WEBVTT 00:00:20.089 --> 00:00:23.190 Good morning, everybody. Welcome back to Food 00:00:23.190 --> 00:00:26.089 for Thought, Thoughts If It Were You, by Neogentrics. 00:00:26.109 --> 00:00:30.500 Now, it's around 4 a .m. and, uh... We're still 00:00:30.500 --> 00:00:35.939 on the topic of communication, but we're going 00:00:35.939 --> 00:00:41.560 to take a turn for a second. Let's assume something. 00:00:42.799 --> 00:00:45.780 Let's assume you received an invitation to interview 00:00:45.780 --> 00:00:51.380 for a new job. Congratulations. And you want 00:00:51.380 --> 00:00:52.600 to make a good impression. Well, if you're going 00:00:52.600 --> 00:00:55.700 to make a good impression, you need to prepare 00:00:55.700 --> 00:01:03.960 thoroughly. Okay? Give you some pointers about 00:01:03.960 --> 00:01:06.739 how to behave and react in the interview and 00:01:06.739 --> 00:01:09.620 what you might expect. These two are also key 00:01:09.620 --> 00:01:15.019 components to communication. The most important 00:01:15.019 --> 00:01:17.060 thing to remember about any interview is that 00:01:17.060 --> 00:01:19.620 it is a two -way process. It is as much about 00:01:19.620 --> 00:01:22.180 you finding out whether you want to work for 00:01:22.180 --> 00:01:24.340 the company as them finding out whether they 00:01:24.340 --> 00:01:28.260 want you at all. This means it is important to 00:01:28.260 --> 00:01:31.079 present yourself as you really are, not pretend 00:01:31.079 --> 00:01:35.280 to be something you're not. So first things first. 00:01:37.159 --> 00:01:39.400 Preparing for the interview. Your preparation 00:01:39.400 --> 00:01:42.079 before the day of the interview needs to be on 00:01:42.079 --> 00:01:47.079 two main fronts. First things first. Research 00:01:47.079 --> 00:01:51.319 the organization. Find out as much as you can 00:01:51.319 --> 00:01:53.540 about the company. Look at their website. Any 00:01:53.540 --> 00:01:57.219 information that they have. sent you and and 00:01:57.219 --> 00:02:00.359 see if you find their mission objectives any 00:02:00.359 --> 00:02:03.540 value statements and you know things of that 00:02:03.540 --> 00:02:07.379 nature it's helpful to be familiar with the organization's 00:02:07.379 --> 00:02:10.840 guiding principles also try to find out how the 00:02:10.840 --> 00:02:14.919 job that you have applied for fits into the organization 00:02:14.919 --> 00:02:17.800 as well it's important to at least know what 00:02:17.800 --> 00:02:21.430 you're going to be doing Next, make a list of 00:02:21.430 --> 00:02:23.370 questions about the organization, ideally around 00:02:23.370 --> 00:02:26.069 work, such as the team you'll be working with 00:02:26.069 --> 00:02:28.689 or the work that you will be doing on a daily 00:02:28.689 --> 00:02:32.490 basis. It's okay to ask about the on -site gym 00:02:32.490 --> 00:02:35.229 and the holiday allowance, but don't sound as 00:02:35.229 --> 00:02:37.689 if you're only interested in getting away from 00:02:37.689 --> 00:02:42.870 work, okay? It's probably not a good idea to 00:02:42.870 --> 00:02:45.169 ask whether you'll be able to work part -time 00:02:45.169 --> 00:02:48.199 at this stage, okay? Either you should already 00:02:48.199 --> 00:02:51.840 have done that before applying, or you need to 00:02:51.840 --> 00:02:57.560 be prepared to work the hours stated. Next, the 00:02:57.560 --> 00:03:00.479 About You section. You need to sit down with 00:03:00.479 --> 00:03:03.360 the person's specification and your application 00:03:03.360 --> 00:03:05.419 and develop some new examples of how you meet 00:03:05.419 --> 00:03:08.620 at least a few of the requirements. It's fine 00:03:08.620 --> 00:03:10.259 to talk about the examples on your application 00:03:10.259 --> 00:03:13.159 form or CV or cover letter if you have one of 00:03:13.159 --> 00:03:20.090 those. But it's useful to have a few