GET
A JOB
Packaging
information can support other people to make a better decision. This might be
to accept your advice, or in the case below how to frame why you are the right
person for a job.
Over the past six years I
have shifted from providing clinical rehabilitation services, to community
health development, then public affairs, managing a team of Census surveyors, corporate
community engagement and now IT project management.
The changes have been out
of necessity due to relocation or restructures but it has been a chance to
refine how to prepare for a job interview. Where I have been keen to secure a
position the steps I have taken include:
1) Know the role
Before
applying for a job it is good to have a clear understanding of what exactly the
role involves. This can include the context of what issues the role needs to
focus on solving and who to work with. If the job description doesn’t list
them, find out what the challenges are, accountabilities it holds, and selection
criteria the organisation is looking for in an applicant.
2)
Arrange the role according to skills sets
Group
all of the information above into your attributes the employer will be looking
for:
o Personality (values, characteristics, history) eg training.
o Information skills – eg computer, database, filing.
o People skills – eg verbal and written communication, team
work, education.
o Physical skills – eg specific equipment maintenance,
hardware support.
Note:
break the largest into an extra specialised skill set if needed – eg project
management.
3) Profile the organisation, team and panel
Access
a strategic plan of the organisation which outlines the vision, mission, values
and priority actions it is looking to take in the short term. Find out who you
will need to work with, and who will be on the panel. Where possible find out
what those peoples backgrounds are, and their expectations of a new person
joining the team.
4) Format responses to the expected questions
After
researching the position and how it fits into the larger direction of the
organisation, draft up some questions you expect will arise in the interview.
Also be sure to prepare for the age old “where will you be in 5 years,” and
“what are your weaknesses.” If time permits, format brief speaking points
arranged according to the themes in step 2 above.
5) Compile a portfolio to support the responses above
Write
a list of the best examples of your work that you can show skills from the four
or five themes from step 2 above. Pick a couple of the best from each group and
put them together in a folder ready for the interview. Photos of you completing
tasks as part of a team, media articles highlighting successful outcomes, or
planning documentation are a good way to clearly demonstrate your proficiencies.
6)
List preferred and potential referees
Making
contact with referees can sometimes delay your application being progressed. If
you are one of a number of eligible candidates following the interview this
could end up being your weakest link. Where possible provide contact details
for three preferred referees who can comment on different skills, and then
three additional backup referees for each skill set.
7) Fill in the expected paperwork to progress the application
prior
Having
everything ready to go to complete the next step can help to “close the sale” after
an interview. Have all of your details ready for criminal record checks, copies
of tickets of certificates and identification ready to be sighted.
8)
Practice the interview
Round
up some people whose opinion you can trust and get them to fire off some
questions you expect to field during the interview. Setting a time limit is a
good way to find out how much content you can get through in a typical 30-40
minute interview.
9)
Refine where needed
Ask
for honest feedback from your practice panel and focus on filling the biggest
gaps first. Did you fidget? Talk too fast? Wander off topic? Pick one at a time
and work through it. Toastmasters [1] can be a useful resource at this step.
10) Be relaxed on the day
If the job is important it is best to take the whole day
off. Take your time to read through what you hope to cover in the interview.
Wear a nice outfit and get to the venue early so you have a sense of control.
If you have covered the nine previous steps rest assured that you have given
yourself the best opportunity. Also don’t forget to send a thank you note
immediately afterwards.
It might look daunting but
after going through this process once it is easy to rehash material for future
job applications if the field is similar.
A really interesting
concept is put forward by Richard N. Bolles [2] who pretty much reverses the
process I use. His recommended approach is for job seekers to interview
companies about if they can offer the type of jobs you are interested in, find
out what skills are needed and then go and do your training. In the meantime
the company has your interest in the back of their mind and should then come
knocking after creating the perfect job for you!
How has your experience
been with interviews? Is there a key step I have overlooked or underestimated?
Also if you have ever reversed this process and had a company create a job
after YOU interviewed THEM I would love to hear about it.
By
Joel Penson
[1] Find a club, Toastmasters
International.
[2] Bolles, Richard N. (yearly
for several decades). What Color Is Your Parachute, 2014: A Practical Guide For
Job Hunters and Career Changers.
Agree with these steps completely, but I have to say that I have had the most success in interviews where I didn't really care if I got the job. I guess I was more relaxed.
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