LESSONS 11 & 12

INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES

PREPARING FOR INTERVIEWSBy the end of these two lessons you will be able to:

• Recognise the importance of and practice the techniques for effective preparation and performance for an interview

• Take part in a mock interview• State the factors which impact upon the assessments

interviewers make• Prepare a range of responses to positively promote yourself

PREPARING FOR INTERVIEWSThe Purpose of the Interview

• To gather information for both the interviewer and the candidate• For the interviewer to identify and make an assessment as to which

candidate is best suited to the job role and the organisation• For the candidate to get to know more about the role and the

organisation so as to be able to decided if it is a role they want to undertake

INTERVIEW TECHNIQUESDifferent companies use different styles of interviewing techniques depending on the job and their recruitment practice:

• One To One Interviews -one interviewer and one candidate• Panel Interviews - more than one interviewer often 2-3• Sequential Interviews – two or more interviews before

selection takes place• Group Interviews - one interviewer and a number of

candidates

Interview Structure- W.A.S.P

W. Welcome - Introductions and an explanation of the process

A. Acquire - The interviewer will ask questions to gain the information to support the selection decision

S. Supply - The interviewer will supply the candidate with information about the job and organisation and

give time for the candidate to ask questions

P. Plan and Part - The interviewer will normally explain the next steps

INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES

• First impressions• Answers to questions• How you speak

• Your attitude and manners• Your personal appearance

• Your eye contact• How well you have prepared

HOW DO INTERVIEWERS SELECT?

• Check out Level 7 Channel on the Careers Box Website for a series of short films about interview techniques.

• Click on

• View the Level 3 film on Preparation & Appearance, Level 4 on Overcoming Nerves, and if time, Level 6 on Behaviours.

PRESENTATION AND APPEARANCE

• Tell me about yourself• Why you want to do this job?• What experience you have that is related to this job?• What skills do you have that make you a suitable candidate?• What problems have you encountered in past jobs or other areas of life

and how did you overcome them?• What do you do well?• Tell me about a situation when you have contributed to a team’s success?• What are your career plans for the future?• How do you see yourself progressing in the next five years?

QUESTIONS LIKELY TO BE ASKED AT INTERVIEW

• Involvement - What does this job involve? Have I done anything like it before?

• Qualifications - Do I have the right qualifications for the job? If not, have I got any others that might be an advantage?

• Skills - What skills do they require? Could I learn these if I don’t already possess them?

• Experience - Do I have the experience they are looking for? If not, what other experience do I have that might be useful?

• Personal Qualities - What qualities do they want ? How can I show I have them?

• Contribution - What can I contribute to this job?• Why Me?- Why do I think I can do this job and do it well?

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE

Some Suggestions• Where will I work and with whom?• Who will I be directly responsible to?• What will I be doing in a typical day?• What further training or learning opportunities are available?• What are the opportunities for career progression?• What are the hours of work?• When would I be required to start work if successful?• What is the holiday entitlement and the arrangements for taking

holidays?• What happens after the interview?

QUESTIONS TO ASK AT INTERVIEW

INTERVIEWERS DON’T LIKE...People Who

• Criticise others• Are over familiar

• Respond to questions with YES or NO answers• Don’t know anything about the job or company they are

applying to.

INTERVIEWERS LIKE... People Who

• Listen• Answer questions with examples• Answer briefly where possible

• Come well prepared• Appear confident and enthusiastic