.

24. • Arriving late
• Arriving too early
• Dressing inappropriately
or improperly.
• Appearing uninterested
• Being unprepared
• Giving too much
information
COMMON INTERVIEW MISTAKES

25.  Focusing too much on yourself and
not recognizing team involvement.
 Asking inappropriate questions
 Not having any questions
 Talking in clichés. “Team player”
“Work without supervision”
 Talking negatively about a previous
employer
 Not making eye contact
 Playing with your phone. Fiddling or
doodling
 Dishonesty
 Getting so carried away in a good
interview that you forget why you
are there.

26. COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
 “Tell us about yourself”, “let’s get to know you”
 “Why do you want to leave your job?”
 “Why do you want to work with us?”
 “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”
 “Describe a time when you….”
 “What is your greatest strength?”
 “What is your weakness?”
 “Why do you think you’re the best person for the job?”
 “What is would you say is your greatest achievement?”
 “What are your salary expectations for this role?”

27. “TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF”
This question
usually starts the
formal interview.
It allows them to
test how you
cope in
unstructured
situations.
Practice your
responses
beforehand!!!
Give a brief
overview of your
career so far,
highlighting the
skills you have
that are relevant
to the role.
If it’s your first
job, talk about
incidences in
your life
experiences that
demonstrate the
desired skills for
the role.
Don’t ask them
what they want
to know!

28. “WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS
COMPANY?”
 The interviewer is trying to determine your interest and
see if you have done your research.
 Do not go in unprepared for this question! Research!
 If you are a more experienced hire, they might even ask
you to name their competitors. Research!
 Look for an angle in the company practice or culture
that resonates with you and approach it from there.
 For example, if you are interested in youth development
and the company has an outreach or project that
involves youths, talk more about that. Research!

29. “WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST
STRENGTH?”
 Share your true strengths, not those you think the
interviewer wants to hear.
 Choose those strengths that are most targeted to
the role.
 Be specific (for example, instead of “people
skills,” or “interpersonal skills” choose “persuasive
communication” or “relationship building”).
 Follow up with an example of how you’ve
demonstrated these traits in a professional or
group setting.

30. “WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 5
YEARS?”
 This can feel like a bit of a trick question, because
sometimes the answer is, “not in this job,” or, “in your
job,” or something like, “at a bigger better opportunity
elsewhere.” But none of those are things you actually
want to say to a hiring manager!
 You can talk about growing your expertise in the field
the role is in like “HR” or “Sales” and be able to handle
greater responsibilities, perhaps at a managerial level.
 You can also talk about any specific goals you have
for working in that company or in their industry.

31. “WHAT ARE YOUR SALARY
EXPECTATIONS FOR THIS JOB?”
 This question is mostly asked when considering
experienced hands.
 It is better to wait for the interviewer to bring it up. If they
don’t and it’s the first interview, don’t ask. It’s reasonable
to ask if it’s been a series of interviews as the chances of
being hired are significantly higher and you have had
several conversations about the demands of the role.
 It is possible to ask around or visit salary comparison sites to
find out what people in that industry are paid for a similar
role.
 Carefully consider what would make sense when you take
transportation and feeding into account.
 Make it clear you are willing to negotiate.

32. AFTER THE INTERVIEW

33. DO’S AND DON’TS
 Do ask questions about the role that
were not addressed in the interview.
 Do ask the interviewer about what the
next steps are.
 Do send a thank you email. You can
reiterate those areas you excelled in
during the interview.
 Do assess your performance to help in
future interviews
 Do jot down anything you want to
remember. There might be a follow-up
interview.
 Do get comfortable with waiting. Add
new skills and apply to other places.
 Follow through on any action you
promised to take.
 Don’t obsess about what you wish you
had said or hadn’t said.
 Don’t get aggressive with your follow up.
 Don’t stop the job search.
 Don’t get too familiar with the
interviewers
 Don’t burn bridges, even if you did not
get the job.
 Don’t post something inappropriate on
social media about the company

35. CONNECT WITH ME!
 Twitter - @toyintalktalent, @toyinpuddy
 Instagram - @toyintalkstalent
 Facebook – Toyin Talks Talent
 LinkedIn – Oluwatoyin Puddicombe
 YouTube – Oluwatoyin Puddicombe

36.  More resources on overcoming fear in interviews
 https://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2018/03/13/ten-ways-to-
get-over-your-fear-of-interviews/#7b5f018a35df
 https://biginterview.com/interview-anxiety/
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGC_1nqDPKo