1. Interview skills

2. 1. Types of interview
including video, face to
face, skype, telephone
2. Types of questions and
how to approach them
3. Preparing for interview
and handling nerves
4. Questions and further
help
What we will cover:

3. …you will be able to approach interviews more confidently
and may even start to look forward to them!
What concerns do you have about interviews?
By the end of the session…

4. Why have an interview?
Interviews are designed to find out :
•Can you do the job? – experience and skills
•Will you do the job? – motivation
•Do you fit in? – culture and team

5. Types of interview
Find out what type of interview you are having
One to one
Panel interview
Telephone interview
Video interview
Skype interview
Interviews can include: selection tests, presentations, case
studies, technical interview.

6. • Arrangements for interview are scheduled
• A tutorial will provide instructions on the webcam
and the interview
• Between 4-15 questions related to the job
• Typically, the candidate will have 30 seconds to read
questions and 2 minutes to respond
• The Big Interview – practise video interviews!
he big interview
Video interview

7. • Internet/phone signal
• Quiet room, no
interruptions
• Desk/table
• Microphone
• Lighting
• Camera position
• Test call
Technical preparation

8. Screening principles akin to
applications
Check application concerns
Personality
Fit with, and interest in, organisation
20-25 minutes
Telephone interviews

9. Types of questions
•Motivational questions
•Competency based questions
•Strength based questions
•Technical questions
•General questions

10. Examples:
•Why are you interested in this
role?
•What interests you about this
company?
•What interests you about this
career?
Motivational questions

11. •Use ‘past behaviour indicates future success’
•Objective way of comparing you to others
•Relate to skills and behaviour needed for the role
•Interviewers decide beforehand which type of answers
score positive points
•They look for structure
•Use real scenarios
Competency based questions

12. Examples:
Can you give me an example of when you had to solve a
problem?
Describe a time when you had to explain something
complex in simple terms?
Give me an example of a time you have worked in a team?
What was your role?
Competency questions

13. Designed to test your
technical knowledge –
engineering, IT…
You may be asked to solve a
particular technical problem
• How much reuse do you get out of the code that you
develop, and how?
• Which do you prefer; service oriented or batch oriented
solutions?
Technical questions

14. Strength based questions
Competencies can be defined as “what you CAN do”,
Strengths are “what you really ENJOY doing”
What are you good at?
What comes easily to you?
What do you learn quickly?
What did you find easiest to learn at school or university?
What subjects do you most enjoy studying?

15. What things give you energy?
Describe a successful day you have had.
When did you achieve something you were really proud of?
Do you prefer to start tasks or to finish them?
Do you find you have enough hours in the day to complete all
the things you want to do?
More strength based questions

16. Anticipating questions
•Identify the competencies for the job you
are seeking
•Company website
•Advert
•Job descriptions
•Compare these against your background
•Find your best example for each and
prepare this in advance
•Keep the answer concise

17. • Give answers structure, don’t
ramble
• Define the context
• Be prepared with specific
answers
• Your chance to paint your own
portrait
• Don’t be afraid to ask for a
minute to think
Answering questions

18. Various approaches:
• Top down
Start with the main point you want to get
across and then expand with some
detail.
• Number your points
For example ‘I have three points to make’
• STAR
Useful for competency based questions
Remember the question and what you
are trying to demonstrate!
Structure

19. Situation: give a context by
describing the situation
Task: what was your goal?
Action: tell the interviewer your
specific actions – this should be
the biggest part of your answer
Result: shows yourself in a
good light, even if the overall
project was not a success
STAR model

20. In groups:
• Mark on the job description key qualities, skills
and experience that are being sought
• What question could you ask to find out more
about one of these skills or qualities in an
interview?
Your turn!

21. Be prepared!
• Find out about the organisation
and the interviewer
• Rehearse your answers to typical
questions with examples
• Know your CV/application inside
out
Before the interview

22. • Who are their main competitors?
• Who are their customers/clients?
• Who are the key players in the
industry?
• What are the hot topics at the
moment?
Resource you could use:
• Website
• Speak to people who work there:
careers fairs, events, alumni
• LinkedIn
• Twitter feed
Research the company

23. Practical preparation:
• how to get there
• what to wear
Psychological preparation:
• positive mindset
• dealing with nerves
Preparation

24. Initial impressions are crucial!
• 50% Body language
• 40% Voice
• 10% Words

25. •From as soon as you walk in the building
•Walk tall and straight
•Be grounded before you speak
•Make eye contact and smile
•Shake hands
•Say who you are clearly
•Remember to breathe
Initial impressions

26. “Created poor initial impression’’
“Didn’t sell themselves effectively”
“Didn’t elaborate on responses to questions”
“Shy”
“Couldn’t discuss things they had put on their application”
“Lacked enthusiasm”
“Appeared not to know anything about the organisation”
“Showed no interest in either the job or the organisation”
Nottingham Trent University website
Quotes from employers

27. Sit reasonably upright
Keep hands on show
Maintain good eye contact
Keep an open posture
Minimise things you do when
nervous
Speak clearly
Remember to breathe
During the interview

28. What you say:
• Use examples
• Be informative – structure your answers
• Boast modestly
• Take time over difficult questions - ask for
clarification if necessary
How you say it:
• Think about the words you use
• Talk about I rather than we
During the interview

29. http://www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/jobs/applyingforjo
bs/interviews
From CareerPlayer, Graduate Jobs and Career Advice on video
Preparation is key

30. What would an average day be like?
How would my work be monitored and how often would I be
appraised?
What career paths have other graduates followed in this company?
Will I have any opportunity to use my foreign language skills?
Will I be working in a team? What is the make-up of these teams?
What are the company’s development plans and targets over the next
five years?
When am I likely to hear back from you?
Do you support study for external qualifications?
Your questions…

31. Any questions?

32. Careers and Employability Centre support:
• For 3 years after you graduate
• Short interview with a careers adviser:
Mon – Fri from 9am ‘til 5pm
• Vacancies – part time, work experience, internships, graduate jobs
• Briefings and workshops
• Career Hub
• Attend events – listed on CareerHub
Follow us on Twitter & Facebook
www.sussex.ac.uk/careers
How we can help you

33. Thank you for your participation!