1. The document provides tips for securing an internship or first job, including doing research on the company, having a clear proposition, using examples to showcase skills and experience, preparing for tough questions, and using the interview to promote how you can add value. 2. It recommends determining your key proposition, such as being creative, a hard worker, someone who gets things done, or a team player, and customizing your CV and responses accordingly. 3. Interviewers are primarily looking for integrity, motivation, abilities, skills, and experience, so the tips aim to demonstrate these qualities and how the individual would be the right fit.

1. Making it Hard to say No
Getting the internship or first job
August 2016

2. Summary
1. Do your Research
2. Have a clear proposition – and put it on your CV 1st page
3. Use STARR to give great work examples
4. Use personal stories for share a little about yourself
5. Have a strong presence
6. Prepare for their tough Questions
7. Have some questions for them
8. Use the Interview to sell your proposition

3. Do your Research (and show you’ve done it)
Understand
1. Their industry
2. Their company – history, structure, products, etc
3. Their clients
4. The individual – style, interests, etc
Ask questions that show you have done your research.

4. Communications Styles
Spontaneous
Easy Going
Controlled
Dominant
Expressive
Imaginative, creative
Proud of achievements
Enthusiastic
Doesn’t like detail
Ego Driven
Amiable
People oriented
Warm, patient, supportive
Proud of relationships, friends
Needs to know how others think
Consensus decision making
Driver
Objective oriented
Direct, forceful, energetic
Proud of achievements
Results focussed
Blunt, time critical
Analytical
Logical, facts oriented
Proud of logical conclusions,
thoroughness
Organised
Enjoys technical challenges,
details
Pride
Profit
Pleasure
Peace
of mind

5. 4 High-level Propositions
I have lots of ideas
that creatively
solve problems
I get along with people
and work well in a
team
I get things done quickly,
I make things happen
I understand how to make
things work
Try these on-line surveys to better understand your proposition
https://www.viacharacter.org/survey/account/register
https://www.gallupstrengthscenter.com

6. The Ideas guy – CV 1st page (examples)
I have lots of ideas that creatively solve problems
I quickly embrace new technologies
• Say why this is important
• Give an example you have been involved in
I work well in agile environments
• Say why this is important
• Give an example you have been involved in
I like to create amazing solutions to client problems
• Say why this is important
• Give an example you have been involved in
I bring a contagious enthusiasm to projects and my colleagues
• Say why this is important
• Give an example you have been involved in

7. The Action guy – CV 1st page (examples)
I bring urgency to my work that makes things happen
I get stuck into projects to achieve the results
• Say why this is important
• Give an example you have been involved in
I thrive when the pressure is on
• Say why this is important
• Give an example you have been involved in
I focus on getting the right things done
• Say why this is important
• Give an example you have been involved in
I create confidence in the success of projects
• Say why this is important
• Give an example you have been involved in

8. The Know guy – CV 1st page (examples)
I understand how things work, in detail
I get to the bottom of difficult challenges
• Say why this is important
• Give an example you have been involved in
I do very high quality work
• Say why this is important
• Give an example you have been involved in
I can explain complex problems so that everyone understands
• Say why this is important
• Give an example you have been involved in
I am consistent and reliable
• Say why this is important
• Give an example you have been involved in

9. The Nice guy – CV 1st page (examples)
I get along with people and create great teams
I contribute to team success, before my own
• Say why this is important
• Give an example you have been involved in
I listen to everyone’s ideas and negotiate great collective solutions
• Say why this is important
• Give an example you have been involved in
I have fun working in teams that enjoy delivering great work, together
• Say why this is important
• Give an example you have been involved in
I relate very well to all my colleagues
• Say why this is important
• Give an example you have been involved in

10. STARR
Use examples (can be outside work)
1. Describe the Situation (context) – give lots of detail here!
2. Say what Task needed to be achieved
3. Tell them what Actions you took
4. Say what the Result was
5. Describe the Relevance to their internship or job

11. Personal stories
Describe a vivid Incident (Story)
What was the Point of the Story
State the Relevance to them

12. Presence
 Eye contact – match the eye contact they give you
 Voice – deeper (deep breaths), faster pace, take pauses
 Be physically still – no nervous fidgeting or rocking
 Use gestures to emphasis your communication
 Assume a similar physicality – forward or back, animated or composed
 Dress appropriately – smart casual
 Firm handshake
Check out Amy Cuddy video
http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are

13. Be prepared for the Tough Questions
 What makes you different?
 Give me an example of how you work with …?
 Why do you want to work for us?
 What are your strengths and weaknesses?
 What’s important to you?
 How do you work with others on a team?
 What are you most proud of?
 What’s your biggest disappointment or failure?
 Describe your ideal job/employer?
 What does leadership mean to you?
Be honest – if you don’t know, say so!

14. Responding to Weakness (examples)
The Ideas guy
I’m not good at completing
necessary detail so I like to
work in a team where there
are people who are good
completers and enjoy
getting the detail work
done.
The Action guy
I can focus too much on
task and outcomes so I like
to have someone in the
team that is great at
managing the interpersonal
side of projects!
The Nice guy
I’m not that comfortable
with delivering difficult
messages so I like to work
in a team where there is at
least one colleague who is
more of a ‘straight
shooter’.
The Knows guy
I’m not that creative, but
I’m great at turning great
ideas into real solutions –
so I like to work in a team
with some more creative
colleagues.

15. Good interviewers are looking for … (in this order)
1. Integrity
2. Motivation/Attitude
3. Capacity
4. Skills
5. Experience

16. Some Questions for them
 What are your people like?
 What’s been your most successful project? – why?
 What interests you about taking an intern?
 How have you worked with interns in the past?
 Why did you get into this line of work?
 How did you get your first professional job?
 Where do you see the company’s future?
 What makes this business commercially successful?
 Who was your best hire and why?

17. The Interview
 Purpose is to Sell your Proposition
 Answer their question and end with one of your key messages
 Ask them questions – eg “How could an intern, best add value?”
 Finish interview with a recap of your proposition and key messages
 Have 3 good stories to tell