EP interview preparation training
- 2. The interview • A dialogue conducted by the interviewer in order to gather as many valuable information about the candidate, based on which we can evaluate if the candidate is suitable for the needs of AIESEC. • The interview is the most used selection method worldwide. Also, it is knows to be the least effective one, due to the subjectivism of the interviewer.
- 3. Techniques
- 5. Flow • Introduction Who am I? • Main Interviewing General questions/ Ice brakers • More specific questions • Closure
- 6. Typical applicants • The shy Candidate • The perfect Candidate • The talkative Candidate • The silent/defensive candidate
- 7. Shy • Turns red • Shivering voice • No eye contact • Barely speaks
- 8. Perfect • Answer what you would like to hear • Adaptation to every situation • Fluent, self confident speech
- 9. Talkative • Very confident, answers quickly • Hard to stop • Speak a lot, but hardly about the question • Sometimes interrupt you, asks questions
- 10. Silent/defensive • Not open • Short answers, not cooperative at all • Feels like he is attacked
- 11. Body language
- 12. Body Language • Keep a straight but relaxed posture, a calm but not monotonous tone of voice and remember to seem interested by what is being said by using (moderated) head movements. • Remember not to cross your hands in front of your chest as this is universally translated as a defensive gesture. • Keep eye contact but do not stare the applicant straight in the eye since this tends to make people feel awkward.
- 13. Important! • Don’t try to overanalyze the interviewer’s behavior, as you will lose focus on the questions. • You need to develop a rapport with the interviewer as quickly as possible. Think about your non-verbal communication: make lots of eye contact, smile and sit up straight. have good posture, open your chest and speak clearly.
- 14. IN AIESEC
- 15. What are we looking for? Competencies Behaviors: • Motivation & AIESEC Understanding • Self Assessment • Solution-orientation • Adjustability • Commitment
- 16. Some sample questions • Motivation & AIESEC understanding: What do you know about AIESEC? What motivates you to apply for an internship? Why did you choose an AIESEC Exchange (from the various other exchange programs available)? How do you think that you can bring impact to your country after participating in this project?
- 17. Some sample questions • Self assessment: Do you have any kind of international experience? If yes which? (studying, internship, travelling) If the answer is yes - How was that experience for you? - What did you like most/least about the other culture? - Which were your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them? How would you describe how you work in a team? What do you hope to develop by working in an international team? How do cultural differences influence team work? Have you already been in a situation where friend/co-worker/relative has disagreed with you? How did you deal with it? What kind of people can you work/get along well? And why do you feel you couldn't work/get along with the others? What was the toughest or most critical feedback you've ever received. How it did make you feel? How do you think your strong characteristics are? (please list 3 of them with one example)
- 18. Some sample questions • Solution orientation: Imagine you start your internship and the tasks you are asked to do are totally different from what was stated in the job description you applied to. What do you do? Explain a difficult situation that you where in and how you got out of it or solved it. Explain one success (choice or outcome) that you are really proud of and why/what did you do to achieve it? Tell me an idea you think your current environment needs and convince me to invest in your idea. Tell us/me a situation where you had to do something you didn't like, but needed to do to achieve your goal. Give us an example of mistakes that were made in a team of yours. How did you communicate and handle them?
- 19. Some sample questions • Adjustability You're part of a team. You and the team must finish a certain task that only you know how to do, teach them or do it yourself: Why ? What do you consider to be your biggest failure? Why things went wrong, what would you change now if you had the chance? Have you had a cultural shock? If yes, please explain. • Commitment What is the earliest date to start internship What is the latest ending date of the internship? What are the learning points that you expect from the internship?
- 20. Preparing for the interview • Undivided attention to the interviewer • Repeat the information • Prepare interview plan • Know basic data about the project
- 21. Ice breaking • Be open and relaxed • Great warmly • Introduce yourself (Education, age, Extracurricular activities, Accomplishments so far)
- 22. Giving information • What you have done so far • Try to give the full picture – be flexible – Complete answer: background, what you did, achievements
- 23. Cool tips
- 24. Before it starts • Keep the interview room as noise free as possible and try to remove any kind of stimulus that might cause you to lose focus. • Do your research You are certain to be asked specific questions about the project. • Practice your answers Although there is no set format that every interview will follow, there are some questions that you can almost guarantee will crop up. You should prepare answers to some of the about your personal strengths and weaknesses, as well as being able to explain why you would be the best person for the project.
- 25. During • Stay calm Good preparation is the key to staying in control. Plan your route, allowing extra time for any unexpected delays and get everything you need to take with you ready the night before. Remember to speak clearly, smile and remember that your interviewers are just normal people, and the may be nervous too! • Ask questions You should always have some questions for your interviewer to demonstrate your interest in the position. Prepare a minimum of five questions, some which will give you more information about the project.
- 26. Common mistakes • Not showing an understanding of the project • Not saying how you did something • Not knowing why you want this specific project • Coming across as unprofessional • Not following up (send an email again)
- 27. Sum up • Be welcoming and relaxed. • Have a general idea of what you want to tell and how you want to look • Make sure you get all the information you want and that you also provide all the information needed. • Be objective and do not let yourself be affected by others.
- 28. Thank you for your attention! Implement it!