2. Objectives
This session will provide:
• Knowledge on how to prepare for job interviews
• Different types of interview/questions
• Importance of first impressions
• Role play questions
• Tips and useful resources
4. The interview is a sales pitch
You need to convince the employer that:
• You can do the job
• You want to do the job
• You will fit into the organisation
5. Before the interview
YOU!
• Know yourself
• Re-read your application
• Identify your strengths and weaknesses
• Why do you want the job?
COMPANY & SECTOR
• Why do you want to work for the
organisation?
• What does the organisation do?
• What are the latest developments in the
sector?
THE JOB
• What skills are
required?
• Demonstrate
skills with
examples
• Know the
Interview format
• What questions
are likely to be
asked?
• Prepare and
rehearse answers
6. Brainstorm: preparing the interview
• Research company/sector
• Analyse job description & person profile
• Study your application form/CV
• Match requirements of job to your attributes
• Prepare examples your experience using CAR
model
• Prepare outline answers to motivation,
knowledge & competency questions
7. Know yourself
• Re-read your application form
• Identify your strengths and
weaknesses
• Why do you want the job?
8. Preparation!
The job
• What skills are required?
• Think of examples from University, work and
interests which demonstrate these skills
• Find out the format of the interview
• What questions are likely to be asked?
• Prepare and rehearse answers
9. Preparation!
The organisation and the sector
• Why do you want to work for the organisation?
• What does the organisation do?
• What’s happening within the sector right now?
• Westminster Library systems – journals/reports??
10. On the day
First impressions
• Dress
• Arrive on time
• Plan what you need to take
• Greeting
• Body language
11. Top tips for success
1. Preparation, preparation, preparation!
2. Shake hands in a firm and positive
manner
3. Check posture – avoid slouching
4. Maintain good eye contact
5. Listen carefully
6. Give clear and concise answers
7. Smile!
16. Types of interview
Find out what sort of interview to expect:
Telephone interview – initial interview
One-to-one interview – second interview
Panel interview
17. Simon Reichwald, - Owner, Bright Futures Resourcing
http://mycareer.wmin.ac.uk/video/mpeg/r1610.mpg
18. Interview Questions
Motivational Questions
• Assess your motivation for the job and organisation
Technical Questions
• Designed to test the technical knowledge you have learnt on your
course/work experience
Competency Questions
• Structured around the competencies or qualities required by the job
19. Types of questions
• Tell me about yourself – prepare 30 second summary
• Motivational questions – course, jobs
• Competency based questions – use the CAR model to
describe your experiences of the different transferable skills.
• Prepare a question of your own at the end
20. Test your Motivation for the Job & Organisation
• Why do you
want to work
here?
• How much do
you know
about our
organisation?
• Where do you
see yourself in
5/10 years
time?
21. Technical
Questions
Your ability to use
the technology
you have learnt
from your
course/work
experience:
“What systems
and software are
you competent
in”?
22. Competency
Questions
Questions based on
the general
competencies all
employers expect
from graduates (team
work, communication,
problem solving etc..)
“Can you tell us about
a time when
you...worked in a
team/dealt with a
difficult customer/met
a deadline”?
23. Examples of questions
• How did you come to choose your degree?
• What will you bring to the job?
Competency questions:
• What experience do you have of working in a team
environment?
• Can you tell us about a time when you have had to ease
yourself in to new team?
How did you go about this?
24. CAR Model
Context Where were you?
What did you have to do?
Scenario or problem
Action What action did you take? What was
your role? Be specific.
Result What was the outcome and why?
Would you do it differently next time?
“As customer service team leader in a fast food restaurant, I dealt
with customer issues and complaints quickly and efficiently,
25. Take virtual interview test:
Test your interview skills
http://mycareer.wmin.ac.uk/units/unit-int052.shtml
26. Preparation is
the key to
success
• Find out selection criteria
• Research some original
things about organisation
• Know what you are offering
• Identify likely question
areas and questions
• Rehearse responses to
potential questions
• Practice and get feedback
• Prepare your attitude
27. More Advice
• Career development centre – interviews, assessment centres and tests
Career player – http://www.careerplayer.com/
• Targetjobs - http://targetjobs.co.uk/
28. In summary
• Prepare your answers
• Plan the logistics
• Remember your body language
• Prepare your questions
• Further resources: MyCareer –
Interviews
• Career Development Centre:
Mock interviews
29. Further information and guidance
Career Development Centre services:
• 20 minute quick queries:
CV, covering letter, application form checks
• 45 minute individual career coaching:
detailed career planning, mock interviews
Career Development Centre resources:
• CV Guide
• Videos and DVDs
• Free sector-specific and general careers publications
30. Contact us
Career Development Centre
1st Floor Cavendish House
101 New Cavendish Street, W1W 6XH
Tel: 020 7911 5184
E-mail: careers@westminster.ac.uk
www.westminster.ac.uk/careers
mycareer.wmin.ac.uk
Preparation is everything!
Self-knowledge is an essential ingredient of your preparation for the interview.
Know yourself – you the person, your skills, your limitations, your strengths, understand your achievements - the essence of you.
Although your company research forms the foundation of your interview preparation, you should also build role/job-specific information on top of it.
Try and research some original things about the employer.
6
7
8
10
9 Top tips for success
Preparation, preparation, preparation – failing to plan is planning to fail
16
Motivational Questions
Why do you want to work here?
How much do you know about our organisation?
Where do you see yourself in 5/10 years time?
Technical Questions
If you have applied for a job that requires technical knowledge, it is likely that you will be asked technical questions or have a separate technical interview. Questions may focus on your final year project or on real or hypothetical technical problems. Don’t worry if you don’t know the exact answer - interviewers are interested in your thought process and logic.
What do you know about working in a photographic laboratory?
What experience do you have using the following…?
Competency Questions
The interviewers are looking for evidence of your skills and abilities and will expect you to support your answers with examples of your experience from your life to date.
Can you tell me about a time when you …worked in team/dealt with a difficult customer/met a challenging deadline?
Use evidence based examples. A useful technique is CAR – Context, Action, Result
23
CAR Model
Employers and recruiters love to see evidence of when you have used your skills and experience.
Use positive, powerful and simple language
Provide evidence of your skills and experience using the CAR model
Context – where were you? What did you have to do?
Action – what action did you take? Be explicit about your role
Result – what was the outcome and why? Would there be anything you would do differently next time?
Follow us on
Facebook – facebook.com/uowcareers
Twitter – twitter.com/uw_careers
Blog – blog.westminster.ac.uk/careers
Slideshare - Slides will be available to download from Slideshare by the close of play on Friday
Evaluation – it would be really helpful to have your feedback on what you thought of today’s session and to assist us in our planning for future sessions.