Interview Tips

Be prepared before any interview

• Make sure you have read the job specification and know what it is the job will involve. If you are asked to give your version of what the job entails, can you give an answer?
• Carry out research into the company using newspapers, websites, word of mouth etc and try to introduce your up to date knowledge into conversation
• You may like to practice your responses to some of the more common interview questions. Remember points such as: your strengths, your reasons for leaving your current firm and what you can bring your new employer
• Prepare your interview resources before the day, you will need to take a couple of copies of your CV, a reference list and if possible some examples of work you have done in the past
• Dress professionally, you should portray a smart business image.
• Have some questions ready to ask your interviewer. Avoid standard questions that all candidates ask which leave the interviewer having to give the same old boring answers. Probing questions that engage the interviewer will ensure you are remembered above the other candidates

 

If the client wants to meet with you then you are part of the way through the process already. The client now wants you to satisfy some basic criteria:

Communication Skills: the client wants you to demonstrate confidence, the ability to build relationships with clients and fellow team members.

Drive and Ambition: demonstrate that you want to progress, you are willing to learn and are willing to adapt to new environments and processes

 

Types of interview

 

One-on-one interview - to get to this stage you would have made it through the preliminary screening processes. The selection process will have narrowed down the possible employees and the company has seen you as an attractive prospect. Usually this interview will be carried out by a department supervisor, but sometimes with human resources personnel. Be prepared to talk about yourself in detail, why you want the job and what you can contribute to the company.

 

You want the interviewer to want you on their team, therefore you have to impress them with your personality, your qualifications and your career ambition. Dress conservatively to impress, arrive punctually and be chatty with plenty of eye contact.

 

Telephone interview - sometimes if a candidate lives far away from the company offices, it may not be practical to attend preliminary interviews in person. Therefore some companies use telephone interviews as a screening process to eliminate the weaker candidates early on. A telephone interview should not to be treated as an easy option, it should be conducted in a professional manner as with a standard one-on-one interview.

Don't let the interviewer completely lead the conversation. If appropriate try to arrange a face to face meeting. Also remember to speak in a clear voice, answer the interviewers questions precisely and try to elaborate without talking too much.

Committee/Panel interview - certain companies use this method when hiring for more senior positions. During committee interviews candidates are questioned by several company personnel at once, this can be daunting but try to keep cool. Be sure to impress all of the interviewers, dont just cater for what you think one of them wants to hear.

 

Interviewers may try to deliberately unnerve you to see how you handle yourself under pressure. The interview may start out in a relaxed fashion with standard questions, then they may change tack. You should be prepared for this and when it comes don't take it personally, just calmly answer each question.