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A smart presentation on Career Development covering areas of personal development, communication, interpersonal skills, CV writing, Interview preparation etc
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Career Development WorkshopFinal Year
finding and getting the right job
workshop objectives• acquire tools to find out about yourself
– personality
– skills and aptitudes
– values and motivations
• be able to find out about jobs for mathematicians• understand and manage the application process
– writing a CV– writing a cover letter– applying for jobs– interviews
finding and getting the right job: what the workshop will cover
• what is my personality profile?• what are my strengths?• what are my values?• what kind of careers are open to me?• writing a CV• writing a cover letter• applying for jobs• interviews• resources
personality profile• based on Myers Briggs Type• on-line questionnaire:- choose between pairs of
statements• e-mailed report• 16 personality “types” based on preferences
– extraversion – introversion– sensing – intuition– thinking – feeling– judging - perception
personality types suggest
• what you are most comfortable doing?• why do you work?• what kind of environment?• what type of activity?• what type of contribution?• how you manage your time• how you get results• how you manage change• interaction needs with others• relationship style
personality types also suggest
• how people see you– as a leader
– as a manager
– as a decision maker
– in resolving conflict
• your best assets
• your potential weaknesses
assessing your skills
• identify your strengths • rate your skills and attributes
– be realistic
– consider evidence for high scores
– where you consider you are above average
• will suggest– the kind of jobs to look for
– the kind of jobs to avoid
• show where you need to plan your development
how do I rate my capability?
how much do I enjoy doing this?
1 low 6 high 1 low 6 high
written communicationability to write concisely and convey meaning in a way appropriate to different readers presenting a persuasive argument
oral communicationability to express ideas verbally in a way easily understood by others who are unfamiliar with the topic, including delivering presentations, giving accurate information or acting as a spokesperson
problem solvingdevising and then using an appropriate method, rule, technique or logic to solve a problem
leadership ability to organise and motivate others
creative thinkingbeing original and inventive in order to solve problems, generate ideas or produce novel designs
numeracyability to understanding and interpret facts and ideas expressed in figures and non-verbal data
team workingworking cooperatively and effectively with wide variety of other pee to achieve a common goal
commercial awarenesshaving an understanding and appreciation of the products and services of an organisation, its markets and customers
language skills understanding and being competent in another language
judgmentability to think clearly and logically under pressure, giving consideration to the potential impact upon other elements before deciding on the wisest course of action to be taken
computer literacy programming skills, competence in operating software packages
negotiatingagreeing a course of action that is both appropriate and beneficial to those involved
persuadingability to challenge the attitudes and points of view of others in a logical, non-judgemental way that people can understand
decision makingtaking responsibility for what needs to be done and setting achievable goals frequently within a set time frame.
time managementability to organise one's work prioritise and sequence what needs to be done within deadlines
project managementability to take responsibility for the management and delivery of all or a part of a programme of work
self motivationcapacity to identify, address and compete tasks without needing to be prompted or micro-managed
ability to meet targets and deadlines
comfortable when faced with different tasks with different, tight deadlines. Able to maintain accuracy under pressure
customer relationscomfortable and positive in face to face contact with customers, especially those who are dissatisfied.
flexibility able to adapt plans and change actions as circumstances demand
practical skillsability to make and fix e.g. mechanical, electrical objects. Artistic creativity - painting, sculpture.
others
Skills and Aptitudes Review
skill what this means
written communication
oral communication
problem solving
leadership
creative thinking
numeracy
team working
commercial awareness
language skills
judgment
computer literacy
negotiating
persuading
decision making
time management
project management
self motivation
ability to meet targets and deadlines
customer relations
flexibility
practical skills
others
Personal Skills and Aptitudes Audit
skillactivity
(e.g course, work, club/society. volunteering etc.)
evidence (describe circumstances in which the skill
was demonstrated)
assessing your values and motivations
• what is important to you?
• what motivates you?
• focus your research about companies
• suggests questions to ask in interviews
how important is 1 low 6 high
influence Changing the actions or opinions of others. Having an impact in my role
altruismBeing involved in work without an emphasis on profit or significant personal gain. Contributing my community or society, helping someone.
integrityPromoting truth and justice, having integrity in thought and action, Honesty and loyalty
adventure/riskSeizing opportunities as they arise without being sure of the outcome. Taking decisions on the basis of incomplete information. Enjoy challenge and excitement
self-direction/autonomy Responsibility for own work, Freedom to choose when and how I do my work.
responsibility Responsible for achieving own results. Relating on myself for achievement
feeling valued Recognition, praise or acknowledgement of my work by others
respectWorking in an environment that is non-judgemental and where staff are respected and give respect
ethical Working for a company that does not compromise my moral or ethical beliefs
innovationThinking creatively, coming up with new ideas, being curious. Pioneering, pushing for change,. Helping others look at things in a new way.
