Hi,
I'll answer your second question first - what employers are looking
for.
The Sydney’s University of Technology has a great site on what
employers want: http://www.careerdevelopment.uts.edu.au/whatemp/21century/what.html
While some of it may not be as relevant to a school leaver as to the
university graduate, here is a summary of the article
Employers want:
* good and consistent academic results
* work experience both discipline specific and other
* involved in extra curricular activities
* communication skills - verbal, written, listening
* team work
* analytical skills "The ability to think critically and form
conclusions based on information given to you"
* problem solving skills
* creativity
* flexibility "ability to adapt quickly to new ideas, new
technologies, new methodologies and cultural change"
* leadership
* cultural fit "Cultural fit is not the same as your ethnic
background. It refers to the way you fit in with the work environment
of a company - the way staff relate to one another and the way
business is conducted."
* time management skills
* personal attributes eg motivation and initiative, attention to
detail, honesty and integrity, strong work ethic, self confidence,
friendly and outgoing personality, tactfulness, good manners and
courtesy, good sense of humour.
So in an interview situation, the interviewer wants to find out if the
student has these qualities. So the interviewer will ask questions
like the following. (I have included a comment on each question which
may help you).
Interview Questions:
What is an example of a situation where you have shown leadership?
- student may answer with their official roles - peer support
leader, student
representative council, Sunday school leader, scout patrol leader
etc and
with an example of something they did in this role that showed
leadership,
OR if they haven't had any official leadership roles perhaps a
leadership
example while babysitting or making a family decision etc
What are your strengths?
- Examples for school students might include - punctuality, hard
worker, good at solving problems, confident, good at encouraging
others. It is best if this question is answered with an example of a
situation when they used this strength to achieve something.
What are your weaknesses?
- usually this question is answered with a strength in disguise eg
"I'm a perfectionist", "once I start on a task I'm not satisfied until
it is complete"
What are your hobbies?
- this gives the interviewer a chance to see if the student is well
rounded
What do your know about Rotary/the company you are applying for?
- encourages preparation
What can your bring to Rotary/the company you are applying for?
- a chance for the student to highlight their personal skills eg
creativity
Why are you applying for this job/scholarship?
- a common interview question
What are some situations when you have worked as part of a team?
- could be group assignments, fundraising commitees etc
Where do you see yourself in five years time? / What are your five
year goals?
- determines if the student is a planner and whether the student's
goals match the organisation's goals
For a school leaver's mock interview, I think this amount (or less) of
questions is enough. More sample questions are available at Indiana
University's Interview Questions
http://www.indiana.edu/~libpers/interview.html
I hope this helps you, if you want any more information, please
request a clarification.
Thanks,
Jenjerina
References:
University of Technology, Sydney - What employers want
http://www.careerdevelopment.uts.edu.au/whatemp/21century/what.html
Indiana University Interview Questions
http://www.indiana.edu/~libpers/interview.html
Search strategy:
used google with keywords "what employers want", "interview questions" |
