The Interview
Everything is possible when you believe
Remember (Preparation)
Like-minded people looking for like-minded people
KNOW yourself so you can describe your strengths, what you overcame, interests & passion, values, personal goals & vision
Interview Kit – softcopy (thumbdrive) / Proper File
Port Folio
You are what you THINK
Remember (At the venue)
You are what you WEAR
Personal hygiene starts the DAY before
Arrive 30 min before (at least 15 min) –
Murphy’s Law
Smile
Walk with confidence, sit with style
Aims of the Interview
For the interviewee:
To convince a potential employer that you are the best person for the job
To “sell” yourself to the interviewer To collect information about the job
Aims of the Interview
For the interviewer:
To identify the best candidate for the job To evaluate the extent of the
interviewee's knowledge and experience
To gauge the interviewee’s ability to fit into the company’s culture
Levels and Stages of the Interview
Levels of interview: Informal Formal
Stages of an interview: Pre-interview Opening and rapport building Body – Interviewers gather info Body – Interviewers give info Close
Types of Interview Questions
Closed: To establish familiar facts Open: To encourage candidate to
speak freely Mirror: To invite candidate to add
further info Leading: To direct candidate to clarify
answers Probing: To probe basis for candidate’s
response
Pre-interview
Examine yourself –your qualifications, skills, interests, abilities, values and work preferences
Identify your career goals Gather company and job information Prepare answers to likely questions and
practise Plan your appearance
Gathering Company Information
Status in the industry – market share, sales, number of employees, etc.
Scope of the company – local, regional or international?
Latest stock market quote Recent news items and developments
Gathering Job Information
Job title Job description (requirements and
duties) Probable salary range Career path for the job
Plan Your Appearance
To present the right image for the job: Show care in grooming and
good dress sense Walk with purpose and confidence Sit with composure and ease
Prepare Your Interview Kit
Transcripts, CCA, Certificates of Participation
Awards / Competitions Testimonials Copies of resume Birth certificate /
PR documentation
Opening and Rapport Building
Create a positive first impression Enter confidently Reciprocate welcome given Sit when invited Be attentive and listen
Body – Interviews Gather Info
Listen carefully Answer questions thoughtfully and
confidently Sell your skills and abilities Stay calm Speak clearly and audibly
Frequently Asked Questions
Tell me about yourself. Tell me about your polytechnic programme and
why you chose it. What are some things you do in your spare time? How did you happen to apply for this job? What particular qualifications do you have for this
job? Tell me about any relevant work or training
experience you may have. Why have you chosen to work in this field? Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?
Frequently Asked Questions
Give an example of an occasion in the past when you were a good team player.
What do you see are your personal strengths which will help you to perform well in this job?
The nature of this job is quite stressful. How well do you handle stress?
What plans do you have for upgrading yourself?
How do you think you can contribute to this organisation?
If you got this position, what would you do to be sure you fit in?
Frequently Asked Questions
If your supervisor was dissatisfied with your work and you thought it was acceptable, how would you resolve the conflict?
If you had your choice of job and company, what would you be doing, and where?
Would you be able to travel at short notice? What is your expected salary?
Handling Interview Questions
Capability to do the job well
Adaptability to corporate culture
Stress tolerance
Questions on Capability
Highlight: Relevant qualifications, knowledge,
skills and experience Achievements and awards Examples to support claims
Questions on Capability
Don’t: Merely recount data in resume Point out your weaknesses Put yourself down Over-exaggerate your capabilities
Questions on Adaptability
Do: Show interest in job Emphasize your positive values
and principles Indicate willingness to contribute Be realistic about expectations
Questions on Adaptability
Don’t: Display disinterest in job Emphasize your negative values
and principles Show disloyalty Discuss how you can benefit Be unrealistic about expectations
Questions on Stress Tolerance
Do: Remain calm Be polite Stay focused on highlighting
your capability and adaptability
Questions on Stress Tolerance
Don’t: Lose your temper Break down and cry Become aggressive or defensive
Acting Professionally at Interviews
Do: Accent positive aspects Arrive early Be honest and sincere Be tactful and gracious in conversation Dress appropriately Follow the interviewer’s lead Pay attention to voice quality Show enthusiasm, vitality and interest
Acting Professionally at Interviews
Avoid: Discourtesy Interruptions Jargon and slang Lack of poise and confidence Negative comments and attitude Overaggressive or cynical attitude
Body – Interviews Give Info
Get a clear idea of what the job is about Find out about the company’s corporate
culture Enquire about career and training
prospects
Questions Asked By Interviewees What are the likely projects I would be working on if I were employed in this position? What training programmes are available from this organisation? What specific training will be given for this position? Could you tell me what it is like working here in terms of the people, management practices, workload, expected performance and rewards? When will I hear from you regarding further action on my application? Is the company intending to expand into other areas?
