The interview process
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The document outlines a comprehensive guide to the interview process, emphasizing preparation, company research, and practicing responses to common questions. It details various interview formats, including telephone, written, video, and in-person interviews, along with tips for each type. Additionally, it discusses common mistakes to avoid and the importance of following up after the interview.
The interview process
- 1. THE INTERVIEW PROCESS Oluwatoyin Puddicombe Toyin Talks Talent
- 2. • I am an HR professional with over a decade of active work experience. I have worked in Aviation, Business Services, Consulting, and Insurance, gathering and acquiring skills and competences in Client Services, Relationship Management and Human Capital Management with a strong bias for Talent Acquisition and Development. • I believe that our work is a platform for sharing our gifts with the world. Unfortunately, a lot of people underestimate themselves for various reasons; the economy, wrong course choices, wrong career choices, failure to plan their careers, multiple rejections and so on. • I believe that each person is uniquely gifted by God to make their way in the world using those gifts and I would like to help in discovering them and finding fulfilling careers. • This is the reason for Toyin Talks Talent. Oluwatoyin Puddicombe ACIPM, SPHRi, SHRM
- 3. CONTENT BEFORE THE INTERVIEW THE INTERVIEW AFTER THE INTERVIEW.
- 5. 1. PURPOSE
- 7. ➢ Keywords are specific abilities, skills, expertise and traits recruiters and hiring managers look for in a candidate. Keywords consist of job-related nouns that describe your hard and soft skills and qualifications for a job KEYWORDS
- 8. 3. RESEARCH THE COMPANY Visit the company’s website Key players in the organization. News and recent events about the employer. The company's culture, mission, and values. Clients, products, and services. Insider news The person interviewing you, if possible.
- 9. 4. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE Your Introduction – brief summary of your career and how your experience ties into the core skills advertised Answers to common interview questions Questions for the interviewers Mock interviews Aptitude tests
- 10. NOTE Keep track of your applications. You never know when the call might come Be mentally alert Practice good telephone etiquette. Have an ‘elevator pitch’ ready
- 11. THE INTERVIEW
- 12. TYPES OF INTERVIEWS Telephone interview Written or computer-based interviews Video interviews and Virtual Interviews In-Person Interviews One-on-one or Panel interviews Competency based Scenario based Group interviews
- 13. TELEPHONE INTERVIEW Usually indicates the start of the interview process, after sorting the applications It is used as a screening tool to narrow the pool of applicants. It is also used to gain first impressions about your fit for the role Emphasis is typically on soft skills – courtesy, oral communication, responsiveness, adaptability. Recruiter asks every candidate the same questions and rates preference according to the responses. Sometimes, it might be the only interview you ever have.
- 14. Research the company. TIP: have a short portfolio on all companies you apply to. Have your materials close by e.g. resume and JD Use a quiet space without interruptions Follow the interviewer's lead. Listen carefully. Don’t interrupt. If you need it, take a few seconds to think about a response. • Don’t leave dead air • If you need the recruiter to repeat the question, ask Don’t be afraid to reschedule if you need to. Call back if necessary Give yourself a little time to mentally prepare. Be polite and give a good reason.
- 15. DO’S AND DON’TS Do use Mr. or Ms. Only use their first name if they ask you to. Do smile. Smiling will project a positive image to the listener and will change the tone of your voice. Do focus, listen, and speak clearly. Do take notes. Do give short answers. Do have questions ready to ask the interviewer. Don't smoke, chew gum, eat, or drink. Don't interrupt the interviewer. Don’t use conversation fillers like “em” or “like” continually. Don’t forget that your goal is to set up a face-to-face interview so ask what the next steps are after the interview. Don’t forget to say thank you.
- 16. WRITTEN INTERVIEW Typically used for fresh graduates or people with less than about 3 years of work experience. It usually involves a test of psychometrics. It could also consist of an essay, a PowerPoint presentation or some research. Candidate responses to specific scenarios could also be used. Sometimes, ASSESSMENT CENTRES are used. Psychometric tests are used to assess cognitive capabilities of candidates. The kind of tests used depend on the employer priorities. The most used are numerical reasoning tests, verbal reasoning tests, diagrammatic reasoning tests, situational judgement tests and personality tests .