certaintyKnowing what my roles and responsibilities are. Not dealing with change in the working environment
wealth/material benefitsHigher than average graduate salary, bonuses and benefits. Expensive possessions
self promotion Being competitive and striving to be the best
aesthetics Creating things that have beauty or technical elegance
diversity Appreciating and respecting differences
change and variety Wide variety in my work tasks and situations
stability Secure and stable employment
working with othersCo-operation with other people. Sharing ideas, decision making and responsibilities. Being a member of a team
prestige and social status
Status, recognition and visible success e.g. job title, company car
achievement Sense of personal accomplishment, feeling productive
intellectual stimulationDealing with intellectually difficult problems that require high level understanding and reasoning skills
work/life balance Time for leisure, friends and family
travel Opportunities to travel and live overseas
other
Values and motivation
value what this means
quantitative skills you should have developed during your maths degree
• analysis and interpretation of data• designing and conducting experimental studies and tests• high computer literacy• analytical approach to problem solving, formulating and
testing theories• dealing with abstract concepts• presenting mathematical arguments with accuracy and clarity• advanced numeracy skills • clear logical thinking
“soft” skills you could have developed through your time at university
– communications – written and verbal– personal time management, producing results against
deadlines– organisational skills– teamwork skills– ability to work independently– potentially many others depending on your activities…
• influencing, negotiating• presenting
“hard” skills you could have developed through your time at university
• excel / access / powerpoint
• project management, PERT planning
• speaking another language
• programming
some jobs specifically for mathematicians and statisticians
• actuary – insurance companies, banks, professional firms• statistician – pharmaceutical industry etc.• “quant” - banking• operations research – GORS, large companies• weather forecasting – Met Office• secondary school teaching• geophysicist• quality control engineering• postgraduate research – MSc/PhD or research and
engineering companies
occupations requiring general numeracy skills
• accountancy
• insurance
• management consultancy
• market research
• banking and finance
• programming
• software engineering
• taxation
• social research
• economist
• etc….
general graduate jobs
• where degree subject is unimportant
• management training schemes
• you won’t be competing using your mathematical skills
• the choice is enormous – use the resources available
some jobs for last year’s Surrey maths graduates
• 3M Accounts Assistant
• Allianz Pricing Analyst
• Bossmosix IT Administrator
• DFDS Operations Co-ordinator
• DSG Retail Customer Advisor
• ES Pipeline Market Analyst
• Geokinetics Processing Geophysicist
• Jardine Lloyd Thompson Pensions Administrator
• News Quest Trainee Financial Accountant
• OOCL Operations Controller
• Bank of England Management Account Analyst
• Direct Line Group Pricing Analyst
• Nomura Financial Controller
more jobs (not counting teaching and postgraduate research)
• Barclays Global Operations Analyst
• Lloyds Banking Group Risk Analyst
• The Automobile Association Insight Analyst
• Coller Capital Investment Accountant
• Atos IT Consultant
• Debenhams Project Administrator
• EEA Fund Management Ltd Junior Analyst
• First Actuarial Student Actuary
• HSBC Bank Analyst
• Microsoft Ltd Data/Web Analyst
• PriceWaterhouseCoopers Associate
• Save the Children Customer Service
• Australian Commonwealth Bank Trainee Accountant
job finding resources• www.surrey.ac.uk/careers
• www.prospects.ac.uk
• www.targetjobs.co.uk
• www.insidecareers.co.uk
• www.mathscareers.org.uk
• professional bodies– www.siam.org– www.theorsociety.com– www.ima.org.uk– www.actuaries.org.uk
• other universities’ career service websites
• use your imagination and the computer!
creating your CV
• the purpose of a CV
• structure
• content
• cover letter
• resources to help you
assess this CV
• would you select this applicant for interview?
• how many mistakes can you find?
