Interview Advice

INTERVIEW ADVICE & GUIDANCE Be Prepared The interview is an opportunity for the employer to see the person behind the CV. This is your chance to impress the interviewer with your knowledge and professionalism. Following these guidelines should make the process much smoother.  Make sure you know the background to the company, their key activities and detail about the job in question before attending the interview:  Access the company’s website.  Request company marketing literature.  Research the company’s market sector and competition on the internet. Make sure you know exactly where you are going for the interview and how long the journey there will take you. Allow time for clearing security etc. Aim to arrive at least 15 minutes before your interview time. This will allow you time to get a feel for the company and read any relevant information that may be in the reception area. Use your research to make sure you have a list of questions to ask the interviewer. Prepare answers to standard questions – a sample of these are listed below. Make sure you know your own CV.       Standard Questions The following questions cover the majority of questions asked in an interview situation. Prepare for these and there may be no surprises. 1. Why are you looking to leave your current job? 2. Why did you leave your previous job? 3. What interests you about this position? 4. What do you know about our company? 5. What are your strengths and weaknesses? 6. What can you offer our company? 7. What is your greatest achievement to date/ in you current job/ in all your jobs? 8. What do you dislike about your present/previous job? 9. What do you like most about your present/previous job? 10. Where would you like to be in five years? 11. How would your colleagues describe you? 12. How do you feel about working long hours? 13. Do you prefer to work alone or in a group? Why? 14. What are you looking for in a company? 15. Describe your management style. Yorkshire Office: Tel: 01226 249666 E-mail: info@talent-services.co.uk Midlands Office: Tel: 01789 761350 E-mail: cvs@talent-services.co.uk 16. What kinds of people do you like working with? Why? 17. What kinds of people do you find most difficult to work with? Why? 18. In your present/previous job, what kind of pressure have you encountered? How did you cope with it? 19. What have you found difficult in your current/previous job? 20. Do you consider yourself a self-starter? If so, explain why. 21. How do you manage your time? 22. What role do you play in meetings? Give examples. 23. Explain your biggest mistake in delegating and in not delegating. 24. What is the toughest decision you have had to make whilst at your present/previous company? 25. What change has caused you the most difficulty and why? 26. How do you measure success in your current job? 27. How far have you ever compromised your standards? Give examples. 28. Give some instances in which you anticipated problems or influenced new direction. 29. Which part of this role is the least attractive to you? The Interview You are selling your experiences, skills and personality and must therefore build a rapport with the interviewer and ensure all your highlights are communicated. Presentation and performance are key to winning the interviewer over:  The majority of people judge an interviewee within the first two to three minutes so clearly this is predominately based on presentation. If you look the part, there is an initial assumption you can do the job. Dress conservatively e.g. remove visible body piercings. Remember - you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Build rapport as quickly as possible. The interview starts as soon as the interviewer (or their secretary) comes to greet you. If you meet anyone else during the interview, still treat this as part of the interview process as the interviewer may well ask them for feedback. Your interviewer may be nervous too. Try to put them at ease. The more the interviewer feels comfortable with you, the better the interview will go. Always offer a firm handshake both at the start and the end of the interview. Maintain good eye contact at all times. Don’t slouch or fidget – if you can’t keep your hands still keep them on top of each other on your lap.         Yorkshire Office: Tel: 01226 249666 E-mail: info@talent-services.co.uk Midlands Office: Tel: 01789 761350 E-mail: cvs@talent-services.co.uk        Answer questions precisely and concisely. Never speak for more than two or three minutes without further prompt. Watch your own body language and also that of the interviewer – if they are asleep you have gone on too long. Be positive and enthusiastic throughout. Enthusiasm can sometimes compensate for lack of experience. Don’t answer questions with just a “yes” or “no” even if the interviewer has asked a closed question. Always back up answers with examples. Listen carefully – if the interviewer is displaying a blank expression it may be because you are giving an answer to a question he has not asked. In a panel interview, make sure you address everyone. Make sure you ask questions at the end, both about the role and the company. You should enter the interview with sufficient questions so that even if some have been answered during the interview, you still have some spare ones to ask. Do not ask questions about the salary or hours – these are irrelevant unless you receive an offer and always create the wrong impression. You need to leave the impression that you are motivated by higher ideals such as “career opportunity”, “increased challenge” and “greater responsibility”. End the interview positively so you leave a favourable impression in the employer’s mind. Tell the interviewer you have enjoyed the interview, you liked what you have heard and that you would be interested in taking it to the next stage.   Factors That Can Cost You The Job       Being unprepared for the interview. Poor/limp handshake. Saying unfavourable things about previous employers. Not being able to communicate clearly and effectively. Being aggressive or acting in a superior way. Making excuses for failings. Yorkshire Office: Tel: 01226 249666 E-mail: info@talent-services.co.uk Midlands Office: Tel: 01789 761350 E-mail: cvs@talent-services.co.uk