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- The
interview will be a structured
interview,
which means that the selection panel will be following a set list of
questions that are related to the selection criteria. Often
they
will read out the selection criterion, and then ask you a question that
relates to that criterion. While it is not necessary for the
panel to stick to their script or ask every applicant the same
questions, this usually happens. Even if you are advised that
the interview will be “informal”, it will
still be very structured in comparison to may private sector
interviews.
- Given
that the questions will be based on
the
selection criteria, it can sometimes be easy to anticipate the
questions ahead of the interview, therefore making your interview
preparation time a lot easier. For example, if a selection
criteria mentions the APS Values, you are almost guaranteed to be asked
what the values are, what they mean, or why they are important.
So, study up!
- Unless
an interview question is looking
for a
quantitative response (ie "yes" or "no" or a specific figure or
definition) the best way to answer an interview question is to try to
recall recent situations that show favourable behaviours or actions,
and present these experiences in story format for the selection
panel. When telling a story, ensure each situation has a
beginning, a middle and an end. The process is similar to
preparing your written application. The “PAR on the
golf
course” method can be useful during interviews, with the
Problem,
Action and Result format providing a good structure for story telling
during the interview.
- The
panel members will take
copious notes
to remember what your responses are and there may be a scribe in
attendance at your interview. The scribe is present to
primarily assist the panel in their
observations of the applicants, provide a rating framework for the
assessments of the criteria, maintain independence and prevent
favouritism of know applicants by panel members, ensure all relevant
policies and legislation are adhered to and that the process remains
fair and transperant, and draft the final report for the delegate.
While the scribe will help guide the selection panel in their
decision making processes, they will not be participating in this
decision making, so you don't have to address this person
during
the interview.
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