Curriculum Vitae Personal details: Name: Julie Maureen Crisp Address: 21 Station Road Shrewsbury SW2 3GH Telephone: 01483 805678 Date of birth: 9th January 1992 Place of birth: Manchester Nationality: British E-mail [email protected] Qualifications: 10/2011 – 2014 Surrey University, Stag Hill, Guildford GU2 7XH Mathematics BSC Sept 2003 – July 2010 Oswestry School, Cheshire 2010 A levels: -Mathematics A - Physics B -Computer Science A -Chemistry A 2008 GCSEs: English Language A -Maths A -Biology A -Physics A -Chemistry A -French B Geography A Economics C Business Studies B Work Experience 2011 Norwood Finance Ltd, 27 Winterbourne Road,
Birmingham B 7 3 HF
Summer internship, 8 weeks 2009 – 2010 Toys R Us, part time sales assistant Developed communications skills through being on customer services desk, and ability to work under pressure at peak times 2005 – 2007 Direct Call Services, Part time customer services clark Promoted to senior clark Interests and Achievements I enjoy building computers and developing websites. Voluntry work: Working on a talking newspaper for the blind Fund raising for the RNIB, eg organised raffles and an auction Music: play saxophone in jazz group Reading, watching films, listening to music.socialising Playing computer games, especially violent kinds References available on request
Curriculum Vitae Personal details: Name: Julie Maureen Crisp Address: 21 Station Road term time? Shrewsbury SW2 3GH Telephone: 01483 805678 home or university? Date of birth: 9th January 1992 Place of birth: Manchester Nationality: British E-mail [email protected] [email protected] Qualifications: Education 10/2011 – present 2014 Surrey University, Stag Hill, Guildford GU2 7XH Mathematics BSC BSc year 1 marks, year 2 marks? Sept 2003 – July 2010 9/03 – 7/10 Oswestry School, Cheshire 2010 A levels: -Mathematics A on one line only - Physics B -Computer Science A -Chemistry A 2008 GCSEs: English Language A on one or two lines only -Maths A -Biology A -Physics A -Chemistry A -French B Geography A Economics C Business Studies B Work Experience 2011 Norwood Finance Ltd, 27 Winterbourne Road,
Birmingham B 7 3HF
don’t break a section Summer internship, 8 weeks 2009 – 2010 Toys R Us, part time sales assistant Developed communications skills through being on customer services desk, and ability to work under pressure at peak times
list what you did and the results you got in bullet points
2005 – 2007 Direct Call Services, Part time customer services clark Promoted to senior clark what did you do? skills and Aptitudes? Intrests and Achievements
bullet points, punchy and specific I enjoy building computers and developing websites. Voluntry work: Working on a talking newspaper for the blind Fund raising for the RNIB, eg organised raffles and an auction Music: play saxophone in jazz group Reading, watching films, listening to music. socialising Playing computer games, especially violent kinds is this a sensible thing to put? References available on request
purpose of a CV
• from your point of view– to get the interview, not the job– to demonstrate in the CV that you have the skills, experience
and motivation
• from the employers’ point of view– to weed out unsuitable candidates quickly– to make a short list
imagine that you are the product and the CV is your advertisement
• get your unique selling propositions (USPs) across
• you only have a few seconds attention from the reader – your particular strengths
– unique combinations of attributes
– what do you have that the competition doesn’t?
things to think about
• first impressions are critical in job hunting as in life.
• the CV and the covering letter are your first contact with a potential employer.
• your CV is competing with all the other CVs
• the CV needs to show immediately that you have– the relevant aptitudes, skills and knowledge– the necessary experience– the motivation
• these features can be demonstrated by your CV
• how the CV is written is as important as what it contains
structure• Up to you – it’s your CV
• must be logical and easy to follow
• everything the reader needs must be clear and easy to find
• typical example– education
– employment (includes work experience, volunteering)
– skills and aptitudes
– interests
– bio data
– references
• two pages of A4 – and be able to produce a one page version
• explore internet for examples
style
• sharp, positive and focussed• most space given to most important aspects• make every word count• reverse chronological order for education and
employment• bullet points – short and punchy, not prose• active verbs – e.g. organised, managed, presented• don’t use the word “I”• don’t repeat yourself
education
• give your overall marks for years 1, 2 and S1 year 3, don’t list modules studied
• individual module marks if very good and relevant to the job
• A levels and year, AS if different subjects
• list GCSEs briefly but mention specifically English and foreign languages
• awards, scholarships and prizes (most emphasis on university)
possible education template
Education
2012 – present University of Surrey
BSc Mathematics year 1 mark 68%
year 2 mark 66%
2010 – 2012 St John’s College, Wigan
A level Maths (A*) Biology (B) Physics (A)
2005 – 2010 Templecourt School, Warrington
GCSE 7 A, 3 B, 1 C including English (A), French (B)
employment
• company name, location (not address), job title, dates e.g. 6/11 – 9/11
• describe company’s business
• list what you did and the results you achieved and any achievements
• describe any training given
• include volunteering or internships in same detail
• briefly mention short work experience
• don’t cover skills used or developed
possible employment template
Employment
4/10 -9/10 Courtauld’s Ltd, CoventryArtificial and Synthetic Fibres Division
Laboratory technician o set up apparatus for preparation of novel compoundso carried out syntheses and tested resulting products using mass spectrometryo wrote up reports of work carried outo presented verbal report on work at weekly meetings
skills and aptitudes
• developed from studies, employment, volunteering, interests …– either integrate into sections with the activity - but risk of repetition
– or a specific section
• give evidence for each claimed skill• no clichés• select your key strengths
– where you think you are better than most
written communications
oral communications
problem solving
leadership
creative thinking
numeracy
team working
commercial awareness
language skills
judgment
IT
negotiating
persuading
decision making
time management
project management
self motivation
ability to meet targets and deadlines
customer relations
flexibility
practical skills
Skills and Aptitudes
aptitudes that employers want most
• verbal communications • team working• integrity• intellectual ability• self-confidence• organisational skills• interpersonal skills• writing ability• numeracy• analytic skills/decision making
how do I rate my capability?
how much do I enjoy doing this?
