Guide to Interviews
Whether you are looking for a career move or change or even if you are thinking of applying for a new job within your existing company, it is very important that you make a good first impression on a prospective employer.
PREPARATION
PREPARE YOURSELF
- Interviews are not only an opportunity for the interviewer to find out about you and your suitability for the position, but they are also an opportunity for you to find out about the organisation and if the position will provide you with the challenge and job satisfaction that you are looking for.
- Think about the skills, qualifications and experience that you possess that are relevant and valuable to the position you are applying for. You must be able to talk confidently about what is written on your CV.
- Prepare some questions to ask at the interview, however, at the first interview stage, try and restrict your questions to the details of the job and the organisation. It is wise to leave salary and benefit discussions to the second interview stage or when a job offer is made.
- Practice and preparation will assist you to develop the skills required to increase your effectiveness at interviews. Practice answering questions in front of a mirror, with a family member of friend or even video yourself in a mock interview situation in order to scrutinize how you come across to the interviewer.
- Practice your handshake to ensure that you are able to deliver a firm (but not bone-crushing) handshake both when you meet your interviewer for the first time and upon parting at the interview.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK
- Find out as much about the company as possible prior to the interview. Look up their website and find out about the products or services that they offer, the number of employees, the location/s of their office/s and, if possible, their customers.
LOOK GOOD, FEEL GOOD
- Ensure that you are well groomed on the day of the interview, with tidy hair, clean shoes and appropriate clothing. Avoid wearing too much perfume or aftershave and keep jewellery and make-up simple.
- Dress in a smart business-like manner i.e. a suit.
- If you look good, then you feel good; it's as simple as that!
TRAVEL AND TIMING
- Make sure that you know exactly where you are going and that you have planned the journey beforehand.
- Take a trip to find out exactly where the premises are the week before the interview, at the same time as your interview is booked for, this will allow you to gauge any possible hold-ups on the day such as traffic etc.
- Allow for possible travel delays and make sure that you have your contact's telephone number, in order for you to contact him / her if you suspect that you are going to be late due to a major hold up.
THE INTERVIEW
WHAT TO EXPECT
- If you are using the services of a recruitment agency, then ask them prior to the interview what sort of interview it will be beforehand. That is, will it be a one to one, panel interview or group interviews?
- Depending on the type of organisation, you may be required to take a test before the interview such as a psychometric or aptitude test.
- Each interviewer will have their own personal style of interviewing. Some interviewers will start with open questions such as "tell me about yourself", leaving you to do most of the talking, while others fire questions at you. The majority of interviewers will be somewhere between the two styles, however, be prepared!
BE POLITE AND SMILE
- Be polite to everyone at all times. You never know who that person is that you have just cut up in the car park or if even if the Receptionist will be asked his / her opinion on your suitability for the post after your interview!
- Smiling will help you to relax prior to the interview and will give off a positive vibe to those around you.
WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU
- Always take a note pad and pen with you to the interview. Ensure that the pad fits nicely into your bag or briefcase prior to the interview.
- At various points in the interview (when the interviewer is telling you about the company background is usually the most effective) write down some rough notes. The content of the notes is not important, however, it will give off a positive impression to the interviewer if he / she thinks you are taking notes on the important information he / she is giving you.
EFFECTIVE MEET & GREET
- First impressions certainly do count as many interviewers will have made their minds up within the first 5 minutes of meeting a candidate. Therefore, be confident and most importantly be yourself!
- Relax and avoid fidgeting whilst waiting in the Reception.
- Make sure you look your contact at the company directly in the eyes when dispensing the firm handshake.
- Make small-talk with your contact at the company once he / she has collected you from the Reception area. Ask questions such as "Are you busy?" in order to avoid a deadly silence from building up on the way to the interview room. This will break the ice as it is possible that the interviewer may be a little nervous also.
USE THE DRINK ON OFFER TO YOUR ADVANTAGE
If the interviewer offers you a drink at the start of the interview (usually water, tea or coffee), always accept for two reasons:-
- Firstly, it is human nature that the interviewer will feel good if you take him/her up on the gesture of goodwill. Making the interviewer feel good and at ease is always a good strategy.
- Secondly, and most importantly, accept the drink and use it wisely as a "Prop" during the interview. You can buy some valuable thinking time to answer questions during the interview by sipping (or pretending to sip if you do not want to drink) the "Prop".
QUESTIONS TO ASK AT INTERVIEW
It is important to remember that interviews are a two-way process and it is essential that you ask sufficient questions in order to ensure that the interviewer knows you genuinely want the job. Towards the end of the interview, you will have the opportunity to ask the interviewer questions, therefore, ensure that you are prepared:-
- Always ask the interviewer a question which will allow him/her to talk about himself / herself. Questions such as "What does your role involve within the company? How long have you been with the organisation? Will I be working with you?"
- The interviewer will warm to you if they think that you are interested in the prospect of working with them and if you have given he / she the opportunity to explain their importance within the business.
- Ask how the job contributes to the success, profitability and efficiency of the organisation.
Other questions may include:-
- Where will I fit into the company's overall structure?
- What would a typical day in the role involve?
- What are the company's values?
- Is there an on-going training programme?
- What will be my salary? Are there any other benefits or a bonus available?
SELL YOURSELF
- It is essential that you sell yourself by telling the interviewer details of your relevant skills and experience that you can bring with you to the organisation if successful.
- Make sure you leave the interview with the employer knowing the benefits of employing you.
- Show that you have done some research.
- Find out what the key parts of the candidate specification are, so you can show how you meet them.
- Do not criticise previous employers or jobs and avoid giving negative information if you are not asked for it. The art is to turn negative information into positive information.
CLOSING STAGES OF THE INTERVIEW
- Agree who will contact you and let you know if you have been successful or not and by when.
- You will also need to ask whether there will be a second interview and who will be conducting it.
- Ensure that you leave the interview having established a positive impression with regards to your capabilities. It is useful to close the interview with a statement similar to "I really want this job and I am confident that I would excel if given the opportunity."