Interview Tips

How to succeed at interview

Succeeding at interview
Good news! You've been offered an interview at a company you're interested in.

When it comes to the attendance of an interview, your aim should always be to win a job offer, and you should always do everything in your power to achieve that.

You will learn from the experience and make new acquaintances which might be useful in the future.

Always remember that the interview is a SALES situation and you are the product!

Preparing for the interview
You will be slightly nervous and a little adrenaline usually makes you perform better but you won't want to appear too nervous, and preparation is the best way to reduce anxiety, and maximise your chances of achieving your goal at the same time.

• Find out as much as you can about the employer's requirements,
• Clarify in your own mind the strengths you can bring to the employer and the benefits that the employer will enjoy by employing you.
• Research the type of work that will be involved. You are almost certain to be asked the question ‘What do you know about this type of work?'
• Do some research on the company - first step is obviously the company's website
• Find out who you will be meeting when you get there. Find out the interviewer's full name and its proper pronunciation, and their title. You may be able to find out a little about what they are like, and what they expect from an interviewee.
• Prepare the questions you will be asking during the interview. Ask questions to illustrate ‘the big picture' and don't bother with small detail. Have these questions written down

Good questions to ask might be:
What is the interviewing procedure, and who makes the hiring decision, and when?
What is the history of the company?
What are its future plans for growth and development?
What exactly does the job involve?
What will be expected of me? What goals will I be expected to achieve?
What training/help/backup will be given to me in order to achieve those goals?
What are the prospects for advancement when I have successfully achieved those goals?

One word of caution - at first interview, do not overdo the questions.

Detail questions about hours of work, holidays, and expenses should not be asked at first interview. These would probably be covered at a second interview anyway and would give the impression that short hours and long holidays may be high on your agenda!

Prepare a briefcase with everything you need, including the information about the company that you have gathered, a job description if you have been given one, several copies of your CV., a notepad with your questions written down on, a pen, a calculator, directions/map.

Telephone your Consultant and ask if they have had any feedback from other candidates interviewed by the company, what questions they were asked, and any preferences the interviewer might have, if they are known.

Your Presentation
Many an interviewee has ruined his or her chances by poor presentation.

Ask your Consultant beforehand about the style of the company you are visiting.

Adopt a neutral presentation style - conservative and businesslike. No casual clothes!

Men should have tidy hair, and trim beards and moustaches neatly. Wear a dark or grey two piece business suit, white or pastel shirt, coordinated tie, dark socks, clean black shoes. Make sure your hands and nails are clean. 

Women should also dress in a tailored and conservative style. If a skirt is worn, so should tights. Wear a limited amount of jewellery.

In both cases, the purpose is to not raise any questions by your attire.

The Interview
Make sure you have no other commitments on the day - you don't want to appear distracted if the interview takes longer than you imagined.

Plan to allow 50% extra time for the journey, however long it takes - an extra 15 minutes for a half hour journey, an extra two hours on a four-hour journey.  If you arrive early, you can use the time to relax and recap your preparation notes.

Late arrival for an interview is never excusable.

Arrive at the company about fifteen minutes before your interview and announce yourself to Reception. You may have to sign in, or go through a security procedure.

Take time to be pleasant to the receptionist, and other people you meet - word about your attitude towards them is sure to get back to the interviewer. Many interviewers put a lot of store by the opinion of their colleagues.

If there is company literature available in reception, read it while you wait. You may find an interesting nugget of information which you can use during your interview which would demonstrate your interest in the company.

When you are greeted by the interviewer, or if you are taken and introduced to him or her, remember that the first few moments of meeting are of the greatest importance.

If you create a strong first impression, the interviewer may discount many negative factors after that, but if you create a poor first impression, you will have made a mountain to climb to win back the interviewer's favour.

Stand up straight, walk briskly towards the interviewer, smile and shake their hand with a firm, dry handshake. "How do you do Dr. Smith, I'm pleased to meet you."

The Interview Itself
You are being interviewed because the employer wants to recruit someone - not because he wants to trip you up or embarrass you.

Often the interviewer is under pressure to recruit someone, and may not be highly skilled as an interviewer. He or she is probably as nervous as you are! In any case, it is as important for them as it is for you, to ensure that you are a good match for the company, and you must find out if they can offer you the career you are looking for.

Shrewd and practised interviewers will insist on questioning you first, to find out how you think and feel. However, it is much more helpful to you, if you can ask questions of the company first, in order to find out what is important to them, and then you can sell yourself more effectively to them. If you get a chance, after exchanging the usual pleasantries at the beginning, say something like ‘I'm very pleased to have this opportunity to meet you Mr Smith, and I have a few key questions that I'd like to ask you, if I may.' Most interviewers are only too pleased that you appear to be taking the initiative, and will let you ask your questions first.