1 low 6 high 1 low 6 high
written communicationability to write concisely and convey meaning in a way appropriate to different readers presenting a persuasive argument
oral communicationability to express ideas verbally in a way easily understood by others who are unfamiliar with the topic, including delivering presentations, giving accurate information or acting as a spokesperson
problem solvingdevising and then using an appropriate method, rule, technique or logic to solve a problem
leadership ability to organise and motivate others
creative thinkingbeing original and inventive in order to solve problems, generate ideas or produce novel designs
numeracyability to understanding and interpret facts and ideas expressed in figures and non-verbal data
team workingworking cooperatively and effectively with wide variety of other pee to achieve a common goal
commercial awarenesshaving an understanding and appreciation of the products and services of an organisation, its markets and customers
language skills understanding and being competent in another language
judgmentability to think clearly and logically under pressure, giving consideration to the potential impact upon other elements before deciding on the wisest course of action to be taken
computer literacy programming skills, competence in operating software packages
negotiatingagreeing a course of action that is both appropriate and beneficial to those involved
persuadingability to challenge the attitudes and points of view of others in a logical, non-judgemental way that people can understand
decision makingtaking responsibility for what needs to be done and setting achievable goals frequently within a set time frame.
time managementability to organise one's work prioritise and sequence what needs to be done within deadlines
project managementability to take responsibility for the management and delivery of all or a part of a programme of work
self motivationcapacity to identify, address and compete tasks without needing to be prompted or micro-managed
ability to meet targets and deadlines
comfortable when faced with different tasks with different, tight deadlines. Able to maintain accuracy under pressure
customer relationscomfortable and positive in face to face contact with customers, especially those who are dissatisfied.
flexibility able to adapt plans and change actions as circumstances demand
practical skillsability to make and fix e.g. mechanical, electrical objects. Artistic creativity - painting, sculpture.
others
Skills and Aptitudes Review
skill what this means
interests
• demonstrate breadth of personality
• if you don’t have any – get some!
• socialising with friends doesn’t count
• current/recent most important
• sports, clubs, charities, cultural activities…
• interesting travel, projects…
• be specific – what, when, what level, where…
• be aware of current affairs – listen to radio 4, Today programme– read a quality newspaper
bio data
a reader friendly CV• logical structure• all key information clear and easily available• no jargon, no acronyms• professional looking presentation
– text balanced over 2 pages– good use of white space– good quality paper– single conventional font e.g.
• verdana• ariel• times new roman
• 11 or 12 point size, but headings can be larger, use bold, italic and underline appropriately CAPITALS CAN BE UGLY
putting the CV together• sweet spot – middle of first page – should have your
best aspects• get someone else to check it before you send it –
especially if English is not your mother tongue• spelling and grammar must be perfect• never rely on spell check e.g. hobbit• never tell lies
– everything on the CV must be true– not everything that is true must be on the CV
• blow your own trumpet but no hyperbole
some signs of a bad CV
• more than 2 pages long• poorly word processed or printed• section breaks over page• gaps in chronology• spelling or grammar mistakes• irrelevant, trivial details• gimmicky fonts• quirky presentation
employers’ pet hates in CVs
• typos 61%
• inappropriate e-mail addresses 35%
• no section on key skills 30%
• more than two pages 22%
• decorative paper 20%
• with a photo 13%
personal statements?
• “I have a real passion for learning and I approach all tasks with great enthusiasm. I am a responsible and reliable student who is willing to work hard in order to develop my career.”
actual statement from a student on 72% overall
• “I have a real passion for learning (obvious – you got a first) and I approach all tasks with great enthusiasm (where is the proof?). I am a responsible and reliable student (repeated what you just said in the first sentence) who is willing to work hard in order to develop my career (can you imagine someone saying that they are not willing to work hard to develop their career?).”
use the “not” test
• I am a hardworking and honest individual and an excellent timekeeper
• I don’t work hard, I’m not particularly honest and I am a poor timekeeper
• but when might these three attributes be worth putting down?
