Professional Year Program

Accelerating Interview Success

(AIS)

Interview Preparation Guide

Student Name: Usman Rafi .....................................................................

Student Number: 303366 .........................................................................

Trainer Name: Alison ................................................................................

Date of Subject: 17/09/19 ..........................................................................

Please complete this guide as per your trainer’s instructions. Your trainer will
review your progress and sight the instrument for assessment purposes. Once
complete, please upload to eGrad for record-keeping.
We recommend students retain their guide as a reference tool for future interview
preparation, particularly the WIL placement (‘internship interview’).

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 Day 1 – Introduction to the Interview Process
Telephone Screening Preparation
Job title of position: Graduate Software engineer ....................................................

1. Can you tell me a bit about yourself?

Provide a 30 second response that follows a clear structure.

I have completed my Masters in Information Technology from James Cook University. I have vast
knowledge in web and software development that includes knowledge of several programming languages.
Also, I have done several projects which includes my final project in my Masters degree which was to make
a website for art workshops for our client.

2. Why have you applied for this particular position?

Provide a brief, concise explanation that demonstrates you understand the job role.

Campaign monitor is one of the leading technological companies in Australia. It’s helping more than 2
million people at 150000 different places in sending email marketing campaigns that delivers results to their
business.

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 3. What specific qualifications or experience do you have that makes you a
good candidate for this position?
Outline your relevant qualifications & experience briefly and in a logical sequence.

I have a Masters degree in Infromation systems . I have knowledge of different programming languages
including sql.

4. Are you working anywhere at the moment?

Briefly outline your current employment circumstances.

At present I am not working anwhere but I have been doing some freelance projects.

5. Why did you leave/are you considering leaving your job?

Briefly outline your key reason for leaving – putting a positive spin on it – without
making negative comments about your current employment situation.

Well at present the work and responsibilities I am getting are very limited. I am looking for fresh challenges
and greater responsibilities along with a change in environment.

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6. If we were interested in bringing you in for an interview, when could you
make yourself available? Offer 2-3 options, demonstrating some flexibility where
possible.

Well I am available at all times during the week.

7. If we were interested in offering you a position, how soon would you be

available to start? Nominate a possible start date, giving consideration to current
employment commitments.

I am available from the day you offer me a position.

8. What is your salary expectation for this position?

Nominate a range and indicate that it is based on market research for the role
(pitched slightly below if an inexperienced candidate).

Well I have done a bit of market research on this role and I am expecting atlest 75000$ per annum.

9. According to the job advertisement, what other things do you think you
might be asked? Create a list below:
Candidate asks appropriate question(s) for any additional information or clarification.

According to advertisement I might be asked about interpersonal and management skills along with
checking the ability to find alternate solutions to problems quickly.

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 Day 1: Telephone Screening Self-Reflection
Reflect on your performance. Write key points on your strengths and areas of
improvement in the spaces provided.

Reflection Strengths Areas for improvement

1. I spoke clearly and I was able to present my ideas If I could discuss things in detail.
was easy to clearly.
understand.

2. I answered Be confident.
questions directly
and didn’t ramble. Yes, I answered questions
directly with a bit of ramble.

3. I sought clarity
when I didn’t fully Yes, I sought clarity if I didn’t
understand fully understand something.
something.

4. I used intonation
to make myself
sound enthusiastic
and interested in the
role.
Yes, I gave examples of when I
had to go through a similar
situation.

5. I felt well-prepared Yes, I felt well prepared for the

for the telephone telephone screening.
screening.

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6. I used appropriate
telephone language. Yes, I used appropriate
telephone language.

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 Day 2 – Interview Skills in Practice
Activity 2.7: Interview Preparation and Practice
1. “Can you tell me a bit about yourself?”
Provide a 45 to 60 second response that follows a clear structure: Origin –
Education – Work Experience - Overcoming Obstacles – Strengths – Ambitions.
Personal Details. Example: Where are you from? When did you come to Australia?
Why did you come?

a) Facts. Education and Qualifications (including achievements)

I am from India. I have done my bachelors in Electronics and Communication Engineering. After completing
my Bachelor’s degree, I wanted to learn software development so I applied to study Masters in Information
Technology in James Cook University. I came to Australia since it has one of the best universities in the
world and would help me build a career in the software industry.

b) …and any work experience in Australia (including achievements)

I have done various projects for clients in Australia which includes our final year project in Masters in which
we made a website for Art workshops for our client.

c) Three key strengths that match the job advertisement.

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 1) I am having good team skills.
2) I can find quick alternate solutions to problems.
3) Good in management.

2. “Why do you want to work for our company?”

This video clip gives tips on how to best answer this question before writing your
own answer below: Interview Skills – Why do you want to work here?
Professional expert answer (Antony Stagg)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8Hk19u89A0

Campaign Monitor is one of the leading companies in Australia. It provides help to more than two million
people in over 150000 companies worldwide in to sending email marketing campaigns to deliver their
business. I have read a lot of press reports on your company and researching about employee work
conditions and got to know that your company was ranked in BRW Magazine;s Top 50 Best places to work
several years in a row. By working for your company I would benefit by larning in a multinational company.

