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Mastering Interviews and Soft Skills: Your Guide to Professional Success
An interview is a meeting aimed at assessing a candidate's suitability for a job based on their skills, experience, and personality. Successful interview preparation involves researching the employer, practicing potential questions, and honing communication skills. The interview process includes several stages, and it is important for candidates to engage actively and maintain professionalism throughout.
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Mastering Interviews and Soft Skills: Your Guide to Professional Success
- 2. Meaning of aninterview The word interview comes from Latin and middle French words meaning to “see between” or “see each other”. Generally, an interview means a private meeting between people when questions are asked and answered • Interview = A meeting with an objective • Employer’s objective is to find the best person for the job • Employer: reviews candidate’s experience and abilities • Can you do the job? (skills, abilitie, qualifications) • Will you do the job? (interest, attitude & motivation) • How will you fit into the organisation? (personality)
- 3. Objectives of Interview •In the selection process, interview serves the following • 1. Verifies the information obtained through application form and tests. • 2. Helps obtain additional information from the applicant otherwise not available. • 3. Gives the candidate necessary facts and information about the job and the organisation. • 4. Helps establish mutual understanding between the company and the candidate and build the company’s image.
- 4. Facts of Interviewing •Interviews are the most widely used process for screening job applicants. • They provide the most direct information about a candidate’s background, personality, and skills. • The purpose of an interview is to receive the job offer.
- 5. Know Yourself • Employmentobjective and how it relates to the position and the employer • Educational background and how it relates to the position and the employer • Work experience • Abilities and skills Always be able to give examples!
- 6. Know the Employer •Research! Research! Research! • Prepare to demonstrate your knowledge of the profession and the company • Prepare to give reasons for your interest in working in that profession/company • Develop questions in advance to ask about the job/organization
- 7. Interview Preparation • SituationalKnowledge • Where/when the interview takes place • Arrive 10 minutes early! • Physical Preparation • Get plenty of rest • Dress for success • Mental Preparation • Knowledge of company • Practice a mock interview • Written Preparation • Take extra resumes, references, etc. • Make notes • Ask questions
- 8. Preparation is thekey to success • Review own skills, experiences and qualities • Check CV • Anticipate questions and identify relevant examples • Prepare key selling points • Research organisation • Websites, reports, articles, company literature, etc • Contacts with knowledge of organisation or sector • Relevant articles in the press • Personal visit or telephone call • Research job and occupational area • Job description – or similar • Current issues • Prepare your questions • Practice
- 9. Types of Interviews •Basic/traditional interview • Telephone interview • Group interview • Interview during a meal or social occasion • Serial interview
- 10. 5 Stages Interview Process 1.Icebreaker • Greetings • First Impressions • Small talk 2. Personal Qualifications and Interest in Position • Abilities, Skills, and Work Experience • Accomplishments and Activities • Goals
- 11. Interview Process 3. Organizationand Position - Employer may test your knowledge of the company. “Why do you want to work for this company?” “What do you know about this department?” - Other general questions regarding the company or the job. “What is your geographic preference?” “Are you willing to relocate?”
- 12. Interview Process 4. CandidateQuestions • Your chance to ask questions about job “What type of on the job training do you provide?” “What makes your company different from its competitors?” 5. Close and Follow-Up • Find out who makes next move • Thank the interview for their time • Evaluate your performance • Send a thank you note within 24 hours
- 13. STAR Technique •Situation –describe the situation, problem, or issue that you encountered. •Task – describe the tasks/responsibilities you took on to help solve the problem. •Action – discuss the steps you actually took to effect a solution. •Result – describe the positive results of your actions.
- 14. Tips for SuccessfulInterviewing • Interviewing is a two-way process • Never give “yes” or “no” answers • Listen carefully and react • Use specific examples to make your case • The interview begins the minute you step onto the company lot • Be positive!
- 15. Tips for SuccessfulInterviewing • Think like an employer • Don’t criticize past employers or co-workers • Be aware of illegal questions • Maintain professionalism, even if the employer does not • Be prepared for the unexpected • Be aware of body language • Be well-groomed
- 16. Watch the BodyLanguage • First impressions very powerful • Allow time to relax • Dress appropriately • Entrance, introductions & handshake • Smile and make eye contact • Be aware of own movements • Watch body language of interviewer
- 17. Typical Questions • Aboutyou • Tell me about yourself - Bring me up to date with your CV? • Why did you choose that particular degree programme? • What experience have you had that is relevant to this post? • What would you consider your major achievements to date? • About the job • What interests you about this job? • What do you know about this organisation? • What other options are you considering? • How do you see your career developing – 5 years? • If you were Head of Department, what would be your priorities? • General knowledge • What do you think of the Government’s policy on college fees?
