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  • Interview Techniques

    If you have been successful in gaining an interview for a job, see below some information that may assist.

    Prepare

    • Research the company – what do they do and how you will fit into the company.
    • Look at the criteria of the job description and think what questions they could ask that shows you meet the criteria.
    • Identify where the interview is. If you’ve not been there before or unsure where it is, do a dummy run to ensure you will arrive on time, know where to park, buses etc
    • Think about your skills and experience and how this would benefit the role.

    At the interview
    • Arrive early so you can sit, relax and read the job description whilst your waiting.
    • If you are nervous, take deep breadths to help you relax.
    • Think positively
    • Act confident, even though you may not be.
    • Don’t fidget
    • Think about your body language ie don’t sit with your arms crossed.
    • Always maintain eye contact with the speaker and when answering questions, if you are interviewed by a panel, look at all the panel, not just one.
    • If they offer you a glass of water, accept it (this will help if you need to think about an answer during the interview as you can have a sip whilst thinking)
    • If you don’t understand the question, ask them to rephrase it.
    • If the interviewer isn’t making any notes at all whilst you are talking, you may have misunderstood the question and giving the wrong answer, therefore ask them to repeat the question to ensure you have understood it right.
    • Expect approximately 9 - 12 questions.

    Questions / Answers

    I always go on the ethos of What? How? Why?

    Explain what you have done, how you have done it and why you did it.

    By keeping to this, you will be giving examples for each question. This is what the interviewer will be looking for, an example that you can meet the job criteria. If you don't have job experience for the examples asked for, but you do have experience in your personal life, tell them that. This still shows you are capable.

    There are some basic questions that I would always ask as an interviewer and these are below, however check out this website as it covers much more questions and answers and is very good. There is also lots of information about applying for jobs in general.

    http://www.businessballs.com/intervi...20interviewers


    Q. Tell me a bit about yourself.

    A. If asked at the beginning of the interview, this gives you the opportunity to relax as you are talking about something you know well – Yourself. This is your opportunity to sell yourself with your skills etc.

    Q. Give me an example of how you have worked in a team and how did you fit into that role?

    A. Give an example of how you have worked in a team and what you did as an individual to contribute to the team. What were the benefits of this?

    Q. Give me an example of how you deal with difficult customers?

    A. Give an example of how you have dealt with a difficult customer, explaining how you acknowledged how the customer was feeling and their position, without necessarily agreeing with them. Good sympathetic questioning and listening skills, and a good understanding of the options available are important in order to come to a mutually agreeable solution. A good answer would include a positive result in which the customer went away happy. If you are unable to resolve the issue yourself, you would exlain this to the customer and advise what you are going to do ie pass to a "named" colleague who can resolve. Advise when they should receive a letter or telephone call etc and ask if the customer is happy with this.

    Q. What would you do if you had to deal with an angry customer?

    A. Explain that you would acknowledge the customer is angry or upset and you will try to help resolve their issue (this will show you are listening to them). You would empathise, understand, and as quickly as possible obtain the customer's trust in your promise to try to resolve the matter. If they remain angry, shouting at you etc, you would explain you are trying to help them and ask them to stop shouting. Then set about finding the facts and resolving it, working within whatever policies and processes are in place. Take responsibility to resolving the issue (if possible and within your remit). If you are unable to resolve and need to pass onto another person, explain to the customer what you are doing and why. You would also give the customer a contact name of whom they can speak to.

    Q. Why you want the job?

    A. Think about the criteria required and job priorities as being the things you do best and enjoy. Say why you think the company is good, and that you want to work for an organisation like it. Explain how your skills will help the team/company.

    Q. Where do you see yourself in 5/10 years time?

    A. Explain you would like to be making a more significant contribution to whatever organisation I'm working for. To have developed new skills, abilities. To have become better qualified and to increase the value of what I do for the organisation. Advise you'd like more responsibility, because that's a result of personal growth and progression, and it's important for your personal satisfaction.

    Q. What are your strengths?

    A. Advise what you strengths are and how you can use them to do the job.

    Q. What are your best achievements?

    A. Give an example of something you have achieved.

    You will be asked questions that are more specific about the job ie if it is an IT role, you may be asked about your IT skills etc. You can establish what questions they may ask by reading the job description and criteria.

    After the interview


    The interviewer will advise thats the end of the questions and ask if there is anything you would like to ask. Always have one or two questions ready. There are loads of examples on the Business Balls website (link above). However, do not ask about how much you will be paid, how many holidays you get etc as you don't want them to think you are only money orientated.


