Interview Workshop
for Saltire Foundation 2015
Rhona Gibson
Work Placement Officer/Careers Adviser
Today’s Session
What does the Saltire Foundation look for?
Demonstrating key competencies
You’re a STARR!
Back to basics
Additional Resources
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this workshop you should
• Understand how to prepare for a speed interview
• Feel more confident about attending an interview
• Be able to structure your answers
• Understand how to deal with challenging questions
• Have some ideas for your own questions
Speed Activity
Find out 3 things (that you didn’t know before) about your
neighbour.
You have 45 seconds each.
You’ve been invited to an interview on
Thursday!
What next?
Arrangements
You must bring the following to your interview:
• Photographic identification (e.g. passport, driver's licence)
• Student card or alternative documentation confirming you
will graduate in 2016
“Candidates who do not bring these items to interview will
be denied entry.”
On the day…
Make sure that you are happy with your interview
outfit/suit - is it business appropriate? Do you have
everything you need?
Leave with plenty of time to spare
Know where you are going (Dundee? Glasgow?)
Take a copy of your application form with you
You have 2 fifteen minute interviews
• One interview is with a
previous Saltire Scholar
• One interview is with a
professional from within the
Saltire Foundation network.
• Interviews are competency
based.
• Around 10 students are
interviewed at one time,
creating “an exciting and
relaxed atmosphere”.
General competencies
Skills
• What you can do
Knowledge
• What you know
Self-image
• How you see yourself
Values
• What you think is important
Habits
• Things you do without thinking
Motives
• What drives your behaviour
Saltire Foundation Key Competencies
Leadership
• Achieving your goals
Adapting and Coping • How you adjust to situations
Teamwork
• Influencing, co-operation
Personality
• Tenacity, initiative, energy
Understanding Saltire • Investing in Scotland’s future
Competency-based questions
Tell me about a time when you worked as part of a team. What role did
you play? What did you personally contribute?
Describe a recent event you were responsible for. What factors did you
have to consider?
What do you think are your key strengths that make you suitable for this
organisation?
Please describe a time when you saw an opportunity to really make a
difference for the future of a group, an activity or yourself. What did you
do?
… in other words it’s all about you!
First impressions
… are critical!
•
•
•
•
Smile at your interviewer: appeal to their subconscious.
Look them in the eye… but don't stare them down!
Shake their hand with confidence.
Be aware of body language (yours and theirs).
Tips for Saltire Interviews
Read the case studies and blogs
• That scholar may be
interviewing you!
Read the Fellowship pages
• To understand where the
internships fit into Saltire’s
bigger picture, and the
aims of the organisation as
a whole.
Over to you
Ask your partner your allocated question
• You have 1 minute!
• Feedback: did they answer the question? Were they
enthusiastic? What was their tone of voice like?
• What would you have answered if you’d been asked that
question?
Remember that you are a STARR!
Situation – set the scene
Task or objective
Action – what you did
Result – what was the outcome
Reflection – what did you learn
Over to you: speed interviews
Take turns to ask your partner your allocated questions
• You have 1 minute per question!
• Was STARR evident? Did you feel it helped shape your
answer?
• What would you do if you feel you don’t know the answer to the
question asked?
• What kind of questions would you ask your interviewer?
What else can I do?
• Use Careers Service website and resources
• Ask last year’s Saltire Scholars for top tips
• Be aware of news and current affairs:
• BBC
• Scotsman
• Herald
• P&J
Learning Outcomes Review
This workshop should have enabled you to:
• Understand how to prepare for a speed interview
• Feel more confident about attending an interview
• Be able to structure answers to interview questions
• Understand how to deal with challenging questions
• Have some ideas for asking your own questions
Questions?