Before the interview:

• Do your research and learn everything you can about the organization
• Review your accomplishment list and your résumé
• Review and understand the job description
• Wear appropriate attire for the interview

During the interview:

• Remember that a job interview begins the minute you walk through the door. Treat everyone
you meet professionally and with respect
• Turn off all electronic devices
• Be aware of your body language
• Smile and encourage casual conversation with your interviewer
• Be confident in your skills and abilities
• Take a moment to compile your thoughts before you answer
• Ask for clarification if you don’t understand a question
• Sell yourself – your skills, abilities, and the value you will bring to the employer
• Be yourself and try to relax!

Common interview mistakes:

• Chewing gum
• Not knowing enough about the organization
• Arriving late
• Misrepresenting yourself or stretching the truth
• Making negative remarks about a previous manager or co-worker
• Rambling on and on…what was the question again?
• Making inappropriate remarks
Types of interviews

The screening interview

• Usually occurs with someone from Human Resources

• Can be over the phone or in person
• HR will try to verify the information on the résumé and find out if you meet the minimum
requirements for the position
• Take this interview as seriously as an in-person interview
• If you pass this phase, you will be asked to meet with a Hiring Manager (or panel) for a
selection (face-to-face) interview

At TELUS, we use the behavioural method of interviewing. The premise of behavioural interviews is
that past behaviour is the best predictor of future behaviour.

The selection interview (behavioural interview)

• The interviewer will mention a specific situation and ask you to explain how you dealt with it;
• Questions often focus on transferable skills which demonstrate your ability to deal with specific
situations;
• Do an online search on “behavioural based” interview questions so that you can see some of
the scenarios you may encounter during this type of interview

Tips for behavioural interviews

Use the BAR formula to respond to questions: Background, Action, and Result. Think of specific
situations that happened in your past work experiences, and tell a story about what happened and
what you did (a beginning/ the background, a middle/ your actions and an end/ the result).Try to
answer the question in approximately 90 seconds. If more information is needed, the interviewer will
ask for it.

Sample behavioural interview questions

• Describe a time when your supervisor challenged one of your decisions. How did you
respond?
• Tell me about a time when you handled a difficult situation with a customer?
• Describe a situation where you completed a project on time?
Business case
• Students and new grads are asked to present business cases during the recruitment process.
• Case studies are stories or scenarios, created and used as a tool for analysis and discussion.
• Case studies have elements of simulations and sufficient detail to encourage analysis from a
variety of viewpoints or perspectives.
• They place the candidate in the role of problem-solver.

How to handle case studies

• Higher-order thinking
• Develop realistic solutions to complex problems
• Evaluation includes research quality, grammar, organization of arguments, and the feasibility of
solutions presented.

Ending the interview

• Come prepared with questions you want to ask the interviewer about the position or company
• Thank your interviewers for their time

• Ask about next steps (timing, future interviews, etc.)

• Indicate you are looking forward to hearing back from them

After the interview

• The Hiring Manager and Human Resources will make a decision to ensure that the most
qualified candidate is matched with the position
• Follow up with a thank-you email
• You may be asked to provide information for reference and security verifications
• You will hear back from TELUS in a timely manner via phone call or email