CONNECTING YOU TO YOUR FUTURE. Guide to Interviews

Transcription

1 CONNECTING YOU TO YOUR FUTURE Guide t Interviews 1

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3 Strength-Based Interviews... 9 Examples f strength based interview questins:... 9 Grup-Based Interviews Telephne Interviews Preparing fr a Telephne Interview: Vide / Webcam / Skype / Autmated Vide Interviews Tips fr Vide Interviews What questins shuld I ask at the end? What questins shuld I nt ask at the end? Yur interview hasn t finished yet! Jb Offer Unsuccessful

4 What are interviews? The pprtunity t prve yur suitability fr the pst. May be cnducted by ne persn r by a panel f peple. Usually in persn, but they may als be cnducted by telephne r Skype. If yu ve been invited t an interview, yu can safely assume that, n the basis f yur applicatin, the emplyer cnsiders yu t have the ptential t d the advertised jb and they are cnsidering yu as a prspective emplyee. What d I d if I m invited fr an interview? Make the mst f it by planning and preparing. This is yur pprtunity t cnvince the emplyer in persn that yu are the best candidate Dn t assume that they will remember yur applicatin, CV r cver letter Emplyers may schedule tests, tasks r presentatins t take place during the interview but yu shuld be infrmed f these in advance. Hw shuld I prepare? Research the emplyer: Shw in yur interview that yu knw the rganisatin wh yu are applying t wrk with. Read the cmpany s website, research annual reprt; fllw the rganisatin n LinkedIn, Twitter Facebk and ther scial media platfrms. Use a SWOT analysis n the cmpany (Strengths / Weaknesses / Opprtunities / Threats). Yu may find it helpful t create a table t help yu remember infrmatin. Lk fr key metrics like cmpany s size, prducts r services, turnver, lcatin, rganisatinal structure, cmpetitrs and psitin in the industry / service as a whle. After yu have researched the emplyer, ask yurself hw yu fit in with what yu have read. What skills, attributes, and knwledge can yu ffer? D the aims and culture f the cmpany align in with yur wn? What might yur career trajectry lk like with the cmpany? What prblem can yu slve r where can yu add value t the cmpany? Research the sectr Cmmercial awareness is a key skill that emplyers seek Research industry jurnals, newspapers, cmpany reprts. Lk at industry and cmpany vides n YuTube and jin industry grups n Facebk and LinkedIn. Think abut yur netwrk and hw valuable that might be t a ptential emplyer? Find ut hw the industry is changing. By understanding the sectr, yu can then use this knwledge t frmulate ideas abut hw yu might be able t add value t the emplyer, r what experience yu pssess that may add efficiencies r grw the bttm line. 4

5 Example Swt Analysis N. Emplyees 200 Lcatin Dublin, Crk, Galway Prducts & Services Fresh Fd Distributin Turnver 5.8 millin per annum Structure Management Team Cmpetitrs Fresh Fd Inc., Active reprting t Bard Energy, British Fds Inc., Strengths Weaknesses Opprtunities Threats Well-knwn brand Fcus n rganic lcal prduce Delivery Netwrk Strng Sales Perfrmance N Scial Media Presence N nline rdering facility Market Share nt large enugh t stp ptential disruptrs Eurpean Exprt Market Online Ordering Brexit Research the jb Research the jb area in general. Grad Ireland / cntains a large number f jb descriptins. Speak t peple in similar rles and becme familiar with the general tasks and terminlgy f the rle r industry. Re-read the jb descriptin, persn specificatin and the list f the required cmpetencies. Lk fr key wrds that may frame the interview and questins asked What persnal qualities, skills, experience and knwledge are required? Can yu demnstrate these t an emplyer? Research Interview Techniques There are a number f different types f interviews Sme will fcus n yur past experience, while sme will ask yu mre abut situatins and skills. Yu can never be certain f what questins maybe be asked, hwever, the belw will apply t mst interview situatins. Cnfidence Fail t prepare prepare t fail. Yu need t cnvince yurself that yu are the right persn fr the jb t enable yu t cnvince the emplyer that yu are the right persn fr the jb. The purpse f an Interview is t demnstrate yur knwledge, skills, experiences, abilities and persnal qualities t an emplyer. In cnducting quality research f the jb, industry and cmpany yu will help t give yu this cnfidence, s that yu can cme acrss in the best pssible light. Prepare t be prbed Be prepared fr prbing questins: Think abut hw yu have learnt frm challenges, failure r mistakes and addressed r develped frm these experiences t make sure t emphasise yur psitive utcmes. Remember the applicatin prcess Keep a cpy f yur CV, cvering letter r applicatin frm, and re-read this befre the interview. Lk ver the infrmatin yu have prvided t and be prepared t develp and backup the examples yu prvided. Be ready t talk abut what yu knw abut the jb, emplyer and industry This is why it is s imprtant that yu have cnducted research. If yu have researched crrectly this shuld cme very easily and it gives yu the pprtunity t shine and shw that yu are invested in the prcess. A wrd f cautin the peple wh are interviewing yu will knw mre s dn t WAFFLE. Be hnest abut yur understanding f the jb, cmpany and sectr and why yur research has cnvinced yu that yu shuld wrk in this area. 5