sending CVs to employers
• use original print hard copies not photocopies
• send to named individual with cover letter
• electronically use a PDF
cover letters
• grab the reader’s attention and interest• highlight the relevant skills and experience in your CV• show you have done your research on the job/activity and employer• demonstrate why you want to work for that employer• could be applying for a vacancy or speculative
writing the cover letter
• no more than ¾ of a page of A4• addressed to a named individual• specific for particular application even with a template• written in formal business style• well laid out, clear and easy to follow• perfect spelling and grammar• good quality paper
cover letters are formal
• written English is not spoken English written down• some words to avoid
– don’t, can’t, I’d, Dad, shouldn’t, it’s (which only means it is!)• don’t start sentences with “and”, “but” …• typed, not handwritten but signed by hand if a paper copy• could use an electronic signature for letter sent by e-mail
• short sentences each with a verb, subject and object
typical structure of cover letter
• your address and the address of the company• subject e.g. professional placement/ job title• para 1 introduce yourself, what job you are applying for, where you
saw it advertised• para 2 why do you want to work in this job/activity?• para 3 why do you want to work for this company?• para 4 why you are a suitable candidate, what relevant skills and
experience you bring• positive ending• your signature• your name
useful resources CVs and cover letters
• www.surrey.ac.uk/careers/current/leaflets/index.htm
• www.surrey.ac.uk/careers/current/work/cv/index.htm
• www.prospects.ac.uk/cvs_and_cover_letters.htm
• www.surrey.ac.uk/destinations/units/unit-cv005.shtml
• http://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/job-hunting-tools-downloads
Applying for jobs abroad: • www.surrey.ac.uk/careers/current/work/abroad/index.htm
doing your research
• sector – e.g. retail distribution
• activity/occupation – e.g. operations research
• company or organisation – e.g. Tesco
• specific job – e.g. transportation planner
researching the sector• e.g. retail, oil, manufacturing, financial services, transport etc.• find out
– main organisations in the sector
– history and market trends
– types of products and services being sold
– customer types
– language and terminology
– job roles and associated skills
• major company websites – “about us” pages • books, newspapers, magazines – “bluffers’ guides”• blogs e.g. search “blog transport” and pod casts• on-line chat rooms
researching the activity/occupation
• what are the jobs?, what are the requirements? what are the career prospects and the rewards?
• professional bodies e.g.– society of actuaries
– accountancy bodies: CIMA, ACAA, CIPFA
– mathematics societies: SIAM, Operations Research Society
– engineering societies
• search careers websites for “occupations” e.g.– http://www.prospects.ac.uk/types_of_jobs.htm (UK)
– http://careerplanning.about.com/od/careersatoz (US)
researching the company
• company history, structure and strategy
• its products, services and markets
• its corporate values and culture
• latest news and achievements
• analysts’ reports
• competitor information
• resourceshttp://careers.theguardian.com/careers-blog/research-employers
http://www.careers.salford.ac.uk/page/research_company
http://www.corporatewatch.org/?lid=2142
Typical Selection Process
CV, letter, application, online application
Online tests (aptitude, psychometric)
First Interview /Telephone Interview
Final interview
application forms
• usually on-line
• employer decides questions
• look for evidence of specific competencies
• easy to compare candidates
• transparent and fair approach
• cost efficient with large number of applications
application forms - types of questions
• fundamental data – do you meet the basic requirements?• open ended questions – also for interviews
– motivation for the job
– what attracts you to the organisation?
– competency based questions
completing the form – top tips #1
• allow plenty of time• take as much care on-line as on paper• take as much care as in a CV• read the whole form first before you start• read the instructions and do exactly as they say• answer all the questions unless instructed otherwise• print or copy and paste the questions into a new document to plan
what goes where
top tips #2• understand the organisation’s business functions• if there is an option of ticking different kinds of job select those that
are similar• save a copy as you go along, else copy and paste into a separate
document• write formally, no abbreviations no txtspk• use active words
– organised, improved, managed, planned…
• companies may scan for key words– make sure they are there
• if there is an additional information section use it for special details you think are important but not covered
top tips #3
• check spelling, punctuation and grammar• spell-check must be English (UK) • keep a copy of the application, date submitted and any contact
details given
but be aware
• you may not be able to view the whole form before you start• you may be required to complete the form in one go • you may get timed out of a page• options in drop-down menus may not be the choice you want• may not be a spell-checker• keep within any set word counts
likely questions to expect on application forms
• why do you want to work for us?• show me that you understand the business/industry/job• what are your interests?• give examples of when you have had leadership positions or shown
leadership• why are you the best candidate for the job?• what are your strengths/achievements/additional qualifications?• computer literacy• language capability• examples of working in a team• examples of problem solving• what have you learnt from previous jobs/work experience, volunteering?• give examples where you have provided excellent customer service
competency questions
• “the following questions are designed to encourage you to provide evidence of specific abilities”
• analyse the competencies required by the company and think of occasions when you have used them
• choose the best examples from all aspects of your life –education, employment, volunteering, interests not just coursework
• use different scenarios to answer each competency question• keep your examples to the last five years• draft answers in Word and spell-check then copy
application forms - style
• short, punchy sentences, no waffle• action: verbs in active not passive (improved, not was
improved)• answer questions with evidence of your skills not opinions• your motivation should be what they can get from you, not
what you hope to get from them• explain why you want the job and what you will bring to it• don’t use the word “I”• be truthful and positive - without exaggeration
typical competency question #1
• “describe a challenging project, activity or event which you have planned and taken through to a conclusion. Include your objectives, what you did, any changes you made to your plan and how you measured your success”
• structure your answer using STAR
– situation
– task = objective
– action = what I did
– result = what happened
typical question #2
• “describe a team in which you have worked with other people. How would you describe your contribution?”
