Job Seekers
Interview Advice
Be Prepared
Interviews can sometimes be a daunting prospect. The best way to overcome this is to be fully prepared and well briefed on the job and the company you are interviewing for.
Before the interview there are several things that you can do to give you the leading edge over other applicants, and a positive attitude is essential.
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Do Your Research
Research the company in as much detail as you can. Visit the company website and also use search engines to gain additional information (Google and Kompass are two of the best). You can also contact your consultant who will have expert knowledge of the client including information on the working environment, company culture, employer's expectations and candidate requirements. Bringing these elements together, you should have a good grounding on the company's business and culture in advance of your interview.
Areas to research:
- Business operations.
- Latest published financial information.
- Future plans.
- Who their competitors are.
- Market place perception.
Ensure that you are up to speed with the facts and figures of your present/former employer. You will be expected to know a lot of information about the organisations you have previously worked for.
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Presentation
It's an often quoted fact that the impressions gained in the first five minutes of meeting someone are crucial in developing an opinion. First impressions count. Ensure that you wear your smartest suit and act in a professional manner throughout the interview. If you are well-presented, calm and confident, this will go a long way.
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Punctuality
Ensure that you know the exact time and location of the interview, your consultant will provide you with all the necessary details including a map if possible. Allow plenty of time in case of travel delays.
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The Interview
Interview Dos
- Arrive on time or slightly earlier if possible.
- Introduce yourself courteously.
- Express yourself clearly.
- Smile during the interview.
- Be confident when demonstrating how your experience can benefit the company.
- For every responsibility/requirement on the job specification, have at least one example of relevant experience or a transferable skill.
- Construct your answers carefully.
- Show willingness to learn and progress.
- Be assertive without being aggressive.
- Don’t ask too many questions at first round interview stage, reserve them for the second meeting.
- Switch your mobile off during the interview!
Interview Don'ts
- Don't be late for the interview.
- Don't be unprepared for the interview.
- Don't answer questions with a "Yes" or "No". Expand whenever possible.
- Don't lie. Answer all questions truthfully and honestly.
- Don't overemphasise money. Do not discuss salary in the 1st interview unless they do; getting the job at this stage is the main priority - salary negotiations will follow.
- Don't say negative things about previous employers.
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Questions to Expect
Most interviewers will have a bank of questions that they will use during each interview, to help them structure the meeting and also to promote answers from candidates that will allow them to benchmark accordingly. It is important to prepare for answering questions such as those outlined below.
Q: Tell me about yourself:
A: This is a conversation starter and is nearly always asked. Talk about your qualifications, career history and range of skills. Particularly emphasise those skills that are most relevant to the position on offer.
Q: Describe your achievements to date:
A: A common question, so prepare beforehand. Think about an achievement that is career related. Identify the skills you used in this situation and quantify the benefit.
Q: Has your career met your expectations?
A: The answer here should be "Yes". Promote yourself as content and successful, but with the drive to achieve more. However, if you feel your career is moving too slowly, then give reasons for this. Qualify your answer.
Q: Tell me the most challenging situation you have faced recently and how you dealt with it?
A: This is a trap question. To avoid it select a difficult work situation that was not caused by you, the options available, how you selected the appropriate one and why and how you resolved it and what the outcome was. Ensure that it is positive. The interviewer is looking to see if you have a logical thought process capable of solving problems.
Q: What are your strengths?
A: A very common question, so be prepared. Discuss your main strengths. List three or four ways they could benefit your employer. Provide examples and be prepared to back them up.
Q: What are your major weaknesses?
A: Don't say "none" - we all have weaknesses. There are two options available when asked such a question - use a professional weakness such as lack of experience on your part in an area that is not essential to the job on offer. The second option is to describe a personal or professional weakness that could also be considered a strength and the steps that you have taken to combat this.
Q: What decisions do you find difficult to make?
A: Your answer must not display weakness. Focus on decisions that have to be made without sufficient information. This will show your positive side.
Q: Why are you leaving your current employer?
A: Don’t be negative here. Be positive about your experience with your current/last company. You are leaving in order to further your career, widen your experience etc.
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Other Typical Questions
Below is a list of other types of questions that may arise. Think about the answers that you could give to these. It’s a useful exercise, and will get your brain in “interview mode”.
- How does your job fit into your department and firm? (Gives an idea of level of responsibility.)
- How do you respond to working under pressure? Provide examples.
- How have you coped when your work has been criticised? (Give an example including the outcome.)
- What kind of people do you find difficult to work with? (Be extremely careful when answering this question. Give an example and how you resolved/overcame the situation.)
- Tell me about the last time you disagreed with your boss. How did you resolve this?
- What are your preferred working conditions, working alone or in a group and why?
- How do you measure your own performance?
- What motivates you?
- Why do you think you would be good at this job?
- What changes in the workplace have caused you difficulty and why?
- What example can you give me of when you have been out of your depth?
- What can you bring to this firm?
- How do you see this job developing your skills and experience?
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Questioning the Interviewer
The interview is a two-way process. As well as the employer interviewing you, you are also interviewing your prospective employer. Employers ask questions to get information out of you, but it is a two way process.
The best way to approach an interview process that has at least two stages, is to ask a small number of important, thoughtful questions at the first interview, reserving the more detailed questions for the second stage. The first interview should be more about you convincing the prospective employer that you are right for the job (if you don’t like what you see, you can always decline to attend the second stage). Don’t bring up salary at the first stage, leave this to the second (unless the interviewer asks you directly).
Prepare questions prior to the interview:
- How has this position become vacant?
- How does the role fit into the structure of the overall department?
- Who will I report to?
- Will anyone report to me?
- What are the opportunities for further training?
- Where is your firm going? Expansion plans?
- What is the objective of this organisation/department/team?
- What sort of person does well here?
- How will this role satisfy my drives for success/progression?
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Closing the Interview
If you are interested in the role, ask about the next interview stage if appropriate. If the interviewer offers you the job on the spot and you want it, verbally accept it but ask to be provided with a contract in the coming days. If you require further time to think it over, be tactful in saying so and qualify your reasons.
If you feel that the interview is not going well, do not be discouraged. Sometimes this is part of an interviewer's technique to see how you perform under pressure - and may have no bearing on whether you will/will not get the job. Display a positive attitude at all times.
Ensure that you THANK the interviewer for seeing you for the position, and express your hope for a positive outcome.
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