- 17. ➢ ASSESSMENT CENTRES are a series of exercises commonly used by employers to test skills which are not assessable from the traditional interview alone. ➢ An assessment centre usually lasts a whole day but can last anything from half a day up to several days of testing and assessments. ➢ You will normally be invited to an assessment centre only after you have passed initial screening by the employer, for example an application form and an online aptitude test. ➢ The assessment centre is usually the final hurdle in the recruitment process and is where the employer really tests the candidate. ➢ Designing and running an assessment centre take a lot of resource and time from the employer, so they put through only short-listed candidates who they think have a real chance of being right for the job.
- 18. VIDEO AND VIRTUAL INTERVIEWS Video interviews are sometimes a substitute for an in- person interview. It could also be a step prior to an in-person interview. Some recruitment software allow for interviews to be done purely through video. Here the candidates record themselves answering a series of questions, usually with a time limit. The video responses are then submitted for assessment. Virtual interviews can also take place through tools like Zoom and Google Meet. Some recruitment software are also video enabled.
- 19. TIPS FOR A VIRTUAL INTERVIEW ➢ Prepare! Do your research. Have a copy of your resume at hand. Note any points you want to remember. ➢ Test Your Technology. Internet connection, webcam ➢ Set the Scene and Minimize Distractions. Find a private, well lit place. Check your background. ➢ Practice, Don't Memorize. ➢ Monitor Your Body Language. Eye contact. Smile. Convey enthusiasm ➢ Dress professionally. ➢ Make a Connection. ➢ Be Yourself. Be Authentic. ➢ Follow up.
- 20. IN-PERSON INTERVIEW You face an individual or a panel They ask you questions to determine your fit for the role Questions could be technical, competence based or scenario based. There could even be some role play. Using the STAR technique is a good rule of thumb – Situation, Task, Action, Result. It is another opportunity to demonstrate Your value Your understanding of the role Your interest in the organisation
- 21. TIPS FOR AN IN-PERSON INTERVIEW ➢ Get a good night’s sleep. ➢ Get there early. If you’re running late for any reason, communicate, communicate, communicate! ➢ Dress appropriately. Grooming. ➢ Take hard copies of your resume if you have made amendments to the one you used for your application ➢ Establish trust and friendliness as soon as possible ➢ Remember what you practiced. ➢ Switch off or silence your phone ➢ Tell them your story. Make emotional connections. Your research will help here. ➢ Mind your body language. ➢ Maintain eye contact. ➢ Keep your expression open and approachable. ➢ A picture is worth a thousand words. Bring a portfolio filled with work you have done in line with the role. ➢ Prepare questions to ask after the interview ➢ Be authentic!
- 22. GROUP INTERVIEWS The candidates applying for the same position are brought together in a room and tested on their responses to questions and how they would react in a teamwork environment. It is an assessment of how well you can work with other candidates can and whether you are able to take in the suggestions of their team members or feel they are superior and put other candidates down. The interviewer puts you in hypothetical situations and evaluates how you address the problem, how you communicate within the team and how much you contribute to the team activity. This might be less likely in the current COVID realities but cannot be entirely ruled out.
- 23. OVERCOMING FEAR IN THE INTERVIEW Understand that it is natural to feel nervous. Use your nerves, don’t give in to them. Breathe in and out slowly to calm yourself. Preparation and practice are the key to handling fear. Focus on the positives. Know your value. If possible, pay a visit to the venue ahead of the interview. Then, it wouldn’t be entirely unfamiliar. DO NOT GIVE IN TO DESPERATION. The conversation is about you, a subject you are an expert in! Have a repertoire of stories relating to your skills or the role requirements. Storytelling is a powerful tool.
