Careers and Personal Development Module
Job Interviews
As with CVs, I am no expert on this topic and would advise you to consult Macquarie University's Career Development Office. A handout produced by the Office, The Challenge of Getting a Job offers some very good advice on preparing for and going through interviews. There are also numerous commercial "how to" publications on the market which give good sound, practical advice. Also, keep a look out in the careers sections of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian for articles published from time to time on how to handle job interviews (e.g. see C. Kearney, "How should you answer the 10 toughest job interview questions?", The Sydney Morning Herald, February 3, 2001).
Some general key rules of thumb I would offer, however, are:
- Research the government department (company) and position as thoroughly as possible (e.g. through the Annual Report, website, etc.).
- If possible, talk to people who already work in the department, company or industry.
- Attempt to anticipate likely questions and rehearse answers to them before the interview.
- Have some questions of your own to ask. These are a good opportunity to show your keenness for the position and that you have seriously thought about the job.
- Be positive and show enthusiasm at the interview. Show you are keen. (In the words of one of my former students who has been very successful this is "an important one ... it makes up for a lot").
Kevin
McCracken
Phone: +61-2-9850 8388
Email: kevin.mccracken@mq.edu.au