CVs and Interviews

Interview Coaching – Difficult interview questions

I regularly work with jobseekers preparing them for interviews. The most common request is about interview questions and what questions will be asked at interview. Unfortunately it is impossible to predict what questions you will be asked at interview. If you want possible questions then Google “interview questions” and you will find page after page full of possible questions. With a focused approach to preparation you should be able to answer all questions posed. This aside I have outlined some questions that do arise more frequently at interview. I have also outlined an approach to answer these questions.

What salary do you want?
Money is important but more often than not often it is not the key motivation for most jobseekers. I recommend evasion tactics when answering the above questions. Avoid answering it or answer the question with a question. Responses may include; “What would a role like this pay within your organisation?” or “My current salary is 30k and I am negotiable depending on the role and the location”. Answering the he salary question like poker and you should try to make the employer make the first move. Answering the above question may price you out of the job but worse still you could do yourself out of a few thousand euros by pitching yourself below the employers figure.

Why should we employ you?
This is not an opportunity to waffle but instead it is the client asking you to summarise how you meet the requirements of the job. The secret to successfully navigating this question requires an understanding of what the employer is looking for and how you match these requirements. Let’s not complicate this – job descriptions tell you what the employer wants. All you have to do is summarise how you meet these needs BUT add some meat to the answer by providing examples and quantitative data to back up your points.

Why do you want to work for us?
The interviewer is investigating if you have put any thought into the job hunt and if you have done any research on the organisation. Another way to look at this question is does you know what they want and does our role and company meet those needs. This is an important question and it is the interviewer trying to identify if you have a scattergun approach to job hunting. Again, proper preparation ensuring that you understanding yourself and how the client meets your needs will help master this question.

What are your weaknesses?
Possibly the most feared interview question and it stops most interviewees in their tracks. The key to answering this question is not to focus on your personal traits. The interviewer is seeking to find out if you have self awareness but more importantly if you act on potential development needs. Answering “no” to this question will not impress. A suggested reply would be something like “I continually strive to improve my presentation skills and recently joined toastmasters and volunteer to present at our monthly sales meetings”

What are your career goals?
This is often an interview filler question with no real purpose for interviewers except maybe make them look more skilled that they actually are. This aside you should answer effectively. Focus on short to medium term goals. These will vary from one jobseeker to another but a short term goal common to any jobseeker would be to secure a challenging job. I guess that is why you are at the interview.

Need interview preparation coaching? Contact Interview Coach Ireland

The job market has changed dramatically over the last decade particularly in the area of recruitment and selection. Traditionally employers relied on a basic interview and a couple of bland references to recruit and select staff often hiring the applicant with the best interviewing skills rather that the best skills and ability to perform the job. It has been accepted that these methods do not work and increasingly employers have become more scientific in their approach to hiring new staff. There has been a dramatic increase in the use of competency based interviews also know as behavioural interviews or structured interviews. This article will give you an insight into competency based interviews and the best approach to prepare for such interviews.

What is a competency based interview?

Competency Interviews also go by the names Behavioural Interviews or Structured Interviews. These interviews will consist of targeted questions that require interviewees to describe specific situations or task. Competency Interviews function on the basis that the best indication of future behaviour in past behaviour. Normally interviewee will be assessed against a number of competencies for example “presenting and communicating”. A typical question could be “……”

STAR Technique

The most popular technique to answer competency interview questions is the STAR technique.

S/T – Represents Situation or Task. This is the opening information where interviewees describe the event. It is important to describe the situation ….

A – Represents Action. This is the meat of your example with details about what action you took and how you behaved. Try to avoid sweeping statements and provide detail. Probably the most common slip up at this stage is using “We” instead of “I” when describing events. This dilutes your contribution.

R – Represents Results. This is where you outline the outcomes or results of the situation. An opportunity to sell yourself by highlighting positive outcomes.

Preparation is the key to success at competency interviews

Preparation is the key for success at any interview but especially competency interviews. When you get invited to interview you need to clarify what forms of assessment you are facing. If this is a competency interview enquire what competencies will be assessed. Some organisations provide this information but some will not. In this case you will have to try and predict what will be used. It is essential to have identified situations and tasks to support the competencies. The most common complaint about competency interviews I get is how difficult it is to think of examples when the spotlight is on at interviews. Prepare these beforehand. Work you your story telling focusing on your language and attention to detail.

Leading Interview Coach in Ireland

Interview Checklist

Be Polite – Go out of your way to be polite on the day of the interview not only to the interviewer, but also to the receptionist or secretary.

Body Language – Firm Handshake, direct eye contact and a friendly smile; demonstrate a sincere interest and enthusiasm for the job.

Positive Attitude – Maintain a positive attitude and believe in yourself.

