The Interview Itself

• Increasingly, organisations are using competence-based interviewing techniques, which involve interviewers having a set of criteria against which the candidate is marked. This approach builds on the principle that examples of past behaviour are good predictors of future behaviour and is an important way of finding out how a graduate will perform in a new job.
• Hear how recruiters from manufacturing and services (Kerry Group, Ericsson Ireland, PriceWaterhouseCoopers) use competency based interviewing at Destinations®.

• Four skills commonly assessed
• Telephone interviews
• Typical questions the interviewer may ask
• Not all interviews are for jobs
• After the interview
• Employer advice
• Related resources

 

Four skills commonly assessed

Problem-solving skills: You will be presented with a situational question 'What would you do if … ?'. Although there is no correct answer, the interviewer will be looking for your ability to prioritise and think through a problem logically

Interpersonal skills: The questions posed are looking for evidence of diplomacy, leadership, teamwork, etc.

Personal attributes: The interviewer will be seeking evidence of your motivation, flexibility, decision-making abilities, etc. Have you researched the company and do you know about the position you are applying for?

Communication skills: Do you articulate your answers well? Do you answer the question that is asked?

Candidates often find the STAR technique very helpful in structuring their answers to these types of questions.
Learn more about how you can use the STAR technique effectively at Destinations®.

Telephone Interviews

There is a growing trend for employers to use telephone interviews particularly for pre selection purposes. Remember that it is not only what you say but also how you say it that creates a favourable impression.

Advantages:
Telephone interviews give you some advantages over face-to-face encounters. You can take notes, refer to your CV, references or exam results, pace around to dissipate your nervous energy!

Disadvantages:
You cannot read the interviewer's reaction to your answers.

Advice for success:
If you encounter this technique, expect to be engaged in a lengthy structured conversation, based on your application. Arrange a time when you can avoid distractions and have your CV and covering letter to hand for reference.

Hear from recruiters, Strkyer Instruments & Graduate Success, how to maximise your performance at a telephone interview performance at Destinations®.

Typical questions the interviewer may ask:

Knowledge of the job
How would you define marketing, human resources, etc?
What qualifications do you have that will make you successful in this job?

Knowledge of the organisation
What do you know about our business?
What do you think of our website?
Why are you interested in our company?
Who do you see as our major competitors?

Career motivation / direction
What are your career / life plans?
Why have you applied for this kind of work / career?
What other employers do you plan to apply to, or have you already applied to?

Academic record
How did you choose your degree subject / university?
What class of degree are you expecting?
Your leaving certificate results seem disappointing, was there a reason for that?
Could you explain to me what your project is about?

Interests and activities
What sort of things occupy your time outside study?
What has your membership of the XYZ Society involved?
What experience have you had of organising events / voluntary work?

General
How would you sum up your strengths and weaknesses?
What did you learn from your vacation jobs?

Your questions to the interviewer
Ask about the job, the company, its employees, products and processes
What would be a typical first assignment?
What would be a typical career pattern for a young graduate entering?
How will my performance be evaluated and how often?
How is the present economic situation affecting your company?

Neil Hughes, Ulster Bank, Gradute Recruitment Manager

Not all interviews are for jobs

• Interviews are also becoming more common for some postgraduate and even for some undergraduate programmes such as medicine.
• Prepare for postgraduate interviews at Destinations®.

After the Interview

• Reflect on your performance, what worked for you and what didn’t.
• You will also have gained more insight into the organisation and the role on offer and you should use this opportunity to consider whether this is the right move for you.
• Learn how to approach the issue of salary negotiation at Destinations®

Employer Advice

Cara Fallon (Ex BDO) Recruitment Expert

Sean Delaney, Ericsson Multimedia Training

Ciara McDevitt, Senior Brand Manager, Jameson

Noel Maher, Gift Program - Fidelity

Lorraine Toole, Graduate Recruitment Manager, PwC

 

Noel Maher, Gift Program - Fidelity

Sean Delaney, Ericsson Multimedia Training

Related Resources

• Attend the Interview workshop & get interview practice.
• Gradireland.com - for types of interviews, tips & more.
• prospects.ac.uk - for interview preparation and overcoming obstacles and more.
• targetjobs.co.uk - for telephone interviews and sample questions.
• What not to do at interview. Hear what Proctor & Gamble and IBM, UK have to say. (Source: YouTube from University of Manchester Careers Service)
• 'Going for Interviews', AGCAS, 2005
• 'First Interviews - Sorted!', Phillips, C. 1999
• 'How to Succeed at Interviews and Other Selection Methods', University of London, 1998.
• Vault Guide to the Case Interview, 2005
• Vault Guide to Finance Interviews, 2005
• To book on-campus video conferencing facilities for an interview please contact AVMS in the Arts Building. These facilities are available 9.15am - 4.30pm Monday-Friday. There is no charge for students if you link to an IP address. There will be a charge if the link is an ISDN line.

For more related resources.