Interviewing Techniques &

Skills
 Overview
Purpose

First Impressions

During the Interview

Interview Questions

Selectability

About Yourself
 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
 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...
 Purpose

No right or wrong answers

Be positive

Be yourself

Be interesting
 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...

 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
 First Impressions

Presenting Yourself:

“The medium is the message”

Communicating
Without Words
 The Power of
Body Language

Posture
Gestures
Facial Expression
Movement
Confidence
 Communicating without Words

There are 5 main ways:

Appearance
Face
Body
Speech
Position
 First Impressions

Appearance: Grooming

hair

dress

general deportment

accessorising

make-up
 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)
 First Impressions

Face:
Eye contact
expression
smiles
frowns
head tilt
 First Impressions

Face:
Visual
Communication:

 maintained
 directed
 definite
First Impressions

Body:
Posture
Gestures
Movement
 First Impressions

Body:
Stance:

 balanced
 not too stiff
 not slovenly
 not fidgety
 no swaying
 do not move too
much
 First Impressions

Body: Gestures:

 meaningful
 restricted
 mannerisms absent

Poise:

 relaxed
 comfortable
 no indications of tension
 First Impressions

Speech ….
Don’t forget your VIP4 voice
Volume
Intonation
Pitch
Pace
Pause
Phrasing
 First Impressions

Speech:

Articulation: Volume:

 clear  adequate
 not slurred or drawled  do not fade
 not over precise  do not shout
 move jaw & lips  vary for effect
 First Impressions

Speech:
Phrasing: Use of words:

 natural  fluent
 awareness of  avoid unfinished
meaning sentences
 avoid false starts
Emphasis:

 use effectively
 no false or
excessive use
First Impressions

Position

Orientation
Distance
 First Impressions

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

look like, sound like, feel like

YOU MEAN WHAT YOU SAY!
 First Impressions
Presentation is all about
ADDING VALUE to that which
you present,
whether it is

yourself,
a resume/CV,
a message,
a lecture...
 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;
 During the Interview

Present yourself positively - don’t 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;
 During the Interview
Ask for a Q to be repeated/clarified if
you didn’t understand;

Don’t interrupt a question;

Look & sound enthusiastic &

interested without overdoing it;

Maximise your strong points &

minimise your weak points;
 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.
 During the Interview

Find out what happens after the

interview;

Thank the interviewers for their time

& attention;
 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.

 Interview Questions

Appropriate questions:

Tell me about yourself

What is your past work experience?

What university did you attend?

What are your hobbies?

 Interview Questions

Appropriate questions:
Are you prepared to relocate?

What foreign languages can you read (if

job related)?

Why did you choose this profession?

What attracted you to our

organisation?
 Interview Questions

Questions about Capability:

What are 2 or 3 things you’d like to

learn in this field?

What skills do you rely on in your

everyday work?
 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?
 Interview Questions

Questions about Attitudes:

How would you feel about working

in an

all male...
all female...
underwater … environment ?
 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?
 Interview Questions

Inappropriate questions:
Where were you born?

Where would you like to settle?

What is the name of your Church or

Parish?

Have you ever been arrested for a

crime?
 Interview Questions

Inappropriate questions:
What is your Marital status?

What is your partner’s maiden name?

Are you planning a family?

Will you have trouble getting a baby

sitter?

Do you get sick very often?

 Interview Questions

Inappropriate questions:
How much does your partner/spouse
earn annually?

Are you a member of any non-

professional organisations (political,
feminist, activist)?

Do you have a drinking problem?

Do you smoke?
 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?
 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?

 Interview Questions

You can ask about the department:

Who’d be my immediate supervisor?

What’s the work-style of the dept.?

What kind of budget does the dept.

have?

How does this dept. relate to

others?
 Interview Questions

You can ask about the organisation:

What is the company’s
organisational structure?
place in the industry?
product?
current financial status?
Corporate culture?

What are the company’s policies?

 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?
 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?