Focus – Remember what the clients is looking for!!

Answers Brief & Concise – Unless asked to give more detail, limit your answers to two to three minutes per question. Tape yourself and see how long it takes you to fully answer a question.

Concrete & Quantifiable Examples – Interviewees tend to talk in generalities. Unfortunately, generalities often fail to convince interviewers that the applicant has assets. Include measurable information and provide details about specific accomplishments when discussing your strengths.

Listen & Adapt – Be sensitive to the style of the interviewer. Pay attention for helpful clues to assist you in tailoring your presentation.

Loyalty To Former Employers – no matter what they did (or did to you) never, say anything negative about them.

Two Way Process – Ask Questions One of the final questions you’ll be asked in an interview is: “Is there anything you would like to know about the company or job?” Answering “No” sends the wrong signals. It can say you are not really interested in the job or lack confidence and assertiveness. Use your judgment about the number of questions you ask. When you begin to think of the interview as a two-way process, you will see it is important for you to find out as much as possible about the company. You should therefore have plenty of questions but if you are struggling see Appendix 8.0.

Need a CV or Interview Service in Ireland?

Here are two articles that offer information on CV & Interview Service Costs and How to choose a CV or Interview Service.

Good Luck

Interviews

Have you messed up at interview recently? Answered a question liked Homer Simpson or asked a question that filed your application under ”rejection & exit door”.

Interviews are tough BUT you can improve confidence, performance and results through proper preparation. I guess interviews are no different to most things in life. The harder you work at them the luckier you get.

If you are feeling down about a recent interview I have collected some examples of how other people opened their mouth at interview to change feet. Here are some interview disasters that will give you a laugh before the weekend and prove you were not that bad.

Interviews – Funny Interview Mistakes

* At interview an applicant was asked what their greatest job-skill. The applicant replied “I am proud of my computer illiteracy”


* At the end of the interview the interviewer asks the applicant if they had any questions about the position. The jobseeker replied – “What happens if I wake up in the morning and don’t feel like coming to work?”


* After a jobseeker arrived for an early morning interview, the jobseeker asked to use the interviewer’s phone. The jobseeker then faked a coughing fit as they phoned in sick to work.


* An employer called the jobseeker and asked them to bring several copies of their CV and 3 referees. The candidate called back an hour before the interview requesting a rescheduled interview. The jobseekers gave the excuse that their referees couldn’t were unavailable to attend the interview.


* Towards the end of the interview the interviewer asked a jobseeker to describe their dream job. “I don’t know…I haven’t had it yet.” was the reply.

If you have any good examples we would love to hear them ….

CVSANDINTERVIEWS offering expert CV Advice and Interview Preparation information to jobseekers across Ireland Armagh, Carlow, Cavan, Cork,Clare, Derry, Donegal, Fermanagh, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Westmeath, Longford, Mayo, Meath, Louth Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Tyrone, Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow, Antrim, Down, Dublin

Interview Coaching – Another Interview MISTAKE!!

If you google interview mistakes the popular mistakes will all surface including poor preparation, lack of focus during interview, lack of industry knowledge, arriving late to interview, poor interview fashion advice, bringing your mother to interview and not asking questions at interview. There is many articles on this site to help you with the above areas. One area I do not see mentioned that often in inappropriate language.

Why is it that Interview Advice rarely mentions poor language?

I guess it is because it is assumed that interviewees will have the cope on the watch their P’s and Q’s and F’s. I wonder would Gorgon Ramsey struggle at interview. My advice (everytime) is to keep control of your language as I have many examples of this derailing job hunting efforts.

What if the interviewer uses the F word during the interview?

This is not a signal for you to relax your language. In fact it could be a ploy by the interviewer to trick you into using inappropriate language. Anyway you should not be using that sort of language - what would your mother say?

So my advice is to leave the F word to Mr Ramsey!!

INTERVIEWS & CVS BLOG with loads of CV and Interview Advice for jobseekers in Ireland – Antrim, Armagh, Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Derry, Donegal, Down, Dublin, Fermanagh, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Tyrone, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow

The Civil Service or HSE recruitment process a relatively similar for professional, executive and clerical roles. Largely they consist of a mix of all or some of the following stages – A detailed application form, ability tests and a competency based interview. On the surface this seems a difficult path to navigate BUT with the right knowledge and preparation it is possible.

Application Form – To be honest this would put me off applying in the first place BUT I think that is one of its functions. These forms are long and often include competency based questions. It is important to focus on the job you are applying for when outlining your duties and responsibilities. It is equally important to select and outline your competency based examples in the proper format. Correct spelling and grammar is also essential.

