THE ART OF INTERVIEW SKILLS

Chapter 3:
Preparing the key ingredients that contribute towards your Interview success

Chapter 4:
Make it easy and get organised!

Chapter 5:
Preparing for your Interview

Chapter 6:
Allowing yourself to shine!

Chapter 7: Fine Tuning

Chapter 8: At the interview

CV

Tips

Example

Common mistakes

Change the focus to feel more comfortable

The internal candidate-make no assumptions

Have a clear font (Arial, Time New Roman; size 10 or 12)

Bold the headings

Personal information at first page (E.g.Name, Address, Phone Number, Email Contact)

Use bullet points

Spell check

Ensure your dates flow

Have a positive personal key skills and personal experience

Get a friend or colleague read before

Avoid abbreviations

Shine a light on your positive qualities

Write references

Career summary

Do not use unfamiliar words

Treat job searching as a project

Further research

Printing out important information --> fill in a file

Stationary: Invest in an A4 --> to focus on

Have a to-do-list

Even if the candidate already work in the organisation, do not assume that the panel know who --> Prepare for the interview like you are new to the company

Sell yourself as a successful candidate (in a positive way)

Allowing yourself to shine --> Try to keep your focus on a positive outcome

Keep a record of who you have said what to, applied with

Photocopy the application form --> Put in your project file

Check the details of time frame of the application + interview process

Find out as much as possible about the company --> Know the work environment

Tips for informal visits

Read about the company first

Dress smartly and professionally

Turn off all electronic items

Keep eye-contact, smile, listen to others

Accept information pack/leaflet

Have a positive statement about yourself

Sit down + Write down your thoughts, reflection and concerns that you have

Take care with your social media

Putting a ding in the Universe

Focus on answering questions out loud --> help candidate to come across their interview

Answer questions with enthusiasm

As a result, getting the job can contribute to that ding in the universe!

A presentation is a great opportunity as well as the first question.

What will the panel look for?

Make sure

To be well-prepared by rehearsing from time to time

the presentation duration is within the time limit

How candidate cope under pressure

Organisational skills + Time management: Candidates have to show they have these skills through their presentations

Leadership skills

Good communication skills

Message included in the presentation

Enjoy the interview

Any questions?

Prepare some questions to ask the panel

Thank you and smile at the end of the interview, plus say that you treasure the opportunity to contribute what you have to the team. --> Show that you would be a valued staff.

Reflect on the interview

If you get the job --> Celebrate

If you do not get the job --> Get feedback on your interview --> Make a personal reflection --> Take it as a lesson --> Improve in the next experience

The first 90 seconds are vital --> Practice introducing yourself positively, use open language, smile, give the whole eye-contact to the panel

If yoy have a presentation --> Deliver it well with passion and enthusiasm

Have a positive closing statement

Examples of questions:

  • Can you tell e about the potential career progression within this position?
  • How do you see this role developing over 6 months?
  • What type of induction will I receive?
  • What is the timescale for appointments to this role?

How to avoid interview stress?

Turn the interview nerves into creative apprehension

False Evidence Appearing Real (FEAR)

"95% of the things we worry about never happen, however it appears real, when it is fake."*

=> If you start worrying, think *"It's just false evidence appearing real, I am prepared, organised and I have practiced my answers out loud-my interview Bring it on."

Creating your own future history
(Positive mental rehearsal)

Visualise yourself doing well in the interview (from answering questions to presenting)

Beware of Imposter Syndrome

People with Imposter Syndrome believe they are successful because of luck or external evidence => Remember that being in the right place at the right time are not enough to help you to become successful if you are not ready to conquer your interview.

Check the company's social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, etc to see what image the company is giving out --> Look back at your online profile

Employers can see another perspective about the candidate by check out social media

Think before write, upload anything online because it can affect your job opportunities.

The competency based interview

The job specification

Matching your skills to the job requirements

Why this approach works

Most interview are competency based

You will be asked to provide evidence to prove your competency

Come popular competencies are:

People management

Communication skills

Team working skills

Leadership skills

Customer care skills

Problem solving

The job specification provides essential information

Starting prepare with the key competencies/skills that required for the job

Try and have three examples of each competency prepared which will ensure you have a very thorough approach

Team working skills

Helping colleagues with tasks

Assisting staff to agree to disagree

Enthusiastic about role, company and customers

Problem solving

Listening to the situation and providing several possible solutions

Thinking creatively about the problem

Have a positive example of a time you solved a problem

The details of specific examples that evidence/illuminate your knowledge and experience --> prepare for the key questions that they will be asking