6 Develp answers that shw where yu can add value and what yu can ffer Write dwn a list f five t eight pints that yu really want the emplyer t knw abut yu and that als highlight yur skills. Try t get these pints acrss in the interview. Remember, if yu dn t tell them hw will they knw? The big day Practical Preparatin Hw d I get there? Check the venue and travel arrangements t make abslutely certain yu will arrive n time. Map apps can be incnsistent and it s nt unusual fr delays if yu are using public transprt. If yu are in any dubt where the interview is taking place call the cmpany and ask. Nthing is mre likely t jepardise an interview than arriving late. It s better t arrive 20 minutes early that 2 minutes late and always try t be there 15 minutes ahead f yur scheduled time. The r letter inviting yu t interview, lcatin map, a cpy f yur CV / applicatin frm, ntes n key pints yu want t make, and questins yu wuld like t ask. Mney fr taxi if smething happens t delay yu. Water (leave the chewing gum at hme yu may frget t take it ut) Any certificates yu have been asked t bring (driving license, qualificatins etc.) A prtfli (if relevant t the rle) What t wear? Plan what yu want t wear. What if yu can t find thse black shes n the mrning f the interview? Irned clthes, smart haircut and verall appearance are imprtant remember the interview start the minute yu walk in the dr. Yu dn t want it t be ver befre it starts If yu can affrd t it s always gd t invest in a new suit r jacket t bst yur cnfidence and prfessinal lk. Nervus? Gd yu shuld be. It is ttally natural Emplyers are nt lking fr perfectin they are lking at yur future ptential and hw they might muld yu int their cmpany. It s up t yu t make sure that yu dn t leave them with any dubt. Research and demnstrate that yur abilities, knwledge and mtivatin will add value t the cmpany. Help t settle yur nerves Bk an appintment with DkIT Careers t arrange a mck interview. Aim fr a gd night s sleep the night befre. Eat a gd breakfast in the mrning and drink plenty f water. Practice mindfulness r breathing exercises fr a few days leading up t the interview IT WILL HELP! Mst imprtantly BE POSITIVE. Mre than likely yu wn t get the jb if yu keep telling yurself that yu haven t gt a hpe. There s a reasn they ve invited yu. Cmpanies tend t be t busy t waste time in interviewing peple fr the sake f it. 6

7 At the interview First impressins last Be curteus and friendly twards everyne. Is that the CEO yu just blanked in the car park? Switch yur phne fully. Vibratins can be heard as well as felt. If yu are a smker, make sure yu have mints r spray t remve the smell. Greet the interviewer(s) with a firm handshake. Wait t be seated yu dn t wn any f the chairs just yet. Be psitive. Any experiences yu have (gd and bad) as part f the interview prcess are an pprtunity fr yu t learn / develp and hne yur skills Bdy Language Bdy language can be as imprtant as what yu actually say. Nn-verbal signals like psture, tne and gestures and the language yu use will all affect the way yu are received by the interviewer(s). It s imprtant t maintain eye cntact as it cnveys that yu are listening and interested. In panel interviews mainly lk tward the persn asking the questin but als try t glance at ther panel members. Mre than likely yu will d this naturally but it s gd t be aware f it. Dn t be rbtic thugh. SMILE! Frequently smiling indicates that yu have built a gd rapprt with the interviewer and shws that yu are relaxed and cnfident. Sit back cmfrtably in the chair but dn t sluch. Dn t lean frward t ften as they may be cnstrued as aggressiveness. A gd way t ensure this is t plant yur feet firmly int the grund and imagine a piece f string hlding the tp f the back f yur head t the rf. It is ttally natural t gesture hwever if yu have a tendency t fling yur arms arund place them n yur lap. Answering questins Practise the STAR technique: the fllwing methd helps in crafting effective respnse: S = Situatin (20% f yur answer) T = Task (10% f yur answer) A = Actin (50% f yur answer) R = Result (20% f yur answer). It may nt be suitable fr all questins but is especially useful in cmpetency based interviews. Listen carefully and ask fr clarificatin if yu dn t understand the questin. Answer questins fully. Avid answers which are t lng, are repeats r anther answer yu ve already given ar are irrelevant. Ensure yur answers are nt t shrt mre than likely yu have nt evidenced r backed up yur pint. If yu are unsure dn t be afraid t ask if the interviewer wuld like yu t cntinue. Avid wrds like just, nly, maybe. Dn t lie If yu feel that yu haven t answered a questin in the mst effective way r yu haven t been able t get yur pint acrss yu can address this at the end f the interview. Dn t beat yurself up yu will have a chance t rectify it. STAR Technique Use the STAR t craft answers t difficult interview questins. Situatin/Task: Chse a situatin that is as similar t scenaris yu will encunter in the rle. Be specific: specific examples have mre impact. State the prblem as briefly as yu can while ensuring that the listener understands the situatin. It is advisable that yu dn t discuss a situatin yu are angry abut. D nt discuss a prblem that yu caused. Actin: Describe the actin yu tk t reslve the prblem r t cmplete the task This step shuld be the main fcus f yur answer (60%+). Dn t verlk this as actin is the key t reslving r cmpleting Prvide as much detail as pssible and try t this sequentially t shw the emplyer that yu are capable f appraching tasks r issues methdically. 7

