presentation by University of Sussex careers adviser, February 2013

1. Interview Skills
Careers and
Employability Centre

2. Why interview candidates
Interviews are designed to find out :
• Can you do the job – experience and skills
• Will you do the job – motivation
• Do you fit in – culture and team
Two main types of question – general and competency

3. Types of interview
Ask what sort of interview to expect!
First interview Second interview
Telephone interview 1 to 1 or panel interview
CV or Application Form based Competency based
Case study Academic or technical
Selection tests Assessment centre

4. Types of questions
General questions
• Tell me about yourself
• Tell us about your relevant experience
• What is greatest achievement or career highlight?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• What do you know about our company/industry?
• What are your long term career goals?

5. General questions
• Give answers structure – don’t ramble
• Your chance to paint your own portrait
• Define the context
• Be prepared with specific answers
• Think about what they might ask you or what you have said
already

6. Types of question
Competency based questions
• Use ‘past behaviour indicates future success’
• Objective way of comparing you to others
• Relate to skills and behaviour needed for the role
• Interviewers decide beforehand which type of answers score
positive points
• They look for structure, cause and effect and pragmatism
• Use real scenarios

7. Competency questions
• Identify competencies for the job you are seeking
•Company website
•Advert
•Job descriptions
• Compare these against your background
• Find your best example and prepare this in advance
• Keep the answer concise
• Avoid jargon

8. Some typical competencies
• Analytical skills
• Communication
• Problem solving
• Teamwork
• Leadership
• Creativity
• Adaptability
• Influencing

9. Examples of questions
General:
• Tell me about your weaknesses
• Why do you want to work here?
Competency:
• How would you deal with a team member who is
underperforming
• Describe a time when you had to find a solution to a problem

10. Before the interview
Be prepared!
• Find out about the organisation and the interviewer
• Rehearse your answers to typical questions with examples
• Remember it’s a two way process:
oWhat 10 (max) things do want them to take away?
oDecide what are your unique selling points (USPs)
• Know your CV inside out

11. Initial impressions are critical
You make an impression as soon as you meet someone:

12. The impact you make
•50% Body language
•40% Voice
•10% Words
Delivery of your message is key

13. Initial impressions
• Walk tall and straight
• Be grounded before you speak
• Make eye contact and smile
• Shake hands
• Say who you are clearly
• Remember to breathe

14. During the interview
What you say:
Use examples
Be informative – 10 points you want to tell them
Boast modestly
Take time over difficult questions - ask for clarification if necessary
How you say it:
Think about the words you use
Talk about I rather than we
Register – including appropriate language and vocabulary

15. During the interview – what you say
Situation: give a context by describing the situation
Task: what was your goal?
Action: tell the interviewer your specific actions
Result: shows yourself in a good light, even if the
overall project was not a success

16. During the interview - behaviour
Sit reasonably upright
Keep hands on show
Maintain good eye contact
Keep an open posture
Minimise things you do when nervous
Speak clearly
Remember to breathe

17. Assessment Centres
Employers use various techniques as well as interviews
• Online and written tests
• Exercises – individual and in groups
• Social events
• Presentations

18. During the Assessment Centre
Review your behaviour
Talk to people
Co-operate with everybody!

19. Careers and Employability Centre
Further help
Short interview with a careers adviser
10 – 5 Mon – Fri (plus Wed 5 –7)
Events
Website www.sussex.ac.uk/careers

20. Careers and Employability Centre
Examples of questions………
1. What has been your greatest achievement?
2. Describe a situation where you have dealt with confrontation
(for example a difficult customer).
3. What do you look for in a job?
4. Why did you choose your university and degree subject?
5. Tell me about yourself.
6. Describe a situation in which you led a team?
7. Is a jaffa cake a cake or a biscuit?

21. Careers and Employability Centre
Your questions………
What would an average day be like?
How would my work be monitored and how often would I be
appraised?
What career paths have other graduates followed in this company?
Will I have any opportunity to use my foreign language skills?
Will I be working in a team? What is the make-up of these teams?
What are the company’s development plans and targets over the
next five years?
When am I likely to hear back from you?
Do you support study for external qualifications?