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Volunteering in CanadaWeek 4
Preparing for a job interview
Objectives
Get an idea of what typically happens during an interview for a volunteer position.
Feel less stressed about an interview.
Practice answering common questions.
Remember:
You decide if the environment is right for you and if you are willing to spend your time and energy for this position.
The Volunteer Coordinator (Employer) tries to determine if you are an appropriate fit for the position and their organization.
Interviewing is a two-way street
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Five steps to a successful interview
Before it begins
Tell about yourself
Behavioral and skill questions
Closing stage
Follow-up
When does the interview start?
The interview starts when
the volunteer organisation calls to set up the interview!
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What do you ask the employer when they call?
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Things to ask for:•The name of the person you are meeting with.
• Confirm time, date and the address of the place where the interview is taking place.
•The phone number of the office in case you need to call them.
1 Before it really starts…
.
Language relatedAsk simple questions in present tense. For example.
• What’s the location of the interview?• What time do I need to be there?• Could you please, give me the name
of the person with whom I have to meet?
What do you think?What is the most important criterion for an employerwhen hiring?
1. Work experience2. Appearance and
impression3. Reliable and punctual4. Education/training
1 Before it really starts…
.
What is the most important criterion for an employer when hiring?
1. Work experience2.Appearance and
impression3. Reliable and punctual4. Education/training
What do you think?
1 Before it really starts…
.
What Employers Look For
1. First impressions.2. Personality traits like
being energetic and positive or dependability.
3. Skills, experience, and training.
1 Before it really starts…
.
Remember: Interview phases
1. The warm up stage
2. The question and answer
stage
3. The closing stage
1 Before it really starts…
.
The Arrival- Checklist 1 Arrive to the interview no more then 10 minutes ahead of time.
Arrive alone.
Introduce yourself to the receptionist, and mention your appointment.
Review your notes while waiting.
1 Before it really starts…
.
The Arrival- Checklist 2 Greet the interviewer and introduce yourself.
Shake the interviewers hand with a firm handshake.
Wait until you have been asked to be seated or ask the interviewer to be seated
Offer and provide copies of your resume to the interviewer
2Tell about
yourself!
The most common interview question
What not to say?
•Age•Marital status •Children•Health issues
2Tell about
yourself!
The most common interview question
Why is the question asked?
1. Are you confident?2. Can you think clearly?3. Do you understand the
job requirements?
2Tell about
yourself!
The most common interview question
Your brief introduction needs to show your:
1. Excitement!2. Vision3. Development4. Compatibility
2Tell about
yourself!
Describing your skills
Many people find it hard to talk about their own skills.
3Skill questions
Describing your skills…
S - situationT - taskA - actionR - result
3Skill questions
Describing your skills…S - Situation – What was your task? T - Task – Describe your responsibilities A -Action – What did you do to fulfill your responsibilities? R - Result – What was the outcome?
3Skill questions
S T A R -TechniqueQuestion: Tell me about a time when you feel you made a significant contribution to an organization.
S:For two years between 2011 and 2013, I was a member of the volunteer Board of Directors of MADLAT, an organization which hosts an annual educational conference in Winnipeg.
3Skill questions
S T A R -TechniqueQuestion: Tell me about a time when you feel you made a significant contribution to an organization.
T:Based on my creative ideas for presentation topics, I was asked to be in charge of the program planning committee for two consecutive years (2 conferences).
3Skill questions
S T A R -TechniqueA:I first contacted MADLAT volunteers and invited them to be part of the program planning committee. Then I put together a schedule of meetings and agenda. After each meeting I updated the conference program and coordinated communications between the presenters and various conference committees.
3Skill questions
S T A R -TechniqueQuestion: Tell me about a time when you feel you made a significant contribution to an organization.
R:Thanks to a good selection of presenters, the conference attracted a greater number of registrations than in previous years. In the conference evaluations, the program was highly rated.
3Skill questions
Language relatedUse past tense when talking about your experiences. For example,• I contacted my supervisor for
…….• I spoke to the manager about ……• I was asked to be the program co-
ordinator .
The worst interview question!
3Skill questions
What are your weaknesses?
What are your weaknesses?
3Skill questions
Why do interviewers ask this question? 1. They want to know in which
area you need to improve
2. What you are doing about it
3. They test how you handle a stressful situation
What are your weaknesses?
3Skill questions
Do NOT say you have “no weakness” or you “work too hard”.
Tell the interviewers: “I am working
on improvement
!”
What are your weaknesses?
3Skill questions
RescuerI'm a problem solver so I tend to quickly jump in to take on other people's problems. I have learnt to step back and focus on what I can control and wait for others to seek me out for help.
What are your weaknesses?
3Skill questions
I am a shy person.
I do not feel very comfortable when I have to speak in front of people.What is
missing?
What are your weaknesses?
3Skill questions
I am a shy person.
I do not feel very comfortable when I have to speak in front of people.When I have to make a presentation I practice it in front of my friend, which helps me feel more confident.
What are your weaknesses?
Take a Deep Breath
My weakness is not expressing myself properly. I know what I want to say but I can't express myself properly, especially when I am in a hurry.What is
missing?
What are your weaknesses?
3Skill questions
Take a Deep Breath
My weakness is not expressing my opinions and feelings properly. I know what I want to say but I can't express myself properly, especially when I am in a hurry.Recently I thought a lot about my way of communication. I try to use expressions like “I feel that…” to better convey my feelings and opinions.
Language related When you tell about your weaknesses, use simple present and present continuous tense. For example,• I am a shy person but I am trying to
overcome it.• I am a problem solver but I am realizing
its better not to jump into other’s problem.
• I find it difficult to express my opinions to others but I am working to improve my communication skills.
"Do you have any questions for us?”
4 Closing Stage
What could you ask?
"Do you have any questions for us?”
Closing Stage
Please describe a typical volunteer session.
What training programs do you have available for your volunteers?
"Do you have any questions for us?”
4 Closing Stage
What projects can I contribute to right away?
Are you most interested in a volunteer who works independently or on a team? Can you give me an example?
THINC(K)!
4 Closing Stage
T- THANK the interviewer.H- Give a firm HANDSHAKE.I- Reiterate your INTEREST in the position.N- Use the NAME of the interviewer.C- Get and confirm the CONTACT
information of the interviewer and how the follow up will be.
Congratulations – you survived!
1. Make sure you ask the
interviewer when they think a decision will be made.
2. Send a Thank you card or email to the employer within 24 hrs of the interview – to all the interviewers.
3. Follow up with a phone call after the date that was given, if you have not heard.
Follow up
Wrap-up
What was new for you?What was surprising?What can you use right away?What requires more practice?
Questions?
We wish you all the best!
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