- 24. • Arriving late • Arriving too early • Dressing inappropriately or improperly. • Appearing uninterested • Being unprepared • Giving too much information COMMON INTERVIEW MISTAKES
- 25. Focusing too much on yourself and not recognizing team involvement. Asking inappropriate questions Not having any questions Talking in clichés. “Team player” “Work without supervision” Talking negatively about a previous employer Not making eye contact Playing with your phone. Fiddling or doodling Dishonesty Getting so carried away in a good interview that you forget why you are there.
- 26. COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS “Tell us about yourself”, “let’s get to know you” “Why do you want to leave your job?” “Why do you want to work with us?” “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” “Describe a time when you….” “What is your greatest strength?” “What is your weakness?” “Why do you think you’re the best person for the job?” “What is would you say is your greatest achievement?” “What are your salary expectations for this role?”
- 27. “TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF” This question usually starts the formal interview. It allows them to test how you cope in unstructured situations. Practice your responses beforehand!!! Give a brief overview of your career so far, highlighting the skills you have that are relevant to the role. If it’s your first job, talk about incidences in your life experiences that demonstrate the desired skills for the role. Don’t ask them what they want to know!
- 28. “WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS COMPANY?” The interviewer is trying to determine your interest and see if you have done your research. Do not go in unprepared for this question! Research! If you are a more experienced hire, they might even ask you to name their competitors. Research! Look for an angle in the company practice or culture that resonates with you and approach it from there. For example, if you are interested in youth development and the company has an outreach or project that involves youths, talk more about that. Research!
- 29. “WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST STRENGTH?” Share your true strengths, not those you think the interviewer wants to hear. Choose those strengths that are most targeted to the role. Be specific (for example, instead of “people skills,” or “interpersonal skills” choose “persuasive communication” or “relationship building”). Follow up with an example of how you’ve demonstrated these traits in a professional or group setting.
- 30. “WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 5 YEARS?” This can feel like a bit of a trick question, because sometimes the answer is, “not in this job,” or, “in your job,” or something like, “at a bigger better opportunity elsewhere.” But none of those are things you actually want to say to a hiring manager! You can talk about growing your expertise in the field the role is in like “HR” or “Sales” and be able to handle greater responsibilities, perhaps at a managerial level. You can also talk about any specific goals you have for working in that company or in their industry.
- 31. “WHAT ARE YOUR SALARY EXPECTATIONS FOR THIS JOB?” This question is mostly asked when considering experienced hands. It is better to wait for the interviewer to bring it up. If they don’t and it’s the first interview, don’t ask. It’s reasonable to ask if it’s been a series of interviews as the chances of being hired are significantly higher and you have had several conversations about the demands of the role. It is possible to ask around or visit salary comparison sites to find out what people in that industry are paid for a similar role. Carefully consider what would make sense when you take transportation and feeding into account. Make it clear you are willing to negotiate.
- 33. DO’S AND DON’TS Do ask questions about the role that were not addressed in the interview. Do ask the interviewer about what the next steps are. Do send a thank you email. You can reiterate those areas you excelled in during the interview. Do assess your performance to help in future interviews Do jot down anything you want to remember. There might be a follow-up interview. Do get comfortable with waiting. Add new skills and apply to other places. Follow through on any action you promised to take. Don’t obsess about what you wish you had said or hadn’t said. Don’t get aggressive with your follow up. Don’t stop the job search. Don’t get too familiar with the interviewers Don’t burn bridges, even if you did not get the job. Don’t post something inappropriate on social media about the company
- 35. CONNECT WITH ME! Twitter - @toyintalktalent, @toyinpuddy Instagram - @toyintalkstalent Facebook – Toyin Talks Talent LinkedIn – Oluwatoyin Puddicombe YouTube – Oluwatoyin Puddicombe
- 36. More resources on overcoming fear in interviews https://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2018/03/13/ten-ways-to- get-over-your-fear-of-interviews/#7b5f018a35df https://biginterview.com/interview-anxiety/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGC_1nqDPKo