a&f interviews and assessment centres
TRANSCRIPT
04/11/2014
1
Irena Jennings
Lecturer in Careers and Employability
Kent Business School
Aims To gain some tips about how to prepare well
To understand the importance of body language
To practise some common interview questions
To consider how to answer tricky questions
To understand what happens at an assessment centre
To learn some tips for passing psychometric tests
To practice an assessment centre exercise (in-tray)
To know what help you can get for developing your
interview skills
04/11/2014
2
Interviews
Stage 1: Preparation
Stage 2: On the day
Types of questions and how to answer them effectively
Body language, nerves
Practise some answers
Stage 3: After the interview
How to prepare Re-read the job description and your application
Prepare one or two questions for you to ask
Be clear about the requirements for the job/internship
Read up careers information to get a full picture
professional body
careers sites on KBS blog > Business Insight
Practise answering potential questions
Use CES website for mock interview (kent.ac.uk/ces)
Become commercially aware
04/11/2014
3
Becoming commercially aware Understanding
context in which the organisation works
who the customers are
main competitors and how they’re positioned
impact politics and economics can have on an organisation
how processes connect with end products
Knowledge about current trends and developments in the sector
about main changes/opportunities for the employer
about cost effectiveness in the organisation
Keeping up-to-date with business news
04/11/2014
4
Origins of job interviews http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b56eAUCTLok
7
On the day Timing
Mobile phone
Body language
Documents
Pen & paper
Controlling nerves /
correct breathing
04/11/2014
5
Competency questions 1) Could you give me an example please, where you have worked
in a team. Where was this, what did you do and what was the
outcome?
2) Can you give me an example of when you’ve had to persuade
someone else to your point of view. How did you do this?
For structure to tell your answer, use
Competency-based questions
04/11/2014
6
Interview questions: some examples and practice
Tell me about yourself Often first question
Use a short summary paragraph
Example: “I’m currently studying for a degree in
Accountancy and Finance at the University of Kent. I’m
interested in a career in accountancy, and I have
gained some good knowledge already in that field. I
have done very well and am on track for a 2:1. I also
work part-time in the Oxfam bookshop, which has
given me a chance to work with real customers. I now
need this internship to get professional experience.”
04/11/2014
7
Why have you applied for this internship? Talk about the role – not yourself
Show that you have thought about the role and are
aware of what this is about
A good answer will demonstrate that
You’ve read the job description
You know what you will be doing / have found out
You’re interested in this role and in the company
Why this internship? Example answer (finance internship, EasyJet):
“I’m really interested in finance, because it will
enable me to build on my knowledge from university
and on my skills. Also, I’m really interested in
working for an airline, and I have flown with EasyJet
quite few times in the past. When I spoke to your
representative at the careers fair, I also liked that you
actively encourage professional training for the CIMA
qualification.”
04/11/2014
8
Interview practice (in pairs) Q1: Tell me about yourself.
Q2: Tell me a little more about your degree. What made you choose it? What have you enjoyed the most about it? What have you not enjoyed about it?
Q3: Can you tell me about a situation where you were in charge of a group of people. Where was this and what did you do?
Q4: Can you describe a situation where you worked as part of a team. What was your task, what did you do, what was the outcome?
Q5: Give me an example of when you’ve had to persuade someone to your point of view. How did you do this?”
After the interview Take time to reflect on the experience
What went well?
What did not go so well?
What might you do differently next time?
Email the employer to say thank you
Ask for feedback if unsuccessful
Each interview is an opportunity to improve your interview skills!
04/11/2014
9
The Assessment Centre
A typical 1-day format
Introduction of participants and candidates
Short company presentation
Individual exercise(s)
Coffee break, socialising informally
Group exercise(s)
Buffet lunch, socialising informally
Interviews, ½ hour, competency-based
04/11/2014
10
Individual exercises
E-tray exercises Timed exercise to create pressure
Prioritising tasks & managing time effectively
Dealing with variety of items (reports, phone messages, emails, letters, press cuttings)
Replying to messages and requests
Case study
Business-related scenario, involves analysing large amount of information, making recommendations
About analytical skills, problem solving, working under pressure
Individual exercises continued
Psychometric tests Verbal & numeric reasoning
Logic/abstract reasoning
Personality questionnaires
Presentation Topic of your choice
Pre-set topic
04/11/2014
11
Group exercises Group task with roles assigned
Individual briefs given, arguing your case,
negotiating, persuading others
About voicing your opinion/communication skills
Group task without roles assigned
Topic given for discussion or group case study, timed
Reaching group decision/recommendation
Practical team exercises
Groups may be competing against one another
May involve building a structure from simple materials
Example Exercise:
Your in-tray
04/11/2014
12
In-tray exercise It’s Friday afternoon and you’re clearing your
desk, as you’re about to start a 2-week holiday on
Saturday. You want to leave on time, so as you
still need to pack.
There are some items in your in-tray for you to
clear before you go. You need to decide:
A: What needs your immediate attention?
B: What can wait until you return?
Your in-tray 1. A mail shot from a regular supplier, asking you to act within 5
days to qualify for a huge discount.
2. Phone message from the CEO’s secretary. He needs to deliver a speech at a function next week and wants to clarify some figures.
3. Annual report and financial information on a client company with whom you are shortly going to be assigned to work with. You have a meeting to discuss them on the day you arrive back at work.
4. An invitation from a colleague to go for a drink after work to celebrate. He has just got engaged.
04/11/2014
13
Tips for success
Relax, be yourself and enjoy the event
Be pleasant and positive to everyone including
other candidates
Prepare a short introduction about yourself that
you could use in a group introduction or during
the interview (what you have to offer and why
you have applied)
Tips for success 1) Sharing information with your group
can lead to better results
2) Check/delegate timing
3) Get stuck in and contribute/be heard
(encourage, generate ideas, acknowledge good ideas
monitor progress/summarise, question/clarify)
4) Delegate/sub-divide group for number of tasks
5) Remain interested and involved throughout, show
enthusiasm for tasks!
6) Make eye contact, speak up, don’t interrupt
04/11/2014
14
Help for you 1) Careers and Employability Service
http://www.kent.ac.uk/ces/student/interviews.html
2) KBS blog http://blogs.kent.ac.uk/kbs-employabilty
Any questions?
Irena Jennings – [email protected]
Lecturer in Careers and Employability