Job Hunting Skills: Interview Process

Transcription

1 Job Hunting Skills: Interview Process Curriculum for Career, spring 2012 Career counselor Eric Carver Urapalvelut/ Eric Carver

2 Curriculum for Career LECTURES Part 1 SELF-ASSESSMENT SKILLS 3 h EXCERCISES Coursework available at Moodle: Course key: cfc2012s Part 2 OPPORTUNITY AWARENESS 3h Part 3 FROM DECISION MAKING TO ACTION PLANNING 3h Part 4a JOB HUNTING SKILLS Application documents 2h Part 4b JOB HUNTING SKILLS Interview process 3h Total 28 hours Information Interview 9h CV (2 h) Course journal (3 h) To pass 1. course attendance (you can miss only one session for a valid reason) 2. Information interview report (+ comment to other reports in Moodle) 3. CV 4. Journal on Career Planning course is required DEADLINE for assignment 2. is April 11th. For 3-4. April 25.

3 Journal on Career Planning course The purpose of reflective writing is to help you learn from a particular practical experience. It will help you to make connections between what you are taught in theory and what you need to do in practice. You reflect so that you can learn. Deadline Min. 2 pages. Reflective writing is: your response to experiences, opinions, events or new information your response to thoughts and feelings a way of thinking to explore your learning an opportunity to gain self-knowledge a way to achieve clarity and better understanding of what you are learning a way of making meaning out of what you study Reflective writing is not: just conveying information, instruction or argument pure description, though there may be descriptive elements straightforward decision or judgment (e.g. about whether something is right or wrong, good or bad) a summary of course notes 3

4 Job Hunting Skills: Interview Process JOB HUNTING SKILLS FROM DECISION MAKING TO ACTION PLANNING The role of interview in job hunting and recruiting process Interview process and different forms of interview Preparing for a job interview Tips for the interview SELF-ASSESSMENT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES (formed from FSU Career Services material)

5 Elevator Speech What would you say if you met a person who could lead you to your dream job and you had only 2-3 minutes to state your case? Prepare to describe briefly: Who are you? What is your background? What has been the focus of your studies? (major, minors & key topics or themes) How close are you to completing your degree? What other experience do you have (work, volunteer work, hobbies& activities)? What do you have to offer? What are you looking for? What are your future goals?

6 The role of the interview in recruiting process The first step in any recruiting process is the analysis of needs for the particular position: Required skills and knowledge? Valued personality traits, professional style & working methods? Suitable values, motivation and attitude? Interview is the most effective way of evaluating your skills and your personality in relation to the particular position. The focus is to find a suitable match. Applicants with polished job interview skills might prevail over candidates with better applications and CV s.

7 Interview methods Individual interview 1-3 interviewers Many interviewers Group interview Interview serial, where the interviewees change. Open/ structured / semi-structured interview Pressure/Stress Interview / Situational Interview Simulations, problem solving exercises, group/team exercises Interview method is selected to measure suitability to the particular task!

8 Preparing for an interview Self-assesment Career opportunity Why this job? Your motivation & goals? Relevant knowledge & skills? Substantial knowledge (academic skills) Transferable skills (time management, project management, presentation skills Read the job ad one more time: Skills required for the position? What type of knowledge is appreciated? What type of experience required? What/Who are they looking for? etc.) General labor market skills (language skills, communication skills, computer skills, team work and social skills etc..) Personal traits (learning and selfdevelopment skills, stress management skills, social skills, etc.) Good to know about the company: Business idea/model or organizational purpose Markets and clients, products and services Business/Organizational culture Organization size, amount of the employers Latest news (major new projects etc.).

9 Interview cycle Warm up: creating trust, contact and the first impression Update for application documents Education and experience Professional/substantial knowledge, other skills Organizational and professional topics To the facts: towards more personal topics Expectation, motivation and understanding of the position Self-concept = how you see yourself, and how you would fit to the company/organization, team, position etc. Strengths, potentials, risks Stress management, collaboration skills, leadership skills etc. Conclusion: Hobbies, personal life, possible starting date, salary etc.

10 Interview simulation Form into groups of 3. Arrange 3 interviews. Rotate the roles: Interviewer Interviewed Observer 10 minutes/ per interview Decide what task and organization the interview is for. Make notes and give feedback after each interview.

11 Preparing for an interview: practical help Think of the questions that you find difficult to answer and prepare yourself for those questions. Dress code! Dress appropriately according to the position (rather too formal than informal) Take your CV and references with you. Be on time! Think of your salary requirement.

12 Preparing for an interview: in practice Do not interrupt. Do not judge anybody or anything. Be honest. Do not pretend to understand the question. Keep in mind the Finnish way of polite communication (listening, silence is ok, eye contact is good and expected ) No grunting or lecturing. An optimum answer to a single question is from 20 seconds to two minutes. Be active. Ask about the procedure and schedule, be prepared to say yes for the further interviews or tests To conclude with: Express your motivation Remember to thank the interviewer!

13 Level of detail Remember Critical self-analysis My strenghts can be seen to arise from my studies, that have developed somewhat relevant expertice, with certain drawbacks and limitations... Find the right balance All over the place I am a dedicated, honest, competetive and able candidate because I have developed my organizational, social and academic skills in demanding, stressful and revarding positions in the many challenges I have faced during Described confidence In hiding Please consider me, because I might be interested and have some experience. Superhero slogans I am simply the best candidate. A born leader.

14 FIRST EXPRESSION FIRST EXPRESSION IS A ONE TIME CHANCE! Dress code, facial expression, eye contact, hand shake, smile, your body gesture remember nonverbal communication. Not the only criteria in decision making, but to change the first expression a lot of energy will be wasted from the interview.

15 Little nervousness is OK! Being nervous is ok when it is not an obstacle for success It shows that you are serious Adrenaline can improve your concentration Avoid nervousness that becomes an obstacle Prepare for the interview and concentrate Relax and do imaginary exercises Check the location before the interview

16 Self-talk and non-verbal communication Positive vs. negative self-talk I can and I will, it is important, I want to.., vs. do I have to, I can not and will not. Control your self-talk at the interview: Don t get carried away with it ( What was the question?, Why did I say this? ) Ask, if you do not understand the question Be nice to yourself, try to forget any mistakes, calm down and concentrate. Be positive about yourself and your past GOOD SELF-CONFIDENCE? Like professional athletics!

17 Sensitive or illegal questions Religion, race, political view, sexual orientation, family planning Prepare to handle these situations. Reply is up to you.

18 The Final Round: aptitude & personality tests? Interview is not the only way to evaluate the applicants. Sometimes employers want to measure candidates with an aptitude test or a psychological test. Usually tests are given to only the 2-3 top candidates after the first round of interviews. They may include the following: IQ tests Personality evaluations Simulations Learning ability Post-test discussion session. Best advice is to get a good night s sleep before the test and answer questions honestly. Be consistent!

19 More information: The Career Services website: International Student s Guide to Working in Finland Aarresaari: eriaalit/workinginfinland.pdf

20 Course feedback THE POSITIVE What did you learn from the course? What did you like in particular? What things were most helpful? THE CRITICAL What parts of the course did you find unhelpful or unnecessary? Where there some parts of the course you did not like? THE FUTURE How would you develop the Curriculum for Career course in the future? Osasto / Henkilön nimi / Esityksen nimi