However, if the interviewer takes control and asks his questions first, don't worry - just answer them honestly, and try not to make categorical statements about your preferences, so as to keep your options open.

Be Prepared to Answer Questions
What do you know about us?

Tell me about yourself! (Prepare beforehand, a short 1 - 2 minute ‘potted history' of yourself)
What are your strengths? (Prepare for this as well: don't be arrogant! Employers value hard work, enthusiasm and reliability above most other characteristics)

What are your weaknesses? (Don't admit to anything too damaging such as ‘Lazy', but suggest things such as ‘I have difficulty with arrogant people, but I'm learning to hold my tongue!')

What has been your key achievement in your current employment?

Why do you want to work for our company?

Why do you want this job?

Where do you want your career to go? (Employers look for evidence that you have a life-plan and are not just drifting from one job to the next. You don't have to be too specific).

Why should we select you above all the others? What can you ‘bring to the party'? (You could do worse than saying ‘If you take me on Mr Smith, I'll give you energy, enthusiasm and 110% commitment')

Do's and Don'ts
DO fill out application forms neatly and completely.

DO wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. Sit upright in the chair, leaning slightly forwards, with your hands visible, folded on your lap. Look alert and interested throughout. Be a good listener as well as a good talker. Use your ears and mouth in proportion. Look the interviewer in the eye while you talk to him or her, but try not to stare.

DO get your points across in a factual, logical, sincere manner. Stress achievements from work, study or personal life. Take documented evidence of your successes - letters of commendation, certificates, letters from grateful customers. Be prepared to SELL YOURSELF.

DO follow the employer's leads, but try to ask your questions as early in the interview as you can. If you know what's important to the company, you'll stand a better chance of telling them why you are right for the job.

DO conduct yourself throughout the interview as if you are determined to get the job you are discussing.

DO indicate that you are intent on a career in this particular line of work.

DO mention it if you are under consideration by a similar organisation.

DON'T chew gum.

DON'T answer questions solely with a Yes or No. Explain wherever possible. Tell the interviewer about your experience and knowledge which relates to the requirements of the job.

DON'T waffle, be succinct.

DON'T lie. Employers almost always verify the information given to them by taking references.

DON'T make excuses for past failures; employers respect candour and honesty.

DON'T make derogatory remarks about your present or former employers or companies.

DON'T enquire about salary, holiday, bonuses, or other benefits, unless the employer has said he would like to offer you the job. If you are asked what salary you want say ‘What I'm really interested in is the career opportunity that you have to offer. I'm sure if I'm the right person for the job, you'll offer me a fair wage.' If pressed, tell him what your current salary is, if applicable.

DON'T indicate that you are considering this job as one of a number of different career options.

Most Common Causes of Failure
Failure to ask questions about the job - specifically ‘What exactly does this job entail?'

Persistent attitude of ‘What's in it for me?'

Lack of interest or enthusiasm.

Failure to look the employer in the eye.

Lack of preparation for the interview.

Poor personal appearance/poor first impression.

Limp handshake.

Unable to express thoughts clearly, poor poise, diction or grammar.

Overemphasis on money - interested only in ‘big bucks'.

Evasive - making excuses for unfavourable factors in record.

Lack of planning for career - no purpose or goals.

Overbearing, conceited, ‘know-it-all' attitude.

The Most Important Thing!
Employers are always more interested in people who are keen on the job. If you are interested in the position, and would like to receive an offer, ASK FOR THE JOB!

Always close the interview properly, by expressing enthusiasm and actually asking for the job.
‘Mr Smith, I'm very interested in this position, and I'm sure I can do a good job for you. When will I be able to start?' Or, if a second interview has been indicated ‘Mr Smith, you said earlier that there would have to be a second interview. I'm very interested in this position and I'm sure I can do a good job for you. Are there any reasons why I shouldn't be invited back for a second interview?'

In either case, you may be told that the company has other people to see before a decision can be reached. You should at least agree a date to talk again to find out how to proceed ‘If I haven't heard from you by next Friday Mr Smith, I'll call you to find out where I stand, if that's alright?'

Just as Important...
Immediately after your interview you must telephone your consultant. Very often employers telephone us to give us feedback, and always ask ‘Have you heard from the candidate?' It is much more encouraging to the employer if we can say that we have, and that you are very interested. Call us as soon as you leave the interview!