Professional Development 451-204

Interviewing Techniques & Skills

Cliff Ogleby

Department of Geomatics, The University of Melbourne

Overview
Purpose

First Impressions
During the Interview Interview Questions Selectability About Yourself
Professional Development

Purpose
For the interviewer:
Primarily to see if you match their requirements:
your intellectual qualities how you get on with people how enthusiastic you are how well you express yourself whether you will be an asset to their organisation
Professional Development

Purpose
For You:
A chance to meet someone from the organisation

For you to assess them - are they offering what you want? How you come across is as important as what you say...
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Purpose
No right or wrong answers

Be positive Be yourself
Be interesting

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First Impressions
Set the tone for the rest of the interview Show the interviewer that you are friendly and open Look at the interviewer, especially when introducing yourself You are allowed to smile...
Professional Development

First Impressions
4 seconds to Form an impression 4 minutes for a Lasting impression Impressions: 55% What they see 38% What they hear 7% What you say

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First Impressions
Presenting Yourself:

The medium is the message

Marshall McCluan

Professional

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Communicating Without Words

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The Power of Body Language

Posture Gestures Facial Expression Movement Confidence

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Communicating without Words

There are 5 main ways: Appearance Face Body Speech Position

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First Impressions
Appearance:
Grooming hair dress general deportment accessorising make-up
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First Impressions
Appearance:
Dress:
appropriate to the position or interview look tidy look clean & well maintained no distractions (too much jewellery, inappropriate hair style/footware)
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First Impressions
Face:

Eye contact expression smiles frowns head tilt

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First Impressions
Face:
Visual Communication:
maintained directed definite

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First Impressions
Body:

Posture Gestures Movement

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First Impressions
Body:
Stance:
balanced not too stiff not slovenly not fidgety no swaying do not move too much
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First Impressions
Body:
Gestures:
meaningful restricted mannerisms absent

Poise:
relaxed comfortable no indications of tension
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First Impressions
Speech . Dont forget your VIP4 voice Volume Intonation Pitch Pace Pause Phrasing
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First Impressions
Speech:
Articulation:
clear not slurred or drawled not over precise move jaw & lips

Volume:
adequate do not fade do not shout vary for effect

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First Impressions
Speech:
Phrasing:
natural awareness of meaning

Use of words:
fluent avoid unfinished sentences avoid false starts

Emphasis:
use effectively no false or excessive use
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First Impressions
Position Orientation Distance

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First Impressions
Sometimes as little as 5% of the message is the words -

look like, sound like, feel like YOU MEAN WHAT YOU SAY!

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First Impressions
Presentation is all about ADDING VALUE to that which you present, whether it is yourself, a resume/CV, a message, a lecture...
Professional Development

During the Interview

Make it easy to interview you: Give the interviewer answers that are relevant; Support your claims & illustrate with examples - not too many;

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During the Interview

Present yourself positively - dont put yourself down; Remember, it is possible to talk about most experiences in a positive way;

With awkward questions, take your time & keep your cool;
Professional Development

During the Interview

Ask for a Q to be repeated/clarified if you didnt understand; Dont interrupt a question; Look & sound enthusiastic & interested without overdoing it; Maximise your strong points & minimise your weak points;
Professional Development

During the Interview

You can anticipate some questions that will be asked by reading your application as if you were the interviewer; Remember, you have some controls over the interview by the leads you give.

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During the Interview

Find out what happens after the interview; Thank the interviewers for their time & attention;

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Interview Questions
Appropriate & Inappropriate:
Appropriate: Questions a selector will most likely ask you; Inappropriate: Those that have little or no bearing on performing the job; Controlled by EEO legislation.
Professional Development

Interview Questions
Appropriate questions:
Are you legally entitled to work in Australia? What is your past work experience?

What university did you attend?

Do you have a car?
Professional Development

Interview Questions
Appropriate questions:
Are you prepared to relocate?
What foreign languages can you read (if job related)? Why did you choose surveying at Melbourne University? What attracted you to our organisation?
Professional Development

Interview Questions
Questions about Capability:
What are 2 or 3 things youd like to learn in this field? What skills do you rely on in your everyday work?

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Interview Questions
Questions about Capability:
How much supervision do you normally receive? What is the scope of your responsibilities?

What kind of training do you think would benefit you most?

Professional Development

Interview Questions
Questions about Attitudes:
How would you feel about working in an
all male... all female... underwater environment ?

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Interview Questions
Questions about Attitudes:
What do you like most about your present job? What do you like least about your present job?

What kinds of things give you work satisfaction?

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Interview Questions
Inappropriate questions:
Where were you born?
Do you intend to make Australia your home? What is the name of your Church or Parish? Have you ever been arrested for a crime?
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Interview Questions
Inappropriate questions:
What is your Marital status?
What is your partners maiden name? Are you planning a family? Will you have trouble getting a baby sitter? Do you get sick very often?
Professional Development

Interview Questions
Inappropriate questions:
How much does your partner/spouse earn annually?
Are you a member of any nonprofessional organisations (political, feminist, activist)?

Do you have a drinking problem?