new ones 00:03:20.090 --> 00:03:23.629 to Describe the situation in one sentence or 00:03:23.629 --> 00:03:27.270 less and focus on your actions the results that 00:03:27.270 --> 00:03:29.490 you achieved and how you knew you were successful 00:03:29.490 --> 00:03:31.990 it's also helpful to prepare answers for some 00:03:31.990 --> 00:03:33.830 of the standard icebreakers such as tell me a 00:03:33.830 --> 00:03:36.990 bit about your current job or Tell me why you 00:03:36.990 --> 00:03:39.430 applied for this one. Okay, your answers should 00:03:39.430 --> 00:03:43.650 focus on your skills and How you can use them 00:03:43.650 --> 00:03:46.960 in the new job again? based around the person's 00:03:46.960 --> 00:03:50.919 specifications that are there. Don't learn them 00:03:50.919 --> 00:03:56.139 off by heart. It's not ideal. Plus, it makes 00:03:56.139 --> 00:03:59.340 you sound like a robot. But have a good idea 00:03:59.340 --> 00:04:04.099 of what you want to say. I'm not saying go in 00:04:04.099 --> 00:04:09.479 there with a predetermined script. Because, like 00:04:09.479 --> 00:04:12.189 I said, you just sound like a drone. but have 00:04:12.189 --> 00:04:14.449 enough of it known to where you can basically 00:04:14.449 --> 00:04:17.110 come up with something on the fly that actually 00:04:17.110 --> 00:04:19.949 makes sense, that is at least believable, but 00:04:19.949 --> 00:04:23.990 fits into what they may or may not ask you. With 00:04:23.990 --> 00:04:28.649 that, some test and preparations are in order. 00:04:30.009 --> 00:04:33.110 Some interviews require you to make a short presentation 00:04:33.110 --> 00:04:36.290 or take a test. The details will always be included 00:04:36.290 --> 00:04:37.930 in the letter inviting you to the interview, 00:04:38.050 --> 00:04:42.279 so you'll have time to prepare. If you've been 00:04:42.279 --> 00:04:44.519 asked to make a presentation, don't assume that 00:04:44.519 --> 00:04:46.199 there will be a PowerPoint or that you'll be 00:04:46.199 --> 00:04:47.920 standing in front of a group. Chances are it 00:04:47.920 --> 00:04:50.920 could be just one person. You may be invited 00:04:50.920 --> 00:04:55.399 to bring a handout. We're spending a bit of time 00:04:55.399 --> 00:04:57.939 making a one -page handout that fully summarizes 00:04:57.939 --> 00:05:01.040 your presentation, whether it's a mind map, a 00:05:01.040 --> 00:05:06.040 picture of some sort, or your five key take -home 00:05:06.040 --> 00:05:09.970 messages. Have a look. Add a lot of different 00:05:09.970 --> 00:05:12.089 creative variety of ideas and see which ones 00:05:12.089 --> 00:05:16.610 work well for you. And think about what you want 00:05:16.610 --> 00:05:18.389 them to remember from your presentation and make 00:05:18.389 --> 00:05:21.610 sure that that's clear from your handout. Okay? 00:05:38.339 --> 00:05:44.639 Okay, okay. We're back. Let me see here. Now 00:05:44.639 --> 00:05:48.259 that you've prepared for your interview, let's 00:05:48.259 --> 00:05:51.100 talk about attending the interview. There's some 00:05:51.100 --> 00:05:57.259 do's and don'ts. Here's what you do. First things 00:05:57.259 --> 00:06:00.180 first. Arrive in a good time. The interview panel 00:06:00.180 --> 00:06:02.259 may be interviewing a lot of candidates, so don't 00:06:02.259 --> 00:06:04.240 keep them waiting. It's best to show up at least 00:06:04.240 --> 00:06:07.529 30 minutes early. Dress appropriately. Some organizations, 00:06:07.790 --> 00:06:10.110 especially tech companies, have a very casual 00:06:10.110 --> 00:06:12.949 dress code, but for most, a suit will be appropriate 00:06:12.949 --> 00:06:15.750 interview wear. Remember that you are being judged 00:06:15.750 --> 00:06:18.529 on the experience that you present. Act appropriately, 00:06:18.810 --> 00:06:22.689 which usually means following the interviewer's 00:06:22.689 --> 00:06:25.350 lead. If you are offered a hand to shake, then 00:06:25.350 --> 00:06:27.410 shake it, but don't offer your own hand if nobody 00:06:27.410 --> 00:06:31.110 else seems interested. A lot of people make this 00:06:31.110 --> 00:06:34.620 mistake and end up... chasing off the person 00:06:34.620 --> 00:06:36.300 that they're interviewing before they ever actually 00:06:36.300 --> 00:06:39.660 interview them. Engage with the interviewers. 