Polishing Your Interview Skills
Marnie WrightDirector, Human Resources
Understanding “the” job
Types of Interview Questions
Understand how to prepare
Building a Development Plan
Overview
What motivates you to be here today?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b56eAUCTLok
History of the job interview:
Understand the complex or difficult aspects of the job
Main technical requirements
Skills / abilities / competencies
“The” Job
Index Card
Write 3 most important / complex skills required to do “your desired job”
Activity
Questions designed to get to know the candidate
Get insights into their motivation for applying for the job
Let the candidate settle-in
Warm-up
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlg3QoqLfOc
Warming up…
Why did you apply for this position?
What do you know about our organization and why do you want to work for us?
5 minutes
Let’s Try
Typical Response It’s all about me…
Employers look for: Genuine interest in doing the work Genuine interest in the organization Past successes
Motivation
Ask for a specific example of a time when you performed a task / skill
The single best predictor of future behaviour is a person’s recent past behaviour.
Behavioural Based Questions
Tell me about a time when you had to correct a student’s behaviour in class. Describe the situation and how you handled it.
Describe a time when you had to direct the work of others during an emergency situation.
Examples
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3a7C2EtErYQ&feature=related
Five, four, three…
Let’s Try Describe a time when
you assisted a student or customer, and went above and beyond normal expectations.
5 minutes
Most difficult interview questions are behavioural questions
Strength of the answer hinges on the examples
Know the job competencies and know your best examples
How do you prepare for behavioural questions?
Two Column Approach
Job Skill Example One Example TwoDealing with ConflictDelegating workTraining other employees
Refine your best examples
Practice, practice, practice
Get feedback on the level of your examples
Bring examples or samples
Know your best work
Confirm that you understand the job
Make a list of the skills you need
Organize your best examples
Strength of the interview hinges on strength of examples
Know the Job Requirements
We need to deal with all kinds of situations
Employers look for people who can handle negative and positive situations
Negatively Framed Questions
Can be stressful for the candidate
What to reveal?
Many avoid answering directly
Don’t try the old…my weaknesses are strengths…routine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W3hzJNSkqs
Negatively Framed Questions
Describe a time when you needed to resolve a conflict with a co-worker. What was the issue and how did you handle it?
6 min
Let’s Try
You have a million examples: pick one
“I can’t think of anything” is not answering the question
Avoid situations that are too complex
Be honest
Negatively Framed Questions
Does the candidate take responsibility for negative things when they happen
Does the candidate tend to blame others for things that go wrong?
Tip: Spend time talking about how you solved the problem, what you did to make a positive outcome.
Negatively Framed Questions
Two Column Approach
Job Skill Example One Example TwoDealing with ConflictDelegating workTraining other employeesNegative Examples
Often relate to the specific job
Common occurrence within that job – how would you handle it
Assess your judgement or knowledge
Scenario
Within this position you will be asked to coordinate events during a hectic and busy time. How would you respond to the following:
The phone is ringing, an angry parent is waiting to speak with the Principal and you are photocopying an exam that is needed in 15 minutes. How would you respond?
Scenario
Questions that relate specifically to the job you are applying for
Test your specific knowledge and experience
Is a right or wrong answer – often a marked part of the interview
Technical Questions
Two Column Approach
Job Skill Example One Example TwoDealing with ConflictDelegating workTraining other employeesNegative ExamplesScenario / Technical
Understand the job and the main skills required:
Ask an employee that is successfully doing the job: what is the most difficult aspect of the work
Ask the hiring manager: What do you look for when hiring someone
Building a Development Plan
Seek opportunities to build in areas where you answers are not what you would like.
Gain experience within the workplace and through volunteering and training
Take advantage of learning opportunities to build your skills
Build Your Examples…
Learn more about your strengths
Try taking a strength finder self-assessment
Build you career based on natural strengths
Be open minded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbJHkwHZCCM
Know your strengths
Body Language: hands down, shoulders back
Confidence
Be on time
Smile / Use appropriate humour
Dress slightly more formal than the job requires
General Tips
Questions