Any good books on modern interview techniques?

Frank99

My Granddaughter is struggling with Job Interviews involving behaviours and competency She told me despite short Jobcentre courses She just can't grasp it and Youtube videos seem to be trying to sell you something according to her.
Her Birthday is coming up and i would love to give her some worthwhile help on this and just wonder if any one knew of any good books on the subject as Interviews are a lot more complicated than when i was younger it seems no longer about turning up looking smart.

SiliconChip

I haven't had a job interview for many years but this link reviews 5 books on various aspects of interviewing so there may be 1 or more of them that could be helpful (How To Get Hired looks promising).

https://www.employmentking.co.uk/interviews/best-job-interview-books-for-2022/

TheSpiddalKid

If videos don't seem to work for her It's possibly worth her looking at what kind of learner she is before investing in a book. It is possible she may not be suited to these either. it may be worth looking at resources on the below page. 

https://www.businessballs.com/self-awareness/vak-learning-styles/

Too answer your specific question I can't think of any specific books I am sorry but I would suggest her local library may also be a good place to look for resources  
 

Savvy_Sue

Another possibility would be to use your networks to set up some interview coaching! 

For example, if she's looking for a job in an office, and you know someone who either works in one or has not long retired, see if they would meet your granddaughter and do a mock interview, or perhaps some mock questions on the areas she finds challenging. You may be able to do this yourself, at least talk about how she might answer questions. 

People sometimes don't think they know as much as they do, or they may think that the experience they have isn't relevant. I got my first 'proper' job after having children as a result of experience gained as a volunteer. Your DGD may have similar that she just doesn't think of. 

Jenwales_2

Goggle Common interview questions and answers for her chosen job. 
I've had tons of interviews not sure what the behaviour and competency is. Generally find they ask the same questions so she can think of answers. Her strengths, what she can offer the business or company. 
It's a shame she can't get a mock interview to help her out. 

mountaindreams

I can’t help with book but the civil service are big on behaviours and competencies and have loads of resources on their recruitment website.
A keg understanding is the STAR method for interview questions - Situation, Task, Action, Result

DullGreyGuy

Frank99 said:

My Granddaughter is struggling with Job Interviews involving behaviours and competency 

What sort of jobs is she going for?

There is no singular way people interview and not one set of answers people want to hear. Some will want their entry level staff being motivated and wanting to progress however others will say its better to have staff that are happy doing the entry job and not wanting to go anywhere as realistically your average new call centre agent wont be a team leader let alone a shift or centre manager. 

mark_cycling00

Behaviour/competence interviews are designed so that's its difficult to just give a correct answer, or the answer that the interviewer wants to hear. In fact your original post provides a good example.

"give me an example of when you haven't been very doing very well in an area of your career and what steps you took to improve it".

Your granddaughter isn't doing well at competence interviews so did some YouTube searches but then stopped when the channel started to sell their services to her. Might sound like - i did the easiest action possible and then gave up at the first obstacle. I am deliberately being mean...

You on the other hand considered asking for advice on a good book to purchase for her so she could learn about this subject from an expert. Already this shows a the sort of behaviour that you'd want in a workplace. I set a reasonable budget of about £10 and I will seek out evidence on the best book I can purchase for this price.

What if your grand-daughter said to you "I don't have lots of money so I did a 1 month free trial of Human Resources Magazine and read every article on competence-based interviews and then cancelled the subscription". You'd think she was pretty gutsy and determined although slightly sneaky. would rather hire her or someone who just watched some youtube videos?

Now what if she said "I found the meet-up group for Human Resources people in the local city and went along and asked them how competence-based interviews work, because I need to learn from people who actually do this every day and not journalists who are trying to sell advertising space on the web"

Now how does that sound compared to someone who just watched some youtube videos? Determined and also very confident.

But like people have mentioned, there is no correct answer. One job may be best done by someone would go out and buy a book. But being a junior producer for a small film company would be best done by someone who went along to the meet-up.

tizerbelle

You could give this one a go https://www.amazon.co.uk/Why-You-Interview-Questions-Youll-ebook/dp/B00L3SYV3A  

Jenwales_2

Just like to add that retail is the easiest sector for interviews. They usually ask basic questions and are looking for a reliable person who will fit in a team. Might be worth applying just for interview practice