Interview Hints &Tips

Transcription

1 Interview Hints &Tips Kate Speers MIRP, CertRP Business Development Executive Hello My name is Kate Speers, I am the Business Support Executive in Diamond Recruitment Group. I would just like to note though I am not a recruiter, so I have brought my two glamorous assistants who are sitting at the front with me to answer any questions you may have. As one of Northern Ireland s largest recruitment agencies, Diamond Recruitment Group offer temporary, permanent and contract opportunities with a range of great clients. Our recruitment specialists recruit staff across a number of sectors, from senior management to nursing staff; with IT recruitment being one of our biggest industries. We also offer careers advice, skills and aptitude testing, interviews by trained and qualified consultants and CV appraisal and advice to candidates. During this seminar however, I am going to discuss interview skills, as for most of us the prospect of being interviewed is a terrifying one and unfortunately interviewing is not an exact science, there is no formula that will work for everyone but hopefully what we cover today will give you some advice on any interviews you will have in the future. And remember, the employer has a problem they have a role to fill and you could be the solution! In an interview, the interviewer is looking for three things: Someone who can do the job Someone who wants to do the job Someone who will fit in 1

2 Types of Interviews Telephone Interview Panel Interview Competency-based Interview This evening we are going to look at three types of interviews: Telephone interviews Panel interviews Competency based interviews 2

3 Telephone Interview Unannounced Call Screening Interview Role Play Firstly, a telephone interview. This is becoming more popular with agencies and with companies, as it is relatively easy to organise, it facilitates screening a large candidate pool, and it enables screening when candidates are widely geographically dispersed! Remember though, a telephone interview will range from a chat on the phone to a highly structured competency based activity. You need to be prepared for all possibilities. A telephone interview can be unannounced after you have submitted your application form or CV so make sure you have done your research and you are prepared early, however, if it is at a time that doesn t suit you try to re arrange! A screening interview assesses your suitability for the job, you may be asked general interview questions about your experience: Why you have applied Your availability Salary Expectations etc Some screening interviews are: Competency based and require you to give examples afterwards The answers are then recorded and scored afterwards Finally, Role Play, for certain jobs particularly in sales and customer service you may be asked to role play a situation over the phone so make sure you have practiced this beforehand as well. 3

4 Telephone Interview Prepare for it: write it all down beforehand Have your CV beside you Have a notepad to make notes during the interview Smile when you speak and use positive language Before you finish, be clear about what will happen nex Thanks them for their time When it comes to telephone interviews, it s important to remember to: Practice ask a friend to interview you Research all information about the company, even who works there and who will be interviewing you Make a note of your most significant achievements Equip yourself with pen, paper, diary, glass of water (NO chewing gum/food/smoking) Make sure you have noted examples for any potential questions Clear the room no children/pets/tv Thank the interviewer for their time Check what the next stage is 4

5 Telephone Interview Advantages You can refer to your notes You can refer to any questions you may have prepared You don t need to dress up No travel time It s a two way process Disadvantages Less personal Harder to build rapport Tension they might call unannounced Like all interviews telephone interviews have their advantages and disadvantages, as you can see they are great as... You can refer to your notes You can refer to any questions you may have prepared You don t need to dress up No travel time It s a two way process However, the negative aspects of telephone interviews are that they are: Less personal Harder to build rapport Tension they might call unannounced 5

6 Panel Interviews Next we are going to look at Panel interviews, which are more common in the public sector, education and the voluntary sector. A panel might be three, it might be up to eight, all of whom have an interest in the appointment of the right candidate When you go in, if it s not obvious, ask where to sit. Most candidates worry in a panel interview, as to who to look at, the answer is simple, look at the person asking you the question and glance occasionally at the other members of the panel to show that you are including them in your response. On a positive note, panel interviews can be fairer to candidates as they are generally all asked the same questions in the same order and there is perhaps less room for personal bias from the interviewer. In both phone and panel interviews... Listen! Do not answer with what you think they have asked! Don t be afraid to ask the interviewer to repeat the question. Also if you are still unsure about how you should answer the question, ask the interviewer to give you an example of what he means. Also take a sip of your water to give yourself a second to think! Don t rush Don t interrupt the interviewer, if you do, apologise Speak clearly Do not use slang or bad language! Take a glass of water if offered it gives you an extra couple of seconds to think 6

7 Competency Based Interview A competency based interview is where each question is designed to test one or more specific skills. The answer is then matched against pre determined criteria and marked accordingly Finally, competency based interviews, these are a structured series of questions aimed at finding out what you did personally and what the outcome was. The questions are based on the job you did and can be seen to be directly relevant to the skills required in the job. Many companies use competency based interviews as part of the selection process, as research has shown that past behaviours is the best predictor of future performance. 7

