Career Development and Employment Service

Career Planning and Interview Skills

Careers, Department of Student Services

Department of Student Services

Career Development and Employment Service

Learning Outcomes
By the end of this session, you should: Understand of the importance of career choice and planning Understand the purpose of interviews Be aware of different types of interviews Know how to prepare for interview Be aware of how to effectively present and promote yourself at interviews
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Deciding on a Career
Choosing a career is difficult and needs careful planning Think about what motivates you, what skills you have Work on gathering the necessary information and experience to help you to decide Look at job descriptions (www.prospects.ac.uk) What skills do you need to be able to demonstrate?
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Employment Opportunities
Some occupational areas directly related to your degree include: Database Administrator Information Systems Manager IT Consultant Systems Analyst Systems Developer Web Designer and Developer Help Desk Manager Business Analyst Project Manager E-business Manager Ecommerce Manager
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Other options where your degree would be useful

IT Sales Professional IT Trainer Secondary School Teacher Technical Author

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Career Development and Employment Service

A process for personal, career & academic development

Where am I now?

Review and development.

Where do I want to be? Where do I need to be?

Getting there.
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How do I get there?

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INTERVIEW SKILLS

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Career Development and Employment Service

An interview will enable an employer:

to check that you have the required skills and knowledge for the job to ensure that you are clear about what the job involves and that you know what will be required of you to make sure you know about the organisation and that you want to work for them.

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Career Development and Employment Service

Two Way Process

Use the interview to: make sure you want to work for this organisation check their philosophy/values match your own find out more about the job, training, future opportunities

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Career Development and Employment Service

Types of interview
One to one Panel usually three or more people Telephone interviews usually part of the initial selection process - ask about the selection process beforehand

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One to one interviews

May be a sifting exercise to see if you progress to the next stage (private sector) - likely to explore your CV or application form (but be prepared for anything) May be your main meeting (public and voluntary sector) - thorough and detailed

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Panel interviews
Very common for graduate entry level jobs Usually 3 or more people All will ask questions They may have different areas of interest May be part of an assessment centre day

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Career Development and Employment Service

Telephone interviews
Screening interview prior to face to face interview Length of time may vary from 10 minutes to 1 hour Plan for it no distractions; get comfortable; be aware of your voice, tone and pace.

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Preparation
Research the company/organisation do you know what they do?; whats their reputation? Current developments/news items/trends e.g. new contracts, takeover bids, financial and industry awards, government initiatives Main competitors/partners - demonstrate knowledge of the wider context Talk to people and pick their brains
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Preparation
Anticipate questions (based on: your application form/CV; job description; person specification; skills requirements) Think about answers What key strengths do you want to get across Think of 2 or 3 main things you want to say about yourself Questions you want to ask
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Preparation
Interview practice (careers consultants; friends) Practise your presentation (within time allocation) Re-read CV/application form Plan your route Plan your interview clothes

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Body language
Be ready to shake hands Make eye contact with all members of the panel Smile Seating position - try to look and feel relaxed No fidgeting Leave a positive impression

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Answering Questions
Listen to questions carefully what do they want to know/why are they asking? Take a few seconds before you answer to give yourself time to collect your thoughts If you are not clear about the question, ask for clarification Talk about your (relevant) skills and abilities relate these to the job If you lose your thread, take a moment to clarify your thoughts Ask if the interviewer needs additional information
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Answering Questions
Be aware of the length of your answers Always expand on a yes and no answer Dont just say what you think they want to hear - be honest but give considered and thoughtful answers

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What sort of questions can you prepare for

Why are you applying for this job? What has been your biggest achievement to date? Why are you interested in this company? What are your main strengths? What are your main weaknesses? Skill specific e.g. tell us about a time youve worked in a team (STAR) Where do you see yourself in 5 years time? How would your friends describe you?
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Career Development and Employment Service

Scenario Questions

- STAR

Scene/scenario what was the situation? Tasks what needed to be done? Action what did you do and why? Result what was the outcome? And something about you e.g. what you learned, what skills you developed, what you got out of the experience.
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Do you have any questions?

Are there opportunities for working in other departments/ for promotion? What training/support could I expect? What would the key objectives be in the first 6 months of the job? When will I hear about this interview? Whatever the outcome, would you give me feedback?
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However.
Do not ask questions just for the sake of it Do not ask questions if you should already know the answer e.g.if it is in the company literature Do not ask about fringe benefits that conversation can take place when you have been offered the job

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After the Interview

Make notes of : a) questions you were asked b) your answers c) where you think you could have done better Keep all the job application materials together for future reference Give yourself a treat

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AGCAS Interview Tips

Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services

Preparation is crucial Find out what skills the employers looking for Do some serious research on the company/organisation Be ready for questions theyre likely to ask Make a good impression
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Give yourself time to think Positive body language Expect different types of questions technical, open, motivation, scenario Try to expand but dont talk too much Make it easy for the selector to see that youre right for the job
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Resources
Why Ask Me That? AGCAS DVD Making an Impact : the Graduate Job Interview DVD on Careers website https://intranet.londonmet.ac.uk/studentservices/careers/ho me.cfm/ www.prospects.ac.uk - Jobs and Work/Applications and Interviews www.targetjobs.co.uk - under General Advice Careers Service - one to one interview practice
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Careers, Student Services

CVs, application forms, covering letters Quick careers queries Vocational guidance Workshops: CVs, Application Forms, Interview Skills, etc Information on jobs, careers and employers Job vacancies Employment Online FaceBook and Twitter Visiting employers- presentations, stands, workshops Computer-aided guidance Volunteering
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Using Careers, Student Services

North Campus: Student Services, Mezzanine floor, Learning Centre City Campus: Next to Calcutta House Library Daily quick query appointments (20 minutes), 12:00 3.00 (12-2 in vacations) To book a slot, call or come to the information desk from 9am onwards on the day. Careers guidance appointments (30 minutes approx.) North: 020 7133 2094, City: 020 7320 2380 E-mail: careers.studentservices@londonmet.ac.uk
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Career Development and Employment Service

Reach

Student Development and Volunteering

make the difference

Reach online http://reach.londonmet.ac.uk

Contact us:
Email reach@londonmet.ac.uk

online search of current opportunities free online registration

Tel 020 7133 4064

North Campus: customised search Student Services, Learning Centre, Mezzanine Floor apply online for your chosen opportunities Mondays and Wednesdays, 12-2pm and training

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Conclusion
You will already have many skills and abilities that employers will value You will further develop these and learn additional ones whilst at university Work experience and/or volunteering are vital Learning how to communicate your abilities to employers at interviews is essential Use the resources that the university provides to get ahead in the job market Develop an Action Plan and record this in your PDP
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