200914 Working in Professions - Employability Skills: Successful interviews

Summary

This lecture outlines a seven-step process for acing job interviews, emphasizing preparation, creating a strong first impression, and conducting mock interviews. It covers various interview types, from traditional to stress interviews, and offers advice on answering questions effectively. The lecture also stresses the importance of following up after the interview and negotiating job offers.

Takeaways

• 📚 **Preparation is Key**: Do your homework on the company, visit their website, read trade magazines, and leverage your network to gather information.
• ⏰ **Time Management**: Always arrive 10 to 15 minutes early for the interview to ensure you're punctual and can manage any unexpected issues.
• 🤝 **First Impressions**: The image you create in the first 15 to 30 seconds is crucial; ensure you're polite and make a solid handshake.
• 🔎 **Be Yourself**: During the interview, be genuine and authentic; don't mimic others and let your natural self shine.
• 📈 **Sell Your Skills**: Provide concrete examples of your skills and explain how you can benefit the company.
• 📞 **Follow Up**: After the interview, send a thank-you note and follow up to show your continued interest in the position.
• 🍽️ **Lunch/Dinner Interviews**: Be prepared for interviews conducted over a meal, which can be part of a longer process.
• 👥 **Group Dynamics**: In panel or group interviews, be ready to answer questions from multiple interviewers and engage with each member.
• 📞 **Telephone Etiquette**: Treat phone interviews with the same importance as face-to-face meetings, as they are often a preliminary step.
• 🛂 **Screening Tests**: Be aware of various pre-employment tests such as IQ, attitude, behavior-based, technical, and personality tests.
• 📊 **Stress Interviews**: Expect stress interviews designed to test how you handle pressure in real work scenarios.

Q & A

What are the seven steps of the interview process mentioned in the lecture?

The seven steps are: 1) Prepare for the interview, 2) Create the best impression, 3) Face-to-face interview, 4) Closing, 5) Follow-up, 6) Job offer and negotiation, and 7) Making your decision.

How important is it to do your homework before an interview?

It is very important to do your homework before an interview as it involves researching the company, visiting their website, reading trade magazines, and asking others about the company to prepare adequately.

What should you do to ensure you are punctual for an interview?

You should contact the employer to reconfirm the time and location, plan for the drive and parking, and aim to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early.

Why is creating a good first impression important during an interview?

Creating a good first impression is crucial because the interviewer forms an image of you within the first 15 to 30 seconds, which can be decisive for the outcome of the interview.

What should you focus on during the face-to-face interview?

During the face-to-face interview, you should focus on selling your skills, providing examples of your abilities, and showing how you can benefit the employer.

How should you behave during the closing of an interview?

At the closing of an interview, you should ask the right questions, express gratitude, and shake hands. It's advised not to ask about salary or benefits until an offer is made.

What is the significance of following up after an interview?

Following up after an interview is significant as it shows your continued interest in the position and can help you stand out from other candidates.

What types of interviews were discussed in the lecture?

The lecture discussed standard or traditional interviews, competency-based or behavioral interviews, lunch or dinner interviews, non-directive or walk-through interviews, panel or group interviews, phone interviews, screening interviews, pre-employment computerized interviews, second interviews, stress interviews, structured interviews, and technical interviews.

Why are stress interviews conducted?

Stress interviews are conducted to evaluate how a candidate handles stress in a workplace scenario, rather than just asking theoretical questions about stress management.

What is the purpose of a structured interview?

A structured interview is conducted to ensure that each candidate receives exactly the same questions, allowing for a fair and standardized evaluation process.

How should you prepare for a technical interview?

For a technical interview, you should prepare by reviewing the specific knowledge and skills that the employer is seeking, as these will be the focus of the interview questions.