• structure of your answer
– individual role
– what skills did you demonstrate?
– consequences of your actions
– interactions with the team
typical question #3• “Describe your most significant non-academic
achievement. Why did you regard it as significant?”
• structure of your answer– importance of the situation for you
– evidence of a goal
– motivation
– obstacles overcome
– enthusiasm
– what skills/aptitudes have you gained from the experience?
typical question #4
• “why do you want to apply for this job? What do you have to offer this role?”
• sell yourself – but don’t hype!
• know the work involved and have researched the company
• self assessment of your strengths
• think what contribution you could make to the aims of the business
some more examples
• tell us about an occasion when you dealt with conflict. How did you resolve it? (100 words)
• what is your greatest achievement? (50 words)
• give an example of a time when you successfully led a team (200 words)
answering open ended questions
• follow the instructions to the letter• plan your answer logically• right amount of detail• emphasise skills• make sure the form explains
– why you want a career in this area
– how your skills, interests and experience make you suited to the job
common causes of rejection at the application stage
• examples all from the same part of your life• not enough detail• too much detail• vague or woolly answers – be specific• not answering the questions• not following instructions e.g. word limit• lack of attention to detail• poor spelling, punctuation and grammar• not convincing as to why you want the role
useful resources – on-line applications
• http://www.selectsimulator.com/ • http://www.surrey.ac.uk/careers/career_videos.htm (‘Online
applications’)• http://www.prospects.ac.uk/
job_applications_online_applications.htm • http://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/applications-and-cvs • http://www.insidecareers.co.uk/career-advice/2611
purpose of an interview
• conversation not interrogation
• opportunity for the company to find out about you
• opportunity for you to find out about the company
interview skills
• understand what to expect at a selection interview• know how to prepare effectively• gain an insight into possible questions• answering competency questions• know where to get help
types of interview
• telephone• first• second• format
– one to one– panel– competency based– technical– case study
preparation for an interview
“if you fail to prepare, be prepared to fail”
• research the employer and the job
• know your application inside out
• why do you want the job?
• your future ambitions
• at least two examples of each skill they are seeking
• in front of your mind– achievements – academic, employment etc….
– strengths and “areas for development”
key preparation
• what kind of interview will it be?
• who will be doing the interview?
• how are you going to travel to the interview?– where is it?– how long will it take to get here?– give yourself plenty of time
• what will you wear (smart)?
more preparation on the company and the job
• what are the company’s values?
• why are you interested in this company?
• what will the job entail?
• what questions are they likely to ask?
• what do you want to know in more detail?
..from the interviewer’s perspective• can you do the job?
– ability, qualifications, knowledge, experience
• will you do the job– motivation, attitude, enthusiasm
• will you fit in?– personality – fit with the team– fit with the culture
practicalities• on the day
– copy of CV/application and list of your questions
– plan your journey
– arrive 15 minutes early
– switch off your phone
• travel arrangements– check location
– plan your route
– check timetables/book ahead
– trial run?
• be polite to everyone
mental preparation
• believe in yourself – think positive!
• visualize a successful outcome
• practice answering questions – talk to yourself
• focus on your USPs
• what are the questions you’d least like to answer?
types of questions
• why this job? why this organisation?• open ended questions
– “tell me about yourself” – “tell me about your course”
• scenarios– “what would you do if..?”– “How would you..”
• technical skills– specific to your area of expertise– specific to the job– your approach to technical problems
• competency based
examples of competency based questions
• teamwork
“can you think of a recent example where you have worked effectively as part of a team? What was your role. What challenges did you face?”
• communication
“describe a situation where you had to negotiate to achieve a desired outcome”
• initiative
“give us an example of an occasion when you have come up with a new idea or process”
• persuasion
“tell me about an occasion when you have persuaded others to adopt your course of action”
• flexibility
“describe a time when you have had to deal with a changed direction or deadline mid way through”
follow the STAR• situation
– what was the situation in the example?
• task– what was the problem, goal or challenge?
• action– what action did you take– be specific about your role
• result– what was the outcome?– what would you do differently next time?
example of a role specific competency question
for a role in customer services
• “describe a situation where you had to deliver excellent customer service.”
hard questions (actually asked!)
