4. Face-to-Face interviews
Face-to-face interviews
include:
• 1-1
• Lunch Interview
• Group Interview
Tips to set the right impression:
• Prepare: research, study, evaluate
• Be punctual
• Greet with a firm handshake
• Smile, make eye contact and ensure good
posture
• Maintain a positive attitude, project positive
energy and enthusiasm
• Avoid bringing up compensation and benefits
5. Phone interviews
Pick a
location
Ensure the place is
quiet so that you
can take the
interview call
without any
disturbance.
Prepare it like an
open book exam
Print out your resume,
the job description, a
list of references, &
be prepared answers
to challenging
questions
Speak slowly &
clearly
Avoid interrupting
the interviewer.
Make sure they
have finished
speaking before
you start your
response.
Project your
voice
Smile when you talk
to project a positive
and energetic tone.
Walking & talking
can cause
breathlessness &
takes away the
confidence.
Stand while
speaking
Standing puts less
pressure on your
diaphragm, allowing
you to better project
a clearer voice.
6. Video interviews
Equipment
Testing
• Download,
install, and test
application
before your
scheduled
interview
Lighting Check
• Check lighting to
ensure your face is
seen
• Adjust the camera’s
setting or the angle
of the room’s lights.
• Your skin tone
should appear
natural
Camera
Set-Up
• Position camera so
that the lower edge of
the frame is in the
upper part of your
chest, roughly in line
with the third button of
a dress shirt.
Microphone
Testing
• Ensure it’s
working and
enhance your
sound quality
Material
Preparation
• Print out your
resume, the job
description, a list
of references &
prepared
answers to
challenging
questions
7. Case interviews
Solution Finding
• Identify the root of the
problem before
recommending solutions.
Data-Chart Insights
• What potential problems
can you identify?
• What insights can you
see?
• What solutions can you
recommend?
8. Providing Evidence – the C.A.R. Method
Employers look for evidence of past behaviour
Hence, our answers need to provide the evidence.
Context
The background, the situation or task and time in which the
candidate took his action (Relevance)
Action
What was done and how (Proficiency of Behaviour)
Result
The impact of the actions taken (Impact)
9. Example of response using C.A.R.
Context Action Results
During the crisis last
year, the food and
beverage business was
badly affected and it had
an impact on our sales.
Instead of waiting for
directions, I decided to work
with my team to come up with
solutions such as a price
promotion and new recipe.
I submitted the plan to my
boss.
The plan was approved
and implemented.
We managed to keep our
sales while our
competitors’ dropped by
30%.
10. Providing Specific Evidence –
the K.S.A. Method
Employers look for specific
evidence to determine if
your past experience match
their needs.
Hence, your CAR answers
should reflect your
Knowledge, Skills and
Attributes.
KNOWLEDGE
Education &
Experience
SKILLS
Ability to handle,
manage, work, etc
ATTRIBUTES
Personality /
Behaviour /
Culture Fit
equal
importance
11. Incorporating K.S.A. into C.A.R.
Context Action Results
During the crisis last year, the
food and beverage business
was badly affected and it had
an impact on our sales
Instead of waiting for directions, I
decided to work with my team to
come up with solutions, such as
a price promotion and new
recipe.
I submitted the plan and
presented it to my boss.
The plan was approved and
We managed to keep our sales
while our competitors’ dropped
by 30%.
Despite the initial
apprehension, I managed to
get everyone’s buy-in.
I led a team of 3 to implement the
plan across the range of products.
12. Top 5 Tricky Interview Questions
1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What is your greatest weakness?
3. You don’t have the required job experience. Can you
tell me why you are a good fit?
4. What have you been doing for the last few months?
5. Why did you leave your last job?
Read more insights on how to tackle these questions
13. The Rounds
Phone
interview
1st Face-to-
Face
2nd Face-
to-Face
3rd Face-
to-Face
• Meet the team
• May be less
formal/structured.