Ability Tests – Normally these can be completed in exam format by paper and pencil BUT some organisations are moving towards the online option. Normally most will face Numerical and Verbal Reasoning but other tests like Clerical Checking can be used for admin roles. It is important to get practice leaflets and questions before hand. Normally these will be provided but you can access them free on many sites on the net.

Competency Based Interviews – There is a proper structure to follow for competency based interviews. Competency Interviewing is story telling with a start, a middle and a happy ending. Many follow the STAR technique to answer these type of questions. Like all good story-tellers it is important to paint a complete picture of the scenario for the interviewer and make an impact with the outcome or result.

Do you require professional help with Interview Coaching or CV Writing? 

You can also find many articles on ability tests and competency based interviews on this site.

I wrote previously about traditional interviews and how to prepare for them. I have also posted about difficult interview questions and how to answer them in style. Traditional interviews are increasingly being replaced by competency based interviews or behavioural interviews. Many employers are beginning to accept that traditional interviews do not work and they are using more objective techniques like CBI or behavioural interviews. As a leading interview coach and HR expert I promote the use of these interviews by employers.

Competency Based Interviews – How to prepare

Some employers will provide the list of competencies prior to interview so ensure that you have them if they are available. If they are not available you must try to identify what competencies are likely to be appropriate. The most difficult aspect of competency interviews is thinking of appropriate examples during interview. Therefore one of the key aspects of preparation is to have a pool of relevant work examples to support answering the questions during interview.

Telling the story during your competency based interview

I equate competency interviews with story telling. During the interview you will be asked questions like “tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer?” Most of you will have heard of the STAR technique when answering competency questions. Basically this is describing how to answer questions with a start, a middle and an end. As with telling a story the more description and energy you put into it the more impact the story will have.

STAR Technique

S/T – Situation or Task – This sets the scene. You will describe the situation or task and be creative with your description. If possible try to use examples that are relevant to the employer.

A – Action – This is outlining what you did or the action you took. Most interviewers fall down here by using the word “we” instead of the word “I”. Do not make this mistake.

R – Result – This is where you tell about the results or outcomes. Again quantify these results for more impact.

Do not fear Competency Interviews

Many jobseekers fear competency interviews but I say embrace them. They are more challenging but they will be challenging for all applicants. The important point is that they are more objective focusing on the key skills and behaviours relevant for the job.

If you need help with competency based interview preparation an interview coach can support this. Preparataion is essential for success at all interview but especially competency interviews. An interview coach can ensure that you are ready for action!!

Interview Preparation Advice

There are unlimited reasons why people fail at interview ranging from poor punctuality, lack of enthusiasm to poor appearance. Below I have listed some of the more common reasons why jobseekers fail at Interview

Interview Preparation – Failure – the key reasons!!

Poor Qualifications – Unfortunately many employers are fixated with qualifications. You can disguise you grade on your CV but this may be unearthed at interview.

Lack of clarity in career direction – Many jobseekers cannot illustrate or communicate how a job sits within their overall career plan or more importantly why the role is of interest to them.

Lack of Interest (Or perceived Lack of Interest) – How many times have I spoken to a jobseeker post-interview who is extremely interested in the job only to hear the employer comment that they felt the applicant was not interested.

Lack of Enthusiasm – Linked to the above point. Many jobseekers try to play it cool at interview. They are often told this will benefit them when it comes to salary negotiations. You don’t get to negotiate if you don’t get an offer in the first place.

Negativity – During interview coaching sessions I try to address this. Many jobseekers carry a bag of chips on their shoulders about previous employers. This will often leak out at interview and will not impress.

If you need help with Interview Preparation then Interview Coaching can help. Working with a professional Interview Coach can help improve confidence, performance and results.

Interview success is all about the preparation. Jobseekers who cut corners on preparation will reduce their impact at interview. There are unlimited resources online that offer a wide variety of interview tips and advice. Below are a number of excellent articles with free interview advice. These articles cover a range of important points that will support your interview preparation.

Interview advice – important points to cover

This article describes interview preparation areas to cover including understanding yourself and the potential employer. It is also important to research the employer and interview preparation tells you how to do this effectively.

Competency Interviews / Behavioural Interviews

Competency Interviews differ from the traditional interview and therefore your preparation will also differ. Find out all about how to prepare for competency based interview preparation.

Mistakes to avoid at Interview

I see common interview mistakes every day at interview or as part of interview coaching sessions. Interview coaching – interview mistakes outlines common interview mistakes. If you do make a mistake then don’t give up. Read interview preparation advice about how to turn an interview around from the brink of disaster.

Closing the interview

Interview Coach – Closing interviews is about closing out an interview.

Professional Interview Coaching and CV Writing Services

Need professional interview coaching then visit Measurability. Measurability- Interview Coaching offers professional interview coaching services to jobseekers in Ireland. Need CV support?