People Matter

 

eNewsletter - October 2010

 

Steps to a better interview

Today being good at interviewing for a job isn’t good enough. There may be numerous candidates for a single position. So, whether going for promotion or a new job, the knack is to stand out from the crowd.

There are four steps that you can take. These steps will help you answer the tough questions better, decrease your nerves and increase your chances of getting the right job for you.

 

Step 1 – Know yourself. This first step involves critical reflection and self-awareness such as understanding your values and priorities. Your values can be lofty – I want to make a difference – or very practical – I want a short commute. They can include an interest in developing specific skills, making more money, being entrepreneurial or working on a particular issue. Once you’ve identified your values, then you need to priorise them. After values and priorities, you’ll want to consider strengths and interests. The crucial point about conveying weaknesses is to present them as challenges and how they are being addressed.

Remember too that, just because you’re good at something, doesn’t mean you have to like it or want to make it your career. Make a list in each category: Priorities; values; interests; and strengths. Using these four points you will be able to develop questions for your interviewer. Questions demonstrate your knowledge of the organisation, that you’re seriously interested in the position, that you have taken initiative and that you understand how you could fit into the organisation. Develop concrete examples or anecdotes that demonstrate your relevant strengths.

 

Step 2 – Know the organisation and the job. After considering what you want and what you have to offer, it’s time to learn more about where you’re potentially going. Of course, you should have conducted extensive research into the job and the organisation. Know the organisation’s mission, vision, history, accomplishments and current projects. The more you know, the better answers you can provide at the interview. When you revisit the job description, note the characteristics and skills the employer is seeking and then match yourself to them.

 

Step 3 - Practice. Run through typical interview questions. Ensure that you answer questions thoroughly but concisely. Focus especially on any question you know to be personally challenging. You can anticipate questions related to the skills and experiences outlined in the job description. Try the STAR approach: Situation; Task; Action; and Result. If you can, demonstrate knowledge of the organisation by paralleling what you’ve done and inserting examples of projects, approaches or techniques similar to what the organisation is doing. If you have practised, then if you are asked a tough question – one that you had not anticipated – your research and practise will make it easier to handle.

 

Step 4 - Make the right impression. Unless advised otherwise, dress the part in standard business attire. Pay attention to hair, shoes, jewellery and make up. Take a briefcase or a portfolio. Bring too the list of questions that you would wish to put to your interviewer. Arrive early. Take time to go through the 4 steps of the interview and you will find yourself consistently giving your best interview ever.

 

Sample interview questions to practise:

General: Tell me about yourself; Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What’s your proudest accomplishment?

Personality / character traits: What do you see as your greatest strength / weakness? What kind of leader are you? Do you mind being the bearer of bad news?

Sample behavioural: Tell me about a time that a project you were managing experienced problems? Tell me about an unpopular decision you have made.

For people with experience: How has your approach to your job changed in the last year? How have you changed your management style?

Wrap up: Do you have any questions for me? Why should I hire you?

 

And remember: Smile. Good luck!

 

Source: Toastmaster magazine, Steps to a better interview, p24-26

 

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Poet’s Corner: To Autumn by William Blake

Those of you that have attended our public speaking training sessions know the importance of crafting compelling speeches using beautiful English. So, each month, we feature a topical poem or passage that paints a picture using beautiful language.

 

O Autumn, laden with fruit, and stain’d

With the blood of the grape, pass not, but sit

Beneath my shady roof; there thou may’st rest,

And tune thy jolly voice to my fresh pipe,

And all the daughters of the year shall dance!

Sing now the lusty song of fruits and flowers.

 

“The narrow bud opens her beauties to

The sun, and love runs in her thrilling veins;

Blossoms hang round the brows of Morning, and

Flourish down the bright cheek of modest Eve,

Till clust’ring Summer breaks forth into singing,

And feather’d clouds strew flowers round her head.

 

“The spirits of the air live in the smells

Of fruit; and Joy, with pinions light, roves round

The gardens, or sits singing in the trees.”

Thus sang the jolly Autumn as he sat,

Then rose, girded himself, and o’er the bleak

Hills fled from our sight; but left his golden load.

 

To Autumn by William Blake (1757–1827), English poet, painter and printmaker

 

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Quotations

However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results, Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965), British politician & Prime Minister

We need never be ashamed of our tears, Charles Dickens (1812-1870), English novelist, from Great Expectations

It’s never too late to be what you might have been, George Elliot (1819-1880), English novelist

Start every day off with a smile and get it over with, WC Fields (1880-1946), US actor

 

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Let’s lick loneliness: Forthcoming get togethers - October 2010

The purpose of Let’s lick loneliness is to share information with others in the LLL group about what we are doing. Then, if people want to join outings, they can. It is better to tell people about a forthcoming event and they say ‘no’, rather than not tell them and they could have been interested in attending. Forthcoming events for October include:

 

Friday 1 st October 2010, 18:30, Late at the Tate Britain, Millbank, London, SW1P 4RG, United Kingdom – Free

Friday 29 th October 2010, 18:30, Late at the Tate Modern, Bankside, London, SE1 9TG, United Kingdom – Free + supplement if wanting to attend the Gauguin exhibition

 

Do contact us if you would like to come along to any of these events. To ensure that the group is as inclusive as possible, events are invariably free or low cost. All, of any age group and background, are most welcome to attend our outings. Membership of LLL is free.

And, if you are not based in London, why not start an LLL initiative in your area?

 

CustomerClix , October 2010

 

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