1. Helen Stringer Careers Services Manager
Effective interviews
Helen Stringer
Careers Services Manager

2. This session will cover:
Preparation and planning
Interview technique
Interview fears →
One size….doesn’t fit all!

3. Interviews….
Questions
‘Freezing’
Nerves

4. Research, research, research!
Department’s research profile
REF
Familiarise yourself with dept/course structure
Modules/staffing/PGRs/International
University strategy
Mission statement (e.g. Warwick 2015)
New initiatives
Wider HE landscape
Prevailing issues/policy
Guardian (HE & Mortarboard)/THES

6. Beforehand… Read all the information! Make informal enquiries
Job/person spec
Logistics; format
Make informal enquiries
Your own contacts
Call the academic contact (not HR)
Establish research strategy/direction
Teaching
…..Interested & engaged, not arrogant and pushy

7. Questions, questions Try to anticipate and prepare
Re-visit job/person spec – any gaps?
RESEARCH
TEACHING
ADMIN
REF….?
Philosophy
Symposia/seminars
Convergence
Pedagogy
Committees
Collaboration
New approaches
Professional bodies
Interdisciplinarity
Courses/modules
Funding?

8. How to answer… Listen carefully to the question
Seek clarification if necessary
Have evidence to support your statements
Talk about personal contribution
Convey your enthusiasm/interest in the role
Avoid yes/no answers
Don’t waffle
How you distinguish yourself from the field?

9. Why do you want this job So: institution/department
Fits with your research trajectory
Pull towards, not push from
Make connections
Match words with tone!

10. Structure your answers
Why do you want this job?
Reinforce your suitability
Address the
job spec/criteria
Show you have researched
the position
Be enthusiastic
“I am the right candidate for this post as I have the relevant experience in X, have excellent skills in Y and I would be able to contribute to the development of…”

11. Challenging questions?

12. Strengths/weaknesses
Don’t say you are a ‘perfectionist’
It’s cliched
You may be viewed as a difficult colleague
Don’t lie – if you have to create a persona to ‘match’ the job spec you won’t enjoy the job
Genuine strength but steer towards job spec
Weaknesses: something you are mindful of

13. During the interview Consider your body language Stay calm & focussed
Be succinct, but willing to elaborate
Try to be affable, not confrontational
Avoid negative comments, criticism
Maintain good eye contact (with all panel members)
Remember: the interviewer is not just considering you as
a future lecturer/researcher but also a colleague

14. Phone/Skype Prepare as you would for a face to face
Act naturally and professionally
Camera angle/phone connection
Tech considerations (e.g. bandwith)
Minimise distractions
Eye contact/expression

15. Presentation time
Or….

16. Presentation tips Don’t use a script
Don’t talk to the laptop/whiteboard
Have notes/prompts
Include the audience
By dynamic, not manic (go easy on the caffeine!)
Timing

17. Positive language Try to incorporate: Aim to avoid: ... developed…
... which led to…
... implemented…
... the benefit was…
… resulting in…
… I’m confident I can…
… I’m not sure that…
… I wasn’t good at…
… It was X’s fault that…
… I might be able to…
… I don’t know if….
….I probably could…

18. The final word… In the interview,
candidates stand out when they are clear, sharp, concise and focused in their answers to questions. They listen and respond - good communicators as well as being bright
(Professor Jackie Labbe)