Prepare to Win!

Interviewing for Provincial Government Opportunities:

Reason to Be Happy:

• Your resume worked; your first step in the door.
• The Hiring Manager wants to know more about you and your skills/experience relating to the role.
• You have the required skills and experience now its time to sell yourself well.
  
• Prepare Well To Win.

Interview!  Meeting With An Objective:

• For the Organization, an Interview is a chance to.
  • Reviews candidate’s experience and abilities.
    • Can you do the job?  (skills, abilities, qualifications)
    • Will you do the job?  (interest, attitude & motivation)
  • Verifies the information obtained and Obtain additional information from the applicant.
    
  • Give the candidate necessary facts and information about the job and the organization.
  • Sell the organization and the job.
• For you an Interview is the chance to sell yourself; Convince you are The One.

Type of Interview Questions:

• Behavioral – candidate is asked to describe past performance and behavior in order to determine knowledge skills, and abilities e.g. Tell me about a time when you took initiative in improving a process without being asked to do so?
• Situational – candidate is asked hypothetical type questions e.g What would you do if you were unable to meet a deadline?
• Technical/knowledge/skill based – candidate asked to describe their skills e.g Tell me about your experience with JAVA script and what projects you delivered.
• Resume based – candidate is asked to elaborate on or further describe something on the resume.

Specific to Government Interviews:

• You will be asked for accommodation required.
• Questions will are usually sent 15-30 mins prior to the interview to allow for preparation.
• You can bring in notes.
• Mostly behavioral/competency based interviews against LEADS capabilities.

Preparing for the Interview:

• Research! Research! Research!
  • The organization/department; The job; The industry.
  • Talk to people you know who works there.
• Know Yourself! Ask your self how what skills/ competencies you have for the role! 
• Focus on the posting applied for and prepare yourself to demonstrate your experience/skills/competency.
• Anticipate questions and identify relevant examples/answer using STAR.
• If you know who the Panel members are look up their LinkedIn profile.
• Ask for accommodation if needed.
• If in-person physically check the place before interview.
• For virtual interviews check all the connection and links.
• Prepare questions.
• Practice! Practice! Practice!

Matching Skills to Requirements:

• Consider how you can meet the employer needs:
  1. Communication – presentation to class.
  2. Team work – example from co-op.
  3. Leadership – class rep, committee work.
  4. Initiative – fundraising for charity.
  5. Customer care – working in retail industry.
  6. IT – designed website.
  7. Commercial Awareness – treasurer experience.

On the Day:

• Arrive 10 mins early if in-person.
• Log in 5 mins early if virtual to check connection and sound.
• Make a positive first impressions.
• Dress appropriately.
• Have a positive body language.
• Focus on your entrance, introductions & handshake.
• Smile and make eye contact (as appropriate).
• Be interested and enthusiastic.
• Leave positively: thank the interviewer.

Answering Questions:

• listen carefully and answer the question fully.
• seek clarification if necessary.
• speak slowly and clearly.
• have evidence to support claims.
• describe positive outcomes.
• Use STAR to answer, avoid Yes/No response.
  • Situation: describe the situation, problem, or issue that you encountered (10%).
  • Task: describe the tasks/responsibilities you took on to help solve the problem (10%).
  • Action: discuss the steps you took to affect a solution (70%).
  • Result: describe the outcome, if possible, with numbers/impact (10%).

Tips for Successful Interview:

• Interviewing is a two-way process
• Never give “yes” or “no” answers.
• Listen carefully and react.
• Use specific examples to make your case.
• The interview begins the minute you step onto the company lot.
• Think like an employer.
• Don’t criticize past employers or co-workers.
• Be aware of illegal questions.
• Maintain professionalism, even if the employer does not.
• Be prepared for the unexpected.
• Be well-groomed.
• Be positive!
• Come prepared with you own questions.