- 18. Competency-based Interviews • Companyidentifies key skills required for job • Designs questions to elicit evidence of skills • Emphasis on past behaviour as predictor of success • Teamwork: Describe a team project you worked on. What problems arose? How did you deal with them? • Communication Skills: Describe situation when you had to persuade others to support your view. Give an example of any reports you’ve written which illustrate your writing skills • Interpersonal skills: What kinds of people do you find it difficult to work with? How do you handle those situations? • Taking Responsibility: Describe a time when you took responsibility to achieve a challenging goal • Problem-solving:Tell about a time when you had several tasks to manage at one time with conflicting deadlines.
- 19. Preparing for CompetencyInterview • Identify the competencies required for job • Review job description or ask for information • Define each competency in behavioural terms • Identify past experience to illustrate how you demonstrated that behaviour • Prepare examples for each competency • Practice talking about your experience • Try to give a complete answer - STAR
- 20. Matching Skills toRequirements Employer needs Communication Team work Leadership Initiative Customer Care IT Commercial awareness Your evidence Presentation to class Example from Coop Class rep, Committee Fundraising for charity Working in Supergun Designed website Business pages
- 21. Your Answers • Listencarefully, seek clarification • Illustrate answers with real examples and evidence • Be positive – constructive criticism • Keep answers specific and brief • Take time to respond • Be alert to interviewer’s body language • Speak clearly, smile and show enthusiasm • Know what you want to say, and find the opportunity
- 22. Qualities Employers Seek •Good all-round intelligence • Enthusiasm, commitment and motivation • Good communication skills • Team work ability • Ability to solve problems • Capacity to work hard • Initiative and self-reliance • Balanced personality
- 23. Competencies required byCompany • Adaptability • Integrity • Innovation • Teamwork • Initiative • Drive for Results • Know the Business • Open Exchange of Information • Makes Difficult Decisions
- 25. Your Questions • Trainingprogrammes • Career development opportunities • Types of projects & responsibilities • Reporting structure • Performance appraisal • Profile of staff • Questions about topics raised in interview • What happens next?
- 26. Interview Marking Sheet NameMark-max 100 Communication Skills Max 30 Problem Solving Max 20 Team Fit Max 20 Relevant Experience Max 20 Project Management Max 10 Total Marks
- 27. What creates abad impression • Poor personal appearance • Negative attitude – evasive, using excuses • Lack of interest and enthusiasm • Lack of preparation • Poor knowledge of role • Failure to give concrete examples of skills • Over emphasis on money/rewards • Lack of career plan
- 28. After the Interview Reviewown performance what went well what went badly what you wished you had said prepare for next stage Invitation to second / final round interviews assessment centre psychometric testing panel interview Rejection letter / email if you can request feedback - use it
- 29. Telephone Interviews • Prepareas thoroughly as for ‘real’ interview • Select comfortable, private, quiet place • Have copy of CV and company information • Have pen and paper at hand • Prepare for usual interview questions • Practice on phone • Record answers • Try standing • Smile and use gestures • Avoid monotones • Be yourself
- 30. Other Types OfInterviews • Rotating • Like one-to-one with different interviewers • Group • 6-8 candidates • Group observed while discussing topic • Be aware of group interaction • Panel • 2-5 interviewers, or as many as 13!! • Try to identify different roles • Respond to interviewer, include others through eye contact • May involve presentation
- 31.
- 32. Before The Interview •Research the potential employer • Review the job description and be able to match your experience and education with the duties of the position • Prepare a 1 to 2 minute script about yourself • Make sure you have the appropriate interview attire
- 33. Tips Regarding Attire(Men) • If possible, wear a suit to the interview • Belt and shoes should be same color • Avoid ties with elaborate patterns or too many colors • A wedding ring and/or watch is generally the only jewelry that should be worn • Head to Toe: Hair should be well groomed and shoes should be polished
- 36. Who Would YouHire?
- 37. Tips Regarding Attire(Women) • A suit or dress is preferable • Skirts should meet at the top of the knee or longer • The amount of jewelry should be minimized • Make-up should be light • Avoid perfumes and scented powders
- 40. Starting The Interview Be sure to arrive 10 to 15 minutes prior to the start of the interview Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake Maintain good eye contact and posture Make sure you are energetic and enthusiastic Speak clearly and articulate
- 41. Standard Interview Questions •Would you tell me about yourself? • What is your greatest strength? • What is your greatest weakness? • Where do you see yourself in 5 years? • What about this position do you find most appealing? • Why do you want to work for our company? • Why should we hire you?
- 42. The five mostimportant factors interviewers considered when hiring • Work experience (36%) • First impressions of the candidate (24%) • Education (12%) • Professional qualifications (10%) • References (9%)
- 43. Ask Questions • Whatare your expectations of the employees in your company? • What are the strengths and weaknesses of your organization? • Describe a typical day on the job in this position. • Avoid asking questions about salary and benefits.
- 44. Graceful Exits Thankyou for your time I appreciate it I will be looking forward to hearing from you
- 45. After the Interview •Evaluate your performance • Send a thank-you note within 24 hours • Keep records of important dates and details for the follow-up