Interview Techniques

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know that you have completed the session!

We will remind you at the end too.

Before you start...

1-2 sheets of lined or scrap paperto write notes and complete tasks

Speakers or earphones (thispresentation includes a youtubevideo)

You might want to ask someoneat home to help you practise theinterview task or video call/phonea friend to practise together.

For thissession youwill need...

Starter Activity

On your paper, list as manydifferent types of interviews

as you can.

Learning Objectives

To identify different types of interviews.

To understand the importance of preparation andpresentation prior to an interview.To prepare and practise answers for potential interviewquestions.

What are the different types of interview?

Telephoneinterview

One to oneinterview

Videointerview

Groupinterview

Panelinterview

Lunch / dinnerinterview

Informational interview

On the jobevaluations

Secondinterview

Telephoneinterview

Initial conversation.

Screening stage.

Focus on experience and qualifications.

Popular: saves time and eliminates travel costs.

Might be followed up by a more 'formal'interview.

Usually takes about 30 minutes.

Check your voicemail message.

Time limit is stricter.

Not possible to see people's reactions.

Traditional interview.

Face to face with the employer.

Focus on skills, experience andaccomplishments.

Judged on body language.

Can take from 30 minutes to over

an hour.

Easier to build rapport.

One to oneinterview

Can be done on Skype, Google Hangouts,Zoom, FaceTime, Whatsapp...

Easier alternative to face to face whilst

still being able to see the person.

Requires a space with no backgrounddistractions.

Useful for long-distance employers.

Look professional and focused.

Check connection beforehand.

Videointerview

Less regular but quite common forUniversity and College courses.

Can include tasks to assess teamwork.

To show ability to work with new people.

More competitive interview: individualquestions asked openly to the whole

group.

Groupinterview

Interviewed by a group of people.

Usually future colleagues and manager.

Each asking questions in turns.

Good judgement of how you performunder pressure.

Engage with the whole panel.

When asked a question, maintain eye

contact with the person asking but whenanswering, make sure you address

everyone.

Panelinterview

Interview taking place during a meal.

More like a conversation than a Q&A format.

Easier for the employer to look at how youpresent yourself and would represent the

company in a social setting.

Easier to judge your personality.

Choose your meal wisely: look at the menubeforehand, order second and pick easy to eat

food.

Be even more prepared: trickier to use notes.

Arrive early and wait at the front.

Lunch / dinnerinterview

Informational conversation.

Meeting in which you can get furtherinformation on a career, industry, and the

corporate culture of a potential futureworkplace; while the employer learns

about you and judges your professionalpotential.

Not about hiring or a specific job.

First point of contact that might bring

opportunities in the future.

Informational interview

Tested on a task you would have tocomplete on the job you are applying for.

Shows you can prioritise, think on your

feet and adapt to spontaneous situations.

Occasion to show first hand your skills,values and ability to fit within a team.

Also an opportunity for you to decide

whether the job would fit you.

On the jobevaluations

Follow up interview.

Enables the employer to choose the bestcandidate if they had a big number of good

candidates during first interview (most often usedby graduate recruiters).

Means you impressed the employer during the

first interview.

Might be a test/exercise or a strength-basedinterview.

Can just be a more detailed conversation around

the job role.

Maintain professionalism and don't assumeyou've already got the job!

Secondinterview

What is the person specification?A description of the qualifications, skills, experience, knowledge and other criteria thatthe candidate must possess to perform the job duties. Part of the application pack. Essential to the recruitment process. For you to use as a basis for the different interview stages: 

Interview questions and selection tasks are based on it You should use it when writing your application statement/letter

ActivityMatch each person specification

in the next slides with thecorrect job from the list below:

Trainee Electronics Engineering TechnicianSales AssistantPractice Nurse

HairdresserGym Fitness Instructor

Chef/Cook

Person Specification 1

Person Specification 2

Person Specification 3

Person Specification 4

Person Specification 5

Person Specification 6

ActivityANSWERS:

Trainee Electronics Engineering TechnicianSales AssistantPractice Nurse

HairdresserGym Fitness Instructor

Chef/Cook

12

53

64

Do your researchWhat does thecompany do?

What is theCompanyMission

statement?

Latest newsabout thecompany?

Who are thecompany's

competitors?

Watch the video and takenotes of what is

wrong/not going well inthis interview.

Activity

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo0KjdDJr1c&list=RDUo0KjdDJr1c&index=1

She is on her phone throughout the wholeinterview.

She doesn't have the skills required for the jobshe applied for.

Her attitude is problematic: her tone and facialexpressions are quite rude.

She is refusing to start work at the time heremployer requires her to.

She gives too much information about herpersonal life that the employer did not need to

know.

Some answers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo0KjdDJr1c&list=RDUo0KjdDJr1c&index=1

The 10 most common interview questionsTell me about yourselfWhy do you want to work for this company?Why are you suitable for this job?What is your biggest strength?What is your biggest weakness?Where do you see yourself in [x] years?Tell me about a time when you had to work in a teamTell me about a time you had to work under pressureTell me about a time when you've faced a challengeand how you overcame it. Do you have any questions?

1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.

10.

Take 5 minutes to writedown your own answers

to the interview questionson your paper.

Activity

Practise your interviewquestions:

Person A asks the interview

questionsPerson B answers

Activity

Now switch roles

Person B asks the interviewquestions

Person A answers

Activity

Going to an interviewDress to impress Turn your phone off Have a firm handshake - if you are in a panel interview, make sure to shakehands with all members of the panel Look confident Smile and make eye contact Open body language Think before you speak - take time to breathe, take a sip of water Ask them to repeat the question if you are unsure ALWAYS have a question ready to ask at the end

Finding a job

Any questions?You can email engage@chesterfield.ac.uk

Make sure to title your email

'Questions - Interview Techniques Online session'

Remember to click on this link or scan the QR code tocomplete the form so you can let us and your school

know you have completed this activity.