00:06:39.680 --> 00:06:43.459 Smile. Make eye contact. Again, another key communication 00:06:43.459 --> 00:06:48.319 point. And build rapport. Answer the questions 00:06:48.319 --> 00:06:52.120 that are asked. Nothing more. Using relevant 00:06:52.120 --> 00:06:55.879 examples where it's all possible. Here's what 00:06:55.879 --> 00:06:59.560 you don't do. Be afraid to blow your own trumpet 00:06:59.560 --> 00:07:03.339 a bit. They want to hear about you. They want 00:07:03.339 --> 00:07:07.220 to know about you. Okay? After all, nobody else 00:07:07.220 --> 00:07:12.540 is going to blow it for you, and... Well... Let 00:07:12.540 --> 00:07:16.339 me back up here a second. For those who do blow 00:07:16.339 --> 00:07:21.279 their own horn, don't lie or exaggerate anything. 00:07:22.379 --> 00:07:25.160 If you want the job, be enthusiastic and positive, 00:07:25.259 --> 00:07:28.620 but definitely don't... Make yourself seem like 00:07:28.620 --> 00:07:30.379 something you're not. Going back to what I was 00:07:30.379 --> 00:07:33.779 saying before, be yourself. Don't be who you're 00:07:33.779 --> 00:07:42.500 not. Don't be over -familiar or share way too 00:07:42.500 --> 00:07:45.480 much information. A lot of people tend to do 00:07:45.480 --> 00:07:47.300 this at first. It's probably because they're 00:07:47.300 --> 00:07:50.439 nervous. Now, some interviewers and employers 00:07:50.439 --> 00:07:54.060 will understand if you do this by accident, and 00:07:54.060 --> 00:07:57.769 they can tell if you're uncomfortable. but many 00:07:57.769 --> 00:08:01.850 of them won't care, okay? For example, the interviewers 00:08:01.850 --> 00:08:03.490 don't want to know how you're going to manage 00:08:03.490 --> 00:08:09.990 your childcare. I've had to work as an interviewer 00:08:09.990 --> 00:08:12.569 for a company once before, and honestly, I can 00:08:12.569 --> 00:08:14.949 say right now, there's some things you just don't 00:08:14.949 --> 00:08:19.019 bring up or talk about, okay? I don't need to 00:08:19.019 --> 00:08:21.819 know. If you have children, great. If I ask you 00:08:21.819 --> 00:08:23.740 how many children you have, that's fine. I don't 00:08:23.740 --> 00:08:25.139 need to know you have 10 kids and you're trying 00:08:25.139 --> 00:08:26.399 to take care of them because your husband died 00:08:26.399 --> 00:08:28.220 in a car accident. Now, while that is relevant, 00:08:28.420 --> 00:08:31.240 and I do feel for you, I didn't want to know 00:08:31.240 --> 00:08:34.279 that. I'm just trying to fill a position. You 00:08:34.279 --> 00:08:36.200 want the job. I want to see why you want it. 00:08:36.340 --> 00:08:40.899 Okay? That's all I want to know. Just keep that 00:08:40.899 --> 00:09:03.940 in mind when actually being there. Okay? Okay, 00:09:03.940 --> 00:09:08.039 well. Okay, so that's a good question. Thank 00:09:08.039 --> 00:09:10.679 you for asking. What to expect in the interview? 00:09:10.860 --> 00:09:14.700 All right, well. How many interviewers are there? 00:09:15.539 --> 00:09:19.759 Okay. The letter inviting you to interview will 00:09:19.759 --> 00:09:21.500 probably state who will be interviewing you. 00:09:21.580 --> 00:09:23.840 It's often three to five people because that 00:09:23.840 --> 00:09:27.820 removes any individual bias. Not all companies 00:09:27.820 --> 00:09:30.039 do this, but a good some do. Some don't be surprised 00:09:30.039 --> 00:09:33.080 to walk in and find a room full of people. One 00:09:33.080 --> 00:09:35.519 will probably take the lead and explain who will 00:09:35.519 --> 00:09:37.799 be asking questions as well as the role of the 00:09:37.799 --> 00:09:41.039 others. Or worse yet, it could be a group interview. 