Best of luck with the exam! - California Department of Social Services
Best of luck with the exam! - California Department of Social Services
Best of luck with the exam! - California Department of Social Services
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Always a Good Idea!<br />
Interview Tips<br />
Adapted from: Winning Job Offers Through Successful Interviewing<br />
(Scully Career Associates, Inc.)<br />
• Know your strengths and what you bring to <strong>the</strong> specific classification<br />
• Understand your personality and relational style<br />
• Constantly work on presenting yourself pr<strong>of</strong>essionally, your demeanor and skills<br />
Preparing for <strong>the</strong> Interview<br />
1. Read <strong>the</strong> <strong>exam</strong> bulletin announcement carefully; specifically <strong>the</strong> knowledge, skills, and abilities<br />
section (KSAs)<br />
2. Review what is on <strong>the</strong> web or in <strong>the</strong> Training and Development library related to <strong>the</strong> KSAs<br />
3. Talk to o<strong>the</strong>rs who may have taken a similar <strong>exam</strong><br />
4. Find an “<strong>exam</strong> partner” to study <strong>with</strong> and share resources<br />
5. PRACTICE: Pair up <strong>with</strong> someone else preparing for <strong>the</strong> <strong>exam</strong> and do practice interviews<br />
Develop Your “Ten Key Competencies” List<br />
• Anticipate <strong>the</strong> ten most likely questions <strong>the</strong>y will ask based upon KSAs<br />
• Consider <strong>the</strong> skills <strong>the</strong>y are looking for, qualities or traits <strong>the</strong>y will want, and critical knowledge<br />
or experience<br />
• Develop ten performance-based stories explaining your abilities in <strong>the</strong> ten key competency<br />
areas; stories compiled <strong>with</strong> performance - ACTION, detailed out, short: get to essence and<br />
<strong>the</strong> result<br />
Common Interviewing Mistakes<br />
• Being vague or unfocused<br />
• Little practice <strong>with</strong> interviewing<br />
• No idea how you are coming across<br />
• Poor personal appearance<br />
The “Day Before” Checklist<br />
• Overbearing or desperate<br />
• Lack <strong>of</strong> confidence<br />
• Lack <strong>of</strong> tack and/or maturity<br />
• Not answering <strong>the</strong> question<br />
• Practice your stories several more times<br />
• Get directions and be sure you know how to get <strong>the</strong>re to be on time<br />
• Make sure you have reliable transportation<br />
• Plan to leave early<br />
• Say positive things to yourself<br />
• Get a good night’s rest<br />
• Plan to eat breakfast<br />
During <strong>the</strong> Interview<br />
• Don’t be afraid to stop, pause, think if you get nervous or need time to formulate an answer<br />
• Ask for <strong>the</strong> question to be repeated if you think you’ve forgotten something or just need to hear<br />
it again<br />
• Answer each question completely, but do not just fill air time - be complete, concise<br />
4
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