    If you feel you have not spoken about your skills within the interview, you can use this time to advise the panel. You could say something like, "I've not had the opportunity to talk about all my skills and how I feel they will benefit the role, some of these are ....... and cover anything here that you feel is important that you have not already talked about".

    The chair should always advise what will happen next, ie when you will be notified, if they don't, ask them when they are likely to be in contact.


    After the interview the panel will assess each interviewee and the majority base this on a scoring system. This would work as follows:

    3 = Fully meets criteria with no doubts (ie you have given a good example of what, how and why)
    2 = Matches criteria fairly well with weakness in a few aspects
    1 = Matches criteria in some respects but some important weaknesses
    0 = Does not meet specification

    There are various ways in which these would work, they could give each question a score, total up and go with the highest scoring candidate or, consider the candidate with the most 3's. Also, there may only consider candidates above a certain score.

    If you are not successful if getting the job - always ask for feedback as this will help you in your next interview.


    I hope this information is useful to all those attending interviews and best of luck!
    Last edited by Never-In-Doubt; 4 September 2011, 17:38. Reason: Thread Stickied
    I'm an official AAD Researcher and also a volunteer, but I don't manage the day to day running of the forum. Any views or opinions are mine and not the official line of AAD. If you spot an abusive or libellous post then please report it by Clicking Here.

  • #2
    Re: Interview Techniques

    Thanks Mrs N, that brilliant
    "If wishes were horses, beggars would ride"

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Interview Techniques

      Thanks for this info Mrs N - really good (bet you'd still not give gobby niddy a job would you)!
      I'm the forum administrator and I look after the theme & features, our volunteers & users and also look after any complaints or Data Protection queries that pass through the forum or main website. I am extremely busy so if you do contact me or need a reply to a forum post then use the email or PM features offered because I do miss things and get tied up for days at a time!

      If you spot any spammers, AE's, abusive or libellous posts or anything else that just doesn't feel right then please report them to me as soon as you spot them at: webmaster@all-about-debt.co.uk

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      • #4
        Re: Interview Techniques

        She did, Nid; as top cook and bottle washer
        If happy little bluebirds fly, beyond the rainbow, why, oh why can't I?

        sigpic

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Interview Techniques

          thanks Mrs Niddy...that's very comprehensive and will help me a great deal over the next few weeks. i'm sure anyone heading for an interview will find this very useful

          thank you!


          .

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Interview Techniques

            thanks Mrs Niddy for the tips and advice.

            Is this worth putting on ones CV? rather than hobbies/interests

            INTERESTS:
            Leadership: With creative, artistic and full of fresh and new ideas, where I captured an innovative project by working inline with the housing association to help their tenants, helping to maintain their properties. Where my organisational skills came to the fore, that I have found a very useful skill and tool when working in a group
            Sport:
            I believe a healthy body is the key to a focused mind in today’s hectic society. Enjoy a range of outdoor pursuits which requires a high level of dedication and motivation.
            Living Life: We only get one shot at this life so I am to get most out of it. I love the thrills of mountain climbing, rambling as well as travelling to different places. My alternative hobby is photography, which enables me to capture my pursuits.
            I'm an official AAD Moderator and also a volunteer, here to help make the forum run smoothly. Any views or opinions are mine and not the official line of AAD. Similarly, any advice I have offered you is done so on an informal basis, without prejudice or liability. If in doubt seek advice from a qualified insured professional - Find a Solicitor or go to the National Probono Centre.

            If you spot an abusive or libellous post then please report it by Clicking Here. If you need to contact me, for instance if I've issued you a warning, moved, edited or deleted your post, please send me a message by clicking my username.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Interview Techniques

              SUPERB work Mrs N...thank you

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Interview Techniques

                Originally posted by 5corpio View Post
                I believe a healthy body is the key to a focused mind in today’s hectic society.
                If I seen that mate I'd knock you back straight off for being a

                Sorry, but I would

                * we all know a 10" reefer focusses ones mind :niddy
                I'm the forum administrator and I look after the theme & features, our volunteers & users and also look after any complaints or Data Protection queries that pass through the forum or main website. I am extremely busy so if you do contact me or need a reply to a forum post then use the email or PM features offered because I do miss things and get tied up for days at a time!

