Unit 6: Preparing for an Interview

Transcription

1 Unit 6: Preparing for an Interview In Unit 4 you learned about how to search for a job. In Unit 5 you applied for a job. Now you have to think about the job interview. The purpose of this unit is to help you have the best possible chance of getting the job you really want. It will help you prepare thoroughly so you can answer an interviewer s questions and ask appropriate questions of your own. Learning outcomes and assessment criteria Learning outcomes 1 Know information required in preparing for an interview 2 Be able to prepare answers to interview questions Assessment criteria 1.1 Describe the key information about the interviewing organisation which is relevant to the job / placement / course 1.2 Describe key aspects of the job / placement / course drawing on application information 1.3 Identify gaps in own information about the organisation 1.4 Identify gaps in own information about the job / placement / course 1.5 Devise questions to ask the interviewer at interview to fi nd answers to gaps in knowledge 2.1 Devise questions that may be asked by an interviewer 2.2 Select questions most likely to be asked at an interview specifi c to the course / job / placement 2.3 Plan responses to questions that may be asked at interview 35

2 Worksheet 1: Getting information ready Unit LO AC Descriptor Describe the key information about the interviewing organisation which is relevant to the job / placement / course Describe key aspects of the job /placement / course drawing on application information An advertisement can only tell you so much about a job. If you really want to be fully prepared for an interview, you should spend time researching the role and the company. This will not only help you to feel fully prepared for the interview, but it will also mean that you won t be surprised by any of the questions you are asked. So, before you attend the interview you should collect as much information as you can about the job, and the employer, to ensure you have a complete and accurate picture. Let s see what I can fi nd out about this company. This should help me prepare for the interview Using a job advert provided by your tutor, or that you have found, complete the right-hand column in the table below. Key information What does the business do? Answer What are its goals? 36

3 What entry requirements are there for this job? How long is the course/contract? What hours will I have to work? What tasks will I have to do on a daily basis? What responsibilities will I have? Who will I report to? What qualities are they looking for? Have I got them? And my evidence is... What qualifi cations and experience are they looking for? Have I got these qualifi cations/this experience? And my evidence is... What benefi ts and rewards are offered? How will these answers help you at the interview? Give a brief explanation below. 37

4 Worksheet 2: Asking the right questions Unit LO AC Descriptor Identify gaps in own information about the organisation Identify gaps in own information about the job / placement / course Devise questions to ask the interviewer at interview to fi nd answers to gaps in knowledge Enterprise Interviewers always ask at the end of an interview Is there anything you d like to ask us? Many people shrug their shoulders and say No. This betrays a certain lack of enterprise. You should regard this as your opportunity to find out the answers to questions that you have not been able to pin down during your research, and it will show that you have a real interest in the company and the job. (It might also allow you to take the interview in the direction you would like it to go, focusing on your strengths see Unit 7 Worksheet 5, page 54.) Look back to the table you completed in Worksheet 1. Identify gaps in your information about the organisation and the job. These gaps might be: areas you couldn t fi nd much information on in your research, for example the job advert might not state who your line manager would be areas you were not able to research at all in preparation for the interview, for example training opportunities. List these gaps in the left-hand column of the table on the next page. Now think of the questions you will need to ask the interviewer in order to fi ll in each gap and add these questions to the right-hand column. You must list at least four gaps in your knowledge, with corresponding questions. WARNING! Don t just ask questions about money or holidays. They ll think that s all you re interested in. Ask about things like training opportunities, promotion prospects, working hours or course materials needed. 38

5 Gaps Information I would like to know Question to ask the interviewer so that I can fill in this gap How does this approach help you? List three ways in which doing this in advance would help you at the interview

6 Worksheet 3: Thinking ahead Unit LO AC Descriptor Devise questions that may be asked by an interviewer Ahead of an interview, it is essential that you do your homework. You have to be one step in front of the interviewer by anticipating the questions they might ask. What if they ask me something about the company and I don t know anything? Success at the interview is all about PACE: Preparation Attitude Communication Enterprise Get the PACE right and you ll be well on the way to getting the job. Preparation Remember, the employer has only the information you submitted when you sold yourself in your initial application. They are going to want to find out much more before they employ you. They will ask different types of questions: some professional, some that are more about you, some that will test your suitability for the job. It is unlikely that they will ask you closed questions; more likely they will ask open questions. Be sure you know the difference. Complete the two lines below. A closed question is for example An open question is for example 40

7 Now try to think about what questions might be asked and why they might be asked so that you can look at some possible answers. Help yourself prepare by completing the table. Write two open questions for each topic. They may ask you about your... experience Question 1 Question 2 skills goals in life work goals personal qualities interest in this job interest in this company suitability for the post offered knowledge of the job knowledge of the company CV and things you have included in it Hint! Check whether you ve asked any questions that could be answered Yes or No. If you have, go back and change them. 41

8 Worksheet 4: Being ready Unit LO AC Descriptor Select questions most likely to be asked at an interview specifi c to the course / job / placement Plan responses to questions that may be asked at interview Preparation and attitude State two reasons why good preparation might impress the employer The type of questions you will be asked at an interview will depend on the type of job applied for. For example, an interview for a job at a call centre would probably include questions about the candidate s telephone manner and people skills. Write down the title of a job for which you would like to be interviewed. Now write down four things that you consider to be very important about the job. These could come from an advertisement, ideas from your tutor or things you already know about the company

9 Crunch time! Use the list of questions you created in Worksheet 3 plus the four important points you have just identifi ed to frame two specifi c questions that you think are most likely to come up at an interview for the job. Once you have identifi ed your questions, you should give suitable, in-depth answers for each one. Review each answer given to check that: it is accurate it is completely relevant to the question asked you are using language appropriate to an interview situation. Remember, good use of language shows a good attitude. Question Answer Use the space below to explain why you chose these questions: 43

10 I must remember to take my prepared questions and answers with me. That ll show them I m organised and really interested in this job. That will impress them. Now that you have experience in answering possible interview questions, go back to the list of questions you put together in Worksheet 3. Working with a partner, swap lists and ask each other at least four of the open questions listed. Make sure that you are able to give an accurate, relevant answer to each question. Record your answers in the table provided below. Question asked Your answer 44