HSC Stuff > UAC Discussion
Co-op Interviews
birdwing341:
Hello there :)
Wasn't sure where to put this one, but considering co-op interview notifications came out today, I was wondering whether (Jamon in particular!!) had any advice for the interviews themselves, how to conduct ourselves, what to talk about and what has worked in previous interviews.
Any advice would be very welcome :)
jamonwindeyer:
--- Quote from: birdwing341 on November 07, 2016, 10:44:48 pm ---Hello there :)
Wasn't sure where to put this one, but considering co-op interview notifications came out today, I was wondering whether (Jamon in particular!!) had any advice for the interviews themselves, how to conduct ourselves, what to talk about and what has worked in previous interviews.
Any advice would be very welcome :)
--- End quote ---
Hey birdwing! Congrats on scoring an interview! That's a massive achievement even of itself, so bravo! I've got my fingers crossed for you :)
I talk a bit about interview tips here, but in general, my best advice is seriously to just be genuine. They'll see right through lies/exaggeration, or a fake persona, or anything like that. Just be you (with minimal banter) ;)
Be confident; they'll care just as much about how you say something as they will about what's said. The big mistake I see people making is that they are afraid to look the interviewer in the eye, the nerves take over and they start looking around the room. You need to engage, verbally and non-verbally, to demand that they remember you.
Don't be too formal. I've never been in an interview where I felt that things needed to be absurdly formal, like speaking to the queen or something. They'll appreciate and relate more to a more genuine approach. Smile, crack a joke if you feel super game. Again, it comes down to just being who you are. Oh, and if it's hot, for goodness sake ditch your suit jacket on the chair as you walk in. They seriously won't care (everyone seems to think keeping the jacket on is like a golden rule or something?)...
"Hi guys! I'm Jamon, pleasure to meet you". Shake hands, they'll stand up to greet you. Don't forget names (I nearly did). "I'm just going to pop my jacket on the chair really quick, I hope that's okay. Hot today huh?"
Okay, perhaps a tad cheesy, but you get the idea. Don't walk in like a robot, the Coop program wants people with personality, because people with personalities make good employees.
Besides being relaxed and confident, be prepared to go on little rants. Every question is an open ended question. Even if the question is, "What was your rank in Subject X?" Do not answer with just "1st," answer with, "Oh I got 1st. I enjoyed that one, I probably put more work into it throughout my HSC than I should have." or something. But no one word answers. Prepare for the typical questions. Think about why you are there, why you want to be a Coop scholar, why you chose UNSW, why you chose your degree, all that sort of stuff. Everything on your application is fair game too, so it's good to read over what you wrote before you head in. It will have been 2 months by the time the interview rolls around after all.
Oh, and for Coop, you'll know who your sponsors are before your interview. Someone from a sponsor will interview you, likely from your program, so it helps to take a bit of time to research the sponsors for your program. Know what they do. Maybe even think about things you could ask them?
Umm, that's all I have for now, aha. But it's all moot; if you got to this point then you don't need my help. If you have an interview, you have the capability to smash it! From here it's all about attitude and self confidence ;D
birdwing341:
--- Quote from: jamonwindeyer on November 08, 2016, 12:57:00 am ---Hey birdwing! Congrats on scoring an interview! That's a massive achievement even of itself, so bravo! I've got my fingers crossed for you :)
I talk a bit about interview tips here, but in general, my best advice is seriously to just be genuine. They'll see right through lies/exaggeration, or a fake persona, or anything like that. Just be you (with minimal banter) ;)
Be confident; they'll care just as much about how you say something as they will about what's said. The big mistake I see people making is that they are afraid to look the interviewer in the eye, the nerves take over and they start looking around the room. You need to engage, verbally and non-verbally, to demand that they remember you.
Don't be too formal. I've never been in an interview where I felt that things needed to be absurdly formal, like speaking to the queen or something. They'll appreciate and relate more to a more genuine approach. Smile, crack a joke if you feel super game. Again, it comes down to just being who you are. Oh, and if it's hot, for goodness sake ditch your suit jacket on the chair as you walk in. They seriously won't care (everyone seems to think keeping the jacket on is like a golden rule or something?)...
"Hi guys! I'm Jamon, pleasure to meet you". Shake hands, they'll stand up to greet you. Don't forget names (I nearly did). "I'm just going to pop my jacket on the chair really quick, I hope that's okay. Hot today huh?"
Okay, perhaps a tad cheesy, but you get the idea. Don't walk in like a robot, the Coop program wants people with personality, because people with personalities make good employees.
Besides being relaxed and confident, be prepared to go on little rants. Every question is an open ended question. Even if the question is, "What was your rank in Subject X?" Do not answer with just "1st," answer with, "Oh I got 1st. I enjoyed that one, I probably put more work into it throughout my HSC than I should have." or something. But no one word answers. Prepare for the typical questions. Think about why you are there, why you want to be a Coop scholar, why you chose UNSW, why you chose your degree, all that sort of stuff. Everything on your application is fair game too, so it's good to read over what you wrote before you head in. It will have been 2 months by the time the interview rolls around after all.
Oh, and for Coop, you'll know who your sponsors are before your interview. Someone from a sponsor will interview you, likely from your program, so it helps to take a bit of time to research the sponsors for your program. Know what they do. Maybe even think about things you could ask them?
Umm, that's all I have for now, aha. But it's all moot; if you got to this point then you don't need my help. If you have an interview, you have the capability to smash it! From here it's all about attitude and self confidence ;D
--- End quote ---
Woah, thanks for all the advice :) Will definitely take it on board!!
brenden:
This is a must watch https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are?language=en
birdwing341:
--- Quote from: brenden on November 08, 2016, 07:56:03 pm ---This is a must watch https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are?language=en
--- End quote ---
Sorry! Just got around to watching it :P Very interesting watch, kind of looked a little further and seems to be a little discredited but hey! it could work. Will definitely make sure that I'm treading the middle ground (in terms of body language) during the interview.
Thanks again for the recommendation!!
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version