8 What are the Interviewers looking for in Competency Based Interviews? Problem Solving (An example of a difficult problem) Customer Service (An example of customer service) Flexibility (Tell me about a time when had to demonstrate flexibility) Team Working (Describe a time when significantly contribute to a team) Developing Others (An example of how you coached a team member to improve performance) Motivation (Tell me about a time you have motivated your team) Planning and Organising (Give an example of a piece of work that required planning) In Competency Based Interviews, questions usually focus on specific examples from the candidate describing situations where they have demonstrated the required behaviours. These questions usually include, tell me about/describe/give me an example For example, Customer Service: Tell me about a time you went the extra mile for a customer. Flexibility give an example of when you had to be flexible in the work place... This could be a time when you had to cover a colleagues role, make your example relevant and what role you played. 8

9 Situation Preparing... STAR! Brief background to what was happening and why. Task The work that had to be done/your objectives, you can include consequences of not achieving the task Actions What you actually did, this will form the majority of your answer. Results The outcomes, what was achieved and how was it measured To prepare for a competency based interview you should draw examples from: Projects you have been involved in Relationships with customers/bosses/peers/staff Challenges/problems you have faced Negotiations and deals you have been involved in Times you have influenced a decision successfully If however you can only think of negative examples.. The interviewer will also take into account self awareness and an ability to demonstrate that you have learnt from the experience and improved on this or changed something to ensure you did not make the same mistake again. Just don t name too many! An example answer for STAR Question: Tell me about a time when you had to deliver a difficult communication Situation The company was going through a major re structure to better align us with our customers, my team of 5 had been with the company for an average of 20 years each and were to be involved in the change. Task My task was to brief them on the planned changes and what impact that would have on us as a team both now and in the future. I knew it was important to keep the team motivatedthrough the change and to help themdeal with the potential future 9

10 Common Assessment Areas Qualifications/Skills Knowledge/Experience Communication Skills Understanding of the Business and Role Consistency in positions Drive Presentation Skills Team Working Ability Attitude/Approach Emotional Intelligence Leadership Qualities This is an example of part of an evaluation form which your interviewer may have, so it s important to remember each of these during your interview so you can sell yourself appropriately. It is the core component to the whole interview! 1.When looking at qualifications, if you have recently qualified, you will need to know the modules that you specifically studied. Also, on the other hand, if you have been working in the IT industry for 30 years, do not tell them about a coaching certificate you got when you were 16, remember to make your answer relevant and up to date. 2.As we were saying this is an opportunity to showcase your knowledge that you have learnt through blogs/press releases etc 3.Prior to the interview, fully read the job specification, as the consultants have been in panel interviews where they have asked the candidates what role they applied for and the candidate doesn t know. They have applied for so many jobs that week, that they have forgotten which position they applied for. 4.You may have been in a role for 10 years or been 3 roles over the last 6 years, as long as you can explain the reason to your moves, it may be down to our next point 5.Drive... You are determined and there were no promotional areas in the positions you were in in those companies and you wanted to improve your career development. 6.Attitude.. Don t have the Monday Blues.. Be enthusiastic throughout your working day! Remember you will most likely have a reference from your previous employer As well as competency based interviews, it s also important to consider assessment centres, aptitude testing and psychometric testing, if you would like to discuss any of these please speak with Phil or Chris afterwards! 10

11 Ask questions Good candidates come equipped with questions, it demonstrates commitment and research. You should always have some questions for your interviewer to demonstrate your interest in the position. However, I would recommend asking no more than 2/3 questions, that will give you more information about the job, and some which delve deeper into the culture and goals of the company. When asking questions and it is in front of a panel which is being chaired, direct your questions at the chair rather than the whole panel. You could ask things like: Is this a new position Who will be my manager What do you think the challenges will be for me in this job What are the expectations of the person in this role for the first 6 months/ first 12 months Do not ask questions, such as, what is the sick pay If you would like to make notes, just ask. 11

12 Before your Interview remember to! 1.0 Find the Directions 2.0 Research the Company 3.0 Practice your Answers 4.0 Look the Part 5.0 Stay Calm 12

13 Plan Your Route! Plan your route, allowing extra time for any unexpected delays, especially if you are going somewhere that you have never been before. Get everything you need to take with you ready the night before and arrive minutes early to find parking. Don t always rely on your GPS, as this can bring you to a business park with hundreds of businesses all with the same postcode. It s recommended to drive to the office before the interview to ensure you know where you are going. We have candidates on the phone, having to be at their interview in 10 minutes and they have no idea where they are, finally make it an hour and a half late. If you are going to be late, ring the agency or company to let them know, they ll appreciate the advance warning! 13

