Teach First Skills Session Interview Skills Monday 15th October

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Teach First Skills SessionInterview
SkillsMonday 15th October
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What is Teach First?

• 2 years paid teaching in a challenging North
  West, London or Midlands secondary school, making
  a difference and developing the skills all
  recruiters look for
• Participants benefit from an innovative
  leadership and management skills programme
  developed and delivered by our numerous business
  supporters
• Become part of a network of ambassadors all
  aiming to address educational disadvantage in the
  long term whatever career they choose (many now
  in Accounting, Consulting, Investment Banking,
  Teaching )
• 14th in the Times Top 100 Graduate Employers
• We expect to get over 2000 applications for 350
  places this year
• Thats a lot of interviews!

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Agenda

• Nerves
• Purpose of an interview
• What Companies look for
• Preparation
• Initial
• Detailed
• Last-minute
• Interview Tips
• Interview Practice
• Ansell from The Apprentice
• Nerves Re-Visited

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So why do we get so nervous?

• I only get one chance!
• I dont know what theyll ask me!
• What if I dont understand what theyre asking?
• What if they ask a trick question?
• What happens if Im late?
• What if Im wearing the wrong thing?
• What if my hands get too sweaty?
• What if they dont ask me about all the stuff
  that makes me stand out?
• What if everyone else being interviewed is loads
  better than me?
• What if my mouth dries up?!
• Well aim to address these fears and others
  today!

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What is the Purpose of an Interview?

• A matching exercise do you fit with what the
  interview needs for the job?
• A chance for you to assess them
• A structured, formal conversation
• An art, not a science
• Good chance of getting the job!
• Interviews are the single most effective way to
  assess suitability

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What companies look for in the Interview

• Suitability
• Education?
• Skills?
• Knowing about the company and the job
• Adaptability to companys culture ?
• Skills - Most large organisations that recruit
  graduates are similar and usually include
• Teamwork
• Decision Making
• Communication
• Problem Solving
• Creativity
• Confidence

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Easy-Peasy Initial Preparation
You have been invited to an interview WELL
DONE!

• Check and double-check date / time / location of
  interview
• Check format of interview or assessment centre
• Not sure? Ring and ask! Even pretend to be a
  potential applicant if it helps. Get as much
  information as possible about what to expect
• Find out if the company actively recruits at your
  university
• See if they are doing any events at Manchester
  that you could go to
• (this way you can meet interviewers and get a
  more general idea of job at the same time)
• Use the Careers Service
• Arrange for a mock interview
• Do you know any friends of friends who work for
  the company?
• Get in contact with them for advice!

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Detailed Preparation

• Create 1 page profile on the company and the
  specific job
• Become an expert!
• Consider a good number of different examples you
  can use about yourself, jot them down

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The Very Detailed Preparation..!
You can NEVER be too prepared for an interview!

• Scenario
• You have been invited for an interview at Teach
  First! It is a competency based interview.

What does that mean?
It means its a skills based interview
Questions will be along the lines of Tell me
about a time when you showed good teamwork/led a
team? So what are the competencies? Planning
organising Humility, Respect Empathy
Interaction Knowledge (Teach First and
subject) Leadership Problem Solving Resilience
Self Evaluation
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The Very Detailed Preparation..!

• try and find one example of something youve
  done that matches with the competencies

The reason for wanting that skill may vary for
different jobs
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The Very Detailed Preparation..!

• try and find one example of something youve
  done that matches with the competencies

Do this for every competency. Ask friends to
help remember everything youve done!
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Your Examples

• Interaction
• Leadership
• Planning and organising
• Resilience

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Last Minute Train Preparation

• Read trade press prior to interview
• Decide what information you want to find out
• Decide what questions you want to ask
• Re-read your application form / CV
• Think about what information you would like to
  get across

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The interview itself
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The Interview Itself Useful Tips

• Remember first impressions count
• Be punctual
• Dress code
• Body language
• Eye contact
• Smile
• Dry hands !!!
• During the interview
• Listen to the questions
• Think before you speak
• Be enthusiastic
• Know when to stop talking
• Tell the truth
• If you are not sure - ASK
• Give relevant answers

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The Interview - Questions

• Introductory Questions
• Questions around Hobbies Interests are asked
  to build rapport
• Competency Based Questions
• Teamwork
• 1. Can you tell me about a time when youve
  worked in a team that worked well? - What did
  you do and what was the result ?
• Lets use this question for a quick practice -
  its one that is bound to come up at some point,
  as employers always want to know how you will
  work in their team.

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Task 10 minutes

• Split into pairs or threes.
• Take it in turns to be interviewer and
  interviewee feel free to probe!
• After each person give constructive feedback 2
  or 3 points that you feel made them come across
  really well / could be expanded.

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Interview Questions Your Chance

• Decision Making
• 1. Can you describe a situation where you had
  to make a decision but you did not have all the
  information you wanted to hand ?
• - Did you regret your decision ?
• - What did you learn from your decision ?
• Communication
• 1. Can you describe a situation where you had
  to explain a complicated concept to a new
  audience ?
• - How many attempts did it take to get your
  message across ?
• Creativity
• 1. Can you tell me about the most creative
  thing you have ever done.

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• 5 Minutes Left!

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Your Examples

• Some brave volunteers please

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The Interview Further Information

• Other Questions
• How did you prepare for this interview ?
• Why do you want to become a Teacher?
• Why Teach First ?
• What are the 3 most important skills of a
  Teacher ?
• What makes you different from the other
  hundreds who have applied ?
• Current Affairs
• Your Questions
• Pre-prepared
• Ask questions based on what your interviewer
  has said
• Ask questions that show enthusiasm, drive,
  hunger
• Company strategy / culture
• Training
• What happens next ?

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Break!Take 5 mins to reflect on session so
far (and have a rest!)
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How did they do?

• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vDncsv-j4zyc.
• Were going to watch a quick extract of The
  Apprentice take notes and see what you think of
  their interview technique

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Next Steps

• What might happen after the interview ?
• Invitation to second / final round
• Rejection letter / email
• if you can request feedback - use it and dont
  argue!
• After an interview review all aspects to
  consider for future interviews
• Next interview Review notes you made and
  feedback you received.

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So why do we get so nervous revisited!

• I only get one chance!
• Its all in the preparation
• I dont know what theyll ask me!
• Find out as much as possible beforehand
• What if I dont understand what theyre asking?
• Ask them to re-phrase, repeat back to them and
  clarify what theyre asking you
• What if they ask a trick question?
• They probably wont!
• What happens if Im late?
• Dont be! But take their number and ring asap if
  theres a chance
• What if Im wearing the wrong thing?
• Go smart!

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So why do we get so nervous revisited!

• What if my hands get too sweaty?
• Wipe them! Or use talcum powder!
• What if they dont ask me about all the stuff
  that makes me stand out?
• Tell them theres a few other things youve done
  that youd like to tell them about if they have
  time
• What if everyone else being interviewed is loads
  better than me?
• Theyll probably think you are! Ignore any
  competitive chat
• What if my mouth dries up?!
• Ask for/ accept a glass of water before you go in

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Horror Stories

• Anyone got any?!
• Remember
• Be yourself - that is what companies want to see
  !!

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Questions Answers

• Want to Find out More About Teach First?
• Event Teach First Presentation
• Venue Samuel Alexander theatre
• When 5.15pm, Thursday 25th Oct
• (sign up through careers service)
• EMAIL ccawthorn_at_teachfirst.org.uk
• www.teachfirst.org.uk