Eva Chan

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Ace the Interview Mathematics
Eva Chan Careers and Employment
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What would you do if you disagree with your boss
in a meeting?
Have you ever been responsible for the generation
of a new idea?
What do you see yourself doing in 5 years time?

• Describe how you have coped with a new or
  difficult situation.

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Interview Questions

• Standard
• Situational
• Behavioural

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Standard (Open-ended) Questions

• e.g.
• What attracted you to apply to our organisation?
• What are your strengths? And your weaknesses?
• Tell me about yourself.
• Tip
• Consider what do employers want to know
• Refer to the selection criteria

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Try this.

• Why did you choose the career for which you are
  preparing?

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Situational Questions

• E.g.
• How would you handle a difficult customer if your
  boss was away?
• Here is a problem we faced recently ... How would
  you have dealt with this?
• Tip
• Understand how situational questions are
  developed
• Make assumptions, explain WHAT and WHY

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Try this.

• What would you do if you have 2 competing
  deadlines to meet by next week? What steps would
  you take?

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Behavioural Questions

• E.g.
• Describe a complex problem you have solved
  recently.
• Have you been in any situations where you were
  required to perform as part of a team? What was
  the situation, what part did you play?
• Tip
• Use the STAR approach
• Choose examples that are recent, relevant and
  special

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Answering Behavioural Questions
ituation ask ction esult
S T A R
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Try this.

• Tell me about a time when you had to work with a
  difficult person. What actions did you take?

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What would you do if you disagree with your boss
in a meeting?
Have you ever been responsible for the generation
of a new idea?
What do you see yourself doing in 5 years time?

• Describe how you have coped with a new or
  difficult situation.

What about technical questions?
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Three-step process
Pre-Interview Preparation
The Interview Itself
Post Interview Activity
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• ?

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Level 2, East Wing, Quadrangle Building. Ph
9385 5429
www.careers.unsw.edu.au
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Sample Behavioural Answer

• Where have you previously demonstrated high-level
  organisational skills?
• Ive shown strong time-management abilities as
  a chef - for one function in Darling Harbour this
  year I synchronized desserts for 350 guests.
  Firstly I met with the three kitchen apprentices
  to discuss responsibilities. Once food service
  began, I ensured that all meals were presented
  calmly, on time and to a consistently high
  quality. Afterwards the Executive Chef came over
  and praised our teams work he has requested
  that my

• agency hire me for subsequent functions.

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Sample Interview questions

• What would you do if you disagree with your boss
  in a meeting?
• Have you ever been responsible for the generation
  of a new idea or suggestion? Describe and
  explain.
• What do you see yourself doing in 5 years time?
• Describe how you have coped with a new or
  difficult situation.
• What about technical questions?