Interviews

» Interviews

Preparation

Preparation is the key to a successful interview. In order to prove your ability to plan, to organise and think ahead you need to demonstrate to the interviewer that you have taken time to prepare fully and discover information about the company. It will improve your ability to answer questions appropriately, confidently and accurately and makes a very good impression from the outset.

Research

You must spend some time researching the company you are going to visit. Find out as much as you can about the company. Valuable resources are: -

  • company website
  • corporate literature e.g. annual reports and brochures
  • internet research for market intelligence
  • information from people associated with the company.

Understanding the company will give you greater confidence to answer questions throughout the interview. This knowledge will allow you to show professionalism and attentiveness, express your enthusiasm for the role whilst at the same time demonstrating why you are suitable for the role.

Useful facts to find out about the company include: -

  • Company turnover, size, market share etc
  • Key products and services
  • Key competitors and how they compare
  • Who are their customers?
  • What are the likely challenges or opportunities facing the organisation?
  • How does the company market itself?
  • What is the company philosophy or mission statement
  • What is the organisational culture like?
  • Where they stand in the market place

Plan Ahead

Find out what the format of the interview will be. The following information is useful: -

  • How long the interview is likely to be and what the whole process will entail
  • What style of interview is it (i.e. one to one, assessment day or a panel interview?)
  • Are there any tests involved?
  • Are you required to give a presentation?
  • Do you need to take anything with you? i.e. CV, Identification/NI proof, qualifications or references
  • Who will be interviewing? – see if they are on LinkedIn (www.linkedIn.com)
  • What is their position in the company?

Ensure that you know the address of the interview location and have planned your route, allowing for travel times and parking. Arrive early, in plenty of time.

A Good Impression Lasts

  • First impressions count so always arrive smart, well groomed and professional looking
  • Be punctual, arriving late gives a bad impression from the start
  • Good body language is important, maintain eye contact, shake hands and look alert
  • Remain calm, it is normal to feel nervous but try to speak clearly and confidently

Research the Role

Make sure you have read a copy of the job description / person specification and job advertisement if available. You can use this information to match your skills and experience and sell yourself as the ideal candidate.

Sell Yourself

During the interview you must demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the role and how successfully you will fit the organisation. It is a good idea to use real life examples when you answer questions.

Future employers are keen to know how you will add value to their organisation, think about how you:-

  • Reduced costs
  • Increased profitability
  • Project managed
  • Improved quality or service
  • Generated new business / improved existing business
  • Further developed client relationships
  • Solved problems
  • Managed a team
  • Met / exceeded targets
  • Improved / initiated new systems / processes

During the interview, try to: -

  • Concentrate on your strengths, avoid negatives, if you are asked to describe any weakness, convey that you recognise it but are striving to overcome it
  • Stay positive
  • Listen carefully
  • Always appear interested
  • Give clear and concise answers
  • Avoid fidgeting and nervous body language

Questions

Here is a list of common interview questions you might be asked: -

  • What do you know about our organisation?
  • What attracted you to the position?
  • Why are you leaving your current role?
  • What skills / attributes do you feel you can offer our organisation?
  • Which of your jobs have you enjoyed the most? Why?
  • How did you add value to your last employer?
  • Describe how you managed a successful project
  • What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  • What 3 key words describe you?
  • Describe a situation that required you to solve a problem
  • What have you done that shows you are a team player?
  • Have you received any training that is relevant to this role?

Here is a list of questions you can ask the interviewer: -

  • What is the company’s training policy?
  • Why does the position exist?
  • Is there any scope for promotion within the role?
  • What is the team structure?
  • Will there be a 2nd interview?
  • When will the recruitment decision be made?
  • What is the salary and what benefits does the package include?

At the end of the interview

  • Thank them for their time and smile
  • Shake hands again
  • Express that you are interested in the role and would like the opportunity to work with them