1. Modul 14
Interviews
There are two parts to this chapter. The first continues the theme of job application
by concentrating on the job interview. The second is firmly back in the world of
college, considering interviews that are part of the assessment of project work.
Job interviews
Being invited for a job interview means that the first stage of your job application has
been a success. You should feel pleased, but it is too early to celebrate; there’s a
major challenge ahead.
What is the nature of the challenge of an interview ? It is not to outwit the
interviews; their aim is to convince them that you are someone you are not. The main
challenge is to ensure that by the end of the interview there is nothing good about
you (and relevant to the job) that the interviewers are not aware of. His can
sometimes be difficult because of nerves of shyness or loss of concentration.
As with spoken presentations, nerves are not necessarily a bad thing as long
as they don’t ruin your performance. Some adviser say “the interviewer will be as
nervous as you are”. This may be correct on occasions, but one thing is always true:
the interviewer will all have been interviewed themselves for jobs in the past, will
probably be interviewed in the future, and will know what it feels like.
The best way to counteract the damaging effect of nerves, and to improve
your performance generally, is o prepare well.
Preparation
You will have carried out a great deal of the preparation at an earlier stage of your
application (as described in the last chapter). You should possess information about
the vacancy and about the organization. Part of your preparation for the interview will
involve looking back at the material you collected when you made your application,
and looking again at the application itself.
Here are some examples of question. This is a comprehensive list, it is just a
starting point for you to make your own.
Interview questions
Why have you applied for this job ?
What particularly interests you about it ?
What makes you suitable for the job ?
What are you seeking in any job ?
What plans do you have for your career ?

2. Checklist for preparing for a job interview
Interviews for vacation experience or sandwich placements
There are likely to be more relaxed than interviews for full-time jobs, and are unlikely
to be with more than one person. The qualities that the interviewer will be looking for
are commitment, initiative and flexibility. The obvious aspects of interview technique,
for example smartness and
Checklist for preparing for a job interview
- Have you looked back over all the material you acquired when you first made
your application (especially the application itself) ?
- Have you thought again about the qualities the organization will be looking for,
and the qualities you have to offer ?
- Have you made a list of likely (and unlikely) questions, and answered them
yourself ?
- Have you used friend and your careers service to help you prepare ?
- Do you know when and where the interview will be held, how to get there, and
how to ensure you will arrive on time ?
- Are your smart clothes ready ?
Punctuality, are just as important as for full-time job interviews, as they shows that
you are serious about work.
17.2 Project interviews
Student projects are often partly assessed by interview or “viva” (short for viva voce,
latin for “with the living voice”). There may be important marks at stake, but in one
sense these interviews are easier to cope with than job interviews. In a project
interview the nature of the challenge is more easily defined; you are being assessed
on fewer fronts; first impression and selling yourself as a person are less significant.
The main purposes of project interview are to determine;
That the work is your
That you understand it
That you can explain it
Preparation
If a member of staff has give you personal supervision during you project, then that
member of staff can help you prepare for the interview. To make full use of the
opportunities you will need to complete your report well before the interview. Then
your supervisor should be able to comment on the strengths and weaknesses of your
work, and perhaps give you an idea of the types of question you are likely to be
asked in the interview.