Ask the expert: Interview skills need honing

Dr Marie Wilson is associate professor of management at the University of Auckland, research director of the ICEHOUSE business accelerator and a veteran of 20 years in corporate management and small business.

My situation is that, aged 53, I recently took a redundancy package after working in banking for over 30 years. I achieved a fairly senior level (district manager, branch banking) but had gone as far up the ladder as I could.

Also, I was getting very tired of the constant restructuring that goes on in large corporate organisations these days. My CV draws attention to an excellent results focus, leadership skills, collaboration and the like, and I can talk about specific examples to support my CV. I also have good PC skills.

Six months later and feeling greatly refreshed I am now looking for work. I am well aware of age prejudice but am confident I can get a reasonable job.

However, I would appreciate some guidance on the following issues: handling a job interview; the first 100 days in a new job; and networking.

I have only ever had one employer for over 30 years, so I am very out of date in respect of the first two issues. Also, I believe that many job vacancies are not advertised publicly but are filled by networking.

If you haven't been interviewed recently, things have changed. The largest difference is the emphasis on behavioural interviewing, which involves questions directed at finding out your skills for the job by asking you for detailed examples from your work history and other experiences.

For example, if project management is a key skill for the job, you might be asked to discuss a project that you have managed and whether it met all its objectives, as well as how you dealt with difficulties.

To prepare for a behavioural interview, you should review the job description fully and try to identify key skill requirements.

Review your work history as well as projects outside - setting up a voluntary activity, leading fund-raising - and identify examples that you are comfortable discussing and that show off several key skills.

You may want to highlight situations that counteract stereotypes about your age - maybe selecting examples that show how you work well with diverse groups, lead change and use technology effectively.

If you are asked for a key example and you are not sure what they are asking about, clarify before you proceed, or you may miss an opportunity to show them your skills.

The other key piece of preparation for the interview is thorough research on the job and the company, using both online resources as well as your business networks.

If you have a friend who interviews staff as part of their role, you may want to set up a practice session and get frank feedback on your answers, your manner and any other aspects that they notice.

If you are unsuccessful, and managerial job searches may take many months, seek feedback both on why you were unsuccessful as well as the specifics of your interview. For example: Were there concerns about any of the answers to my questions? Were my questions appropriate?

Can you recommend reading on finding and starting a new job, with a particular focus on the mature worker if possible?



I don't have any clear sources that spring to mind in this area, and it would seem the older worker is a bit under-served.

* Do any readers have favourite resources in this area that they would like to suggest?

Send your suggestions to julie_middleton@nzherald.co.nz, fax 373-6523 or PO Box 32, Auckland.