Different types of interview
- First-round interviews (quite sedate)
- Second-round interviews (more intense and rigorous)
- Competency-based interviews testing behavioural skills
- Panel interviews
- A presentation can be part of the interview process
- Psychometric test, usually online
- HR interview making sure the person is who they say they are
- A Skype interview, which is a different dynamic altogether as you cannot see their body language in the same way
- Virtual interview with pre-recorded questions by an avatar, actor or actress
- Game-based and virtual reality interviews,
- Telephone interview; a lot of people have terrible skills on the phone - especially answering it. First impressions count so make sure to use a pleasant tone and answer the phone politely!
- "Meet the time style", could be over drinks, is usually part of the interview process
- Be aware there there are lots of different types of interviews!
Interview Questions
- - Ice breaker questions; things to get you talking, what your personality is like. The first 15 seconds of that person talking makes a big impression. A decision is usually made in the first minute of the interview
- Hypothetical questions; what would you do in this situation? Find out how your mind works
- Competency questions; give me an example of... There to see if you are right for the job and match what they are looking for
- Trick questions; What demotivates you in your current job? Gets you to say things you don't want to admit
- What are you strengths and weaknesses? Keep it safe and benign. Are you impatient in work? Drive that into a strength and say it allows you to get things done
- Why do you want this job? It is important to demonstrate genuinely why you want it
- Why should we hire you? "I know you want someone who can do this, this and this and I can do this effectively"
- Tell me about yourself - don't give a life story! it's an ice-breaker. Say some things about yourself but keep it simple. Your name, interesting things in your career that stand out, titles and where you are now
- You are prepping for the job market when you create this career autobiography. You'll update as time goes on; it's ongoing - when doing a yearly appraisal with your boss you can reference your successes for promotions and a pay rise
- You'll want to research the company you are applying to. Who are they? Where are they? Locations? Charities they donate to? Money they generate? Company culture? Intel on LinkedIn of the people who work there. Maybe they arranged a big event and gave money to a charity you volunteered for. A connection! Rapport!
- Read the job spec
Might be other people doing the same job - who are they?
Who are the people interviewing you? Find them on LinkedIn
- Build rapport
Competency-based interviews are hard. That's why you need to learn yourself. Most companies have assigned skills. Competency framework
- How do you answer competency-based questions? STAR formula. Situation, task, actions, result. Show some irrefutable evidence you succeeded. Name the organisation in the situation and your job title in the task.
- Sales wedge - you can't sell to someone unless you build rapport. Find what they need, needs analysis, then close the deal
- You need to be an actor and wear a different hat for an interview. Overcome your fears. Give a smile and a handshake, it will make a huge difference
- Ask questions to them. "Give me an example of what projects I'll be doing" Has to be a good question
- Let an interview be a two-way thing, a meaningful conversation so that you are both getting something from it. There is no point leaving the room not knowing if they liked you or not. Ask if they have any reservations on you
- Ask real probing questions. Do you have any reservations on me or my suitabilities for the job?
Closing the sale. Be genuine. "Sound like a great job, this was a great interview, I look forward to hearing from you again"
- Be polished, eloquent, confident, answering in an intelligent way, came across well, articulate
- Each question is designed to explore a skill and ensure you perform it effectively
- Show enthusiasm for the job and the company! Make sure your hard work doesn't get wasted in the interview. Let them know you are interested, don't play hard to get and don't be arrogant. Don't be desperate either
Don't be somber; it isn't a funeral. Interviews can be scary but they are a conversation
- Smile! It's the best thing in your toolbox
- Prove through your response that you have that skill
- - You "I" instead of "we". We are pack animals. Everyone in the lecture theatre sat together and only I sat online in the front which spoke volumes.
- Preparation is critical
- Just like exams, interviews aren't difficult. It's the revision, the preparation. You need to know yourself, your skills, your experience your career so far. A career autobiography is the way to go as you will never be asked a question you don't know the answer to
- Hypothetical questions; what would you do in this situation? Find out how your mind works
- Competency questions; give me an example of... There to see if you are right for the job and match what they are looking for
- Trick questions; What demotivates you in your current job? Gets you to say things you don't want to admit
- What are you strengths and weaknesses? Keep it safe and benign. Are you impatient in work? Drive that into a strength and say it allows you to get things done
- Why do you want this job? It is important to demonstrate genuinely why you want it
- Why should we hire you? "I know you want someone who can do this, this and this and I can do this effectively"
- Tell me about yourself - don't give a life story! it's an ice-breaker. Say some things about yourself but keep it simple. Your name, interesting things in your career that stand out, titles and where you are now
Other Things to Consider
- - Career autobiography - log of relevant events to your career. Experiences in work, school, extra curricular that has given you useful skills, successes, failures that you've learned from, projects relevant to the job. Good commercial awareness, project management, leadership skills?- You are prepping for the job market when you create this career autobiography. You'll update as time goes on; it's ongoing - when doing a yearly appraisal with your boss you can reference your successes for promotions and a pay rise
- You'll want to research the company you are applying to. Who are they? Where are they? Locations? Charities they donate to? Money they generate? Company culture? Intel on LinkedIn of the people who work there. Maybe they arranged a big event and gave money to a charity you volunteered for. A connection! Rapport!
- Read the job spec
Might be other people doing the same job - who are they?
Who are the people interviewing you? Find them on LinkedIn
- Build rapport
Competency-based interviews are hard. That's why you need to learn yourself. Most companies have assigned skills. Competency framework
- How do you answer competency-based questions? STAR formula. Situation, task, actions, result. Show some irrefutable evidence you succeeded. Name the organisation in the situation and your job title in the task.
- Sales wedge - you can't sell to someone unless you build rapport. Find what they need, needs analysis, then close the deal
- You need to be an actor and wear a different hat for an interview. Overcome your fears. Give a smile and a handshake, it will make a huge difference
- Ask questions to them. "Give me an example of what projects I'll be doing" Has to be a good question
- Let an interview be a two-way thing, a meaningful conversation so that you are both getting something from it. There is no point leaving the room not knowing if they liked you or not. Ask if they have any reservations on you
- Ask real probing questions. Do you have any reservations on me or my suitabilities for the job?
Closing the sale. Be genuine. "Sound like a great job, this was a great interview, I look forward to hearing from you again"
- Be polished, eloquent, confident, answering in an intelligent way, came across well, articulate
- Each question is designed to explore a skill and ensure you perform it effectively
- Show enthusiasm for the job and the company! Make sure your hard work doesn't get wasted in the interview. Let them know you are interested, don't play hard to get and don't be arrogant. Don't be desperate either
Don't be somber; it isn't a funeral. Interviews can be scary but they are a conversation
- Smile! It's the best thing in your toolbox
- Prove through your response that you have that skill
- - You "I" instead of "we". We are pack animals. Everyone in the lecture theatre sat together and only I sat online in the front which spoke volumes.
- Preparation is critical
- Just like exams, interviews aren't difficult. It's the revision, the preparation. You need to know yourself, your skills, your experience your career so far. A career autobiography is the way to go as you will never be asked a question you don't know the answer to