00:09:42.340 --> 00:09:45.419 When you're asked a question, reply to the person 00:09:45.419 --> 00:09:47.399 who asked the question. Others may intervene. 00:09:48.279 --> 00:09:50.519 either during or after your answer, in which 00:09:50.519 --> 00:09:52.679 case you'll also need to reply to the interventions. 00:09:52.840 --> 00:09:56.139 Again, reply to that person and not to the entire 00:09:56.139 --> 00:10:00.379 group generally. Okay? Let me go back to presentations 00:10:00.379 --> 00:10:03.720 for a second, since you brought this up. If you've 00:10:03.720 --> 00:10:06.000 been invited to give a presentation, you will 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:08.299 probably be asked to give it immediately after 00:10:08.299 --> 00:10:12.960 introductions. I will cover presentation skills 00:10:12.960 --> 00:10:16.879 a little bit later, but keep this in mind, okay? 00:10:17.360 --> 00:10:19.679 There is a difference between presentation skills 00:10:19.679 --> 00:10:23.080 and presentations in interviews. Right now, that's 00:10:23.080 --> 00:10:24.879 not part of the communication segment that I'm 00:10:24.879 --> 00:10:28.240 covering, but I will cover it later. Anyway, 00:10:28.399 --> 00:10:30.379 if there's a time limit for your presentation, 00:10:30.559 --> 00:10:33.100 then keep to it. If you can't see the clock in 00:10:33.100 --> 00:10:36.519 the room, then put your watch on the table in 00:10:36.519 --> 00:10:39.259 front of you to make sure that you're keeping 00:10:39.259 --> 00:10:41.899 to time. If you're running short, cut your presentation 00:10:41.899 --> 00:10:45.460 and move to the conclusion. Okay? Now let's talk 00:10:45.460 --> 00:10:49.450 about the types of questions. Okay. Interviewers 00:10:49.450 --> 00:10:52.309 often like to start with an easy icebreaker question, 00:10:52.429 --> 00:10:54.750 such as, what do you do at your current job? 00:10:55.350 --> 00:10:58.450 Or, tell us why you applied for this job. If 00:10:58.450 --> 00:11:00.629 you've done your presentation, you'll be ready 00:11:00.629 --> 00:11:06.090 for this. Okay. Modern interviews tend to be 00:11:06.090 --> 00:11:08.769 competence -based. That means you have to have 00:11:08.769 --> 00:11:11.470 a brain, for one. Which means that they focus 00:11:11.470 --> 00:11:13.809 on your skills and how you can demonstrate them. 00:11:13.929 --> 00:11:16.090 So questions will often be in the form of... 00:11:16.700 --> 00:11:18.980 Tell us about the time when you da -da -da -da 00:11:18.980 --> 00:11:24.480 -da. Can you give us an example of a time when 00:11:24.480 --> 00:11:28.279 you did whatever? Or, from your previous experience, 00:11:28.539 --> 00:11:30.940 how would you deal with a situation like, and 00:11:30.940 --> 00:11:33.600 then give you an example. If you don't have much 00:11:33.600 --> 00:11:35.759 work experience, don't worry. Be prepared to 00:11:35.759 --> 00:11:38.639 say, well, I haven't actually had to do that 00:11:38.639 --> 00:11:41.679 yet, but this is what I would do in said situation. 00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:45.059 If you're being interviewed for a job and you 00:11:45.059 --> 00:11:46.659 don't have much experience in the field, the 00:11:46.659 --> 00:11:48.340 interviewers will usually try to help you by 00:11:48.340 --> 00:11:50.240 giving you a hypothetical question asking you 00:11:50.240 --> 00:11:53.840 how you would approach a problem. Then, no, you 00:11:53.840 --> 00:11:57.500 don't have much experience. They already know 00:11:57.500 --> 00:12:01.480 this. But what they're trying to give you a chance 00:12:01.480 --> 00:12:03.919 to do is show what you can do if you were put 00:12:03.919 --> 00:12:08.080 in that position. Okay? The interviewers are 00:12:08.080 --> 00:12:09.879 not trying to trip you up as a general rule. 00:12:10.019 --> 00:12:12.769 So, if you... Get a question that you don't understand. 