BROOKLYN 3 STUDENTS W/S Sally McMILLAN Fri 30 th Aug 2013 Session 3 / Talk 6 14:15 – 14:47 ABSTRACT An interactive session for students to establish their point of difference from other students when applying for the first MRT job as a new graduate. There will be discussion regarding how students can sell themselves, and how to prepare for an interview, with discussion around how to answer typical questions appropriately

So what is YOUR point of difference???? A workshop to help you develop your interviewing skills………

The 3 year endurance exercise! 3 Years studying 3 Years learning 3 years being assessed 3 years preparing for that 1 st night shift alone And not to forget the 3 year job interview………..

The next step…….. Expression of Interest Letter - express why the employer should be interested in YOU! CV - not too brief but not overstated! Application Process - commitment???? - process………

Before The Interview!! Preparation Features vs Benefits – the exercise! Research Questions

Preparation You need to prepare for this interview Dont walk in confident without doing your homework Is this the job you want? How well do you know yourself Are you prepared to sell yourself? AND WHAT MAKES YOU DIFFERENT FROM EVERYONE ELSE THAT IS APPLYING FOR THIS JOB?

Features vs Benefits The Exercise Make a list of every role that you have had from senior years of school through until now……. Volunteer work in a rest home Sporting Achievements Working at McDonalds to pay your way through training School prefect Top academic student at Ucol/Unitec/CPIT

Features The exercise continued…. What is the feature associated with your experience? Volunteer work in a rest home - Care for patients Sporting Achievements - Commitment to training Working at McDonalds to pay your way through training - Self-sufficiency School prefect - Leadership Top academic student at Ucol/Unitec/CPIT - High achiever

Benefits The exercise continued…….. So how will these features benefit your prospective employer? Volunteer work in a rest home - Care for patients – Experienced in all aspects of patient care, beyond what you have achieved in clinical Sporting Achievements - Commitment to training – Self motivated to achieve at a high level Working at McDonalds to pay your way through training - Self-sufficiency - Independent – not reliant on others, prepared to do whatever it takes, team work at any level School prefect - Leadership – Self confidence, ability to lead Top academic student at Ucol/Unitec/CPIT - High achiever – Strong knowledge to support skills

Research Department Role Interviewer

Department How Big? Number of staff? Location? Trauma vs Private? On-going education? What is it about the above that attracts you

Role Hours of work - ? Shift work Sole charge vs Team work Trauma vs walk-in Training position

Interviewer What features of an employee are important to the interviewer/prospective employer? What sort of MRT do they normally like to employ? What are their expectations of you as an employee? What inside knowledge can you gain regarding the prospective employer/interviewer?

Now put it all together…. Link all your features to benefits that are important to the interviewer i.e. I feel one of my biggest attributes is my ability to care of patients as I have spent considerable time doing volunteer work at a local rest home……. i.e. I want to work shift work in a large trauma centre as I thrive on the challenge of unpredictability. I have worked shift work at McDonalds to pay my way through the course, which has exposed me to shift work, as well as a multicultural array of colleagues and customers…….

Questions Create some commonly asked interview questions, based around your research Why do you want to work here? Apply what you know about the job and employer Shift worker in Rotorua hospital Match your features and skills to these questions I am committed to a high level of mountain biking and through hard work and endurance I have achieved at a high level. This region provides me the opportunity to support the level of commitment needed to pursue this passion, and the shift work will enable opportunities for me to train.

Practice, practice, practice… Establish a list of questions Rehearse them Find a friend to ask you all these questions and practice your answers! Become comfortable with the sound of your own voice Establish a sense of self-confidence Develop positive answers to negative questions Sense of humour

Do you have any Questions? What do YOU want to know? What does the interviewer want you to appear interested in? What would impress the interviewer? Dont ask about pay! Dont ask about holidays! Dont inadvertently threaten the interviewer!

And on the day………. Confirm your appointment Know where the interview is being held Get directions to the interview area/office Be early Dress like your life depends on this job Carry a copy of your CV and a copy of referees and their details AND STATE YOUR POINT OF DIFFERENCE