8 Result Describe the psitive result f yur actin. If n psitive result, demnstrate hw yu addressed any mpssible shrtcming int psitive actins If yu can use metrics t demnstrate i.e. achieved a grade, wn a cmpetitin, secured funding. Dn t frget t mentin the psitive result. Types f questins? Emplyers will mre than likely fcus n key themes at the interview. Why yu have applied? Knwledge f jb, sectr, cmpany? What can yu d fr us? D yu have skills, qualificatins, knwledge and mtivatin t fit the rle? What type f persn are yu? What makes yu stand ut frm the rest f the applicants? Questins relating t yur educatin, experience and interests Why did yu chse t study in Dundalk Institute f Technlgy? Why this curse? What d yu enjy mst/least abut yu placement and why? Can yu tell me abut yur final year prject / dissertatin? What is yur greatest persnal achievement? Outside f academic studies and wrk what are yu interests? Technical / Knwledge Based Questins Describe yur experience in? What experience have yu in? Hw wuld yu imprve? What d yu think f (a new develpment in industry)? Why d yu chse t research and what relevance has this t ur sectr? Situatin Based / Decisin Making / Hypthetical Questins What wuld yu d if ran this cmpany? We are experiencing a drp in custmer service ratings presently. What slutin wuld yu ffer? A supplier lets yu dwn and yu need the prduct t hit manufacturing targets fr tmrrw. What wuld yu d? A client disclses what is the best curse f actin t take? Theretical questins What are the key challenges facing ur sectr presently in yur pinin? Hw wuld yu define marketing, strategic management, HRM? Define management? What d yu think the qualities need t be a successful 8

9 Types f Interviews 1 n 1 Cnducted by ne persn there maybe smebdy present t take ntes but they will nt ask questins. Yu may face several 1-1 interviews with different representatives fcusing n different areas r skills. Generally these are first stage interviews and may take place at an assessment centre in cnjunctin with ther activities. Panel Interviews Nrmally made up f three r mre peple. It is typical fr a chairpersn t crdinate the questins. Other panel members may include and a specialist wh knws abut the jb in detail and a HR specialist and a direct line manager. This type f interview is daunting! Remember everybdy will be nervus (including the panel) and all candidates will face the same prcess. Remember eye cntact. Treat it like a 1-1 but try and include everybdy when answering. Cmpetency-Based Interviews This type f interview is used t assess if yu have the relevant experience and cmpetencies they are lking fr (e.g. teamwrk, cmmunicatin, prblem slving, leadership, critical thinking, and management). Remember STAR. Use apprpriate examples frm wrk experience, cllege, vlunteering, student rles, sprting activities). All panel members will scre yu based n a set scale depending n hw well yu DEMONSTRATE yu have the required cmpetencies. Examples f cmpetency based interview questins: Give me an example f when yu led a team? Tell me abut a time when yu had t influence smene? Hw d yu deal with criticism? What are yur weaknesses? What d yu cnsider t be yur greatest strengths? Describe a situatin where yu used yur initiative What was yur biggest setback? Describe a situatin when yu had a difficult decisin t make? What is the largest prject yu have undertaken? Describe a situatin where yu had t plan r rganises smething? Strength-Based Interviews This type f interview fcus n what yu enjy ding and are passinate abut. Typically emplyers are lking fr psitive attitude and genuineness as well as suitability fr the rle. Questins tend t be shrter and bdy language is used as an identifier t ascertain yur passin, mtivatin and willingness. The key fr the rganisatin using this methd is that they can identify candidates wh will enjy the jb mre and as a result perfrm better. Think abut what yu lve ding bth inside and utside cllege / wrk and be prepared t be pen and hnest. Hw d yur preferences fit with the rganisatin's culture and the jb requirements? Examples f strength based interview questins: What d yu enjying ding? What mtivates yu? What are yu gd at? What cmes easily t yu? Which gives yu mre satisfactin meeting peple r cmpleting a prject? What energizes yu? 9

