Chapter 3: Interview Skills
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, the reader will be able to:
- Identify common types of interview questions
- Prepare for an interview
- Respond to interview questions using the STAR format
- Follow proper interview etiquette
Learning Objectives
- Interview – Aquestion and answer discussion between an interviewer and a potential candidate.
- Panel – When you are interviewed by a group of two or more interviewers.
- Behavioural questions – Interview questions that focus on how you act in the workplace.
- Situational questions – Interview questions that focus on how you respond to different scenarios.
- Competency based questions – Interview questions that focus on your knowledge and experience related to the job.
- STAR Format – Situation, task, action, result. STAR format is a structure you can use for responding to an interview question.
- Personal characteristics – Specific characteristics you are protected against discrimination in the British Columbia Human Rights Code.
- Etiquette – Rules and conventions to follow to appear polite and professional.
- References – People who support your candidacy in a job by talking about you with your potential employer after an interview has taken place.
Case Study: Maryam (She/Her) Got an Interview!
After applying to over two dozen job ads, Maryam got her first call. Tom called from Maple Leaf Bank and asked if she could come in for an interview next Thursday. He told her to come to the Prince George branch of Maple Leaf Bank at 3:00pm. When she hung up the phone, she felt a bit overwhelmed. She had so many questions!
- What was she expected to do at the interview?
- What kinds of questions would the interviewers ask?
- How should she prepare for the interview?
A question and answer discussion between an interviewer and a potential candidate.
When you are interviewed by a group of two or more interviewers.
Interview questions that focus on how you act in the workplace.
Interview questions that focus on how you respond to different scenarios.
Interview questions that focus on your knowledge and experience related to the job.
Situation, task, action, result. STAR format is a structure you can use for responding to an interview question.
Specific characteristics you are protected against discrimination in the British Columbia Human Rights Code
Rules and conventions to follow to appear polite and professional
People who support your candidacy in a job by talking about you with your potential employer after an interview has taken place
