Being invited to a job interview can be a very daunting experience particularly if it’s been a few years since you’ve had one. Here we’ve pulled together some tips to help you prepare and of course, we are always available to help you prepare for an interview.

PREPARATION

Research the Company - Make sure you fully understand the job description and that you have researched the company as much as you can. Use the website to look for recent press releases or the latest company news. Research their industry and their competitors if you can. Clients never fail to be impressed by a well prepared candidate. Pick up some trade journals or search the web to learn more about the company’s industry. Try to get an understanding of where the company might sit amongst its competitors.

Know Your Skills - Allocate some time to re-read your CV and spend some time analysing your skill sets that are particularly relevant to the job in question. Ensure you have thought through examples of previous experiences that would fit situations that may occur in this job. It is a good idea to have at least 3 achievement stories prepared. These demonstrate hard to measure qualities like initiative, team skills, judgment and leadership. As in your CV, quantify why these were achievements – I increased sales by 10% year on year, etc.

Prepare your Questions - Remember: An interview is a two way process, which means you, need to be asking as many questions as the client! It is imperative that you have pre-prepared questions to ask so there are no awkward silences.

Prepare Yourself - Decide the night before what you will wear and make sure it is ready – you don’t want to be late because of ironing a shirt. Find out the exact location and ensure you know whom you are meeting prior to the interview. Allow yourself plenty of time to get there and if possible do the journey beforehand to ensure you don’t end up being late.


YOUR INTERVIEW

First impressions are the most powerful and the hardest to change. It only takes 4 seconds to make your first impression. It is imperative that you dress smartly (ideally a suit) and introduce yourself with a firm and positive handshake.

• An interview offers the opportunity not only to sell yourself but also to find out whether the company and job is really of interest to you. Don’t forget the person interviewing you needs to sell their job to you too.
• Body language is very important – you must maintain good eye contact with the interviewer and speak in a clear and confident manner. Try not to fidget or fiddle with your hair or jewellery despite how nervous you may be feeling!
• Relax as best you can. Why be nervous? You haven’t even found out whether the job is of interest to you yet. Remember: the employer is interviewing you because they have a position to fill; it is their job to sell their vacancy to you too.
• Allow the employer to finish the sentences and listen clearly to what they say. No one likes to be talked over or interrupted.
• Answer the questions directly, providing the information that is being asked for and try to avoid waffling!
• Take your time before answering any difficult questions as you should think through the answer and express yourself clearly.
• Always maintain your professionalism. Even if the interviewer is very casual and friendly remain professional at all times.
• Try not to put too much emphasis on salary or package details at this stage. An employer prefers someone interested in the job itself rather than the salary. If you are working through a recruitment company they should be able to offer this kind of information prior to your interview. Only discuss salary and package if the client brings the subject up.
• If you are not happy with “a wobbly chair” or “sun in your eyes” etc during the interview you must inform the interviewer. Interviews can be hard enough without further issues.
• Prepare some great questions; a well prepared candidate always impresses clients. This not only shows you have researched the company in general, it also shows you are really interested in the job.
• If you are interested in the job, make sure you tell the interviewer! Many candidates leave with out letting the client know they are really interested. Try to find out what the next steps are and the timescales involved as employers often like people to close the interview in this way.
• Shake hands as you leave and thank them for the meeting.

EXAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Potential interview questions

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What have been your achievements to date?
3.  Are you happy with your career to date?
4.  Tell me the most difficult situation you have had to face and how you tackled it?
5. What do you like about your present job?
6. What do you dislike about your current role?
7. What are your strengths?
8. What are your weaknesses?
9. Why do you want to leave your current employer?
10. What are you looking for in a company?
11. What kind of pressures have you encountered at work?
12. How would you feel about working for someone who knows less than you?
13. What attracted you to this company?
14. What is the biggest problem you have faced recently and how you resolved it?
15. What changes in the workplace have caused you difficulty and why?
16. What example can you give me of when you feel you have been out of your depth?
17. What can you bring to this organisation?
18. What area of your skills do you want to improve? (Try to relate this to the role on offer).
19. Which part of this role is least attractive to you?
20. Why do you think you would like this role?
21. Where would you like to be in five years?
22. How would your colleagues describe you?
23. How would you describe your work style?
24. What would your referees say about you?
25. Tell me about a time you’ve had to deal with conflict in your job.
26. What negative thing would your last boss say about you?
27. How would you go about establishing your credibility quickly with the team?
28. When were you most satisfied with your job?
29. What will you miss about your present/last job?
30. What irritates you about other people, and how do you deal with it?

Potential Questions for You to Ask

1. What will my responsibilities be?
2. How has the position become vacant?
3. How will you assess my performance?
4. How does the role fit into the structure of the department?
5. How does the department fit into the organisation as a whole?
6. Who will I report to and are there persons reporting to me?
7. Where does my line manager fit into the structure?
8. What encouragement is given to undertake further training?
9. Who are your customers and competitors
10. Where is the company going? Expansion plans?
11. Do you see any gaps in my skills for this role?
12. How soon will you decide on the appointment?
13. What is the next step?