Transcript Slide 1
QUT Careers and Employment
www.careers.qut.edu.au
Writing effective applications Part 2:
Interviews
Nikki Penhaligon, PhD
Careers & Employment
Learning objectives - Interviews
Develop an understanding of:
• Preparation
– Researching your audience
– Anticipating questions
– How to form an introductory/closing statement
• During
– Managing your nerves
– Body language and interpersonal processes
– Structuring your answer
• After
– The importance of reflection
How would you answer the following
question......?
Tell me about a time when you had
to deal with a difficult co-worker
QUT Careers and Employment
www.careers.qut.edu.au
Preparation
Preparation – What to expect
• What are YOUR interview experiences?
Unstructured
Panel
Office
Formal
Coffee Shop
Boardroom
Structured
Informal
Preparation - Researching your
audience!
• About the interview:
– Date-Time-Location-Parking
– Style of interview
– The interviewers roles and positions
• The organisation: -Who are they? What do they stand
for? Where are they heading?
• What should I wear?
• Read the job ad/position description – AGAIN!
Anticipating Questions
• Split the room
• Read the position
description/application form
provided
• In groups, generate the
following questions:
– Generic
– Behavioural
– Situational/hypothetical
Know yourself
Skills
Knowledge
Abilities
Motivations
Values
Attributes
Interests
Experiences
And understand how they
link to the position
Personality
Capabilities
Activity: Think Pair Share
• Introductory statement
(what will you say when you are 1st introduced to the
Interviewer(s))
• Closing statement
(prepare a statement that summarises your keys
attributes)
• Questions to ask at the end
(prepare some questions to ask the interviewers)
QUT Careers and Employment
www.careers.qut.edu.au
During the Interview
Managing Your Nerves
• Reflective activity
• How do you know when
your nervous?
– What do you do?
– How could you manage
your reaction?
Strategies to Manage
Your Nerves
• PMR (before the interview)
• Releasing physical tension
during the interview
• Take a sip of water
• Deep breathing
• Paraphrasing
• Stop – Breathe – Think - Speak
Body Language
Speak with your
Look away to think
Reading the Interviewers Non-Verbals
• Are they telling you, you haven't answered the question?
• Are they telling you to continue and tell them more?
• Are they telling you to stop talking?
The Key to a Perfect Answer
Situation (context)
Task(s)
Actions required
Result
Learning
Use recent examples from study, work, social, sport….
Stick to 1-3mins response. Then ask if they want more
information.
QUT Careers and Employment
www.careers.qut.edu.au
After the Interview
Reflection : What do I do AFTER the
Interview?
• Reflect on the questions asked and how you
responded
• Make notes to help you next time
• Don’t agonise over perceived blunders
• Phone and thank them for the opportunity of the
interview
• If unsuccessful, ring to request feedback
Interview practice!
• Get into groups of 3
– Interviewer
– Interviewee
– Observer
• Grab a parcel
• 2 minutes per person. Give
feedback using your
booklets
Interviews: True or False?
Q1. I don’t need to prepare, all the preparation has already
been done when I answered the selection criteria
Q2. I should research the panel members before my
interview
Q3. When introduced to the interview panel (and when
leaving), I should shake their hands and call them by their
name
Q4. All the people on my panel will be highly knowledgeable
in my field
Interviews: True or False?
Q5. The first interview question will be easy
Q6. I should answer interview questions immediately so as
not to look like I don’t know that answer
Q7. I can use the STAR (L) method to formulate my
response
Q8. It’s a good idea to prepare a closing statement
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