Download - Successful Apps - Interviews Nov 2014 2
Personal & Career Development (PCD)
Welcome to today’s session:Successful Applications
InterviewsLinda Butler
5 November 2014 (1200 GMT)
“The classroom is limited to 100 participants so please do stay in the room I will be starting the session at 1200 GMT”
1. Introduction
2. Agenda
a) Personal & Career Management cycle
b) Preparation for successful Interviews
c) Next steps
4. Feedback
Preparation for Interview - Top tips:• Research the employer and review your application / CV
• The Job description and the person spec will be good indicators to the type of questions you will be asked
• Link your answers to the employer requirements
• Talk about your skills, knowledge and experience to the role
• Use evidence that stand out from the crowd – what is your
differentiator?
• Use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
• Be ready to ‘Sell yourself’
• Logistics – time, location, travel, dress code – be prepared
• Practice Practice Practice
Purpose
Interviews are an opportunity for both you and the employer to evaluate each other
-
It’s a two way process!!
-
Through the interview you can gain valuable information which may assist you in assessing
the prospective job, employer or industry
-
An opportunity to ‘Sell yourself’
Prepare for interview
• Identify your skills and abilities
- Communication, project management, strategic thinking, planning, organisational skills• Review the selection criteria
- be ready to provide examples of how your skills, abilities, qualities and experience match the employer’s requirements• Think about your past achievements
- These could be problems you have overcome, issues you have resolved or demands you have met• Research the organisation
- what internal or external influences are affecting it?
- is it in a state of growth or decline?
- How is the market changing or developing?
- Keep up with current affairs – particularly local/global issues affecting the organisation• Practise your answers
- verbalise the answers to questions, not just think about them so that your explanations run smoothly
Preparation contd..
Self-awarenessKnow yourself well
• Be able to articulate your skills, strengths, interests, passions, values, relevant experiences, goals and areas of knowledge
• You should be able to say why you are well suited to the job and what you have to offer your employer
• Prepare specific, practical examples of your skills and how and where you have used them
- Most importantly, try to find examples of the skills you know are relevant to the job you are seeking
• Think about achievements that demonstrate skills
For example, How did you achieve targets, build relationships – be ready to talk about leadership, responsibility, interpersonal and organisational skills
Checklist:
• Basic checks• Interviewer • Company research• Role research• Answer preparation• Behaviour check• Appearance• Final test
Types of questions:• General• Behavioural / Competency based• Hypothetical• Questions for the Interviewer
General questions:Ø Tell me about yourselfØ Why do you want to work or this organisation?Ø What is the achievement you are most proud of?Ø What would you do if a member of your team was
not pulling their weight?Ø Why should we employ you?
Behavoural / Competency based questions:These ask you to say what you have done and how
you did it – follow the STAR process (SITUATION, TASK, ACTION, RESULT)
Ø Describe a situation where you have displayed leadership
Ø Tell us about a time when you have made a decision at work and the outcomes
Ø Describe a situation where you solved a problem, how effective was your solution?
Hypothetical questions:It is very hard to prepare for these questions, the
interviewer is wanting to find out what your thinking process is – so take your time – there is no right or wrong answer!
Ø Imagine you have been working on a major project with a deadline and the computer fails and you lose all your work. How would you handle this situation?
Questions for the Interviewer:An opportunity to demonstrate your interest by
asking questions about the job itself, the industry and your career prospects:
ØWhat are the major projects currently being undertaken and what are the plans for the future?
ØWhat are the opportunities for training and professional development?
ØIs the company expanding into global markets?ØWhat are the prospects for promotion in the
company?
Access to:Employer videos
Audio trainingWritten tutorials
Relevant news
Learning Module
Interview Simulator
Interview checklist
Example questions and answers with
top tips on ‘do’s and don’ts’
The system will preselect
questions
You select questions
Employer advice
Go and practice
Employer Tips
Videos for you include :
• Know your interviewer• Assessing commercial awareness
• Good first impression at interview• How important is body language
• What your weaknesses• Talk about a mistake, failure or challenge
Performance on the day
• Logistics; know where you are going
• Dress appropriately
• Know who to ask for
• Try to appear confident and relaxed
• Communicate with enthusiasm and let your personality shine through
• You are a product – sell yourself
• Active listening
• It is acceptable to ask for questions to be repeated
• Try to avoid ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers
The 3 P’s to successPreparationPreparationPreparation
Do this and you will feel confident and relaxed !!!
Access to your Career Portal
Next steps
What would be useful for you?
