| Useful Interview Tips |
 Plan Ahead - Do a little homework! Research the company and the position if possible, as well, the people you will meet with at the interview. Review your work experiences. Be ready to support past career accomplishments with specific information targeted toward the companies needs. Have your facts ready! |
Role Play - Once you have finished studying, begin role playing (rehearsing). Use the general questions provided below in the Interview Preparation Area. Write down answers if it helps to make your presentation more concise. Try to keep your answers to the information your new employer will want to know. |
Eye Contact - Maintain eye contact with your interviewer. Show you want the job with your interest. |
Be Positive - In particular, avoid negative comments about past employers |
Adapt - Listen and adapt. Be sensitive to the style of the interviewer. Pay attention to those details of dress, office furniture, and general decor which will afford helpful clues to assist you in tailoring your presentation. |
Relate - Try to relate your answers to the interviewer and his or her company. Focus on achievements relevant to the position. |
Encourage - Encourage the interviewer to share information about his or her company. Demonstrate your interest. Some suggested questions to ask the interviewer are provided in the "Questions You Could Consider Asking the Employer" section. |
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Virtual interviews
| Come to the Career Services Center to practice your interview skills with our Virtual Job Interview. Receive instant feedback on your interview skills. Learn if the answers you give to interview questions are good or bad, and why. You will discover the kinds of answers that employers are really looking for. Let the Career Services Center assist you in making your next interview a success. |
| Virtual Job Interview Process: |
| We will set you up with the Virtual Interview program on a labtop in one of our interview rooms and get you started. It is simple. You select answers and the computer will respond to your answers. The Virtual Interview takes about 30 minutes. |
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Type of interviews:
Introduction: |
Since the interview is the last phase in the selection process, employers use interviewing styles that assist in revealing those attributes of the candidate that are most essential for the job and most beneficial to the organization. Interviews can be conducted one on one, in a panel, or as a group. Interviews can be informal or formal, relaxed or stressful, directed or undirected. |
The key to preparing for an interview is to find out before the interview how the interview will be conducted. You can do this by asking the following questions when the interview is being scheduled: |
Here are descriptions of the most common types of interviews: |
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The Exploratory or Information Interview |
The exploratory or information interview is used as a screening and fact-finding tool for you, the candidate. This interview is used to find out about a company as a potential place to work, including its corporate culture, organizational structure, and future growth,learn about an occupation, including the educational requirements, experience needed, and responsibilities involved in doing a job, and find out about the hiring trends, positions available, and application procedures. Carefully select the questions you will ask so that you can obtain practical information. Be prepared to leave your résumé for future reference. As for any interview, be sure to follow up with a thank you letter. |
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The Directed Interview |
The directed or directive interview involves the interviewer using an outline and asking specific questions within a certain time frame. The interviewer works from a checklist and takes notes. This type of interview is impersonal and seeks to reveal facts. |
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The Undirected Interview |
The undirected or non-directive interview is unstructured and allows candidates to discuss their qualifications openly. This interview gives candidates a measure of control over the interview, providing for an opportunity to concentrate on strengths and to show leadership and organizational abilities. |
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The Panel Interview |
A panel involves a number of interviewers. The composition of this panel could include: |
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The manager |
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A union representative |
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A human resources officer |
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An employment equity officer |
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Employees from the department that is hiring |
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The supervisor |
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The Group Interview |
The group interview is used by some large companies or organizations for graduate intakes when several graduates are interviewed at one time. This interview can last from two hours to a day or longer and usually includes a group problem-solving exercise. The interviewers may ask questions in an unstructured manner; therefore, the questions and comments may be unrelated to one another. |
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The Sequential Interview |
Some interviews are sequenced over a longer period, such as a half or full day. These interviews are used as an assessment tool. The first stage may begin with a panel interview, followed by a tour around the company (during which the assessment continues). The interview sequence may then conclude with another interview when you may be asked questions that test your creativity or your "fit" within the organization. Further, you may be invited to more than one interview; for instance, the first may be an overall screening, followed by some form of assessment, then a post-assessment follow-up. |
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The Stress Interview |
The stress interview intentionally creates and promotes discomfort. The interviewer may have an abrupt or brash attitude. Alternately, the interviewer may stare, be silent, and spend time taking notes. The purpose of this type of interview is to test the candidate's ability to be assertive and handle difficult situations |
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The Behavioural Interview |
In behavioural interviews, candidates are asked to respond to questions that require examples of previous activities undertaken and behaviours performed. To succeed at this type of interview, be prepared to give accounts of how you have dealt with difficulties on the job. The purpose of this type of interview is to predict future performance based on past experiences. Become familiar with various types of interviews, as you may encounter interviewers who blend styles to suit the interview objectives and to test for employment readiness. |
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Do & Do'nt
do- |
Dress smartly Arrive on time Smile & maintain eye contact Use positive body language Address everyone in the interview panel Listen to the questions Ask questions |
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do'nt- |
Wear comedy ties or very loud clothes Waffle Argue with the interviewer Come across as arrogant or smart Talk money – unless asked, then be honest and realistic Get emotional or personal Be critical of previous employers or colleagues. |
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Quick tips for interviews
Before the Interview |
See what you can learn about the company. The internet can provide you with all sorts of information or an Interwork adviser will always be willing to give you further information or help you to research a company.
Where is the interview? Make sure you know how to get to the venue and how long the journey takes. Ask for maps, train times in advance and allow plenty of time so you are not rushing. Find out if travel is paid for. Check the physical access to the premises, and indicate any additional support that you might require in the interview - for example a communicator for the deaf. Decide what to wear, but if in doubt wear a suit. You won't be criticised for being too smart, but they will make a note of it if you come in wearing a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. |
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In the Interview |
First impressions are very important. A warm smile and firm handshake always help. It is worth remembering that you need to make a good impression on everyone you meet, so be courteous to all. Good eye contact is essential. It is an excellent way of conveying your interest in the job. Looking anywhere other than at the interviewer can make you appear disinterested. Try not to talk too fast. This can be difficult when you are nervous, but take a deep breath before you start to answer a question and work on keeping your answers concise. Try to relax. Much of an interview is about deciding whether you will fit into the company, so try to smile and establish a rapport with your interviewer. Always be honest - don't lie as it could come back to haunt you in the future. Avoid yes/no answers, but at the same time don't be tempted to talk too much. Do not be afraid to ask them to repeat a question if you need it.
Be positive. |
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