Interview Advice
Introduction
It doesn’t matter how good your experience is or how suitable you are for the position if you don’t make a good impression with the interviewer you are highly unlikely to get the job.
It is essential that you prepare for an interview in advance. This can be done by having a thorough knowledge of your CV to allow you to talk confidently about your past experience. It is also important to have done some research into the company in question.
Know your CV
You must know your CV! Having knowledge about what you have contained in your CV is the most paramount. Obviously the interviewer was impressed with what they saw in your CV, but you will be required to expand on what is contained and provide real evidence of your achievements.
At an interview you will be expected to sell yourself. It is important that you have thought about your strengths and weaknesses prior to the interview enabling you to highlight your strengths and compensate for your weaknesses.
Research the organisation
Researching the company will show the interviewer that you are seriously interested in their business. Having performed research it will allow you the opportunity to ask valid and well informed questions.
Become familiar with the company history, their purpose and goals. You will need to demonstrate that you are aware of the products and the marketplace within which the company operates as well as the size, locations, financial performance, and any published growth plans. Good sources of information can be websites, local libraries, company brochures, chamber of commerce, sales and marketing department.
Presentation
Look professional – its considered a cliché but is still valid. You never get a second chance to make a good first impression! An interviewer will often develop an impression of a candidate within the first few minutes of a meeting. Ensure for every interview you are smartly dressed. It is advisable to wear a black, navy or grey suit with a plain shirt. Make sure you have polished your shoes.
Open the meeting with a firm handshake, good eye contact and a confident approach.
Ideally you need to mix speaking and listening 50/50 during the interview, people who ignore this rule generally don’t make a positive impression. Be an active listener concentrating on the interviewer, respond quickly to points made, ask questions frequently to clarify meaning and to give the interviewer the opportunity to rephrase or underline a point. Comment on the points made without interrupting the flow, this demonstrates to the interviewer that you are on the same wavelength. These comments might summarise something the interviewer said.
Make sure you are enthusiastic about what the interviewer is telling you and remember to answer the question that has been asked and not one which you would like to answer.
Ensure you arrive about 10 minutes early for your interview; this will give you the chance to compose yourself prior to the interview. If you have never been to the site before go the day before to ensure you know exactly where you are going and where to park.
Whilst it is impossible to know exactly the questions that you will be asked there are certain ones that are more likely to be asked than others. These include:
- Tell me about yourself?
- Why do you want to work here?
- What can you bring to our company?
- What kind of person are you?
- What do you see as your biggest achievement?
- What are your career aspirations?
- What has been your most challenging work situation? How did you deal with it?
- What is your biggest weakness?
- What are your major strengths?
- What do you know about our company?
Interview Do’s and Interview Don’ts
Interview Do’s
- Be honest.
- Arrive early, about 10 minutes prior.
- Dress smartly.
- Offer a firm handshake.
- Maintain good eye contact.
- Relax, enjoy the interview.
- Maintain positive body language.
- Use facts when answering questions not your opinions.
- Answer the question that has been asked.
Interview Dont’s
- Make negative comments about previous employers.
- Be late, or not inform the interviewer if you cant make it.
- Get flustered.
- Ask about salary and benefits.
- Leave your mobile phone on.
Closing the interview
There are some key elements to bear in mind when the interview is coming to an end.
- Ask what timescale the company are working to?
- Ask if there any reservations concerning your experience?
- Clearly state your interest in the role.
- Indicate why you think the role would be of interest and why you feel you are ideally suited.
After the interview
- Contact your Consultant immediately to give detailed feedback.
- Send a thank you letter to the interviewer, within 24 hours.
In summary, an interview is a meeting which allows an employer to gain more information about you, your experience and personality and a chance for you to gain more information about the company in question and the position on offer.
Show a potential employer that you have the experience, ability and the confidence to do the job and perform well within their company.
It is also down to them to convince you that you would want to work for their company.
Interview Advice
