Tutorial 7 - Ingrid Bakke
- 1. COMM 202 Tutorial: Farewell & Employment Interviews Ingrid Bakke T03 & T20
- 3. Course Timeline Final tutorial: Interview questions Employment Interview: Sign up by Nov 22nd 11:59PM Optional Interview Stream due Nov 26th 11:59PM Week 12 Week 13 Week 14 Final lecture: “When you’ve got the job!” *Friday lecture is cancelled, attend a Monday or Wednesday section* Employment Interviews (20%): Mon, Nov 27th Tues, Nov 28th Thurs, Nov 30th Informational interview report (15%): due Fri, Dec 15th @ 11:59PM on Turnitin
- 5. Sign up for a timeslot on COOL • You should have access to the time slots on COOL by now • If you need to change your interview time, do it within COOL Failure to book a time before Nov 22nd at 11:59PM will be automatically assigned a time, and get 25% deducted from interview mark
- 6. What to expect When: Nov 27th, 28th, 30th Mandatory items to print: Resume (PRINT) Cover Letter (PRINT) Job Posting (PRINT) Optional items: Padfolio (keep it simple) Pen Research notes *We have a seating area to put your bags, but do so at your own risk* 20% of Grade No print-outs of the mandatory items = Automatic 0
- 7. What to expect Be EARLY! – Ideally by about 10 minutes. If you’re not there by your scheduled interview time, you will receive an automatic 0! • Check in with the ”reception” in Birmingham (It is the student’s responsibility to find the check-in desk. There will be signs everywhere so it will be very obvious) • Interview will be exactly 20 minutes with one BCC coach/external consultant/COMM 202 TA (15 minutes interview time + 5 minutes feedback) • Make sure you have your PRINTED documents (resume, cover letter, job posting)
- 8. • Inappropriate physical contact • Inappropriate questions • Late for interview • Missing documents (resume, cover letter and job posing) Ways to automatically fail
- 9. Dress Code: Business Formal *We’ve seen students wear fancy sneakers - this is NOT acceptable
- 10. Interview Q&A
- 11. Question #1: Tell me about yourself What’s the point? • Most common question you’ll get asked during an interview • Can be asked in several different ways • “Tell me about yourself” • “Who is ____?” • “Walk me through your resume” • PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE! (with Interview Stream) • Keep it between 90 - 120 sec • Brand yourself – give them something to remember you by • Sound natural – don’t sound like you’re reading off a script • Skills & accomplishments – briefly touch on these aspects • Show your passion & authenticity • Provide a well-rounded picture of who you are as a person
- 12. Telling YOUR story A common theme to try: The Beginning The Spark Growing Interest The Future Why Are You Here? Introduction Realization that this is the right career for you Your formula and how it has helped lead you to this role Where do you see yourself in the future (in 5 years, in 10 years, etc.) How this position ties into it all GOAL: Tell them a story that no one else can replicate and impress them in the first 2 minutes
- 13. Grading Rubric: Tell me about yourself • Remember to tailor your TMAY to the job • This is one of my least favourite questions, and it will take you time to come up with a TMAY that you’re happy with! Keep working at it
- 14. 1. Grab a partner and swap TMAY stories 2. Allocate 2.5 minutes for story-telling & 1 min feedback 3. Goal is to convey the story’s elements in a logical way and experiment with finding your formula Activity Time!
- 15. Question #2: What are your strengths? What’s the point? • A way to see if you really know yourself • May also be asked in different ways (listen carefully) • “What can you bring to the table?” • ”Why should I pick you over other candidates?” • “What would your colleagues/friends say about you?” • Around 90 sec • Mention 2-3 (but prep 4-5 in case) • Provide a bit of proof but don’t go too much into detail • Tactfully relevant to the job you’re applying for (look at the job description!)
- 16. Grading Rubric: What are your strengths? • Look for a blend of quantitative and qualitative traits (refer to your skills matrix and/or StrengthsFinder if you need to)
- 17. Question #3: What are your weaknesses? What’s the point? • A way for the interviewer to see if you are able to identify weaknesses and have a plan in place to improve them • Assess self-awareness and spot red flags • Around 90 sec – 120 sec • Mention 1 (but prep 2-3 in case) • Best to give an example • Talk about weaknesses that would not hugely impair you from doing the job you are applying for
- 18. PSA!!!!!! Avoid clichés “I work too much” “I’m such a perfectionist” Flipping strengths into weaknesses “I’m TOO detail-oriented”
- 19. Grading Rubric: What are your weaknesses?