                If you spot any spammers, AE's, abusive or libellous posts or anything else that just doesn't feel right then please report them to me as soon as you spot them at: webmaster@all-about-debt.co.uk

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Interview Techniques

                  Niddy!!
                  "If wishes were horses, beggars would ride"

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Interview Techniques

                    Thread Stickied
                    I'm the forum administrator and I look after the theme & features, our volunteers & users and also look after any complaints or Data Protection queries that pass through the forum or main website. I am extremely busy so if you do contact me or need a reply to a forum post then use the email or PM features offered because I do miss things and get tied up for days at a time!

                    If you spot any spammers, AE's, abusive or libellous posts or anything else that just doesn't feel right then please report them to me as soon as you spot them at: webmaster@all-about-debt.co.uk

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Interview Techniques

                      Absolutely brilliat, Mrs. N.

                      I am sure it will be useful to a great deal of people ....
                      I'm an official AAD Moderator and also a volunteer, here to help make the forum run smoothly. Any views or opinions are mine and not the official line of AAD. Similarly, any advice I have offered you is done so on an informal basis, without prejudice or liability. If in doubt seek advice from a qualified insured professional - Find a Solicitor or go to the National Probono Centre.

                      If you spot an abusive or libellous post then please report it by Clicking Here. If you need to contact me, for instance if I've issued you a warning, moved, edited or deleted your post, please send me a message by clicking my username.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Interview Techniques

                        Originally posted by 5corpio View Post
                        We only get one shot at this life so I am to get most out of it. I love the thrills of mountain climbing, rambling as well as travelling to different places. My alternative hobby is photography, which enables me to capture my pursuits.
                        I would worry about this as an employer ..... I might need a replacement if you throw yourself off everest next week.
                        I'm an official AAD Moderator and also a volunteer, here to help make the forum run smoothly. Any views or opinions are mine and not the official line of AAD. Similarly, any advice I have offered you is done so on an informal basis, without prejudice or liability. If in doubt seek advice from a qualified insured professional - Find a Solicitor or go to the National Probono Centre.

                        If you spot an abusive or libellous post then please report it by Clicking Here. If you need to contact me, for instance if I've issued you a warning, moved, edited or deleted your post, please send me a message by clicking my username.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Interview Techniques

                          Mrs N,

                          Thanks for this, interviewing techniques is something I have always struggled with due to the damage the stroke did to my frontal lobe and it has on a few occasions put me on the back foot.

                          It was this, one of the reasons I decided to take early retirement because the help is just not out there for people like me who to look at look normal but have hidden disabilities.

                          I have always believed that it is not good enough teaching the many stroke victims the way forward in job hunting because in many if not all there memory is poor.

                          The Government has to do more to teach and show employers the benefits of employing the disabled.

                          Two sides to a coin comes to mind.

                          Regards

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Interview Techniques

                            Excellent stuff Mrs Niddy.

                            This will definately come into some use for me.

                            I used to work in nursing within the NHS, then in time went part time in private nursing homes as I then had children, back then when these were small it was not so flexible.
                            So with the above, I also starting working in a junior school supervising children.

                            Then nan needed a carer, so when my children were in school this is what I done, in time it was for my dad.

                            All that was given up when I had to sort out my youngest with different specialists due to the diagnosis of autism, so I have since been a full time carer for my son.

                            As you can see my career life is based on caring.
                            I was also brought up with my older brother with severe autism, and it's all I really know.

                            However, it's been some years now since I actually worked properly as such with being a full time carer, so your details you posted is a godsend when in time when my son is settled back into training and further ed i can think about returning, thank you so much xx

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Interview Techniques

                              Carers have some of the best skills you know, loads of people think "I was just a carer" or "a single mom" etc - what you have to realise both of these free roles show you're good at responsibility, timekeeping, time management, deadlines, multi-tasking - the list really does go on.

                              Trust me when I say, any employer that knocks back a single mum is a twat - they have shown with general motherhood that they are worthy and valuable.... as do carers, however some single mums and carers let everyone down, by doing it for financial gain and/or "nothing else to do"...

                              Point is, utilise those keywords in any application..... Its not like you can sit there at an interview and fail on timekeeping or multi-tasking is it? I mean, how often have you left your babies stranded at the school gates - or forgot to make dinner.....
                              I'm the forum administrator and I look after the theme & features, our volunteers & users and also look after any complaints or Data Protection queries that pass through the forum or main website. I am extremely busy so if you do contact me or need a reply to a forum post then use the email or PM features offered because I do miss things and get tied up for days at a time!

                              If you spot any spammers, AE's, abusive or libellous posts or anything else that just doesn't feel right then please report them to me as soon as you spot them at: webmaster@all-about-debt.co.uk

                              Comment

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