INTERVIEW PREPARATION-

QUALITY MANAGEMENT & LEAN

SIX SIGMA GREEN BELT
PROGRAMME CORK
Workshop’s Objectives

• What Employers Are Looking

1 For

2 • Sample Interview Questions

3 • Mock Interview
Putting Yourself in
the Interviewers’
Shoes
Positive things that an employer will be
looking for in an interview:
• adaptability & strong technical knowledge/skills
• good communication skills & ability to work with
others
• Influencing skills
• willingness to work hard
• creativity & enthusiasm
• self-organisation & self-confidence
• appearance
• determination
• professionalism
Negative things that an employer will be
looking for in an interview:
• poor appearance
• poor communication skills
• indifference
• lack of confidence
• evasiveness
• negative attitudes
• self centred
• high-pressure selling
• Poor team player
Try Doing
• Plan to arrive a few minutes early.
• Arriving late creates a bad first impression.
• Ask for directions when making arrangements for
the interview.
• Greet the employer warmly.
• Have a professional appearance.
• Be sincere.
• Describe the things about yourself, which relate to
the position.
• Be determined to get the job you are discussing!
• Bring spare copies of your CV.
Don’t………………….
• Appear overly nervous.
• Over-project self-confidence. Try and relax.
• Have just finished a cigarette: your clothes and hair
will smell. Chewing gum is a no-no too.
• Just give yes or no answers as you need to elaborate
whenever possible and give good examples.
However, don't waffle, lie or imply you are a miracle
worker. Be truthful and as frank as possible in your
answers.
• Rely on the CV to get you the job.
Key Tips
• Sales situation
• Role v employee
• 80/20 Pareto Principle
• Research the company to identify the “fit”
• Do not demonstrate an ATM mentality
• Mind set of the role that you are applying to
• Importance of body language & listening
• Telephone & second interviews
• Assessment Centres
Job Interview Follow-Up:
• Do ask at the end of the interview when the
employer expects to make the hiring decision.
• Do alert your referees
• Don't stop job-hunting; even if you feel confident
that you will get a job offer.
• Do continue to interview and attempt to find other
opportunities.
• Do follow-up with a telephone call to the employer.
• Do be patient. The hiring process often takes longer
than the employer expects.
Job Interview Follow-Up:
• Do continue following-up, especially if the employer
asks you to. Just don’t go overboard and annoy or
bother the employer.
• Don't place too much importance on one job or one
interview; there will be other opportunities for you.
• Do use other job offers as leverage in your follow-up
- to get the offer you really want.
• Don't burn any bridges if you do not get a job offer.
• Do utilise these follow-up techniques to continue to
show your enthusiasm and desire for the position,
but don’t make it seem as though you are
desperate.
Sample Interview Qs
STAR Model- Optimise Your Time
Matrix of Examples
•Have 6/8 examples ready and be able to speak about
them –“tell us about a time….”
Achievement/ Achievement/ Achievement/ Achievement/ Achievement/
Example 1 Example 2 Example Example Example
i.e.

Key Requirement X
1

Key Requirement X
2
80/20 Rule on Preparation
Some Sample Questions to Consider
Asking:
• Can you tell me more about the day-to-day
responsibilities of this job?
• What do you think are the most important qualities for
someone to excel in this role?
• What are your expectations for this role during the first
30 days, 60 days, and year?
• Describe the culture of the company.
• Where do you think the company is headed in the next
5 years?
• What are the biggest opportunities facing the
company/department right now?
• What are the biggest challenges facing the
company/department right now?
• What is the typical career path for someone in this role?
• What are the next steps in the interview process?
Final Points:
• Always start your interview preparation by researching
the company and the industry.
• Prepare your interview answers and practice, practice,
practice.
• Utilise a matrix to prepare strong and relevant
examples.
• Internalise your CV and/or application form.
• Know the job spec inside out- matching your skills and
experience accordingly- Utilise the STAR model
(Situation, Task, Action You Took and the Result Your
Got)- answer the questions and give examples as if you
are in the role already.
• Put yourself in the shoes of the employer- what are
his/her/their priorities for the role?
• How can you create value in the role?
Final Points:
• Be professional and personable - don't be afraid to
let your personality shine through.
• Be positive... avoid being critical of your past
position or employer, even if it is warranted.
• Be aware of your body language and ensure it is
positive and engaging.
• Don't be afraid of short pauses. If you need a few
seconds to formulate an answer - take it. The
interviewer may need time to consider their next
question. Do not feel it is necessary to fill every
second with conversation.
• Think about 2 or 3 questions that you could ask.
• Prepare a strong close why you are the best
candidate for the role.
Mock Interviews
Role- Quality Technician
• Due to continued expansion my client a
multinational Manufacturing Healthcare company
now require a Quality Technician. The Quality
Technician will be working in the manufacturing
area providing real time QA support to the
Production line. This will include the
implementation of process controls, CAPA systems,
and day to-day problem solving.
Key Responsibilities of Role
• Provide hands-on line support to the catheter line, acting as
a key member of the Line support team
• Work with the QE to actively implement the LMS systems
• Direct Involvement in continuous improvement projects and
initiatives
• Maintenance of Quality metrics and reporting systems
• Preparation of Quality reports for Quality meetings and
management reviews
• Provide support to the implementation of process controls
and CAPA systems designed to meet or exceed internal and
external requirements
• Act as an effective team member in supporting quality
disciplines, decisions and practices
Key Responsibilities of Role
• Apply sound, systematic problem solving
methodologies in identifying, prioritizing,
communicating and resolving quality issues
• Ensure regulatory compliance to GMP for all
medical device regulatory agencies
• Suggest changes in procedures and standards to
facilitate work efficiency and maintain quality
• Reporting Functional area Quality Metrics
• Conduct internal Quality audits to ISO and GMP
requirements
Key requirements of Quality
Technician
• Ideally has 2 years industry experience
manufacturing environment and within a QA role
however all applications will be given consideration.
• Educational Background in
Science/Engineering/Quality
• A lean qualification would be a strong advantage as
would be experience of ISO 9001 & ISO 14001
• Comfortable working within a hands-on line support
type role & the ability to maintain excellent records.
• Good understanding of problem solving
methodologies.
Key requirements of Quality
Technician
• Excellent Computer Skills including (MS Word, Excel,
PowerPoint and Access).
• Possess strong communication/interpersonal skills;
must be detail oriented, organised, flexible and be
able to handle multiple tasks and time critical
projects/deadlines.
• Must understand the principles of Batch Control
and FIFO and have at minimum a basic knowledge
of statistical sampling of product.
Online Testing
• https://www.practiceaptitudetests.com/psyc
hometric-tests/

• https://www.16personalities.com/free-
personality-test

• http://www.iqmindware.com/iq-
mindware/how-to-do-a-raven-matrices-test/