INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES AND GUIDANCE

There are three key elements to an interview:

1. Preparation
2. Presentation
3. Face to face meeting

Preparation

Researching the company is essential before attending any interview. The job description should be read and understood completely and a thorough investigation should be done of the company’s website.

Your own CV should be re-read with extra time spent analysing your own skill sets that apply to the job in question. Ensure you have examples to hand of previous experiences that would fit situations that may occur in this job.

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.

Find out the exact location and who you are meeting prior to the interview and allow yourself plenty of time to get there! Ideally do the journey beforehand to ensure you don’t end up being late.

Presentation

First impressions are the most powerful and the hardest to change.

It is essential that you dress smartly (ideally a suit) and introduce yourself with a firm and positive handshake. Remove any jewellery that could be considered “unprofessional” – It may be fine outside of work but not every employer may think so.

If you are a regular smoker, try not to smoke immediately before the interview as it may be quite obvious to those who do not smoke.

Face to face interview

This is the time when you can really put your case forward as to why you are the best person for the job. 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.

Body language is incredibly 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 and smile! 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 vacancy, they would like you to be the perfect person just as much as you would like the job itself.

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 do not waffle!
Tell the truth – if you don’t understand what the client has asked you, ask them to explain. There is no point giving an answer that the client is not looking for.

Take your time before answering any difficult questions as you should think through the answer and express yourself clearly.

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 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.

If you are interested in the job, make sure you tell the interviewer that this is the case. 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.

Example interview questions

Tell me about yourself
What have been your achievements to date?
Are you happy with your career to date?
Tell me the most difficult situation you have had to face and how you tackled it?
What do you like about your present job?
What do you dislike about your current role?
What are your strengths?
What are your greatest weaknesses?
What kind of decision do you find most difficult?
Why do you want to leave your current employer?
What are you looking for in a company?
How do you measure your own performance?
What kind of pressures have you encountered at work?
Are you a self-starter? Give me examples to demonstrate this.
What is the biggest problem you have faced recently and how you resolved it?
What changes in the workplace have caused you difficulty and why?
How do you feel about working long hours and/or weekends?
What example can you give me of when you have been out of your depth?
What have you failed to achieve to date?
What can you bring to this organisation?
What area of your skills do you want to improve? (Try to relate this to the role on offer).
Which part of this role is least attractive to you?
Why do you think you would like this role?
Where would you like to be in five years?
How would your colleagues describe you?
What would your referees say about you?
Why should I give this position to you instead of the other people on the shortlist? (Strengths).
What reservations should I have about you as an employee? (Weaknesses).
What do you do in your spare time?
What five adjectives would you use that best describe you? (Both in and out of the workplace).
What will my responsibilities be?
How has the position become vacant?
How will you assess my performance?
How does the role fit into the structure of the department?
How does the department fit into the organisation as a whole?
Who will I report to and are there persons reporting to me?
Where does my line manager fit into the structure?
What encouragement is given to undertake further training?
Who are your customers?
Where is the company going? Expansion plans?
Where is the specific location of the position?
Will the position entail travelling?
How soon will you decide on the appointment?
What is the next step?