3. “What are your key strengths?”

The interviewer wants to know what you are particularly good at and how this would
fit into the role. Choose a few of your key strengths that are required for the role and
give examples of how you have demonstrated them successfully in the past.

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 I am very creative in applying solutions to problems. I am good in working individually as well as in a team. I
have strong communication skills and I can express my ideas clearly. One time where I used my key
strengths well was when we were working on our final semester project, we had some parts were we had to
work individually and some parts were we had to work in a group, and this taught me how to multi-task
between individual and group team work.

4. “What are your weaknesses?”

Watch the following video clip, which gives tips on how to best answer this question,
and then create your own answer below.
Interview tip: "What is your biggest weakness?" (Firebrand Talent)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oyj2PCWHPHc
“In the past, I struggled slightly with…..

In the past I struggled slightly with working in a team as I wanted things to happen according to my way,

However, I’m good at….

However. I am good at with my interpersonal skills.

The way I’ve tried to overcome this weakness is by…

The way I overcame this weakness is by trying to understand the importance of working in a team. Working
in a team not only makes work efficient but also helps complete work in time.

(Then give a concrete example of a time when you overcame this weakness)

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5. “Why should we hire you for this role?”
a. Choose a key task feature that you are good at

The reason you should hire me is I have all the skills that are required for this position and I am sure I can
be very beneficial for your company.

b. Choose a key quality and highlight it

One key quality I have is I can do multitasking.

c. Choose a key added benefit outside the job advertisement and highlight it

Apart from other skills I am fully dedicated to all the work I do,

6. Behavioural Question: “Tell me about a time when you achieved an

important goal.”
Situation – Provide context by using a real-life situation you’ve faced.

There was a time when I was working with a client to make a website.

Task/Objective…..or Obstacle – Explain the issues or define the problem.

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 There were multiple issues, when the client had a change in mind and the

requirements of the website changed.

Action - What actions did you take?

I had to again understand all the requirements and take necessary steps to

modify the code in the website.

Results – What were the results of these actions?

The result of this was that the client was very happy and satisfied and he ended up
offering some new projects and work to me and also referred me to his friends.

7. Situational Question: “How would you handle a customer who isn’t happy
with your service even though you’ve done nothing wrong?”
Remember to use the second conditional correctly when answering situational
questions.

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 If I was in a situation where the customer isn’t happy and I have done nothing wrong, I would try and
explain the customer in a different manner and if still doesn’t work I will get the manager to speak to the
customer. This is similar to the time when I was working on a project and the customer wasn’t happy so I
had to get my manager to speak and the result was the problem was solved.

8. “Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?”

Have a clear and definitive goal.
The interviewer wants to see if you plan to work for them for a long period of time; as
they likely want someone to settle, stay and get a good return on their investment in
training. Demonstrate to the interviewer that you’ll stay and you’re a committed
prospective employee. Do not say “I want to sit in your seat!” Try to strike a balance
being between ambitious but not too over-confident.

For example:
‘If successful, I would like to initially learn as much as possible about the role I’m in.
It’s important to me to gain the respect of my peers, to know I’m doing a great job
and becoming a reliable professional and dependable employee. I would also like
opportunities to develop my skills and work further towards a higher position in the
company’

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 If successful, I would initially like to learn as much as
possible from my colleagues and seniors. Its important I
earn respect and appreciation from my peers. I would
like to learn more skills and develop myself so that I can
reach a higher position in your company.

9. “Have you got any questions for us?”

Watch the following video clip, which provides tips on how to answer this question.
Then write three possible questions in the space below.
Interview questions: Do you have any questions for us? (Education Fundas)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoTh0klxdqk
Also, look at the following website which gives you the ‘Top 12 best questions to ask
at the end of the job interview’ - http://biginterview.com/blog/2011/08/best-questions-
to-ask-end-interview.html

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1.What are your expectations for this role and what will be the day to day
responsibilities in this role?

2.What is the culture in the organization?

3.What will be the next steps in the interview process and when can I expect a
reply from you?

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 Day 2: Interview Practice Self-Reflection
Reflect on your performance. Write key points on your strengths and areas of
improvement in the spaces provided.

Reflection Strengths Areas for improvement

1. I made a positive Yes, I made a positive first Be more confident, and take less
first impression impression. time thinking.

2. I developed a Yes, I developed a rapport with Be more friendly.

rapport with the the interviewer.
interviewer (e.g.
friendly, engaged in
small talk etc.)

3. I clearly Yes, I clearly communicated Should tell about my skills more.

communicated my suitability for the role.
suitability for the role.

4. I sought clarity Yes, I asked for clarity if I didn’t

when I didn’t fully get something.
understand
something.

5. I used intonation Yes, I used intonation to make

to make myself myself sound enthusiastic and
interested in the role.
sound enthusiastic
and interested in the
role.

6. I used the Yes, I used techniques taught in

answering class.
techniques taught in
class.

7. I had good body Yes, I had good body language.

language.

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