Interview Preparation

“Be prepared”

• Before the interview, confirm TIME, DATE &

LOCATION!

• Plan your journey!! Know where you are going,

how you’ll get there and the travelling time

required

• Don’t be afraid to ask who’ll be conducting the

interview and how long it might take

• Know your company or organisation:• Use Websites, Industry journals/papers, annual

reports etc• What is the company’s culture and it’s key

business interests/activities• Research the company’s key clients,

competitors and current projects• What is the company looking for in Graduates,

and why you ‘fit’

Do your research!

How to demonstrate “good fit”

• Think about what you would bring to the company…

• What are your strengths & weaknesses?

• What experiences have you had which might

demonstrate technical skills and cultural fit

• Know your resume and use it as a reference – but

don’t read from it.

• Take samples of your work to date – provide

evidence of your abilities wherever you can!

• Be passionate!

• Prepare questions you would like answered about

the role, the company and your future within it…

• Plan your trip there…. try to arrive at least 10-15

minutes before your scheduled interview!

• Dress comfortably but appropriately – smart

business attire demonstrates professionalism

• Be positive and enthusiastic!!! First impressions

count.

Final preparations

AT THE INTERVIEW

THE BASICS

Interviews are about sharing information Make a good first Impression Deal with NERVES Ask quality questions. Answer honestly and completely Don’t be afraid to ask to “repeat the question” Don’t complain or “bag” other people

(employers, team members, other grads you know).

TYPES OF INTERVIEW

• Phone – experience & interest areas, communication skills

• Group / Assessment Centre – social skills / interaction, communication (verbal & non), team work, time management, problem solving

• First – communication skills, fit for role &/or company, your opportunity to ask questions

• Second – let the negotiations commence...

MOTIVATIONAL QUESTIONS

HOW you go about your work

Test WHAT you are MOTIVATED by

Test your culture “FIT” to an organisation

Test the CONSISTENCY of your responses

If you were a Dog, what kind of dog would you

be? (trick questions)

BEHAVIOURAL QUESTIONS

What are they for? Past Actions = future

performance

What are competencies?

Teamwork, Problem Solving, Flexibility,

Ownership, Time Management, Delivery /

Deadline orientation. Etc….

How to recognise these questions ?

BEHAVIOURAL QUESTIONS CONT..

1. Can you detail an occasion when you took

responsibility beyond what was required of you in

your role? What was the outcome?

2. What has been the most challenging customer you

have dealt with? What made it challenging? What

is the relationship like now?

STAR!!!!

How do I answer these sort of questions?

Its like telling a story about YOU - Don’t waffle!

Use the first person “I did”

S - Situation

T – Task or thing that was required of you

A – Action – or what you did

R – Result, and what you learned

EXTRA TIPS

Prepare!!

Follow up (email thanking for the opportunity)

Ask what happens now (know what to expect)

Turn your mobile off!!

Strike a balance - Be clear on what you want (ideal

role) but be flexible also. Don’t say you are interested

if you are not!!!

Ask questions if you don’t understand the JOB.