What is the purpose of this task?To understand some common interview formats other than one-to-one interviews

What will you learn from this task?

To identify techniques for effective group working in an interview situationTo practice listening and speaking skills in a group interview situation How to carry out a problem solving activity used in interviews : an In Tray task

You will need Group Interview Worksheet and answer sheetGood Listening Worksheet and answer sheetEffective Speaking Worksheet and answer sheetIn tray test

Task: Communicating in a group

• In groups, spend a few minutes thinking of reasons why you think an employer would use a group interview as well as an individual one? Share your feedback

• In groups – use the Group Interview worksheet to record some of the skills that could be observed in a group interview

• In the boxes try to think try to think of an example of good and bad behaviour in each category

• Compare your thoughts with the suggestions on the answer sheet

Task: Good Listening

Now go the Good Listening Worksheet, complete the questions in your groups. Share your feedback and compare with the Good Listening answer sheet

Task: Effective Speaking

In groups, work through the Effective Speaking worksheet. This demonstrates that it is not just the words you use but how you say them that counts. Compare your answers with the Effective Speaking answer sheet

Task: In tray test

• In tray exercises include real tasks that you might find in your in tray when you arrive at work. They will vary depending on the company.

• Employers use these tests to assess whether you can spot what is most important or just to see how you handle multiple tasks or conflicting pressures.

• First read through the scenario and then put the actions in the order you would complete them, starting with what you think is the most urgent. Share your feedback. Allow 20 minutes for this

(you would normally be asked to do this task on your own – work in groups for now so you can compare ideas)

Scenario: You are the Personal Assistant to Bo Smith, Managing Director of a chain of garages. Your boss has had to fly to France to deal with a serious supply problem so he has sent you lots of e mails asking you to do various things the next day (Wednesday 18th). Put these tasks in the order you would do them You start work at 8.30 and finish at 5.00 You can take an hour for lunch between 11.30 and 2.30 Write a list and any diary dates you have You might not get them all done so decide what can be left…

In tray tasks1. Tidy out the stationery cupboard. A box of envelopes has fallen off the shelf2. Ring Mr Fox to change next month’s appointment to Friday 10th instead of the Monday 13th

3. Book me a train to Birmingham and a taxi from the station when I arrive to go to my meeting on Thursday

4. Drop the contracts off with the Solicitor in New Town before lunch. Get a taxi to save time. 5. Photocopy the annual reports and send them to the Board members for the Board meeting next week

on Friday6. Next year is our 10th Anniversary. Check out some possible venues for a celebration dinner for 507. Cancel my 10.00 dental appointment Wednesday 18th. Rebook for next week – any day when I am

free8. Get Jon from Finance and Sue from HR to meet with me for an hour sometime before the Board

meeting9. Contact Hi Dough Bakery to find out why they were not happy with the services we did on their vans10. File that massive pile of paid invoices in reception in date order as Fred is off this week. 11. Water the fig tree – it looks very unwell and the leaves are dropping off12. Chase up the brake parts that should have come from Murray’s yesterday13. Send Jo flowers from us all on the birth of her baby – was it a boy or girl?

Review

• What was easy or difficult about these tasks?• What do you think are your strengths and areas for

improvement in group communication?• How is effective communication in a group different that a

one to one situation?• Did you feel you had enough information for the in-tray test?

Extension

If you want to spend longer on this topic… Work on your team leading skills. What makes a good team leader? Being a good team leader means getting people on side – and encouraging them to work together to achieve a common goal, respecting others, co-operating and negotiating • Can you think of 3 good qualities in a team leader?• Can you think of 3 advantages of working on your own?• Write examples of situations where you have seen a good team

leader that you could look up to. This could be a team captain, teacher, family member, club member… What qualities did they demonstrate that impressed you?