interview success predicting employment interview questions and preparing responses

Interview SuccessInterview SuccessPredicting employment interview

questions and preparing responses

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Objectives

• Understand the purpose of interview questions

• Be aware of skills and knowledge the employer is looking for

• Develop skills in responding to questions 

• learn how to perform well at Interviews

Getting an interview ≠ get the job

• Research and careful preparation is critical to the quality of your responses

• Employment interviews are an example of public speaking, albeit to small audience

• Even confident people may feel quite nervous about employment interviews

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Introductory questions

• If the offer is made - shake hands with all panel members when first introduced – (firm, web to web)

• Once seated will explain process & may ask introductory questions

• Tell me about yourself • What are your greatest strengths and

weaknesses? Answer the employers perspective

Preparation is the key confidence

• Suddenly you are in the spotlight

• The panel is hanging on your every word; even writing down what you are saying

• Impromptu speaking is a skill

• Your ability to think quickly and respond in an articulate way will improve with experience

• How can you prepare yourself?

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Know the Company

• Research the company and its operations via the Internet, Annual Reports

• Think about why you want to work for them – (a common interview question)

• Identify the needs of the organisation and market yourself appropriately

Talk is Cheap - except in employment interviews

• “Talking the talk" is critical but ensure your talk is backed up with examples of your experience and your skill set

• Interview is last chance to market yourself for a position - not a time to be timid

• Articulate your skills, experience and personal attributes unselfconsciously

• Convey a quiet confidence in your own competence

Don’t …………

• Stare at your hands while answering• Cross your arms, fidget, tap your feet,

sprawl or lean forward anxiously• Lean on the table and put your hand on the

side of your face• Play with your hair or jewellery• Enquire about salary or conditions• Answer ‘it’s on my resume”• Mumble or use ‘ums’, ‘ahs’

Do …………

• Smile as this helps people to warm to you - even on the telephone interview a smile can be reflected in your voice

• Make appropriate eye contact as this conveys respect and confidence

• Address interviewer/s by name – everyone likes the sound of their own name

Forecasting Interview questions

Some provide questions before interview – check this with contact person

Consult position description Identify key points or attributes the

employer is seeking Develop knowledge of the organisation Write out likely questions Practice answering

Open ended questions

• Goals (eg: “What are your short term and long term career goals?”)

• Attributes (eg: “tell me about your strengths and weaknesses”)

• Job interests (eg: “What are the important considerations for you in choosing a job”)

• Qualifications/skills (eg: “Why did you choose to study/major in …..?”)

• Achievements (eg: “What do you consider your greatest achievement”?

• Work experience (eg: “How does your previous work experience relate to this position?”)

• Your contribution (eg: What makes you a better candidate for this position than the other 50 applicants?”)

• Problem solving (eg: “Tell me about a time when you were faced with a problem? How did you handle this situation?”)

• Teamwork (eg: “What do you see as the value of team work to this job/project?”)

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Thinking On Your Feet

• Skill improved with practice

• Confidence is the key – preparation

• posture and breathing

• Listen carefully

• Don’t rush to “fill in the blanks”

• Look more intelligent while thinking

• Make response and stop

Posture and breathing

• Sit up straight with both feet flat on the floor –more effective breathing

• Be conscious of your weight on the chair –can help you stay in the present

• Breathe normally and deeply - will assist voice projection and avoid breathlessness

• Practice this now

Listen carefully

• Critical to formulating an articulate response

• Look directly at the questioner - observe their body language as well as words

• Try to determine the intention of the question - this will guide your answer

• Ask for clarification – gives time to compose your answer

• Narrow the focus with a question of your own – (eg: “You’re interested in hearing how I’ve handled ……….?”)

1 Point + 1 Supporting Piece of Information

• Allows you to answer accurately and assuredly

• Too short an answer, you risk letting the conversation slip into interrogation mode

• Too long, you risk losing people’s interest, coming across as boring, or giving away things that are better left unsaid

• Just enough supporting information to back up your response

• Technique gives you focus

Practice Clear Delivery

• Speak in a strong voice (Don’t confuse strong with loud!)

• Use pauses strategically to emphasise a point or slow yourself down

• Vary your tone and pay attention to how your message will be perceived given the intonation

• Use the level of formality that is appropriate to the interview situation – no slang or jargon

• Use eye contact appropriately• Pay attention to your grammar

How said as important as what is said

Summarise and Stop

• Complete your response with a quick summary statement

• Don’t make the common mistake of filling the silence with more information!

• They may be absorbing the information you have given and considering another question that “piggy backs” on your response

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Behavioural-Event interview questions

• Purpose of Behaviour Event Interview questions is to gather evidence or examples of a specific competency or skill required

• Premise of person's past behaviour as predictor of future performance

• BEI questions have been widely used for over 15 years

BEI has 2 parts - Introduction and focus

Introduction is a phrase such as:

• “Tell me about a time when you…?”

• “Describe a situation when you… ?”

• “Walk me through a situation where you …?”

• "Give me an example of a specific situation when you …?"

Second part focuses on the situation

Example: “Give me a specific example when you had to resolve a difficult team situation?”

Example: “Tell me about a time when you participated in a multi-disciplinary team to deliver project outcomes within a tight deadline?”

Structure responses

• Interviewers want to know what you did, obstacles overcome and results achieved

• Want to learn what you did versus what the team did so explain what we (the team) did versus what you did

• Use techniques such as STAR

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Response Strategy STAR technique:

• S T - Describe the Situation or Task

• A - Your Actions and Approach

• R - Describe the Results• Also explain what you've Learned from

the experienceExample “Tell me about a difficult team

situation you dealt with?” or “How have you catered for different student needs?”

1. Situation or Task: (ST)

“While working with one class I noticed one particular boy had issues with letter reversal, pencil grip, spelling and a real reluctance to engage in written tasks. I spoke to the teacher about these issues and she said that he has not been diagnosed and his parents are very sensitive about him being labelled. His lack of participation and negative attitude towards learning was increasing in relation to written tasks and requirements.”

(What might be the Action/Approach &

Result?)

Follow-up Questions

Interviewers may ask follow-up questions– “What did you do?”– “What did you say?”– “What was your role?”– “What challenges did you face?”

Important that you answer fully in the first instance. If they seem to be ‘fishing’ stop and think about what you might have missed.

Your questions for the Employer

• May be time at the end of the interview to ask questions

• If so, have one or two questions prepared and take them with you to the interview (or don’t)

• Don’t make the mistake of asking a question if you could have found the answer on web site

Practice

• Do “mock interview” with friends/family• Use a mirror - Observe your body language.

Check if your posture straight and confident• Audio tape – are you articulating responses

clearly? Consider volume, tone and pitch• Video recorder – Make a video recording of

your “mock interview” and critique

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Evaluate your performance

• Ask if you will be able to receive feedback on your interview

• Make some notes as soon as possible while experience is fresh

• Remember … you will not get every position you apply for

• Each interview experience is a learning opportunity

• GOOD LUCK! • Put in the effort and do your best! • There are always other options and pathways• Keep your mind open to possibilities