Project - Job Interviews

Discussion

• Have you ever had an interview (e.g. for part time work)
• Are job interviews important for the job you want?
• What else should you prepare (e.g. suit)
• How do you deal with being nervous?

Common Questions. For each, think of one good and one bad answer

• Small talk questions
  • Did you find us OK?
  • Hot, isn’t it.
• Tell us a little about yourself / your background
• Proof of interest questions
  • What do you know about our company?
  • Why did you apply to us? Why would you like to work for us?
  • WHy are you a good fit for out company?
• Skill questions
  • What are your strengths and weaknesses
  • WHat did you learn while you were at (SCHOOL/JOB)
  • Tell us about a time you
    • worked in a team
    • solved a problem
    • overcame a difficult situation
  • If (BAD THING) happened, how would you respond?
  • Imagine you were in a situation where X. What would you say to the client/customer?
  • OK, I’m going to pretend to be (BAD CUSTOMER TYPE). Respond as you would in that situation.
• Personality questions
  • Are you a X person?
  • x = conscientious, hard working, organised, responsible, flexible etc.
  • Do you have good X skills
  • customer service, organisation, communication, interpersonal
• Practical questions
  • Where/When would you like to work?
  • How would you commute to work?
• Trick questions
  • Have you ever had an issue with a coworker or boss? How did you resolve it?
  • Where do you see yourselves in 10 years?
  • Do you have any questions for us?
    • Ask for a detail
    • Ask about the most important/difficult/enjoyable part
    • Ask about opportunities that make you sound good (training, responsibility)
  • Why did you leave your last job?

Can you think of any more?

CLarification language

See orientation sheet

“Do you have any questions for us”

• Don’t say no. Always have a question ready.
• Best if at least one is specific to the company and shows that you researched them.
• For ideas, just google - there are many lists online.
• Avoid some questions until you get the job.
  • “WHen do I get holidays”
  • “How much money”
  • etc.

General tips

• Give full answers. Often this means one or more short story (see below)
• Don’t say too little or too much.
• This is a presentation Eye contact, Voice volume/tone/rhythym/speed, gestures.
• Phrases from cover letter are similar (I was responsible for X and frequently did Y), but you can use less formal language.

Practice

• 1 - Tell a story giving an example from your life to answer one of the skill/personality questions
  • background (what happened / what was needed / why / where/ who/ when)
  • time-order story (what did you do about it)
  • Outcome (how it all worked out, or how you would do better now)
• 2 - Invent a weakness that makes you sound good.
  • What is the weakness
  • An example of how it caused you problems
  • WHat you did to solve it
  • Outcome (you’re better)
• 3 - Questions. Write some questions you could ask at the end of an interview