Human Resources

March 2017

INTERVIEWING SKILLS

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Agenda

• Introductions• Understanding job requirements• Key interview preparation techniques• What to expect during a selection panel• Interview follow up

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Understanding Job Requirements

• Job description• Minimum requirements• Core skills and competencies • Overall fit

These determine if you should apply and how to tailor your application

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Application Preparation

• Cover letter• Resume presentation and length• Accomplishments to highlight• Other relevant information• Preparing references

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Purpose of the Interview

The Candidate’s role is to evaluate the position for fit

with their personality and

career goals.

The Selection Committee’s role is to evaluate the candidate’s fit for

the position.

Preparing for Interview Success

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Rehearse

RehearseReviewReviewResearchResearch

Research

Research the job• review the College website• examine the specific department’s profile• browse the Strategic Plan• study the position description or job fact sheet• read the job posting• Professor of the 21st Century

You will want to be able to answer the following:• how did you prepare for today’s interview• how does the department fit into your career plan• how does the position help the department reach

business plan goals

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Review

• Review the job description and job posting, write down the skills, education, competencies and experience that are required for the job.

• Review your education, skills, experience and accomplishments that are applicable to the job you are applying for.

• Create a T graph and on one side list the jobs requirements and on the other map your skills, experience and accomplishments to them.

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What is required

?

What do I have?

Rehearse

• Rehearse your answers for the difficult types of questions until you have them down pat.

• Rehearse your accomplishments until you know them inside out and backwards.

• Visualize yourself in the actual Selection Committee setting.

• Conduct a mock interview, or record your answers and listen to them.

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Focusing Your Interviewing Energy

• The best way to reduce the interview stress is to be prepared.

Selection Panels

Insights from the HR Trenches•Members of a selection panel – min. 3 – max. ?•Guidance provided to panel members•What we look for

•Screening applications in/out

•Evaluation•Follow up process

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Type of Interview Questions

• General• Situational / Scenario• Behavioural

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General Questions• Direct, straightforward questions

- “Tell us about yourself.”- “What skills do you have that are related to this position?”- “How does this role fit into your career path?”

• Always make your response relevant to the job you are seeking

• Share information – keep it concise

• Scenario questions use a problem solving approach to determine your analytical skills and critical thinking abilities.

• These are “what if" type questions and are presented in the form of case examples or problem situations.

• You will be asked to imagine yourself experiencing a situation and will then be evaluated on how you would handle that situation.

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Situational Questions

• Based on the premise that the best way to predict future behavior is to consider past behavior.

• Focuses the panel on actions and behaviors, rather than subjective impressions.

• You will be asked to give a specific example of how you did behaved in the past in a specific situation.

• You will be asked to provide details.

• PREPARE!!!

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Behavioural Questions

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STAR Interview Responses

Situation: The panel wants you to provide a recent challenge or situation in which you found yourself.

Task: The interviewer will be looking to see what you were trying to achieve from the situation.

Action: What did you do?

Results: What was the outcome of your actions?

Best Practice Interview Tips

• Stay professional

• Eye contact, shake hands with committee members, be aware of your body language

• Take your time before you respond to the question - silence is ok

• It’s ok to ask for clarification, for a question to be repeated or to go back to a question.

• Be specific in your answer (difference between “I” and “we”)

• Pay attention how the panel is reacting to your responses.

When interviewing with people you know, assume they know nothing about you.

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ACTIVITY – Ask a Friend

Interview questions in pairs…

Be Prepared:

“Do you have any questions for the hiring committee?”

• Demonstrate the research you’ve done

• Are very interested in the position

• Are confident and able to assert yourself appropriately.

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After the Interview

• Write down some notes on the questions asked and where you thought you did well or poorly.

• Send a “thank you” e-mail to the interviewer(s).

• If you don't get the job, consider calling the hiring manager for some feedback about the interview.

• Don't get discouraged! Interviews are about both parties finding the right fit for the job. Better interview skills can be developed through preparation and practice.

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Survey Please

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QUESTIONS

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