Top interview tips

An interview is a discussion between you and an employer to find out if you can do the job. However, there are certain rules and conventions to follow in interviews. Here's a checklist of the main do's and don'ts.

What to do:

• dress smartly, look bright and attentive, and speak clearly and confidently. Don't forget that only 7% of the interviewer's opinion of you is formed by what you say - the rest is judged on how you look, act and sound


• find out where the venue is beforehand, how to get there and how long it takes


• get your outfit ready the night before


• find out what kind of interview it will be so you can prepare


• examine the person specification and your CV/application form, and think about what type of questions they will ask you


• prepare answers for the main questions - for example, why do you want the job, what are your strengths and weaknesses, what are the main tasks in this job


• make about three or four points in each answer


• quote real examples of when you've used certain skills - just saying you've got a skill isn't enough


• take your time when answering the questions. Make sure you understand the question and take your time if you need to think


• sell yourself. No-one else is going to! Be positive about yourself and your experiences


• prepare some questions to ask at the end - use it as an opportunity to find out more about the role and the company. But don't ask about money or perks just yet!


• when discussing salary, know your market worth and start by quoting a little higher than this


• get feedback on your performance, whether you were successful or not


• turn off your mobile! Treat the interviewers with respect and give them your undivided attention


• keep your answers focused on what you can do for the employer, not what they can do for you

What not to do:

• don't be late!


• don't swear or use slang words


• don't slouch in your seat or do anything else that makes you look disinterested


• don't smoke


• don't lie! The interviewer may see through you. Even if you get the job, your employer can dismiss you if they find out


• don't let your nerves show too much. A few nerves are normal but extreme nerves will affect your performance. Use breathing techniques and try to remember that it's not a life and death situation - there are plenty of jobs out there!


• don't be arrogant and assume you've got the job. Nothing turns off employers more than someone who is disrespectful and over-confident


• don't discuss controversial topics such as religion, politics and gender relations


• don't read from notes or your CV. You should be familiar enough with your own history to be able to talk about it unprompted


• don't criticise former employers or colleagues. Interviewers may mark you down as a troublemaker and a gossip


• don't argue with the interviewer, no matter what. Remember to keep things positive!

These rules apply for most jobs. However, employers in some industries can use more relaxed and informal interviewing techniques. In some creative fields (design and media for example) it may be expected that you turn up for the interview in casual clothes, as that is the dress code in the office. If you're in any doubt, do some research on typical interview technique in your line of work.

Questions that are generally asked in interview

What if I was fired from my last job?

If you were laid off as part of a universal reduction in the workforce, be honest about it but then move on quickly. But if you were excited for misconduct or not fulfilling your responsibilities as laid out in your contract, deal with this differently.

You can confess to occasional failings if you show that you've learnt from them. For instance, if you lost motivation, became lazy and got caught, describe how you intend to stay provoked in future. If you broke company policy, you could say you were going through personal or economic problems at the time, but that now they are resolved.

You should check out your references. If it was your last boss who fired you, and you have to list your last boss as a reference, phone them up to try and clear the air. Say you understand why they had to fire you, but you've learned from the experience and are looking to start afresh.

Explain that you're looking for a reference as you’re looking for work. Ask what they would say about you. Ask if they would say you were fired or if they would say you resigned. Not many bosses would keep giving you a bad reference to prevent you getting new work.

So even with these questions, honesty is the best policy. But always end with a positive, and show how you learnt from a negative experience.

What if I get asked why I've been out of work for a long time?

Firstly, stress any positive activities you've undertaken during your period out of work, such as:
• voluntary work
• courses
• keeping up with developments in your field
• treating job seeking as a full-time job
• keeping fit
• networking

You can also say that you were being selective, and not taking the first job that came along. Stress you were waiting for the right opportunity, such as the job being offered by the employer interviewing you.

What if I voluntarily left my job?

Make sure you state positive reasons for leaving. The best reason is to say that you wanted a fresh challenge, and you wanted to fully concentrate your efforts on finding your next opportunity. Reflect positively on your time in your previous job - describe how you developed in the role and say you were grateful for the opportunity.

What is the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL)?

The European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) is a Europe-wide qualification in basic computer skills. If you have passed ECDL, employers know you have the skills to carry out the main tasks on a computer. The ECDL is the first qualification in personal computing skills to be recognised throughout the EU. And it looks great on your CV!

You might do an ECDL if you want a basic qualification in computing to enhance your career prospects, to improve your skills or just for general interest. ECDL is open to anyone - regardless of age, education, information technology (IT) experience or background.

What does it involve?

You get a logbook listing all the modules. As you pass each module, the accredited testing body will sign your logbook. You can take the modules in any order or even all at once. Normally all tests should be completed within three years of starting.

ECDL consists of seven units, each of which has a 45 minute test. The modules are:

• Basic concepts of IT


• Using the Computer and Managing Files


• Word Processing


• Spreadsheets


• Databases


• Presentation


• Information and Communication.

Advanced ECDL
The ECDL advanced qualification aims to take your computer skills to the next level. You’ll get a certificate for passing each module.

In the UK you can study the following ECDL Advanced modules:

• Spreadsheets


• Databases


• Presentation drawing


• Word processing

What is the job of Atmospheric Scientist?

Atmospheric science is the study of the physics and chemistry of gases, clouds, and aerosols that surround the planetary bodies of the solar system.

