Helping you succeed in your interview
Your resume
Your resume is a document that communicates to an employer your experience, skills and qualifications for a prospective position. You may think that you don’t have enough experience to write about in your resume. However, when you collate a selection of your employment related skills from your classroom, school & community, workplace learning and enterprise learning experiences, you will see that you do have a lot of skills to offer a future employer.
Here’s a sample for you to adapt. A template is provided on your Logbook CD (Resume Template.doc). Research different resume formats to make yours individual.
The first step for all interviews is Preparation
Travel time
Once you have received interview time and address immediately plan how long it will take you to travel to your interview. It is a good idea to ask colour of building, nearest cross street if you have not been to the location before. Ensure you allow for delays and traffic jams. Time your trip so you arrive at least 10 minutes before the interview this will help you relax. Arrive at the reception area no more than five minutes early. Use this time to soak up the atmosphere of the company and mentally go over what you want to say. If you are unable to attend the interview or are delayed be sure to contact the company immediately.
Presentation
Dress appropriately in clean, comfortable clothing that gives a professional image. Avoid bright clothing or accessories that attract attention. Ensure you have showered and avoid overpowering aftershave/perfume and have clean shoes.
Strengths/Skills
Write down a list your strengths. These might include reliability, a willingness to help others, ability to work flexible hours, team player, quick learner, sense of humour, eagerness to learn. Focusing on your personal/professional strengths will help to increase your self confidence. Prepare examples of how you have demonstrated each of your strengths in your working life and write them down. Honest factual information is essential.
Evidence
You should have an updated resume (see sample resume) and the current phone number of a referee with their name, position in the company. Use a referee that will support what you are saying in the interview. Prepare a current list of jobs you have held or work experience you have completed. Take your most recent training organisation results notice and think about the skills you have gained under each unit of competency. You are now prepared to refer your skill strengths during the interview when an opportunity arises.
Prepare for each interview with research
Make a list of the requirements of the job point by point, reflect on your previous work experience or the competencies you have studied and match your work experience and studies to the job requirements. Write out what relevant experience or knowledge you have after each point and read them aloud to yourself.
You should also research and prepare individual notes for each interview. If you do not know where to start go to the internet to find out the organisations size, locations and divisions, products and services, reputation, and major competitors. If the position is with a small company look in local newspapers or trade magazines for references or ring the office to find out about the business or similar businesses in the area.
Interview practice
Practice builds confidence and while you may feel uncomfortable rehearsing interview questions and answers aloud at home it will help you speak with clarity in the interview and also help you prepare mentally.
Write down what you think the interviewer is going to ask you. Recalling previous interviews is a good guide or if you have a job description this information will help you prepare relevant responses. Typical questions would be:
"Tell me about yourself"
This is an invitation to show that you have researched the position and to highlight your strengths. Start with "I have had exposure to this job/field and I have completed several study competencies (list them)." Then confirm with the interviewer these examples are relevant to the job needs. The interviewer will now lead the appropriate focus and avoid irrelevancies. You can also use this opportunity to exemplify your key behavioural profiles. " I have an excellent attendance record, I get on with other team members and professional peers I enjoy learning new things and I have a positive happy attitude."
"Why did you choose this particular career path?"
Form your answer so that it connects you with the position and the company. Explain what you understand are the benefits of the industry (your apprenticeship/traineeship) and what you like about it and its relevance to you.
"I chose hairdressing because I have always been a good listener and communicator and I have a good eye for style and like to help to make people feel good. I have a particular interest in creating new looks and like the sales aspect and experimenting with new products. I would like to one day have my own business and I like the high-energy work environment that is commonplace to the industry."
"Why are you out of work?"
Explain the reason you lost your previous apprenticeship/traineeship i.e. economic downturn, company was unstable, company relocation and emphasise your desire to join this new organisation and your determination to complete your apprenticeship/traineeship. Highlight the good points about your previous role noting what you enjoyed most. "I had a good relationship with my fellow workers and I found it great to put a practical application to my studies". Confirm that you are keen to commit and make a solid contribution to the organisation.
"Your application shows you have not completed certain competencies. Why?"
Explain the reason you may not have been able to achieve certain competencies i.e. lack of equipment or trainers or the company was cutting back on hours and you had less time to complete practical units. Note the skills and ability you do have and point out your willingness to take on responsibility. State why you think you could grow and be an asset to their company. "I have 2 years experience and have worked with several types of equipment I have completed my Occupational Health and Safety Certificate and I have a solid knowledge of how important due diligence is in any work environment."
"Why do you want to work here?"
This is where your research pays off explain you have read (refer to the source i.e. paper, internet) this company/business has reputation for; providing a stable and happy work environment, a leader in the field service/product, a prominent community based organisation, an atmosphere that will encourage your best work. Add what you believe you will enjoy about working at the organisation and how you see it will enhance your profession experience. Again honesty is essential.
"What did you like/dislike about your last job?"
Emphasise what you liked about your last job and how it enhanced your studies with experience give examples. Fall back on key aspects about work experience if you have had limited opportunities previously i.e. teamwork skills, self-management skills, exposure to professional environment. The key is to never criticise. Criticising a prior employer is a warning flag that you could be a problem.
"What would you like to be doing five years from now?
Mention your career plans i.e. to own your own business, to be regarded as a professional, to be a team leader/player. Try to shape your answers to the company's needs. This is a good opportunity to ask about possibilities for professional growth within the company.
"What are your biggest accomplishments?"
Use this question as an opportunity to not only talk about achievements at work but to demonstrate community social involvement i.e. sports club, fund raising, social group or a course group project. "I made a contribution through, for example research, arranging meeting times, preparing documents, finding donors to charity, or exercising discipline in training to enhance my performance."
"Why should I hire you?"
Highlight areas from your background that relate to current needs in the position. Call attention to your willingness to learn and grow professionally. Recap on positive things from the interview. Finish by noting qualifications you have that are relevant to the role, that fact that you are looking for instruction and take direction well, that you want to be an asset to the business and that you are a team player.
"What are your salary expectations?"
You can mention that you are aware of the market value for your position, in general terms i.e. your apprenticeship year level. You should also emphasis your commitment to finishing your apprenticeship/traineeship.
"Do you have any questions?"
Here you can ask if they are planning any new projects or expansion. You can also ask directly if they think you would be a "good fit" for the role. You should also ask them if you should advise your referee they will be calling (this is a professional courtesy). You should also ask them for feedback on how you went within the interview process. This is always a good indicator of the interview outcome and will help you improve on your techniques for interviews in the future.
Follow up
When completing the interview you should always thank the interviewer for their time. Clarify that you would like to be considered/or not for the position. It shows initiative if you call the next day to reiterate your interest in the role.
Overview
Interviewers appreciate honesty and evidence or examples or what you claim. Primarily this demonstrates that you have prepared for the interview and that abilities you say you can bring to the organisation are supported in your history. You should always look at the interview process as a learning experience take ownership of set-backs and improve on areas that need work. Move forward if you are unsuccessful it is a highly competitive market and you must try not to get defensive, angry or rude. Opportunity favours the prepared and it is the prepared applicant that is most likely to succeed.