00:12:13.029 --> 00:12:15.809 Just say so. And ask them to explain it a bit. 00:12:15.909 --> 00:12:18.490 They will be happy to do so just so they can 00:12:18.490 --> 00:12:20.370 see what kind of person you are so they can move 00:12:20.370 --> 00:12:24.470 to the next chat. Okay? There are still interviewers 00:12:24.470 --> 00:12:27.529 who believe in the benefits of asking off -the 00:12:27.529 --> 00:12:30.549 -wall questions. I have to admit that this is 00:12:30.549 --> 00:12:34.509 true. Like, if you were in a car, what type would 00:12:34.509 --> 00:12:38.110 you be? Uh -oh. Sorry. If you were a car, what 00:12:38.110 --> 00:12:41.860 type would you be? Honestly, if I had to answer 00:12:41.860 --> 00:12:44.159 that question, I would say a Maserati, but that's 00:12:44.159 --> 00:12:48.480 not the point here. One of the ones I've heard 00:12:48.480 --> 00:12:51.799 before, and I've done a lot of interviews, what 00:12:51.799 --> 00:12:54.519 are your best and worst traits? Actually, to 00:12:54.519 --> 00:12:58.720 be fair, I hate this question. What you do in 00:12:58.720 --> 00:13:01.350 situations like this, you just humor them. have 00:13:01.350 --> 00:13:05.669 a fairly bland and generic reply prepared such 00:13:05.669 --> 00:13:08.769 as well I'm not sure what type of animal, car, 00:13:08.929 --> 00:13:13.049 bird or whatever I'd be but I do know that I 00:13:13.049 --> 00:13:16.690 set my standards high and I'm not happy unless 00:13:16.690 --> 00:13:20.570 I'm working hard okay and with the car example 00:13:20.570 --> 00:13:23.309 if they're dedicated to finding out exactly what 00:13:23.309 --> 00:13:29.029 car you would be aim high but not too high okay 00:13:30.110 --> 00:13:32.289 The reason I say aim high but not too high is 00:13:32.289 --> 00:13:34.490 because they want to know if you're confident. 00:13:34.950 --> 00:13:38.250 That's basically the point of the question. But 00:13:38.250 --> 00:13:41.450 they don't want to see a person who's overconfident. 00:13:42.490 --> 00:13:47.129 You want to be fast and powerful? Great. You're 00:13:47.129 --> 00:13:50.850 a Lamborghini. But don't just jump out there 00:13:50.850 --> 00:13:55.269 and say, I want to be a Bentley. Okay, great. 00:13:55.409 --> 00:13:59.700 You think high of yourself, but... It's possible 00:13:59.700 --> 00:14:01.940 you think a little too high of yourself. Now, 00:14:02.039 --> 00:14:04.679 if your question is, I wanted to be a Bentley 00:14:04.679 --> 00:14:07.960 because I've always wanted to own one, okay, 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:18.679 fine. But consider how you respond. Okay? Okay, 00:14:18.919 --> 00:14:31.299 okay. So, I've covered all of that. Great. So, 00:14:31.440 --> 00:14:33.240 you've finally made it through the interview. 00:14:34.019 --> 00:14:39.639 You're at the end. Now what? Okay, well, at the 00:14:39.639 --> 00:14:41.919 end of the interview, you will probably be asked 00:14:41.919 --> 00:14:44.600 if you have any questions. This is a typical 00:14:44.600 --> 00:14:47.539 question. They always ask you this. Alright? 00:14:47.879 --> 00:14:50.240 It is usually a good idea to ask a few questions 00:14:50.240 --> 00:14:53.519 about the organization or a role at this point. 