Interview Techniques

Careers & Employment Service

01392 264493
careers@exeter.ac.uk

www.exeter.ac.uk/employability
Aims of this session

vPreparation for interviews

vTypical interview questions
vNon­verbal communication
vCoping with different styles of
interview

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“ The best thing about not planning is that
failure comes as a complete surprise and
is not preceded by a period of worry and
depression “

Sir John Harvey­Jones

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 What is an interview?

• Getting an interview means that you are ‘nearly

there’
• Interviewers want you to succeed – help them!
• It is not an interrogation but a chance to expand on
your application form/CV
• How you come across is just as important as what
you say
• Be enthusiastic and interested

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 Types of Interview

vInformation based/life history

vStructured behaviour based

(competency/strength)

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 What may happen….
vA panel interview
vA technical interview
vA telephone interview
vA case study
vA group interview/discussion
vSeveral different interviews on the same day
vAn unstructured interview

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Three important points for a
successful interview:

• Preparation
• Preparation
• Preparation
• Plus “The Magic Ingredient”

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First impressions…..

What you wear is important!

Many people believe decisions are made on:

• 55 % body language
• 38 % voice
• 7 % words

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 Body Language – ‘don’ts’
• Limp handshake
• Avoiding eye contact
• Folding your arms
• Fidgeting
• Leaning forward and sitting on the seat
edge
• Looking out of the window
• Looking unhappy , bored, disinterested

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Body Language – ‘dos’

• Firm handshake
• Open body language
• Smile
• Eye contact –with everyone
• Sense of humour­but be careful
• Relaxed and professional manner

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 Question types
• Information seeking questions –
– knowledge of the organisation
– your motivations
– arising from your CV or application form
– why do want this job?
• Behavioural questions
– competence
– strength
• Scenario or hypothetical questions
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 Examples of competency
based questions
• Give me an example of when you
influenced the work of others

• Describe a challenging project, activity or

event which you have planned and taken
through to its conclusion

Remember the STAR technique

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 Structure your answers
– the STAR format

• SITUATION­ “I was part of a sales team that

was responsible for …..”
• TARGET/TASK­ “Customers were confused
about the difference between ….”
• ACTION – “ I questioned whether this would
work and suggested that we try …..”
• RESULT – “Positive feedback from customers
showed that ..”

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 Strength Based Interviews

Shorter questions designed to discover what you

enjoy rather than what you can do. E.g

• “Do you prefer starting or finishing a task?” Back

this up with an example of why you think this
• “What do you enjoy most about your current role?”
Tip: Research the role and prepare strong examples of appropriate
strengths & state why this is relevant to the role/organisation –
employers will be looking for energy and enthusiasm in your answer

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 Surprise questions

• Who do you most admire and why?

• What are the causes of the credit crunch?
• Give me five uses for the colour red
• How would your best friends describe you?
• Tell us about a book you have just read
• Why have I asked you this question ?

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Let’s try a few questions ………

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 Your questions
• Training
• Promotion?
• Development /job content
• The future of organisation
Avoid
• Questions answered in the literature
• Questions about conditions of service/pay

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 Tips on the day

• Help the interviewer

• Enjoy the interview

• The magic ingredient:

Sparkle

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 Remember

….you don’t get a second chance to create

a first impression!

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 Useful resources
vCES vidcast (on web site)
vwww.prospects.ac.uk – interview tips under the
‘Jobs and Work’ section
vDVD – ‘Making an Impact’ – available at CES
vCareers and Employment Guide
vThe Interview Experience/mock interviews with
employers (check web for details and dates)
vwww.bemyinterviewer.co.uk
vAppointment to see a Careers Adviser
(Tel: 01392 264493)

www.exeter.ac.uk/employability