14 Do your research Do your research Fail to plan, and you plan to fail. You are certain to be asked specific questions about the company, so make sure you've done your homework on things like: their last year's profits and latest product launches the latest developments in the industry so you can converse with confidence. Look at news releases, as you may find out information, such as, community work the company has been involved in, which you wouldn t otherwise have known about. You can even research the person interviewing you via Linkedin.. Although always remember a photo can be misleading.. Remember as well, they may search your Linkedin, facebook, twitter profile so ensure everything is private or that you have nothing embarrassing on. 14

15 What salary are you seeking? Tell me about yourself What are your strengths? Why do you want to work here? Potential Questions? What can you do for us that other candidates can't? What are your goals? Where do you see yourself in five years time? Why should we hire you? What are your weaknesses? Practice your answers Although there is no set format that every job interview will follow, there are some questions that you can almost guarantee will crop up. You should prepare answers to some of the most common interview questions about your personal strengths and weaknesses, as well as being able to explain why you would be the best person for the job. When asked any questions, show your knowledge, if you are reading blogs/articles etc.. Especially in the IT world.. make sure the interviewer knows your IT hobbies/skills etc.. It gives them a great insight into the type of person and professional you are. 15

16 Example Answers: - Are you happy with your career-to-date? - What have your achievements been to date? - What are your strengths? - What is your greatest weakness? - Why do you want to leave your current employer? Typical answer to these questions will be: Are you happy with your career to date? A: This question is really about your self esteem, confidence and career aspirations. The answer must be yes, followed by a brief explanation as to what it is about your career so far that s made you happy. If you feel you are moving too slowly in your current job, then you must qualify your answer. Q: What have your achievements been to date? A. Select an achievement that is work related and fairly recent that you personally contributed to. Identify the skills you used in the achievement and quantify the benefit it had to the company. For example, my greatest achievement has been to design and develop a new sales ledger system for a client, bringing it in ahead of time and saving the company 50,000 a month in interest. Q: What are your strengths? A: This is one question that you know you are going to get so there is no excuse for being unprepared. Concentrate on discussing your main strengths. List three or four e.g. your ability to learn quickly, determination to succeed, positive attitude, your ability to relate to people and achieve a common goal. You may be asked to give examples of the above so be prepared. Q: What is your greatest weakness? A: Do not say you have none as this will lead to further problems just turn it into a positive. You have two options use a professed weakness such as a lack of experience (not ability) on your part in an area that is not vital for the job The 16

17 You don t get a second chance at a first impression Sounds like a tired cliché however, in our experience, too often, professionals lose big when they discount the value of a strong first impression. We all have heard someone say: he was not what I expected, or I imagined her being different. Often these comments translate into he did not look like he had his act together, or I expected her to be more professional. 17

18 Look the part! Look the part Be smart clean tidy presentable... Appearances shouldn't matter, but the plain fact is that you are often judged before you've even uttered a word. Make sure your shoes are polished, your clothes fit correctly and that your accessories are subtle. Dressing one level above the job you're applying for shows a desire to succeed. Dress appropriately to your role. Be yourself, but understand that you re representing your personal brand as well as your professional role. No matter your style, wearing clothing that fits goes a long ways. There may be a big difference between the corporate world and the IT world, as it may be more relaxed, however, no matter what company you come from, always be smart. Polished shoes, suit, shirt, tie for the gents and smart suit for the ladies, never assume otherwise, if you re unsure, ask the question. 18

19 Direct Eye Contact! Make sure to have direct eye contact, as if you fail to look people in the eye they might think you either have something to hide or you re uncomfortable with them. Smile. That seems so obvious, but I can t tell how many people I meet whom will extend a hand but their faces tell a different story. A smile is always appropriate. In the interview, no slouching, sit up, make a conscious effort to control your mannerisms put your hands in your lap to stop twitching. 19

20 Go in there with a good firm handshake! 20

21 You do not want to be faced with this as you approach your interviewer so... do not drink alcohol or smoke prior to interview this will create a bad impression and is guaranteed to be frowned upon by the interviewer. Recently we had a candidate who had been for lunch with a friend prior to the interview and had a glass of wine. However, the interviewer smelt alcohol of them and without considering why, they instantly discounting them from the interview process. 21

22 Thank you! Any questions? Philip Vernon IT Recruitment Consultant Chris Lee Senior IT Recruitment Consultant Please feel free to get in touch with either Phil or Chris regarding interview advice. 22