 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
 Selectability

Analytical ability:

Define a task & objectives

Gather relevant data

Identify all relevant factors &

restrictions
 Selectability

Analytical ability:

Apply logical reasoning

Develop results-oriented
conclusions

Test assumptions, observe results

& incorporate revisions
 Selectability

Communication Skills:

Listen effectively

Respond clearly & objectively

Use appropriate vocabulary

 Selectability

Communication Skills:

Present clear, concise reports

Receive written or oral instructions

Describe information or explain

processes to others
 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

 Selectability

Decision Making Ability:

Analyse impact of decisions

Make & implement decisions

Support decisions with appropriate

rationale & evidence
 Selectability

Intellectual Ability:

Analyse problems with an open

mind

Process information from a variety

of resources

Develop new ideas

 Selectability

Intellectual Ability:

Grasp new concepts, approaches or

solutions

Organise information in new or

unique ways

Apply creative thinking &

imagination
 Selectability

Interpersonal Skills:

Work cooperatively with a range of

individuals

Interface effectively with clients,

the public and colleagues

Recognise strengths & limitations

in yourself & others
 Selectability

Interpersonal Skills:

Gain the confidence & trust of

others

Exhibit appropriate sensitivity

Focus on task or performance

rather than personality when
supervising
 Selectability

Manual Skills:

Recognise & use tools with

dexterity & economy of effort

Anticipate & prevent accidents

 Selectability

Mathematical Ability:
Work comfortably with figures

Develop pricing or financial plans

Perform calculations accurately

Identify & correct errors

Forecast, budget or report

quantitative data
 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
 Selectability

Technical Knowledge:

Demonstrate understanding of
terminology, principles & theory

Read manuals, plans, journals as

required

Follow guidelines of regulations

 Selectability

Technical Knowledge:

Demonstrate knowledge of issues,

problems & innovations

Diagnose, maintain & troubleshoot

equipment or systems

A lot to determine in a
20 minute Interview!!!
 About Yourself
What do you want from a job?
Power
Security
Status
Money
Companionship
Challenge
Interest
Recognition
 About Yourself
What are you best suited for?
Personality type:
Realistic
investigative
artistic
social
enterprising
conventional
….MBTI
 About Yourself
What should you bring to a job?
Responsibility
Tolerance for stress
Flexibility
Independence
Industriousness
Initiative
Integrity
Perseverance
Assertiveness
Cooperativeness
Enthusiasm
 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
 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
 About Yourself

Independence:

Work reliably without close

supervision

Make decisions without being

influenced by others
 About Yourself
Industriousness:

Be willing to work long hours

Use time well

Pursue goals energetically

 About Yourself
Initiative:

Begin projects without being told

Identify business opportunities

Exceed what is required

 About Yourself
Integrity:

Maintain personal principles even

in the face of criticism

Support colleagues when they

need help
 About Yourself
Perseverance:

Complete important tasks despite

personal hardship

Complete complex tasks

Avoid distraction in pursuit of goals

 About Yourself
Assertiveness:

Keep others from taking undue

advantage

Take leadership positions

Discipline subordinates
 About Yourself
Cooperativeness:

Offer resources & assistance in pursuit

of common goals

Do assigned tasks in common effort

Place accomplishment of group over

personal ambition
 About Yourself
Enthusiasm:

Maintain high energy level

Demonstrate a positive attitude

towards yourself & others

Express needs in a positive manner

 Interview Mistakes
Use Interviewer’s First Name

Without Permission

Talk About Personal Problems

Use Street Slang

 Interview Mistakes
Arrive Late / Wrong Time / Place

Too Much Cologne / Makeup

Monotone Voice
 Interview Mistakes
Set Limitations / Make Demands

Say You’re Desperate to Find a Job

Rush to Talk About Salary / Benefits

 Interview Mistakes
Talk Badly About Former Employer
/ Company / Products / Co-
workers

Talk Too Much / Too Little

Lie / Exaggerate / Arrogance