Questions Asked By Interviewees
Will I be required to travel in this position? What are the major challenges for people in
this position? What will my duties be if I were selected for
this position? Why is this position open? Did the person
who held it previously leave? Who would be my immediate supervisor?
Close of the Interview
Take the cue from the interviewer Thank interviewer Ask when to follow up Exit confidently
ASSIGNMENT 2: JOB SEARCH SKILLS~ INTERVIEW SKILLS (30 marks)
Objectives: Students learn the do’s and don’ts of interview skills through research and presentations of their research materials in this area. Students will also develop the confidence of thinking on their feet when tested on
their areas of expertise at an interview. Description: Part One: Interview Skills Seminar (18 marks) Form groups of 5 or 6. Your group belongs to the human resource department of a multinational
company. Your group has kindly agreed to do a brief presentation at a seminar on Interview Skills for job seekers. Each group presents on ONE of the following topics (no duplication):- 1Avoid the Top 10 Interview Mistakes 2Biggest Blunders Job Seekers Make When They Attend Interviews
ASSIGNMENT 2: JOB SEARCH SKILLS~ INTERVIEW SKILLS (30 marks)
3Ten Things You Should Never Say In an Interview 4Dealing with Unusual Job Interview Questions 5Ten Tough Interview Questions and Ten Great Answers Length of presentation should be 15 minutes. Choose a presentation style that can
capture audience’s attention and benefit them. You can include PowerPoint Slides, demonstration, self-made video clips etc.
Part Two: Think on Your Feet (12 marks) Immediately after your group’s presentation, you will show the audience a ‘live’ session of
how an interviewee can be tested to think on the feet at an interview. Each member will assume the role of an interviewer in a panel to ‘interview’ some job seekers.
Each member in the panel must come prepared with a ‘test object’ and at least two
questions to test the job seeker’s area of expertise (see Role of Interviewee for more details). You can bring the physical ‘test object’ or project an image of it on the screen.
After all the 4 or 5 interviewees have been interviewed/ tested, the panel will give a short
evaluation of each interviewee’s performance to the audience. All members in the panel should gather their thoughts and contribute collectively. Remember to start from the positive aspects and move on to areas for improvement.
ASSIGNMENT 2: JOB SEARCH SKILLS~ INTERVIEW SKILLS (30 marks)
Role of Interviewee: Each student will take turns to assume the role of an interviewee. At the interview for the position of an industrial and consumer product designer, exhibition
and event designer or packaging and branding designer, the interviewee will be tested on his/ her area of expertise.
The panel of interviewers will show the interviewee a ‘test object’ - it can be anything, e.g. a drawing, newspaper advertisement, a package, a picture, a gadget or even something small such as a toothbrush. It can be a physical object or an image projected on screen.
The interviewers will ask at least two questions: 1st question can be a general interview question not related to the ‘test object’ Next 2 - 3 questions will be related to the ‘test object’ to test the interviewee’s area of
expertise such as product design, development or aesthetics; exhibition and convention design; furniture design; point-of-sale kiosk design; interior design; product packaging and branding. Think of creative challenging questions to test the interviewees, but keep within the scope of their expertise.
(E.g: “How would you improve the design of this xxx to better serve its purpose?” or “Tell us why this xxx ought not to be seen ever again.” or “Looking at this xxx, what would you do to ….” . )
ASSIGNMENT 2: JOB SEARCH SKILLS~ INTERVIEW SKILLS (30 marks)
As the interviewee, you need to present your replies to the questions, giving adequate elaborations to reflect your level of expertise and skills. You have only 5 minutes to do so.
Your panel of interviewers will then give you a short evaluation of your performance. Note: This entire assignment (Part 1 and 2) will take two tutorial sessions to complete. In one
tutorial session, only 2 or 3 groups will do their presentations for the Interview Skills seminar plus demonstrate the ‘Think on the Feet’ session. Students who are not involved in speaking at the Interview Skills seminar on the day of the tutorial will assume the role of interviewees.
The matching of interviewees to each member in the panel will be randomly assigned by
your tutor on the day of interview. One interviewee will be ‘tested’ by only one member in the panel i.e. if there are four members, four interviewees will be tested one after another.
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