why ask me that1

Summary

In this mock interview scenario, the candidate discusses their experiences with communication, teamwork, and time management while studying at university. They reflect on the benefits of their course, mentioning the opportunity to give presentations and collaborate on projects. The interviewer pushes the candidate to provide concrete examples of their skills and prepares them for common interview questions, emphasizing the importance of preparation and self-awareness. The interaction highlights the need for candidates to demonstrate their capabilities with real-world examples and to be ready for typical interview assessments.

Takeaways

• 😀 Communication skills are crucial in interviews, and providing specific examples of past experiences is necessary to demonstrate these skills effectively.
• 😀 It’s important to be well-prepared for common interview questions, such as why you chose a particular university or career path.
• 😀 Simply stating skills like 'communication' or 'teamwork' is not enough; you must back them up with concrete examples from your experiences.
• 😀 Preparing for an interview includes practicing answers to likely questions and being ready to provide detailed responses.
• 😀 Presenting your skills in a structured and clear manner, with examples, is essential to make a positive impression during interviews.
• 😀 The interviewer is looking for evidence that you can apply your skills in real-world situations, not just theoretical knowledge.
• 😀 Public speaking, although nerve-wracking, becomes easier with practice and real-world experience, such as presenting to groups or leading discussions.
• 😀 Effective presentation skills involve preparation, structuring content, and engaging the audience throughout the talk.
• 😀 Being able to talk about your experiences without sounding overly rehearsed helps make your responses sound more genuine and confident.
• 😀 Teamwork, self-discipline, and time management are critical skills, and the ability to give examples showing these traits is highly valued in interviews.
• 😀 It’s essential to demonstrate that you can communicate effectively with diverse groups and levels within an organization, especially for roles that require leadership or team collaboration.

Q & A

Why did the candidate choose to study at this particular university?

The candidate chose this university because the department had a good reputation and, after visiting several places, the people they met here were the most friendly and helpful.

What does the candidate consider to be the benefits of studying their course?

The candidate believes that the course provided an opportunity to study subjects they found interesting, practice communication skills, and develop teamwork, self-discipline, and time management through group work and their final-year project.

What type of presentation experience does the candidate have?

The candidate has experience giving presentations in seminars and tutorials, as well as taking applicants on open days, speaking in front of groups of up to 30 people.

What did the interviewer want to assess about the candidate’s presentation skills?

The interviewer wanted to assess the candidate’s actual experience with presentations, looking for specific examples of what the candidate had done rather than just a theoretical understanding.

How does the candidate prepare for a presentation?

The candidate prepares for a presentation by prioritizing key points, ensuring the presentation is interesting and relevant, and making sure everyone can hear. They also introduce themselves and the topic, summarize key points at the end, and thank the audience for their attention.

What is the main challenge that the candidate faces when speaking to groups?

The candidate mentions that while speaking in front of a group can be nerve-wracking, they have learned to manage their nerves and focus on preparing thoroughly.

How does the interviewer emphasize the importance of preparation?

The interviewer emphasizes that preparation is crucial for the candidate to answer effectively in the interview. They stress the need for the candidate to have specific examples to demonstrate their skills and experiences.

What does the interviewer mean by assessing the candidate against 'criteria'?

The interviewer refers to a set of skills or competencies that the candidate needs to demonstrate, such as communication, teamwork, and self-discipline, and expects specific examples of how the candidate has applied these skills in real situations.

How did the candidate respond to the question about their presentation skills?

Initially, the candidate gave a theoretical response about the structure of a presentation but struggled to provide concrete examples. After further prompting, the candidate provided examples from their experience leading presentations during university open days.

What lesson does the candidate learn about interviews from this scenario?

The candidate learns that interviews require preparation with real-world examples. It’s not enough to just provide theoretical answers; they must demonstrate their skills with concrete evidence of what they have done in the past.