Introduction
If you conduct a search for “interview” tips – you will be inundated with old standards of how to dress, shake hands, make eye contact and keep a positive tone. Though still essential interviews are changing in form and substance. In order to test the 21st Century skill of collaboration, potential hires are now faced with scenarios to problem solve, asked to provide samples of work, required to take on demand assessments to demonstrate their ability to communicate or utilize technology and interviewed in a group setting to determine the ease at which they participate and collaborate with co-workers.
Interviews are increasingly conducted in phases – some are initially digital, often recorded and then reviewed by a larger group before a second interview is scheduled. Applicants are expected to be able to locate and operate the technology required for an online exchange or recorded responses to a series of predetermined set of questions. At times an applicant is asked to do “homework” and show the ability to attend to the details of a task. In some situations a group setting is set up to see how well a candidate will both lead and follow in order to accomplish a task. In a infomercial designed to attract clients for preparing for a modern job market are claims that “getting the degree” is no longer the guarantee it once seemed to be and that skill and personal dynamics are not a part of the modern career path. (Infomercial is a You Tube video link)
The best way to prepare for an interview is to actually practice. Our memories have a kinesthetic quality and reciting answers to ourselves does not alleviate the stress we feel when we interact with a questioner. Having a partner sit down with you – ask questions and then give you feedback on both your answers and your manner is really helpful. Knowing what to say and how to say it is a practiced art that somehow people assume should come naturally. It is important to realize the an employer, a scholarship foundation or a university wants to feel good about the interviewee – they want to like the person they are looking at. You want to find the confidence within you that lets them know you are the best fit for their cause.
Resources
General Interviews
- How to Master the Modern Interview
- The Modern Interview: Top Six Interview Questions
- 6 Ways to Master the Modern Interview
- A Modern Interview for a Modern Position
- College Interview Skills (YouTube video)
- Being Proactive – recording answers to review (YouTube video)
- Tell Me About Yourself!” Good Answer vs. Bad Answer (YouTube video)
- Job Interview Tips for Young People (YouTube video)
- Job Website Introduction (YouTube video)
Group Interviews
- All about the Group Interview: Tips and Techniques (YouTube video)
- Group Interview Tips (STAR) (YouTube video)
- Skype Interview Tips (YouTube video)
Lesson Plans – under construction