Why do you barrack for Collingwood
Professional Development

Interview Questions
You can ask about the job:
What are the responsibilities?

What authority goes with the job?

How long has the organisation had this position?
Professional Development

Interview Questions
You can about the job:
Was anyone on staff bypassed for this position? When will a decision be made? Who makes the hiring decision?

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Interview Questions
You can ask about the department:
Whod be my immediate supervisor?
Whats the work-style of the dept.? What kind of budget does the dept. have? How does this dept. relate to others?
Professional Development

Interview Questions
You can ask about the organisation:
What is the companys
organisational structure? place in the industry? product? current financial status? Corporate culture?

What are the companys policies?

Professional Development

Interview Questions
You can ask about evaluation:
How & when are there employee reviews? How are pay rates determined?
How are promotions determined? What is the career path for this position?
Professional Development

Interview Questions
You can ask about conditions:
Besides the salary, explain the other benefits:
training, mentor programs, leave...

Is there an orientation program?

What are the working conditions?

What resources are available?
Professional Development

Selectability
What attributes are selectors looking for?:
A collection of capabilities that will determine your suitability to perform a task at hand, in an existing organisation, with the potential to develop

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Selectability
Analytical ability:
Define a task & objectives

Gather relevant data

Identify all relevant factors & restrictions

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Selectability
Analytical ability:
Apply logical reasoning

Develop results-oriented conclusions Test assumptions, observe results & incorporate revisions
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Selectability
Communication Skills:
Listen effectively

Respond clearly & objectively

Use appropriate vocabulary

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Selectability
Communication Skills:
Present clear, concise reports

Receive written or oral instructions

Describe information or explain processes to others

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Selectability
Decision Making Ability:
Take a problem-solving approach to disruptions in work flow Gather information & resources from a variety of sources Perceive & evaluate alternatives
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Selectability
Decision Making Ability:
Analyse impact of decisions

Make & implement decisions

Support decisions with appropriate rationale & evidence

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Selectability
Intellectual Ability:
Analyse problems with an open mind Process information from a variety of resources Develop new ideas
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Selectability
Intellectual Ability:
Grasp new concepts, approaches or solutions Organise information in new or unique ways Apply creative thinking & imagination
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Selectability
Interpersonal Skills:
Work cooperatively with a range of individuals Interface effectively with clients, the public and colleagues Recognise strengths & limitations in yourself & others
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Selectability
Interpersonal Skills:
Gain the confidence & trust of others Exhibit appropriate sensitivity

Focus on task or performance rather than personality when supervising

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Selectability
Manual Skills:
Recognise & use tools with dexterity & economy of effort Anticipate & prevent accidents

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Selectability
Mathematical Ability:
Work comfortably with figures
Develop pricing or financial plans Perform calculations accurately Identify & correct errors Forecast, budget or report quantitative data
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Selectability
Organisational ability:
Plan, organise & monitor activities
Establish schedules, deadline or quotas Coordinate resources towards fulfilment of objectives Organise work autonomously as part of a team
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Selectability
Technical Knowledge:
Demonstrate understanding of terminology, principles & theory Read manuals, plans, journals as required Follow guidelines of regulations
Professional Development

Selectability
Technical Knowledge:
Demonstrate knowledge of issues, problems & innovations Diagnose, maintain & troubleshoot equipment or systems

A lot to determine in a 20 minute Interview!!!

Professional Development

About Yourself
What do you want from a job?
Power Security Status Money Companionship Challenge Interest Recognition
Professional Development

About Yourself
What are you best suited for?
Personality type: Realistic investigative artistic social enterprising conventional .MBTI
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About Yourself
What should you bring to a job?
Responsibility Tolerance for stress Flexibility Independence Industriousness Initiative Integrity Perseverance Assertiveness Cooperativeness Enthusiasm
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About Yourself
Responsibility:
Always be accountable for mistakes
Warn people when a deadline is going to be missed Look after the interests of subordinates & the rest of the organisation
Professional Development

About Yourself
Tolerance for Stress:
Maintain composure & good judgement in the face of insurmountable odds & stupidity

Flexibility:
Be open to suggestions from others Change strategies to meet the needs of the situation
Professional Development

About Yourself
Independence:
Work reliably without close supervision Make decisions without being influenced by others

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About Yourself
Industriousness:
Be willing to work long hours

Use time well

Pursue goals energetically

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About Yourself
Initiative:
Begin projects without being told
Identify business opportunities Exceed what is required

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About Yourself
Integrity:
Maintain personal principles even in the face of criticism Support colleagues when they need help

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About Yourself
Perseverance:
Complete important tasks despite personal hardship Complete complex tasks
Avoid distraction in pursuit of goals

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About Yourself
Assertiveness:
Keep others from taking undue advantage Take leadership positions
Discipline subordinates

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About Yourself
Cooperativeness:
Offer resources & assistance in pursuit of common goals Do assigned tasks in common effort
Place accomplishment of group over personal ambition

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About Yourself
Enthusiasm:
Maintain high energy level
Demonstrate a positive attitude towards yourself & others Express needs in a positive manner

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