PowerPoint Presentation

Bite-sized Career Talks 2017

Winning Interviews

Vanissa AmliwalaCareers Consultant

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What will be covered

How to prepare for job interviewsDifferent Interview stylesInterview questionsInterview well - get your skills to stand outTips for interview successUseful resources

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Interviewyour sales pitch

Can you do the job?

An employer wants to know three things

Will you fit in?

Make them want YOU Do you want the job?

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Before your interview

You!Know yourselfStrengths & WeaknessesWhy do you want the job?

Company & Sector Why do you want to work for the company?What does the company do?Latest sector developments

Skills requiredThink about the Interview formatDemonstrate skills with examplesWhat questions are likely to be asked?Prepare and rehearse answers

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Interviewstyles

telephone interviews

panel interviewvideo interviewsone-to-one interview

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Employers perspectiveSimon Reichwald - CEO Graduate Success

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Types of questions

Technical QuestionsDesigned to test the technical knowledge you have learnt on your course/work experience

Competency Questions Structured around the competencies or qualities required for the jobMotivational & Strength-based Questions Assess your motivation for the job and organisation

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Be a STAR! Situation Task Action Result

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A Star example

https://jobs.theguardian.com/article/how-to-use-the-star-technique-video/?s=2

Guardian STAR Template

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A STAR Example

Describe a situation when you had to give excellent customer service following a complaint.

A customer rang up complaining that they'd waited more than two weeks for a reply from our sales team regarding a product query.Situation

TaskI needed to address the client's immediate query and find out what went wrong in the normal process.

I apologised, got the details and passed them to our head salesperson, who contacted the client within the hour. I investigated why the query hadn't been answered. I discovered that it was a combination of a wrong mobile number and a generic email address that wasn't being checked. I let the client know and we offered a goodwill discount on her next order.The client not only continued to order from us but posted a positive customer service tweet.ActionResultBy Michael Higgins: The Guardian Professional 10th March 2014

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10 most common interview questionsTell us about yourselfWhy did you choose your course?Why do you want this job? Why should we employ you?Why do you want to work for us?What motivates you?Where would you like to be in five/ten years?Describe a time when something went wrong and how you dealt with itGive me an example of when you have used your leadership skillsWhat are your strengths and weaknesses?What is your greatest achievement and why?

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How to answer the 10 most interview questionsGuardian Videohttps://jobs.theguardian.com/article/how-to-answer-the-ten-most-common-interview-questions-video-/?s=2

List of Questionshttps://jobs.theguardian.com/article/the-top-ten-interview-questions-and-how-to-answer-them/

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Trickier interview questionsHow ambitious are you? Would you compete for my job?Are you a fun person?How do you handle criticism?Why do you want to work for us and not our competitor?How would you get an elephant into a refrigerator?If you were a Microsoft Office program, which one would you be?Why are manhole covers round?

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Your questionsWhat training and development opportunities do you offer?What do you value most about working for the company?Describe the company culture in five wordsHow is performance measured and reviewed?What are the three best things about working here?Avoid asking questions about salary, hours, holiday and benefits etc

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During the interview

Positive attitudeBe positive in your attitude and answers Treat the interviewer with respect

Remain calmTake a deep breathBe yourselfMaintain an appropriate posture and body language

Shine!Remember STARLet the interviewer know about the skills, knowledge and experience that make you a qualified candidate

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After your interview 2E

Thank you?

Dont give up

Review your performance

feedback

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Tips for successPreparation, preparation, preparation!Dress appropriatelyArrive in good time Shake hands in a firm and positive manner and smile!Check posture avoid slouchingMaintain good eye contactListen carefullyGive clear and concise answersReview your performance

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Career Development Centre Services1-to-1GuidanceE-AdviceVacancies& EventsInformationResourcesVolunteeringTalent BankMentoring

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Contact us

Central London1st Floor, Cavendish House101 New Cavendish StreetLondon W1W 6XH

Harrow Room E16 Watford Road HA1 3TP Nearest Tube: Northwick ParkT 020 7911 5184 E careers@westminster.ac.ukwestminster.ac.uk/careers

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www.slideshare.net/cdcwestminster

Evaluation How did we do?

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