00:14:54.179 --> 00:14:56.159 You're free to ask just about anything. And I 00:14:56.159 --> 00:14:57.559 say just about because there's some questions 00:14:57.559 --> 00:15:00.620 you just don't ask. However, if you really don't 00:15:00.620 --> 00:15:02.840 have any questions, perhaps because you spoke 00:15:02.840 --> 00:15:04.899 to someone from the organization before the interview 00:15:04.899 --> 00:15:08.039 and they basically answered all of your questions, 00:15:08.220 --> 00:15:13.200 then it's fine to say so. Do explain that it's 00:15:13.200 --> 00:15:16.779 because you spoke to whoever and they were able 00:15:16.779 --> 00:15:20.179 to answer all your questions ahead of time. It's 00:15:20.179 --> 00:15:22.179 also acceptable to ask when the organization 00:15:22.179 --> 00:15:24.960 will be expected to let people know the outcome 00:15:24.960 --> 00:15:27.259 of their application. This is actually a really 00:15:27.259 --> 00:15:30.340 good question you want to ask. It may also be 00:15:30.340 --> 00:15:32.820 worth asking if there's anything that they feel 00:15:32.820 --> 00:15:34.759 that you didn't address as well as you could 00:15:34.759 --> 00:15:38.059 have done or that you weren't entirely clear 00:15:38.059 --> 00:15:41.679 on. The reason for doing this is so that even 00:15:41.679 --> 00:15:43.559 if you don't get the job, you know what you can 00:15:43.559 --> 00:15:46.259 improve on. It gives you a second chance if you 00:15:46.259 --> 00:15:48.919 were a bit nervous and didn't answer as well 00:15:48.919 --> 00:15:51.659 as you could have done early on. Think of it 00:15:51.659 --> 00:15:56.240 as... A way to force the interviewer to give 00:15:56.240 --> 00:15:58.700 you a second fighting chance at clarifying so 00:15:58.700 --> 00:16:01.779 that you still have a chance even if you weren't 00:16:01.779 --> 00:16:05.759 going to get the job anyway. Finally, before 00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:08.139 you leave, thank the interview panel for the 00:16:08.139 --> 00:16:10.200 chance to attend the interview and say that it 00:16:10.200 --> 00:16:13.279 was nice to meet them. Smile, gain eye contact, 00:16:13.720 --> 00:16:17.039 again, shake hands only if appropriate, and always 00:16:17.039 --> 00:16:20.899 leave a good final impression. You will find 00:16:20.899 --> 00:16:25.259 it due course if you were successful, okay? If 00:16:25.259 --> 00:16:28.100 you were not, then it would be a good idea to 00:16:28.100 --> 00:16:31.120 ask for feedback, like I mentioned before. You 00:16:31.120 --> 00:16:33.019 may gain some useful tips, advice to improve 00:16:33.019 --> 00:16:36.039 your chances at your next interview. Or it could 00:16:36.039 --> 00:16:38.740 just be that the person thinks that you're overqualified 00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:41.860 and will usually tell you so, and they'll tell 00:16:41.860 --> 00:16:44.480 you you deserve better. Or, if they say that 00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:46.500 you're just not suited for this job, they'll 00:16:46.500 --> 00:16:50.120 explain to you why, okay? These are some of the 00:16:50.120 --> 00:16:52.779 most important things to keep in mind about interviews, 00:16:53.039 --> 00:16:57.740 mostly to help improve your skills in that particular 00:16:57.740 --> 00:17:03.539 field. Okay? So with that, again, guys, I thank 00:17:03.539 --> 00:17:06.019 you guys for listening. Thank you for always 00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:09.900 being there with me on my podcast. If you enjoy 00:17:09.900 --> 00:17:13.079 what you hear, you like what I'm talking about, 00:17:13.119 --> 00:17:15.660 or you have any suggestions, hit that like or 00:17:15.660 --> 00:17:18.730 subscribe button. Support me on the anchor .fm 00:17:18.730 --> 00:17:20.970 website by showing some love. If you have any 00:17:20.970 --> 00:17:23.529 topics or suggestions, just let me know. And 00:17:23.529 --> 00:17:25.009 enjoy the rest of your day. Again, this has been 00:17:25.009 --> 00:17:26.890 Food for Thought. Thoughts if it were you. I'm 00:17:26.890 --> 00:17:29.289 Neogentrix. And next time we'll be talking about 00:17:29.289 --> 00:17:31.509 telephone interviews. Enjoy the rest of your 00:17:31.509 --> 00:17:31.690 day.