Personal & Career Management Workshops (webinars):
i. Understanding self (strengths, skills, behaviours and developing a plan)
ii. Researching the market (researching employers and effective networking) and Making choices (managing yourself, decision making, priorities and contingency planning)
iii. Successful Applications – CVs (structure, content, marketing your experience and skills – to include country focus, tailoring to the job and cover letters
iv. Successful applications – Interviews (preparation and planning for different types of questions and effective preparation for Assessment Centres)
v. Gaining experience (the first 90 days and getting the most out of your experience in employment, voluntary work etc)
vi RDI Career Portal
Utilise your on-line career resources
Access via i-learn
Career Consultation
Skype or phone conversation to assist you on your career and personal development – approx 45 mins = £75
CV Support1. CV Proof read = £30 (electronic feedback)2. Quality review of CV = £65 (skype/telephone feedback)
One-to-one CoachingA one hour personal & career development coaching session via video skype or telephone = £125
If you are interested in a free 15 minute chat to help to decide next steps please send an email to Student Support
Thank you
Dorothy DicksonManager - Student Support
Email: [email protected]
Linda Butler
http://uk.linkedin.com/in/lindabutler07
Personal & Career Development (PCD)
Welcome to today’s session:Successful Applications
InterviewsLinda Butler
5 November 2014 (1200 GMT)
“The classroom is limited to 100 participants so please do stay in the room I will be starting the session at 1200 GMT”
1. Intro – who am I and what is my background and experience
2. Agenda
3. Feedback – you will be sent a survey following the event
2
Brief intro – is in workbook
3
Preparation for Interview - Top tips:• Research the employer and review your application / CV
• The Job description and the person spec will be good indicators to the type of questions you will be asked
• Link your answers to the employer requirements
• Talk about your skills, knowledge and experience to the role
• Use evidence that stand out from the crowd – what is your
differentiator?
• Use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
• Be ready to ‘Sell yourself’
• Logistics – time, location, travel, dress code – be prepared
• Practice Practice Practice
Purpose
Interviews are an opportunity for both you and the employer to evaluate each other
-
It’s a two way process!!
-
Through the interview you can gain valuable information which may assist you in assessing
the prospective job, employer or industry
-
An opportunity to ‘Sell yourself’
Prepare for interview
• Identify your skills and abilities
- Communication, project management, strategic thinking, planning, organisational skills• Review the selection criteria
- be ready to provide examples of how your skills, abilities, qualities and experience match the employer’s requirements• Think about your past achievements
- These could be problems you have overcome, issues you have resolved or demands you have met• Research the organisation
- what internal or external influences are affecting it?
- is it in a state of growth or decline?
- How is the market changing or developing?
- Keep up with current affairs – particularly local/global issues affecting the organisation• Practise your answers
- verbalise the answers to questions, not just think about them so that your explanations run smoothly
Preparation contd..
Self-awarenessKnow yourself well
• Be able to articulate your skills, strengths, interests, passions, values, relevant experiences, goals and areas of knowledge
• You should be able to say why you are well suited to the job and what you have to offer your employer
• Prepare specific, practical examples of your skills and how and where you have used them
- Most importantly, try to find examples of the skills you know are relevant to the job you are seeking
• Think about achievements that demonstrate skills
For example, How did you achieve targets, build relationships – be ready to talk about leadership, responsibility, interpersonal and organisational skills
Checklist:
• Basic checks• Interviewer • Company research• Role research• Answer preparation• Behaviour check• Appearance• Final test
Types of questions:• General• Behavioural / Competency based• Hypothetical• Questions for the Interviewer
General questions:Ø Tell me about yourselfØ Why do you want to work or this organisation?Ø What is the achievement you are most proud of?Ø What would you do if a member of your team was
not pulling their weight?Ø Why should we employ you?
Behavoural / Competency based questions:These ask you to say what you have done and how
you did it – follow the STAR process (SITUATION, TASK, ACTION, RESULT)
Ø Describe a situation where you have displayed leadership
Ø Tell us about a time when you have made a decision at work and the outcomes
Ø Describe a situation where you solved a problem, how effective was your solution?
Hypothetical questions:It is very hard to prepare for these questions, the
interviewer is wanting to find out what your thinking process is – so take your time – there is no right or wrong answer!
Ø Imagine you have been working on a major project with a deadline and the computer fails and you lose all your work. How would you handle this situation?
Questions for the Interviewer:An opportunity to demonstrate your interest by
asking questions about the job itself, the industry and your career prospects:
ØWhat are the major projects currently being undertaken and what are the plans for the future?
ØWhat are the opportunities for training and professional development?
ØIs the company expanding into global markets?ØWhat are the prospects for promotion in the
company?
Access to:Employer videos
Audio trainingWritten tutorials
Relevant news
Learning Module
Interview Simulator
Interview checklist
Example questions and answers with
top tips on ‘do’s and don’ts’
The system will preselect
questions
You select questions
Employer advice
Go and practice
Employer Tips
Videos for you include :
• Know your interviewer• Assessing commercial awareness
• Good first impression at interview• How important is body language
• What your weaknesses• Talk about a mistake, failure or challenge
Performance on the day
• Logistics; know where you are going
• Dress appropriately
• Know who to ask for
• Try to appear confident and relaxed
• Communicate with enthusiasm and let your personality shine through
• You are a product – sell yourself
• Active listening
• It is acceptable to ask for questions to be repeated
• Try to avoid ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers
The 3 P’s to successPreparationPreparationPreparation
Do this and you will feel confident and relaxed !!!
Access to your Career Portal
Overview of upcoming webinars and point towards RDI portal
16
Career Consultation
Skype or phone conversation to assist you on your career and personal development – approx 45 mins = £75
CV Support1. CV Proof read = £30 (electronic feedback)2. Quality review of CV = £65 (skype/telephone feedback)
One-to-one CoachingA one hour personal & career development coaching session via video skype or telephone = £125
If you are interested in a free 15 minute chat to help to decide next steps please send an email to Student Support
Catherine will be sending you an on-line survey link for feedback on today's session
18