SUCCEEDING AT JOB INTERVIEWS

Transcription

1 SUCCEEDING AT JOB INTERVIEWS UCL CAREERS - INTERNATIONAL Helen West

2 Interviews workshop Introduce yourself to the person sitting next to you and talk about: - Your best/worst interview experiences - What you hope to get from this session

3 Interviews: what we ll look at today 1. what to expect typical formats and questions 2. how to make an impact 3. opportunity to practice 4. further support and coaching

4 Interview scenarios unstructured walk through CV structured using job analysis by phone/ video (Skype)/ in person single interviewer v panel single v multi-stage

5 Types of Questions In pairs: You have been asked to devise a list of questions for use in the telephone interview process for the Foundation for Education Research Look at the job advert and devise 6 questions for the first-round interview in the order you would ask them Try and use a variety of types of questions: biographical, motivation, sector awareness, competency

6 UK Foundation for Education Research The Foundation is a UK registered charity which conducts research into all matters affecting education. We publish reports of the results and collect and provide information on educational issues. The Role - Researcher: An opportunity has arisen for a researcher to carry out qualitative research in relation to a Department of Employment and learning funded initiative. The focus of the research is to understand more about the impact of technology in relation to the raising of educational standards, skills development and social inclusion. Person specification: educated to minimum degree level. Experience of conducting qualitative research desirable interpersonal skills including listening, the ability to empathise, persuasion and diplomacy skills the ability to present clearly both orally and in writing project management skills and the ability to work to deadlines an interest in technology desirable but not essential

7 UKFERA sample interview questions Tell me a little bit about yourself Describe 3 things that specifically interest you about working for UKFERA Describe a technology innovation that you feel has significantly enhanced the educational learning experience Can you give me an example that best demonstrates your ability to carry out credible qualitative research What is your experience of managing projects in an environment where deadlines are important? Can you give me an example where you have had to choose very carefully how to communicate some information to someone Do you have any questions for us?

8 First impressions make them count

9 Making an impact make eye contact, smile and be enthusiastic stay alert sit upright, lean in to the interview slow your movements breathe

10 Interviews Performance: The Primacy and Recency effect The Perfect Interview Max Eggert, Random House Business Books, 1999 Interviewer Interviewee Beginning Middle End

11 Interviews exercise Opportunity to talk about a subject you are an expert on YOU! I m amongst friends This is just practice I have permission to FAIL.but I will try and learn from the experience

12 Practise interview scenario 1 in 3 s, assign following roles: interviewer, candidate and observer Interviewer - ask question Interviewee - answer the questions Observer and interviewer panel feedback: focus on first impressions Eye-contact maintained Relaxed body language, smiling Repetitive and distracting actions or gestures Interesting vocal delivery varying in pitch, speed and volume length, content and structure of the answers

13 Question: What aspects of your degree/ Masters course did you most enjoy? Panel think about: Eye-contact maintained Relaxed body language, smiling Repetitive and distracting actions or gestures Interesting vocal delivery varying in pitch, speed and volume length, content and structure of the answers

14 Question Tell me about yourself Panel, think about: Eye-contact maintained Relaxed body language, smiling Repetitive and distracting actions or gestures Interesting vocal delivery varying in pitch, speed and volume length, content and structure of the answers

15 Question How did you go about choosing which degree/ Masters course to study and why did you choose UCL? Panel, think about: Eye-contact maintained Relaxed body language, smiling Repetitive and distracting actions or gestures Interesting vocal delivery varying in pitch, speed and volume length, content and structure of the answers

16 Common competencies communication skills teamwork skills enthusiasm & motivation planning, organisation and time management skills interpersonal skills commercial awareness/ business acumen flexibility and adaptability problem-solving skills

17 Competency answer structure STAR I m hiring the person not the problem Situation: what s the setting/ background to the story? Task: what was the task/objective? Action: what did you do? emphasis here what did you have to think about what was your approach/ steps involved how did you overcome any problems you encountered pick up on active verbs eg planned, negotiated, listened Result what was the outcome?/ reflection

18 Interviews preparation Evidence required: research ability, an analytical approach to work and problemsolving skills Communication skills including presentation, persuasive and diplomacy skills team working and interpersonal skills organisational skills to meet deadlines and work under pressure Commercial awareness Examples Degree/ thesis/ tutorial presentations student society/ part-time & voluntary work/ careers workshops Summer internship elected Postgraduate rep Fund raising for local charity Student football team

19 Motivation Questions Q: Give me 3 reasons why you are interested in working for our organisation

20 Motivation triangle Generic characteristics and reasoning Organisation specific characteristics Top 10% Specific Importance to you?

21 Why are you interested in our organisation.(and how does that relate to you?) What does the company do?...products, services, clients What are their unique selling points? What research have you done? (Name sources) projects/ awards/ latest developments strengths - how do they differ from competitors? How are they perceived? what does the press say about them? What is the organisation culture? who have you talked to? What did you find out? what are their values (and how do they connect to yours) WHY ARE THE ABOVE IMPORTANT TO YOU? Reflection!

22 Preparation familiarise yourself with job description/ person specification what skills and qualities are they looking for? brainstorm types of questions you are likely to be asked what examples can you give? plan key points you want to make

23 Final tips creating an impression be on time & dress appropriately know who you re meeting & be pleasant to everybody assume no knowledge on behalf of interviewer if it seems to be going wrong keep calm if interviewer is aggressive/ doesn t seem to like you try not to panic unlikely to fail on one question closing the sale thank them and have some questions for them make sure you know what the next step is afterwards review performance & ask for feedback invest ahead of time for later stages

24 Interview coaching Available Monday to Friday 60 minutes on condition of real employer job interview discuss concerns, potential interview questions and practice answers (with feedback) in a safe environment

25 Next International talks Assessment Centres Tuesday 3 rd February 1-2pm Roberts 106 Creative Job Hunting Tuesday 10 th February 1-2pm Roberts 106 For more information and to register:

26 How to Find Us UCL Careers Service 4 th Floor Student Central Malet Street Opposite: Waterstones Bookshop Appointments Mon-Fri Book online 10am-5pm