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Interview Advice
 Successful interviews
Our experience of arranging interviews has shown us the techniques for success and we know that the better prepared you are the more confident you will feel. Whether you are experienced at interviews or not, this guide will help you to prepare.
Getting an interview means that the company is already interested in you. It is an opportunity to prove that you are the best person for the job, and this involves some work before you go.
It is worth bearing in mind that by this stage the employer hopes that you will be the ideal person to fill the vacancy.
There are four main stages to an interview: -
PREPARATION
i. Find out about the company
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What are its products or services?
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What size is it?
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Who are its competitors?
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Your consultant will be able to help you with information about the company, but you may wish to do some personal research.
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Ask for a job description before the interview to find out which of your skills and qualifications are relevant to the company. This will help you to prepare specifically for this job.
ii. Find out about the structure of the interview
Whilst some interviewers will inevitably have their own style, most tend to follow a set pattern.
A - Questions based on your CV to explain your career path, achievements, aims and ambitions
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Pick out your skills or achievements that are directly relevant, and rehearse these
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Be prepared to explain any unusual parts of your CV, such as any time taken out from employment or education
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Keep your explanation concise and tell the story as a planned "journey". Rehearse this thoroughly - it is very important
B - General questions about you
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How much do you know about the job?
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What interests you about the job?
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What skills or experience do you have that make you right for this job?
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Why did you leave your last company?
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What interests you about this company?
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When have you had an opportunity to show initiative?
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Who and what were you responsible for in your last job?
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Can you give an example of when you coped well under pressure?
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Do you prefer to work as an individual or as part of a team? Give me an example of when you have worked as part of a team to reach a common goal?
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How do you think you are viewed by your colleagues?
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What are your three biggest achievements so far in your career?
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Tell me about a project that you have worked on?
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How do you adapt to different personalities?
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What do you see as your good and bad characteristics?
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What are your long-term goals? How are you going to succeed in achieving them? How do you cope with changing situations?
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How do you deal with conflicting deadlines?
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How do you find working to deadlines?
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What parts of your job require you to have a good eye for detail?
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What IT packages do you use on a day to day basis and to what level?
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Tell me more about your hobbies and interests?
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Are you considering any other jobs?
C - Telling you about the company and position
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Which department the vacancy is in, and how that fits into the company
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Who you would be working for and with
D - Your questions
Asking relevant questions shows you are interested, organized and able to plan ahead
Salary and benefits are important, but an employer will be more impressed if you ask questions about the company, the department and the job first
Good questions to ask are about training opportunities, who you will report to, who you will be working with, promotion prospects, what the working hours are and if there are peak periods when you will be expected to work longer hours
E - Informing you of the next stage of the process
Before any interview, there is one motto, which you should always bear in mind; "be prepared"
iii. Find out about the details of the interview
Your well produced CV detailing your qualifications, skills and experience has gained you an interview. Now, however, attitude and personality are important, especially as research indicates that the majority of recruitment decisions are made in the first five minutes.
What are the date, time and location?
Allow plenty of time for the journey and aim to arrive at least ten minutes early. If you are held up, phone ahead and let them know. Do a trial run at getting there if necessary, and don't forget to check timetables or parking availability.
Who will be interviewing you? Be prepared for the possibility of a panel interview. In a panel interview, answer questions looking from one interviewer to another.
How should you dress?
How to dress for an interview. First impressions are important! Dress suitably for the company. Hair should be clean and tidy. Take just one neat bag or briefcase with you. Be smart and clean, but make sure you are wearing something you are comfortable in. It is best to wear a slightly different outfit for a second interview at the same company, but do be as smart.
What should you take?
A copy of your current CV and all relevant certificates and references. A notepad and pen may also be handy, along with a few questions to ask the interviewer.
iv. Ensure your personal safety
Make sure you are happy with the credentials of the recruiting company
If the interview is not held at the employer's office, ensure it is in a public place e.g. a hotel foyer
Make sure that someone knows where you are being interviewed
Make sure you have transport home arranged - do not accept a lift
Finally, from the moment you arrive, be courteous. Treat everyone with respect, beginning with the receptionist. Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake, make eye contact and smile.
i. How to behave
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Take your tone from the interviewer, some will be very formal, others prefer a relaxed approach
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Make good eye contact (but don't stare!)
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Smile where appropriate
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Don't sit down until you are asked
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Look alert and sit upright and try to relax
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Rest your hands on either on the table or in your lap, which creates an impression of composure, however false!
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Don't eat or smoke even if invited, but do accept a coffee, tea or water if you want to.
ii. Answering questions
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Typically, you will be asked to expand on the contents of your CV - your aims, experience, strengths and so on. You will also be asked about your previous employers and positions
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Listen carefully and concentrate, and don't interrupt
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Show interest and enthusiasm
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Talk slowly and clearly
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Keep your answers clear and to the point and avoid talking for too long
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Take time if necessary before answering a question or ask for clarification if you are unsure of the meaning
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Don't be afraid to admit if you can't answer the question
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Don't criticise your current employer, or reveal confidential information
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Be honest
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Find opportunities to sell yourself, relating your skills to the job. An employer is looking for determination, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn
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Concentrate on positive words, such as "enjoy" and "enthusiastic".
iii. Asking questions
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Make questions relevant
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Show that you have researched the company
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Ask about training and who you will be working with
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Unless the interviewer raises the subject, leave questions regarding salary, benefits and working conditions for the next stage of the recruitment process
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Ask when you will be given a decision
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Don't ask questions which have already been answered during the interview and try to avoid giving the impression that you have prepared a long list
THE END OF THE INTERVIEW
The end of the Interview gives you a chance to leave the interviewer with a favorable impression of you. In a way it's just as important as the beginning.
Remain positive and interested, thank the interviewer for their time, smile and shake hands firmly. If the interviewer makes small talk, join in: your personality is still being assessed and it would be wrong to appear too eager to get away.
AFTER THE INTERVIEW
If the interview has been arranged through us, refer back to your consultant while the interview is still fresh in your mind and say whether you are interested in the vacancy or not. Your consultant will phone the interviewer for feedback and pass any response on to you. If an offer of employment is made, leave all the negotiation on terms and conditions to us. The consultants know you and your worth as well as the current market trends and "going rates", meaning we're ideally placed to obtain the best possible package for you.
If the interview doesn't result in a job offer, don't be too despondent. We will try to establish why a job offer wasn't made. The most probable explanation is that someone had better qualifications or more experience than you did. There may be areas where you can improve your interview technique. We can help you with further interview experience and you will soon fulfill your career potential.
GOOD LUCK !!
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