• if you were to win £1m what would you do with the money?• what do you think is the most useful function in Excel?• what is it about this job that you would least look forward to?• tell me about a time when you failed at something• how would you explain Facebook to your Grandma?• what have you done in the past to get out of a tricky situation?• what do you mean by “leadership”?• who is your biggest hero?• do you think the quality of our menswear products is as high as our home
department products?• by what criteria do you judge your own performance? • what are your weaknesses?• how would your friends describe you?• where do you want to be in five year’s time?• what makes you get up in the morning?
obscure questions (actually asked!)
• how do you fit a giraffe in a frig?
• would you rather fight a horse sized duck or 100 duck-sized horses?
• why is 99% not good enough?
• how many ways can you get a needle out of a haystack?
• in a fight between a lion and a tiger, who would win?
non-verbal communication
• at least as important as verbal• firm handshake and genuine smile• appearance – neat, clean, polished• make and hold eye contact with the interviewer• confident tone of voice• speak clearly, measured pace and project your voice• sit with an alert but relaxed posture• demonstrate interest
first impressions count – the first five minutes are crucial
your questions for the interviewer
• always have some interesting questions ready• do your research on the company – especially recent news• who, which departments would I be working with?• how do you see the company developing in the future?• what is the best thing about working here?• don’t ask about questions already answered in material sent to you
e.g. pay, holidays
performing in the interview
• keep calm, slow down
• don’t fill the silences
• never be derogatory – be positive
• have answers to the obvious questions ready
• give evidence for any assertions you make about yourself
• positive body language – sit up straight, smile
– try not to fold your arms or cross your legs
– look at the interviewer
common causes of rejection at the interview stage
• examples all from the same part of your life
• not enough detail
• too much detail
• verbose, vague or woolly answers
• irrelevant answers
• not answering the questions asked
• not convincing as to why you want the role
• mumbling and muttering
• poor body language
Have you ever had a bad experience with an employer?
“Yes. I had a temp job over the summer and my boss was away a lot, which meant I was basically expected to do her job as well as mine, and I was completely overloaded with really boring, mundane tasks. I posted something about the situation on my Facebook page and got the sack.”
• what is wrong with this answer?
• how could the question have been answered?
a better answer
“I had a summer office job and my boss was away a lot. That meant that I had to take responsibility for her work as well as mine, which gave me a lot of interesting experience. However I also had to do my own job and there was no extra support, so I was working late most evenings (without extra pay) and occasionally at weekends. I eventually found it too stressful and decided to leave. But I learnt a lot from that experience about managing time and the need to prioritise.”
end of the interview
• thank them for seeing you
• remain confident throughout
• afterwards– reflect on and learn from the experience – what went well/less
well, what will I do next time?
– note any difficult questions
• ask for feedback if you get rejected
telephone interviews
• be flexible in arranging a time• take the call in a quiet room, no interruptions, table in
front of you with paper and pen• have your CV/application form in front of you• have your examples for competency questions ready• listen carefully• speak clearly, don’t rush• don’t be afraid of silences
help with interviews
www.surrey.ac.uk/careers (including online videos) www.prospects.ac.uk/interview_tips.htm
http://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/interview-techniques
www.wikijob.co.uk/wiki/common-interview-questions
• mock interviews – book through Careers Service
what are Assessment Centres?
• a selection method consisting of a variety of exercises aimed at measuring your suitability for the job
• usually last for a half or full day, occasionally two days
• the exercises are aimed at measuring specific competencies
assessment centres are about:
Meeting people:
selectors, current graduates, senior staff, other candidates
Gathering information:
about the organisation, the job, and the working culture
Demonstrating your potential:
tests and exercises about your competencies
examples of exercises which might be used
• group discussions
• personality and aptitude tests
• in-tray exercise
• presentations
• role plays
• case studies
• interviews
• written tests (drafting a letter or report)
• social events
preparation
• research the organisation’s website • draw up a list of your main strengths, focusing on those most
relevant to what you have applied for• think of questions you may want to ask • plan to arrive in good time for the start • converse with other candidates - this will help break the ice
when it comes to group exercises later
your performance
• you are not being assessed on what you know but on how you think. Be yourself
• listen carefully to the instructions given to you at the start of the day and always read the information thoroughly
• the assessment centre will give you a number of chances to show your strengths and meet their criteria
• stay focused and motivated throughout the day• you are being measured, not against other candidates, but
against certain criteria
structure of a typical one day assessment centre
09.00 - 09.45 Arrival, administration, ‘ice breaker’ introductions09.45 - 11.15 Psychometric Tests 11.15 - 11.30 Coffee11.30 - 13.00 Group Exercise13.00 - 14.00 Lunch14.00 - 15.00 Presentations followed by Interview 1 15.00 - 15.15 Tea15.15 - 16.00 Interview 216.00 - 17.00 Feedback on tests etc. and final briefing
example structure of a two day Assessment Centre
Day One:
14.00 – 15.00 Arrival, administration,
icebreaker, introductions
15.00 – 15.30 Tea
15.30 – 17.30 Tests (verbal, numeric, etc.)
