Interview Skills Part 3 Bryan Leslie Abacus Coaching

Interview Skills, Part 3 Bryan Leslie Abacus Coaching Ltd. 14 th November 2013

The Stages of the Interview • Preparation • Arrival - first impressions • Getting you settled – “Tell me about yourself” – “Why do you want this job” – “What makes you (different and) better than other applicants” • The interview: Q&A based on competencies • Your presentation (if asked for) • Your opportunity to ask questions

Preparation • • Review your experiences Know the venue and your route Know the timings Explore format and interviewees Get there early (15 -30 minutes early) Dress appropriately Do your incantations Smile and practice your handshake!

First Impressions

The Interview • • Know the roles of the interviewers Make eye contact Breathe Wait for the question to finish Consider your answers Seek clarification if you need to Enjoy it!

Typical Competencies • • • Adaptability Compliance Communication Conflict management Customer focus Creativity and Innovation Decisiveness Delegation External awareness Flexibility Independence • • • Influencing Integrity Leadership Leveraging diversity Organisational awareness Resilience and tenacity Risk taking Sensitivity to others Team work

Sample Questions • Leadership – Tell us about a situation where you had to get a team to improve its performance. What were the problems and how did you address them? – Describe a change where you had to drive a team through change. How did you achieve this? – Describe a situation where you needed to inspire a team. What challenges did you meet and how did you achieve your objectives? – Tell us about a situation where you faced reluctance from your team to accept the direction that you were setting. – Describe a project or situation where you had to use different leadership styles to reach your goal. – Tell me about a time when you were less successful as a leader than you would have wanted to be.

Sample Questions • Communication – Tell us about a situation where your communication skills made a difference to a situation? – Describe a time when you had to win someone over, who was reluctant or unresponsive. – Describe a situation when you had to communicate a message to someone, knowing that you were right and that they were wrong and reluctant to accept your point of view. – What place does empathy play in your work? Give an example where you needed to show empathy. – Describe a situation where you had to deal with an angry customer.

What Questions Should You Ask? DO NOT MAKE YOUR FIRST QUESTION: • “How much will I get paid? ” or • “When will I hear from you? ”

What Questions Should You Ask? DO NOT MAKE YOUR FIRST QUESTION: • “How much will I get paid? ” or • “When will I hear from you? ” INSTEAD, ASK: • “Is there anything I’ve said that needs further clarification? ”

After The Interview • “There’s no such thing as failure” • “There’s only success or learning” • You will always get an outcome; it may not be the one you want though • If you’re not selected, don’t ask “why not? ” • If you are selected, do ask “why? ” • Give me a call or drop me an email if you want coaching / support for an interview