10 D yu prefer t start tasks r finish them? What des a successful day lk like fr yu? Grup-Based Interviews Again these can be a very daunting prspect! The key here it t remember that yu are nt cmpeting against ther candidates. Nne f yu may be successful! Fllw the same principles fr nrmal interviews and ensure yu allw ther candidates t answer questins as well as making sure yur answers are heard. Dn t jump in. Telephne Interviews Used at the first stage f the selectin prcess. Can range frm a basic check in fr suitability t prbing interview. Be ready! Will fllw the same frmat as a 1-1 but maybe unscheduled. Can be difficult t assess hw yu are ding. Try and relax. If the cmpany call yu unannunced it can be a gd idea t excuse yurself just fr a cuple f secnds t clse the dr. This gives yu an pprtunity t cmpse yurself. If it is genuinely a bad-time ffer t call them back r arrange a mre suitable time. Preparing fr a Telephne Interview: This is an interview get yur game face n. Hwya wn t cut it when yu pick up the call. Be ready 15 minutes befre the call with CV / Applicatin frm printed ut and list f skill / qualities. Make sure yur mbile is charged (r turned ff it taking the call n landline). Let peple knw that yu are taking a call and CAN T be disturbed. Yur tne f vice is really imprtant. Be enthusiastic. Smile it can be heard dwn the ther end really! Telesales peple wh smile are the mst successful. Hw are yu sitting? At the end f a bed is prbably nt the best place. Find a cmfrtable chair and sit up straight. It will help with prjectin. Yu can stand but dn t if yu tend t walk arund when yu talk n the phne. Have a glass f water ready. Best t excuse yurself if yu need t take a gulp! Vide / Webcam / Skype / Cmpanies are using this style f interview mre and mre ften nw. Usually first r secnd stage in the recruitment prcess. Fllw exactly the same prtcl as utlined abve. Take it as seriusly as a face t face interview. What s behind yu? Can the ptential emplyer see it? Best t have a bare wall. Autmated Vide Interviews Cmpanies invite candidates t recrd their answers t set questins by a set deadline. Same interview prtcl as abve applies. Lgin t a web-based platfrm with passwrd and username prvided. As it is nt live yu dn t need t be nline at the same time but be cnscius f what time yu d it at. Lgging in a 3am is prbably nt a gd idea. Tips fr Vide Interviews Test call a family member t make sure everything is wrking and the setting is cmfrtable. Dress as smartly as yu wuld fr a nrmal interview. Yu may have t get up frm the chair at sme pint. Minimize the vide image f yurself this will ensure that yu re nt interviewing yurself. Test the lighting f the rm. Lk int the camera remember eye cntact. Avid speaking ver the recruiter. Smetime there may be a slight delay s allw peple t finish speaking. If yu miss a questin, ask again. Make sure the caller has ended the call befre yu fist pump the air! 10

11 What questins shuld I ask at the end? Yu can ask questins abut the jb, cmpany, training and pprtunities fr prgressin. The next stage f the recruitment prcess (if apprpriate). What questins shuld I nt ask at the end? Infrmatin already cvered in the emplyers literature r website Trivialities such as hlidays, what time yu can g hme Pay r benefits. Yu can cntact HR directly if it is nt cvered in the jb specificatin r literature. Testing questins i.e. Why did the cmpany let 40 peple g last year in the UK branch r what is yur pinin in the sudden drp in yur share price? Hw did I get n? If yu dn t have any questins it s a gd idea t state that they have already answered any questins that yu had during the curse f the interview. Remember this is als the pprtunity t state smething relevant that yu may have missed during the interview itself. Always thank the interviewers (s) fr the pprtunity r inviting yu t the interview. Yur interview hasn t finished yet! Remember yur interview nly finishes when yu leave the rganisatin. Have yu been invited t stay fr lunch yu re still at the interview. Be curteus t everybdy remember the CEO in the car-park? Did yu say gdbye this time? Jb Offer Yu are likely t get a phne call. This is the stage t clarify salary and ther benefits if nt discussed A frmal ffer shuld be sent t yu in writing. Take time t cnsider. The she is n the ther ft nw hw did yu find interviewing the cmpany? Where yu impressed by the prcess and peple? Yu dn t have t accept the ffer there s a gd chance yu ll be successful in future applicatins. If yu d accept send thrugh yu frmal acceptance alng with any requests frm the cmpany t avid delays. Check the cntract t make sure that it is what yu expected. If nt ask fr clarificatin. Unsuccessful It happens t everybdy. Think what yu can imprve n fr the next pprtunity. Yu ve prbably learned a lt frm the prcess. Ask plitely fr feedback t pin-pint what yu can imprve n. 11