Interviews and CV Workshop

Clare Brass is the employability co-ordinator for Bangor University and delivered lectures to aim our employability. This particular post covers her advice regarding interview skills and how to write a good quality CV.

The Application

This is first step in getting a new job and should highlight all the best bits about you and how you’re the best fit for the position in question.

Although this step is vital in the process, the most your CV can do is to put you on the shortlist.

It often leaves the narrowing down of the candidates to the interviews where the boss can see how you cope under the stresses of a face-to-face grilling.

All your qualifications can do is to get you through the door, once you sit across from the boss it’s about impressing them with your skills and application of what you’ve learned.

The Interview

There are many different types of interview nowadays, many of them catering to the social media capabilities of today.

These can include via Skype, one-on-one, panel interviews and lastly over the phone.

One of the most important aspects of answering the questions posed is to give specific examples of the traits you’re presenting (e.g. giving examples of your organisation).

The S.T.A.R. method for question answering is a superb way to demonstrate your suitability for the job:

• SITUATION: provide context to the answer you’re about to give
• TASK: state the aim that you had to work towards
• ACTION: what did you do? This is where you address the question posed
• RESULT: what was the result of your actions and what was achieved

  

Thoughts

The S.T.A.R. method is an excellent formula for providing answers without the waffle.

With adequate forward planning and anticipation of common skills-based questions the answers given can be both direct and concise.

Using this approach can impress the interviewer regardless of the nerves you may be experiencing and hitting these marks will allow the questioner to understand the context and backgrounds to the skills you are able to display.

My Future

This talk was very helpful in informing me about the uses of the application and the interview and how they differ in the approach and function for the employer.

The S.T.A.R. method is my main takeaway from this session though and in preparation for my upcoming assessment centre it is what I shall be using to answer the questions posed.