Research in atmospheric science focuses upon such areas as:
Climatology. the study of long-term weather and temperature trends,
Dynamic meteorology. the study of the motions of the atmosphere,
Cloud Physics: the formation and evolution of clouds and precipitation,
Atmospheric chemistry: the study of atmospheric chemical reactions,
Oceanography: the study of the Earth's oceans and how they affect the atmosphere.
Some atmospheric scientists study the atmospheres of the planets in our solar system, while others study the Earth's atmosphere.

Atmospheric scientists may work in the following areas: field research, laboratory studies and/or computer analysis and modeling. Good communication skills (oral and written) are necessary as atmospheric scientists attend conferences and workshops, where they share their results with other researchers. They write papers and technical reports detailing the results of their research, give progress reports, and disseminate information on satellite data.

Atmospheric scientists may also be found working for private weather services, television and radio stations, commercial airlines, state governments, colleges and universities, public utilities, consulting firms, and aircraft and instrument manufacturing companies. They often work in groups where their different skills and backgrounds can be combined to study specific scientific questions such as the effects of aircraft emissions on the atmosphere. These multidisciplinary teams usually include people in other related careers such as aerospace engineers, electronics engineers, computer and communications technicians, photographers, science writers, data systems analysts, astronauts, pilots, astronomers, physicists, geologists, oceanographers, and biologists.

Internet Safety Tips for Parents

General rules for ensuring Internet safety.

• It’s important to be knowledgeable about the Internet, because even if you don’t have a computer at home, your child can access it at school, at a friend’s house, or at your public library.


• Create a family agreement for Internet use, including hours of use, which sites can be accessed and which ones shouldn’t be.


• Place your computer in a central, open location, like the living room, so Internet use can be supervised.

General rules for ensuring Internet safety.

• Look at the sites your child visits.


• Look into software or online services that filter out offensive material. Check with your Internet service provider (ISP) for any blocking features they might offer.


• Consider installing a children’s search engine, like Yahooligans.


• Create a special folder of “bookmarks,” or “favorites,” for your child on your computer’s browser.

Preserving your family’s privacy

• If you have a web site, avoid putting your children’s pictures on it.


• Teach your children to never give out identifying information about any family member. This includes: names, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, passwords or credit card numbers.


• Encourage them to tell you if anyone is pressing for personal information.


• Teach your children that talking to a stranger on the Internet is no different than talking to a stranger on the street.

Minimizing possible risks

• Talk to your children about potential online dangers such as giving out personal information to strangers. Chat room acquaintances are strangers and your child should never arrange to meet them in the real world unless you give permission and/or know who they are.


• Better yet, if your children are young, steer them away from chat rooms. Older children should only participate in chat rooms you approve of.


• If your child starts receiving phone calls from strangers, or places calls to people you don’t know, get to the bottom of it immediately.


• Tell your children that if someone harasses them on-line, says something inappropriate, or makes them feel uncomfortable in any way they should tell you, their teacher, or a trusted adult.


• Contact the police immediately if your child receives child pornography, has been sexually solicited or has received sexually explicit images from an adult.

Tips for preparing an effective personal statement

A compelling personal statement will enable you to stand out in a field with other high-achieving persons. It will help you overcome any gaps or inadequacies in your record. It can predispose the interview panel to want to give you a Truman Scholarship rather than to merely hear your case and then decide.

The passions, accomplishments, ambition, and creativity that you present in a carefully prepared personal statement will go a long way toward success in the Truman competition. Your ability to portray well these characteristics should be of enormous value in competitions next year for graduate fellowships and admissions to highly selective graduate schools.

Writing an effective personal statement is difficult. Points in this section should help you — but count on a lot of thought, effort, feedback from the Truman Faculty Representative, rewriting and editing to produce an outstanding personal statement. The skills that you develop in writing an excellent personal statement for the Truman competition will likely be skills that you will employ throughout your professional career.

The secret of good writing is to strip every sentence to its cleanest components.
William Zinsser from On Writing Well

Recognize that the people who read your Truman application and decide whether you advance in the Truman competition are pros. Veteran members of the Truman Scholarship Finalists Selection Committee have read hundreds of Truman applications. They distinguish easily between the sincere and the insincere, the truth and the puffery, the carefully prepared and the hastily prepared, the substantive and the superficial. Don't try to guess what they want to read. Just write honestly, simply, and clearly about yourself and your aspirations.

Understand your motivations for a career in public service. Think about why you want to be in the public sector as opposed to the potentially more lucrative and less emotionally challenging private sector.

Get a mentor/critic to help you with the Personal Statement. Generally, this will be the Truman Faculty Representative. If you are unable to work closely with your Faculty Representative, find a professor to assist you and to encourage you when you bog down in telling your story.

Before answering any of the items, think strategically about yourself and your candidacy. Ask yourself: "What are the most important characteristics and values, goals and ambitions, life experiences and service activities that define who I am?" Then decide which of these you wish to emphasize in your Truman personal statement. Don't try to cover every aspect.

Everybody has a special story - some people just tell their story better. Share those stories that have been formative in your development as a potential change agent. These stories are often interesting and compelling.

In telling your story, you want to use your responses to Items 7-9 and 14 to bring out some dimensions that are not obvious from reading your list of activities (responses to Items 2-4). Reveal why you are committed to public service.