19.30 – 22.00 Informal dinner at hotel or
company premises
example structure of a two day Assessment Centre – day 2
08.30 - 09.30 Test feedback09.30 – 10.30 Group Exercise # 110.30 – 11.00 Coffee11.00 – 12.30 Group Exercise #212.30 – 13.15 Lunch13.15 – 14.00 Group Exercise feedback14.00 – 15.45 Interviews (2 x 45 mins)15.45 – 16.15 Final Briefing16.15 Depart
typical competencies being assessed
• interpersonal skills
• team working skills
• communication
• problem solving
• analytical thinking
• time management
• planning and organising
• initiative
• flexibility
• business awareness
• creativity
aptitude and psychometric tests• aptitude/ability
– timed, multiple choice, often online. – test capability in numeracy, verbal reasoning, diagrammatic
reasoning. – need to work quickly and accurately – you can practise!
• personality questionnaires – establish your preferred style of working e.g. in a team or
independently– you cannot really practise for these
aptitude tests – how can you practise?
• take practise tests online - numerical, verbal, abstract reasoning. – www.surrey.ac.uk/careers– Click on link to ‘Practice Aptitude Tests’ for login details
• practise online www.shldirect.com
• BPS Testing Centre www.psychtesting.org.uk
group activities
• leaderless discussion group • assigned group roles - each member of the team may be
given a role to play • case study - undertaken individually or as a group • practical team exercises
– both indoors and out– build something using restricted materials – teams may be in competition with each other
What are employers looking for in group exercises?
• influence and persuasiveness• participation within the group• verbal fluency• quality of thought• determination• originality of ideas• open mindedness• facilitation of discussion
group discussions - tips
• make an early contribution
• listen, include others, summarise, compliment, build on what others have said
• try not to interrupt
• make interventions crisp and frequent
• watch the time
• be yourself
in-tray exercises• business simulation exercises
– in-tray or electronic inbox full of emails, company memos, telephone messages, reports and correspondence
• provided with information about the structure of the organisation and your place within it
• you are expected to– take decisions– prioritise your workload– draft replies– delegate tasks– recommend actions
• each exercise is designed to test how you handle complex information within a limited time.
• may be asked to give a verbal or written report of your decisions/recommendations
in-tray exercises – tips and practice
• fast-paced and evolving interactive e-tray exercise aiming to portray working life in the civil service:http://faststream.civilservice.gov.uk/application-process/application-advice
• Deloitte discuss the use of E-tray exercises in their recruitment process:http://mycareer.deloitte.com/uk/en/university/apply-now/selection-process/etray-exercise-and-examples
• www.assessmentday.co.uk/in-tray-exercise.htm
• www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/students/applicationsinterviews/assessmentcentres (Click on ‘In-tray exercise guide’)
presentations• may receive topic in advance or on the day• find out if you can use visual aids and if so what equipment is
available • practise out loud and keep to time• structure it with a clear introduction, middle and conclusion• try to keep to six main points• use cards as prompts• start with a good opening line• make eye contact• project your voice• smile and use humour if appropriate• make sure you know your material and be prepared for
questions
written exercise or case study
• you may have to write a summary of a report, if so keep it concise
• use your judgement to analyse the text and only include what is relevant
• demonstrate your clear thinking
• use your imagination if asked for a solution
• be diplomatic
• watch the time – skim read long documents
essays/written exercises
• write an essay or letter on a topic of your choice or one given by them
• give you a document to review and improve
• the selectors are testing – how you express yourself
– your spelling
– your grammar – whether you can communicate professionally and effectively
tips on tackling case studies #1
• practise with sample case studies in advance • research the organisation, its markets and be up to speed on
relevant current affairs• read the instructions carefully and thoroughly• read any background information you are given about the
organisation, the staff and your role.• focus on key points and make brief notes to get a feel for what
is important
tips on tackling case studies #2
• scan through all items to get an overall view of everything that will need to be considered
• stay calm • keep a note of the time and pace yourself correctly • work as quickly and as accurately as you can • when presenting your conclusions or discussing your rationale
– be as clear as possible – don’t be afraid to disagree with the selector
role plays
• for certain types of role e.g. customer facing posts, sales positions or human resource management roles
• one to one situational role plays. – an assessor or fellow candidate may take the part of a customer or member
of staff with you being required to deal with a particular problem
social events
• remember that your social skills will be observed
• be careful at dinner!
• be equally nice to everyone you meet
• ask employees about their own career paths and try to find out more about the organisation
final tips
• you may not perform your best in one exercise but this does not mean that you will be rejected - it is your overall score that counts
• it is not a competition - you will be successful if you meet the requirements
• be yourself