- 20. Question #4: “Tell me about a time when…” What’s the point? • To test if you have the necessary skills/experience for the job • To look for your thought process in given situations • Around 2 mins • Demonstrates the skill with the right answer • Doesn’t re-use the same experience too many times • Clear & concise Review Skills Matrix Examine job posting
- 21. Use the STARL format! S T A R L What position and where were you? What was the challenge you faced? What did YOU do and HOW did you solve the problem? What was the accomplishment and the impact? Link back to the job and why the story is relevant! Another PSA: BE QUICK BUT ANSWER WELL Some interviewers will cut you off.
- 22. Question #5: Wild card questions What’s the point? • Could be industry/job specific… or a surprise! • Random questions that you cannot prepare for • To test how you react under pressure & deal with uncertainty • To see how you think your way through a problem • Tell them what you’re going to do, do it, then tell them what you just did • If it’s a joke question, take it easy and be personable • Stay professional • Don’t panic!
- 23. Questions that we’ve been asked!
- 25. Last part: “Do you have any questions?” Always prepare at least 2 questions! • Avoid asking questions that can easily be found on Google • Do not asking something that has already been addressed in the interview – unless it’s a specific follow-up questions • Always safe to get them talking about themselves – maybe ask something directly related to their job/industry • Example: “What specific traits and qualities do you look for in a successful candidate?” • Another example: “What do you think about the xyz trends in the industry? Do you think they’re just a fad?” *Expected in the employment interviews next week!
- 26. • Thank them for their time • Reiterate your interest • End with a FIRM handshake (NO FLOPPY FISH!) • Ask how you can best follow up • Use their name Closing the interview
- 27. Follow-up • Send an email or handwritten card • Reference the interview – something you want to emphasize or something unsaid that you want them to know • Reiterate your interest in the position • Thank them for the opportunity • Reference an answer or insight they gave you during the question period • If you interviewed with multiple people, make sure the follow-up is personalized to each person * Remember the 24 hour rule! ****On the day of the mock interviews: We will give you ‘fake’ thank-you cards AFTER your interview. DO NOT expect this in real life! DO NOT send a real email to your mock interviewer
- 28. General Tips • Listen to they’re asking Stay alert, don’t be afraid to ask them to clarify • Answer the question Do not beat around the bush • Take your time if you need to “That’s a good question – may I have a quick minute to collect my thoughts?” • Smile & keep up the energy – they’re human too They want you to do well, so show your personality! • Use a spreadsheet to write down your answers, practice with your friends, utilize Interview Stream • Interview ends when the interviewer says “thank you” and wraps it up. Mock interview ends when you send in your thank-you card!
- 29. 1. Sign up for the employment interview on COOL before Nov 22nd 2. Prep and show up for the employment interview (optional Interview Stream assignment) 3. Informational interview reflection due Dec 15th by 11:59PM on Turnitin 4. Next week: final lecture! Action Items
- 30. Final Messages
- 31. yalls were so great #crying #tears #jksomeofyouweremeh #youcanaddmeonfbnow #sorryifyoufailedresume &cl #yourfaultnotmine
Editor's Notes
- #4: Employment interview *SIGN UP*: - Sign up BY Nov 22nd instead of the dates to sign up - Come to Monday or Wednesday lecture (NOT either of the Fridays)
- #6: If a student needs to change time, they can do it within COOL *Failure to book a time will result in (include in email)
- #7: if you have bags, we have a seating area for you to put your bags there. If you want to put your bags there it's at your own risk - As long as it's not Hello Kitty
- #8: When you walk into Birmingham, it's REALLY obvious!!!! 2 tables in an L shape with signs saying "Reception" and there will be signs going to breakout rooms 20 MINUTES EXACTLY - 15 MINS INTERVIEW TIME, 5 MINS FEEDBACK SESSION
- #9: SCIENCESPO - NO KISSY KISSY
- #10: Sometimes you might interview companies that are casual, but err on the formal side Mention not to have fancy trainers on (black sneakers) are not allowed Iron their clothes Wear a tie Guide that we had for the networking session No club wear
- #12: How to practice - Interview Stream Tell students to keep their mouth shut after 2 minutes (90 secs) Some interviewers tell you to stop talking
- #16: 90 seconds
- #18: *Assess
- #22: Give an example of how you would answer the question - keep it succinct Regardless - need to have elements
- #24: * Ask whatever you want during the interviews
- #28: *They don't need to bring their own cards, we will provide you some *Don't send us an email for this (this is a general slide for the future) * How this translates into your mock interview: they get a card AFTER interview with a table for paper and pens - don't actually do this in real life
- #29: Interview Stream - Mock interview ends when you send in your thank you card - until interviewer says thanks