Interview Tips
It is almost impossible for us to imagine getting a job offer
without first going to an interview of some sort, and who would
want to take a job without first meeting their boss and perhaps
a few colleagues?
First impressions still count and so the secret to good interview
technique – however structured the interview – lies in being
prepared.
Preparation
Do
- Plan your journey in advance and always allow
yourself at least an extra half-hour. If you are running
late, telephone ahead and explain the situation.
- Dress appropriately. You should dress formally
for a job interview, even if the environment in which you
will be working is casual, you need to show that you are
making an effort. Smart clothes and grooming will make a
good first impression on your interviewer.
- Research the organisation and its business sector
- look at the web site, read the annual report, read at
least one decent broadsheet newspaper each day, quiz anyone
you know who has worked there.
- Prepare answers to standard questions - such
as why you want the job, where it fits in with your career
plans, and what are your strengths and weaknesses at work.
- Be ready with a few questions for the interviewer
which show that you have done your homework about the organisation
and its business. The recruiter wants to know that you
are on the ball.
- Check also the format of the interview - for
example will there be any personality or skills testing?
- Read through your CV and application letter.
Don't
- Forget to read the paper on the day of the interview.
At the interview
Do
- Turn up on time and be nice to everyone you meet
from the receptionist onwards - you never know who might
have a say in your appointment.
- Make the most of your research - mention some
of the facts you have gleaned from the media etc.
- Make sure you talk to everyone if it is a panel
interview rather than directing your answers at one or
two people only.
- Find out as much as you can about the job - how
else will you be able to decide if they make you an offer?
For example, you should want to know who the job reports
to and why it has become vacant.
- If the first interview is with a recruitment
consultant, pump him or her for as much information about
the organisation and the job as possible.
Don't
- Be late - in fact arrive 15 minutes early so
you have time to go to the loo, wash your hands and mop
the sweat from your brow.
- Criticise current or previous employers.
- Answer a question with another question.
- Interrupt the interviewers - although they may
interrupt you.
- Leave without finding out when you will hear
if you have made it to the next round of the recruitment
process, and what that entails.
What type of interview can I expect?
What type of interview you encounter will depend largely on
the job, the style of interview that the company uses and to
some extent, the personal style of the interviewer. The more
usual interview types are:
Initial interviews:
When an employer has a large number of applicants
to consider, a short-list may be drawn up to attend
an informal interview of up to 30 minutes. The interviewer
will then further short-list for a more in-depth meeting.
Panel or board interviews:
Some organisations,
usually in the public sector, will interview with a panel or
board of people present. Don't be intimidated – answer each question
directly to the person who posed it.
Telephone interviews:
Some companies use short telephone interviews to decide
which applicants to invite for a formal interview,
or to quickly assess their interpersonal skills and
background. These usually involve answering pre-set
questions but you have the disadvantage of no visual
feedback. If you are called at an inconvenient time,
arrange for the interviewer to phone back when it is
more convenient and you are prepared.
Assessment centres:
Many larger companies use these, which can last from
half a day to three days. They normally consist of
a presentation by the company and then a series of
exercises for the candidates, which can include prepared
and unprepared presentations, group tests, role plays,
informal or formal interviews and psychometric tests
to ascertain personality type as well as strengths
and weaknesses.
Group interviews:
A formal or informal group meeting, which is an opportunity
for the employer to present the company and highlight
the benefits of working for it. You should be able
to ask questions and probably have an opportunity for
one to one discussion at the end, but bear in mind
that you will be assessed during this process. This
type of interview is followed by a more formal one
at a later date.
Formal interviews:
This is the most common type usually held when a small
number of applicants have been short-listed for a first
interview, or when a few applicants are invited back
for second and subsequent interviews. Theses interviews
are normally structured so that each applicant is evaluated
against the same criteria.
After the interview
Do
- Learn from your mistakes - make a list of the
questions you answered well and those you answered poorly.
Think too about what you should have said.
Don't
- Be afraid to ask for feedback if you don't get the job. Good
employers are increasingly geared up for this. Also, you may
want to apply to this organisation again and it shows you are
still interested and took the application seriously.
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