• Don’t drop your guard.
• Ensure your answers show
your ability to make strong
contributions and
complement the team.
• Opportunity to verify, clarify and
confirm details.
• Be consistent with your answers
• If meeting with senior
management, keep in mind
succession planning and not
only immediate vacancy.
• First impression
counts
• “Sell” yourself using the
CAR & KSA technique.
• Qualifying round
• Be prepared to answer
both questions confidently
14. Maintaining Confidence
• Use power poses and relaxation
exercises to curb anxiety
• Imagine yourself succeeding
• Prepare and rehearse answers mentally
out loud
• Use breathing techniques to boost
confidence
• Aim to connect with interviewers
Image source from Shutterstock
15. What’s Next?
• Visit Careers Connect online for useful resources on
answering tricky interview questions, and preparing for
the various kinds of interviews
• This is a preview of the Stand Out in the Interview
Workshop. Get more practice for the job interview and
uncover your blind spots by with Careers Connect
FIND OUT MORE
Notes de l'éditeur
Hi, I’m ____ and welcome to Stand Out in an Interview, a guide to help you in your job search.
We will cover 5 topics in today’s session.
I believe most of us are familiar with face to face interviews. But what about the other modes of interviews, such as phone, video & case? Now, let’s have a show of hands the types of interviews you have been to in the last 3 months. Please use the annotate tool to write your initials or name next to the interview types……
** Give participants 2 mins to write their initials next to them.
Great! Today, I am going to take you through each of the interview type in my next few slides.
First, face-to-face interview. Such interviews can be 1-on-1 in the office or over lunch. It can also be a group or panel setting.
It is essential to prepare if you want to set the right impression and ace that interview. How should you prepare?
Research on the company, its culture, values , mission and vision. This will help you align your responses to match your fit towards the role and the organisation’s goals.
Since you need to look your best, have an early night. Ensure you have sufficient time to dress up and arrive early. The rule of thumb is to arrive between 15 to 30 mins early.
Observe your body language, your smile, eye contact and posture. It must be positive and natural.
Be friendly but firm.
Avoid engaging in small talk unless the interviewer initiates it. This is to avoid awkward situations.
Finally, learn to use the CAR and KSA format to showcase your strengths and expertise.
Phone and video interviews have become increasingly popular as a hiring method, particularly with the current COVID-19 situation. To stand out over the phone, your goal is to ensure you give them a chance to know you over the phone. Hence, preparation is key even for phone interviews.
Here are some points to take note:
First, pick a suitable location that is quiet, with no distractions.
Secondly, have a copy of your resume, job description, research on the company and a list of possible questions in front of you. Treat it like an open-book exam.
Thirdly, avoid talking excessively if you are unsure or too eager to speak. Try not to interrupt the interviewer. During the conversation, it is important to listen, pause and speak in a moderate pace.
Fourthly, project your voice and ensure it is animated, not monotonous. Remember, the interviewer is unable to study your expressions. Hence, it is important to display your confidence and excitement for the role over the phone. You might like to try standing while speaking, to help project your voice. In addition, be precise to the questions and share your technical fit. Try to avoid using fillers such as “Ums”, “Ah” etc Do have a glass of water, paper and pen beside you.
For Video Interviews, it is important to note the tips for face to face interview.
Similar to phone interview, an important aspect of a video interview is the equipment.
Do ensure your equipment is working well, that it is able to see and hear you. Test it by first recording yourself.
Check your lighting as well to ensure that is sufficient lighting and that the light is not blocking your face.
In addition, check your background. Ensure it is a plain, clean background. Avoid distracting or cluttered background. The camera should be positioned at a level that shows the upper part of your chest. Dress professionally, with appropriate make-up for ladies.
Ensure the sound quality is clear and sharp. Check that there is no echo and background noises such as children playing.
