Interview Tips and Advice

The following points are just a guide. Interviews are varied and do not always follow a set pattern so they cannot therefore be easily categorised. However, our experience of successful interviews, along with feedback from our clients, indicates that your chances of success will be enhanced if you bear in mind the following points:

Company Background

Prepare yourself with as much information about the company and role as possible - visit the company's website as it should provide good information about the products/services the company offers. Try to gain an understanding of the structure of the company and the market the company is in.

Interviewers

Establish how many people will be interviewing you. Find out what their roles are within the company and preferably what their interview techniques are like.

Location

Find out exactly where it is you have to go for the interview and what site you will be working at (if relevant). Make sure you have a map or directions as well as information on parking or the nearest railway station.

Punctuality

Ensure you give yourself plenty of time to get to the interview. It is not a good first impression if you turn up late.

If, due to unforeseen circumstances you are going to be late, contact the company to inform them of your expected time of arrival and let us know that you have done this. On arrival, apologise immediately and explain your reasons.

Arriving early will give you the opportunity to read some information on the company in the reception area and gather your thoughts.

Dress

Dress smart, be aware of the company culture and ensure you dress to impress. Decide what you are going to wear the night before to avoid making the wrong choices.

CV

Ensure you have read through your CV so you are able to answer any questions relating to it.

On arrival

When meeting the interviewer(s) for the first time, greet them with a smile, a strong handshake and be polite. Maintain good eye contact levels at all times, especially with the interviewer to whom you are responding to. Try to mimic the style of the interviewer i.e. if they are formal - be formal, if they are informal - be informal. Look and act alert and interested.

Interview Techniques

An interview is a sales situation. You are selling yourself; therefore it is important that you find out what the interviewer is looking for. Don't forget, however, that it is also a sales situation for the company - your opportunity to get the information you want from them.

Ask questions and show a real interest in the position and the company, perhaps based on the information you previously received about them. Ensure that you leave with enough information to make an informed decision on whether or not you wish to proceed. Aim for questions that indicate an interest in their line of work or products and your enthusiasm and interest in the role itself, rather than holiday entitlement, pensions etc.

Be prepared with answers for questions you think they may ask you. Some standard interview questions are:

 

• Why do you want to work for us?
• Why do you want this job?
• What do you know about our company?
• Why did you choose your profession?
• What are your strengths/weaknesses?
• What do you like/dislike about your current job role?
• Why are you looking for a new position?
• What has been your greatest achievement to date?
• How would you describe yourself?
• How would your friends or colleagues describe you?
• What are your future aspirations?
• What can you offer to your new team/company?

 

Focus on your achievements when responding to questions, and portray every response in a positive way.

If you do not understand a question, don't guess the answer - ask them to explain the question further. If you do not know the answer still, tell them you do not know and explain how you might go about finding the answer out.

Don't talk too much; think before you answer a question and do not reply solely with one-word answers such as yes or no.

Prepare your own questions in advance but make sure you use them in the context of the interview and take into account information that the interviewer has already provided. This will make you look interested in the company, and want to find out more about the role you are applying for. Some typical questions are:

 

• What are the company's future plans?
• What is the likely career development pathway in the next few years?
• What possible training could I receive in this role?
• How would you describe the culture of this company?

 

Feedback

At the end of the interview, if the opportunity arises, ask them how they felt the interview went. Also, if you are interested in the position, it is important to tell them.

 

Finally, ask what the follow up procedure is, and when you could expect to hear from them. Thank them for their time.