How to succeed at academic and non academic interviews Tom Davie

Session objectives Explore how to prepare for an interview Understand what employers want to know about you Examine the different types of questions you might be asked Consider how to put across your ‘key messages’ Prepare and practice structuring and delivering answers to questions Session will be participative, and confidential. Will be participative. I’m not here to tell you everything; we will learn from each other, and add to our body of knowledge as we go through

Types of interviews Traditional face-to-face, including panel interviews Telephone interviews Skype/tablet/phone interviews Also: Presentation Assessment centre activities

What are your concerns about interviews? Talk in pairs for 2 minutes, feed back to front – make checklist on whiteboard

The key to successful interviews? Research Prepare Rehearse Perform

Research: what do they want? CAN you do the job Do you WANT to do the job? Do you want to do the job with THEM? Job and organisational FIT Research: sector, organisation, role (and if possible interviewers) Remember to use reliable sources.

Prepare: what are your key messages? The primary messages: Your motivations/attributes Your knowledge, skills/abilities… Supporting messages: The added value of employing you are... Elevator pitch... Key message: Ask yourself: if you were hired today, and a year from now had a performance review, what’s the single most important performance measurement that you would be evaluated on?

Research… yourself Who are you? What makes you good at what you do? What have you got that they want? What are your acceptable weaknesses? What are your areas of development?

Prepare: activity In small groups and look at the job advert Highlight the key skills and attributes they are looking for Deliver each a maximum two minutes elevator pitch Activity: break into groups, check advert. Work in groups to decide what a Newcastle PGR would have to offer for the role.

Questions: general advice Think about why the question has been asked Ask for clarification if necessary Buy time to think Answer the question with relevant and specific evidence of your achievements Keep to the point Focus on positive examples and comments.

Motivation-based questions Why have you applied for this role? Why did you choose to do a PhD? What rewards do you expect from your career?

Commercial-based questions Why have you decided to apply to us? What do you know about our organisation? Who do you see as our major competitors? What are the biggest challenges facing our organisation over the next 5 years?

Strengths/attributes -based questions Which activities come naturally to you? How easily do you pick up new concepts? How adaptable are you to changing situations? What gets done first on your ‘to do’ list? What never gets done? Which activities energise you?

Competency questions Tell me about a time when you’ve worked in a team that hasn’t worked to its optimum performance? Describe a time when you’ve successfully influenced others Give me an example of when you’ve had to manage a difficult situation. Explain STAR structure

The wildcard questions If you were a fruit, what would you be and why? Why are manhole covers round?

Interview questions In groups of 3 identify two questions in pp1 and 2 of the handout Ask these questions to the person to your right Feedback on how well they did What would your nightmare question be? Pretending they’re not there, or hoping they’ll go away, won’t help!

How was it being the interviewer? What was it like to be interviewed? Rehearse: feedback How was it being the interviewer? What was it like to be interviewed?

Academic Questions Why do you want an academic career? What would success look like to you? How does your research compare with key researchers in your field? How will you go about getting published further ? Who might fund your research ideas? How would you secure funding? What could you contribute to teaching? What benefits does your research have for the wider community/economy?

Perform: creating a good impression Know where you are going and turn up on time Dress code Mannerisms Body language and tone of voice Dress code Turn up on time (WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?). Be polite/don’t assume/perform from when you leave your house/be respectful Body language (likeability; cultural differences; tone of voice) What does enthusiasm and engagement look like?

Perform: the interview itself Use your preparation effectively, to identify the best example, the best message Think about why the question is being asked (can-want-fit) Make sure you answer the question Ask for clarification if necessary Stay calm.

Perform: what should you ask them?

Perform: phone and Skype interviews Telephone Skype Stand up? Sit down? Speak clearly and slowly Don’t interrupt Have a pen and paper Dress as if it was face-to-face Have water Be concise. Know the technolgy and how to fix it if it goes wrong Clean, professional surroundings Head and shoulders Minimise background noise Solid colour outfit Look at the lens.

My interview experience Useful resources An Academic Career Vitae Careers Service My interview experience Interview simulator

Concerns: revisiting our checklist

Science Careers Outside The Lab Gain insights and tips from professionals working in the following areas: Science education and STEM outreach Patents Science recruitment Environmental law Bioinformatics Science policy Teaching Medical physics Pharma & healthcare sales Environmental consultancy Clinical trials Sports nutrition Financial services Thursday 19 April 2017, 18:00 – 20:00 Careers Service, King’s Gate If you’re unsure about what you want to do after you’ve finished your science related degree, this event provides information and advice for new opportunities in a variety of sectors and the chance to hear from experienced professionals including Houses of Parliament, NHS and Bond Dickinson. Book your free place at: www.ncl.ac.uk/careers/events

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