Lastly, ensure you are prepared with your printed resume, job description and possible questions. Although you should not be constantly referring to them, it is good to have them at hand in case you need to reference them.
Whether it is solution finding or data-chart insights, the key to case interviews is to find the root cause of a problem and to assess how you can demonstrate your skillsets through the solutions.
Provide strong insights of the problem to showcase your analytical skills. Your solutions should link back to the insights. Try to tie your solutions to the corporate objectives as well. A higher level skill to showcase would be your ability to weigh the pros and cons of your proposal, and why you still recommend them.
CAR stands for Context, Action and Results. This formula will help you provide evidence to your answers.
First, for Context, set the scene, which is the background of the situation. Allow the interviewers to understand the gravity of the situation, but ensure it does not become a complaint.
Next, share about the actions you took to complete the task.
Finally, highlight the result from your actions. Do ensure to use an example with a positive outcome.
Let’s look at an example of a behavioural question on having to manage a stressful situation:
The Context:
During the crisis last year, food and beverage business was badly affected and it had an impact on our sales.
The Action:
Instead of waiting for directions, I decided to work with my team to come up with solutions such as a price promotion and new recipe. I submitted the plan to my boss.
The Results:
The plan was approved and implemented. We managed to keep our sales while our competitors’ dropped by 30%.
Employers also look for specific evidence to determine if your past experience match their needs. Hence, your CAR answers should reflect your knowledge, skills and attributes or KSA. These 3 are of equal importance.
Using the same example for CAR, let’s see the additional inputs. Action: Despite the initial apprehension, I managed to get everyone’s buy-in.
Results: The plan was approved and I led a team of 3 to implement the plan across the range of products.
What can you infer from the answers in Action and Results?
As an employer, I will conclude on the following:
Knowledge: You have a strong business acumen.
Skills: Strong leadership abilities.
And Attitude: One who takes initiative, versatile, undaunted.
No. 1: Tell me about yourself.
Do not focus on sharing about your academic background or your family. Instead, focus on sharing about your experience related to the job you are applying for. Remember to relate it to the job you are applying for.
2: What is your greatest weakness?
Ensure the weakness you mention does not impede the success of the role. For instance, saying your biggest weakness is your dislike to exercise when you are applying for a Gym Instructor position will put you at a disadvantage. Also, show that you have made attempts to improve in your weakness.
Number 3: You don’t have the required job experience. Can you tell me why you are a good fit?
Stay away from answers that remind them of your lack of experience. Do not be defensive, instead focus on your transferable skills and your relevant volunteer experience.
4: What have you been doing for the last few months?
Employers want to know that you are making your time worthwhile. Hence, highlight your volunteer roles and the courses you are taking to upskill yourself.
Number 5: Why did you leave your last job?
Focus on the pull factors, not the push. Ensure you do not complain about your former employers.
Many employers prefer to qualify their potential candidates via a phone interview first. Although they are usually shorter in duration, do be prepared to answer both technical and personal questions confidently.
For the first face-to-face interview, keep in mind that the first impression counts. Prepare and practise marketing your strengths and experience using the CAR and KSA technique.
The 2nd face-to-face interview allows you an opportunity to clarify and confirm details. Be consistent with your answers and the impression you want to set. In addition, leverage your answers on the knowledge gained from the first interactions. If you are meeting with the senior management, keep in mind succession planning and not only immediate vacancy.
The 3rd face-to-face is sometimes the last round. It may be an opportunity for you to meet the team. Although it may be less formal, remember to continue being at your best. Ensure your answers show your ability to make strong contributions and complement the team.
Sustaining the multiple rounds can be exhausting indeed. It is, however, important to maintain your confidence.
Use power poses and relaxation exercises to curb anxiety.
Imagine yourself succeeding.
Prepare and rehearse answers mentally out loud.
Use breathing techniques to boost confidence.
And, aim to connect with the interviewers.
These are just some tips for you to maintain your confidence.
