INTERVIEW SKILLSINTERVIEW SKILLS Dr Vasuprada Kartic Dr Vasuprada Karticfor for NAC PGDCPM Batch IXNAC PGDCPM Batch IX

Tool Box for the Tool Box for the Successful Job SearchSuccessful Job Search

In the beginning. . .In the beginning. . .The Job SearchThe Job Search Read the duties and the knowledge, skills and abilities

required of each position CAREFULLY before applying. Assess the value of what you have to offer to each

position and the organization. How does your experience apply to what is required for the job? Think deeply about yourself: How have you grown over time? How do you interact with others? What could you have done differently for better results? What motivates you?

Become familiar with the organization so you can demonstrate how and why you will be an effective employee. Ask the agency or company to send you material (brochure, job description, newsletter, etc.)

Be realistic! Know your qualifications and limitations. Wanting a job does not necessarily mean you’re qualified for it. Also, a job that pays well for duties you don’t like will not be rewarding in the long run.

Communication ToolsCommunication Tools

Applications & ResumesApplications & ResumesFully complete the state application

without being too wordy. Resumes should be brief and to the point (1-2 pages). Both must be ERROR FREE!

Make sure all information is accurate and captures what you have done in each job.

Document your qualifications. NEVER assume anything.

The application DEADLINE date is exactly that. Plan ahead!

Sample RESUME format

Tips for Successful Tips for Successful InterviewingInterviewing

Interview Interview DODO’’ssDress appropriately for the industry. When in

doubt, go conservative. Personal grooming and cleanliness should be impeccable. Keep cologne or perfume to a minimum. Pay particular attention to hands and fingernails.

Arrive 10 minutes early. Know the exact time and location of your interview; know how long it takes to get there, park, and find a restroom to freshen up.

Treat other people you encounter with courtesy and respect. Their opinions of you might be solicited during the hiring process.

Offer a firm handshake, make eye contact, and have a friendly expression when you are greeted by the interviewer.

Listen to be sure you understand your interviewer’s name and the correct pronunciation.

Even when your interviewer gives you a first and last name, address your interviewer by Mr. Or Ms. And the last name, until invited to do otherwise.

Maintain good eye contact during the interview.Sit still in your seat; avoid fidgeting and

slouching.Respond to questions and back up your

statements about yourself with specific examples whenever possible.

Ask for clarification if you don’t understand a question; and be thorough in your responses while being concise in your wording.

Use good grammar and good diction. Say “yes”, not “yeah.” Don’t fill pauses with “um,” uh” or “ah”. Don’t punctuate sentences with “you know”, “like”, “see” or “okay”.

Treat the interview seriously and show interest in the employer and the opportunity presented and respond to questions in a positive manner.

Watch the tone of your voice. While it might be trendy among your friends to “up speak” (end sentence with a higher tone of voice so that sentences sound like questions), this habit will kill your credibility during the interview.

Answer the question and use professional experiences or descriptive information to demonstrate how you would react or respond to a situation.

Make sure answers have a definite flow. In the beginning state major points you want to make; in the middle expand upon those points or ideas, and in the end reinforce your key points and end on a positive note.

Evaluate the interviewer and the organization. An interview is a two-way street.

Make sure you understand the employer’s next step in the hiring process; know when and from whom you should expect to hear next.

Softly Toot Your Own Softly Toot Your Own Horn!Horn!

Exhibit quiet confidence.

Organize your thoughts and apply your knowledge, skills and abilities.

Think globally! Relate “outside” experiences to demonstrate your qualifications.

Interview Interview DonDon’’tsts Don’t make excuses. Take responsibility for your

decisions and your actions. Don’t make negative comments about previous

employers or supervisors (or others). Don’t treat the interview casually, as if you are just

shopping around or doing the interview for practice. This is insulting to the interviewer and the organization.

Don’t give the impression you are only interested in salary.

Don’t act as though you would take any job or are desperate for employment.

Don’t chew gum or smell like smoke. Don’t take cell phone calls during an interview. If you

carry a cell phone, turn it off during the interview.

What types of questions are asked in interviews? Factual

◦ Example: Do you speak regional languages? Theoretical : Requires a short factual answer to establish level of

skill or competence required, as related to the position.

Technical ◦ Example: Why is it that a heavy ocean liner doesn’t

sink into the ocean? Requires knowledge of the underlying theory to answer this

question.

Scenario ◦ Example: You are working on a group project with a

very tight deadline. Everyone comes prepared to the meeting with the section they have worked on, except for one person. What would you do? Requires specific technical knowledge of, or practical experience

with the item/process to answer the question. Requires you to assess the situation described and determine what

you would do in such a case.

Probing ◦ Example: Tell me more about your role as a course union

representative.

Role Play ◦ Example: Imagine that you are my supervisor. I have been

late for work 3 times this week and 2 times last week. You call me into your office. What do you say to me?Requires you to take on the role of the position you are applying for and act out a potential situation you may encounter in that role.

Behavioural ◦ Give me an example of a time you provided quality

customer service. ◦ Requires you to provide additional data about skills or

competencies demonstrated, or challenges faced and met, which relate to the employer’s needs.

◦ Requires you to speak about a real life situation in which you used the skill/competence identified by the question.

What about Answering What about Answering Questions?Questions?Your points must be CLEAR, RELEVANT

AND ADEQUATE:to enable the interviewer to understand

what you are trying to say; to determine your strengths for that particular job; and to have sufficient information to make a good decision.

The interviewer needs to determine if you can do the job, if you will do the job, and if you fit in. Hiring the RIGHT person is the goal.

Be Prepared for Behavior-based Be Prepared for Behavior-based Questions!Questions!Describe a time when you were faced with

problems or stresses at work that tested your coping skills. What did you do?

Give an example of a time when you had to be relatively quick in coming to a decision.

Give me an example of an important goal you had to set and tell me about your progress in reaching that goal.

Give me an example of a problem you faced on the job, and tell me how you solved it.

Tell me about a situation in the past year in which you had to deal with a very upset customer or co-worker.

Your keys to RESPONDING well Your keys to RESPONDING well to these types of questions are:to these types of questions are:

Be specific, not general or vague!Don’t describe how you would behave. Describe how you DID behave. If you later decided you should have behaved differently, explain this. The interviewer will see that you learned something from experience.

Your RightsYour RightsAccommodations - Time to

request - Interpreter, large print, accessible location for interview

What do you do after the interview?

What to do after the What to do after the interview?interview?Courteously thank the

interviewer(s) for the opportunity to interview with the agency.

Extend a handshake and exhibit enthusiasm about the career opportunity.

Consider following up with a thank you note or e-mail of appreciation to the interviewer(s) to further show your interest.

NetworkingNetworking

NETWORKING IS NOT..... ◦ Using others

◦ Pushing yourself at others

◦ Begging for a job

NETWORKING IS.... ◦ • Reciprocal

• Building relationships• Finding out information

You simply identify the people and organisations that could be helpful to you in your job search and contact them. Your aim in networking is to:1. obtain more information about your chosen industry and the labour market in general

so that you can decide 2. where best to concentrate your efforts and find a job. 3. You carry out a marketing exercise where the product is yourself: 4. identify the appropriate market for your skills 5. understand the specifications and preferences of the employer 6. present the positive qualities of your “product” (qualifications, skills, abilities,

experience) 7. communicate how these will benefit the employer

Concluding with Thanks to all the sources for this!