| Interview Preparation |
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Check the day, date and time of the interview |
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Dress appropriately - smart/professional |
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Check if you need to re-confirm your attendance in advance |
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Find out where you have to be and how to get there |
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Allow ample time to make the journey and to arrive a few minutes early |
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You can increase the amount of control you have during an interview by
preparing in advance. Obtain as much information as possible about the company. This will
demonstrate that you have initiative, drive and are motivated by the company and the job.
Access the company's website and search for articles on the company. Some of the
information can be sought from your recruitment consultant. |
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Make sure you are clear about your own interests and career goals. Be
prepared to explain why you want the job and why you think that you would be suitable. |
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Prepare and anticipate potential questions. This will help you to
organise your thoughts and develop appropriate responses. |
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Know your CV thoroughly and be able to cite specific examples and
verify the information listed. |
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Always treat a second interview as you would a first interview
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| Things to take |
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A copy of your CV |
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Reference Letters |
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Examination Certificates |
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Contact numbers and directions to the company
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| Interview Tips |
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Arrive early to give yourself time to compose yourself |
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Create a strong first impression, be polite to support staff -
receptionists |
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Politely shake your interviewers hand with a firm grip and a warm
smile. Wait for the interviewer to invite you to sit down. |
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Thank the interviewer for taking the time out to meet with you. |
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Be relaxed (but don't slouch in the chair) |
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Do not cross your arms. Lean forward slightly to show interest. Make
regular eye contact, but not for too long. |
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Let the interviewer lead. |
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Listen carefully to the questions asked and ask them to repeat if you
are unsure what has been said. |
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Answer what you have been asked and try not to go off on tangents. |
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Do not interrupt the interviewer. |
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Ask questions throughout the interview - not just at the end. |
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Avoid making derogatory or negative statements about former employers
or positions.
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| Questions You May Be Asked |
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What do you know about our company? |
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Why do you want to work for us?
You would like to be part of a company project. You would like to
solve a company problem. You like what you have heard about the company, its policies,
goals, management, etc. |
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If you were to start college again what would you choose as a
different discipline? |
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How would you evaluate your present firm?
Be positive. List the strong points. |
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In your present job what are your responsibilities? |
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What features of your current position do you like the most? The
least? |
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Why are you leaving your present position?
Mention more responsibilities, new skills, change of environment
etc |
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Describe the people with whom you work. Start with your boss. Define
their strengths and weaknesses.
Again try to be positive. List their strong points. |
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If you could suggest changes in your present job what would they be? |
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In relation to this job what do you understand it to be? |
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What kind of hours are you used to working?
Give an answer that asserts your flexibility. |
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Describe what you think are the tasks you would be required to
perform. |
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What would you consider are the skills necessary to do this work? |
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How does your experience match the requirements for this position? |
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Given that there are areas where you lack experience, how would you
cope? |
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What do you feel you, as a person, can offer this company? |
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What motivates you? |
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As with all people we have strengths and weaknesses, what are your
strengths and weaknesses? |
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If I spoke with your most recent boss, what would be said about your
strengths and weaknesses? |
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What are your objectives?
Long term - five or more years. Short term - one to three |
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What are your salary expectations?
Be realistic about your work and the current job market. Do not
price yourself out of consideration. |
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How do you intend to achieve your career goals? |
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Have you kept up in your field? |
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What other jobs have you applied for? |
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Why, in your opinion, were you not offered the position(s) you applied
for? |
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Of the interviews you have attended, which one would you favour - why? |
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What do you do in your spare time? |
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Are you a member of any clubs or organisations? |
While all of these questions may not be asked of you the
discipline in preparing answers will help your confidence and may equip you to answer
other questions.
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| Questions You Can Ask |
| At the end of the interview, you will be given the
opportunity to ask additional questions. Prepare some that will help you to understand the
job's parameters and potential. You might ask: |
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Why is this position open? |
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Is the company expanding or are you replacing someone? |
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If I am successful in securing this position what are the three most
important tasks I need to work on? |
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What training opportunities are available? |
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I am very interested in what I have heard. Do my skills and
experience match the skills and experience needed to fill your vacancy?
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| Questions to Avoid |
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Stay away from asking too many 'me' questions - for example "how
many holidays do I get in a year" |
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Avoid raising the issue of your potential salary. Instead wait for the
employer to do so and then be honest, but fair, about your expectations.
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| Closing the Interview |
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If you are interested in the position, let them know! |
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If the interviewer offers you the position and you want it, accept it
on the spot. Prevarication is not considered desirable in an employee. If you are
genuinely unsure, be tactful in asking for a little time. Set a definite date by which you
will respond. |
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Do not be discouraged if no definite offer is made or specific salary
is discussed. The interviewer will probably want to interview more applicants before
making a decision. |
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If you get the impression that the interview is not going well, do not
let your discouragement show. Occasionally an interviewer who is interested in you may
seek to test your reaction to the stress of rejection. |
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Thank the interviewer for considering you. If you have the two
questions uppermost in the interviewer's mind: "Why are you interested in the
company?" and "What can you offer the company?" you have done all you can.
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| Factors contributing to Negative
Response at Interview |
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Lack of preparation for the interview |
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Failure to ask questions about the position |
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Persistant "what can you do for me" attitude |
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Poor personal appearance or posture |
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Lack of interest & enthusiasm. You exhibit passivity or
indifference |
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Lack of tact, maturity or courtesy |
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Over emphasis on money |
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Evasiveness: you make excuses for unfavourable aspects of your records |
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Lack of appreciation for the value of experience |
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Being conceited and/or overbearing. You know it all
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| Evaluating the Interview |
| Whether the interview leads to a job, another interview or
to rejection, you should consider it a learning experience for any future interview. |
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Jot down a few notes immediately after the interview. Other areas
discussed, reasons why you are suitable for the job, any negative points. |
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Did you listen, make any interruptions? |
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How did your background fit the job specification? |
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Can you do the job? |
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Did you get on well with the interviewer? Did you agree with the next
step in the interviewing process? |
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Are you compatible with the corporate culture of the company? |
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Are there good career prospects?
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| Negotiate your package |
After you have done your interview, go back to your
recruitment consultant to give them feedback and to clarify any outstanding issues.
Make sure that your consultant is fully briefed on your salary and package expectations
and will be able to negotiate confidently on your behalf. Be realistic - expect no more
that 5-15% of an increase on your current salary.
If the culture of the company is not one that you feel you would be happy in, then do not
be tempted by salary alone.
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| Counter-Offers |
A counter-offer from your existing employer is not always
a good thing. Eight out of ten times, accepting a counter offer will still result in you
leaving your existing company within six to twelve months. The reason? Your employer will
have built a new set of expectations around you following your new pay increase. You, in
turn, will have high hopes about agreed changes that rarely materialise.
If you are made a counter offer, it is better for yourself and fairer for your employer to
consider it in isolation. Your decision to stay or go then has the benefit of an objective
assessment.
If you resign make sure that you treat your employer with respect - you never know when
you might need a reference.
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| References |
At the final stage of the recruitment process, it is
normal procedure to carry out two reference checks on behalf of potential employees.
Having obtained permission from the candidate, business/professional references are taken
from your direct manager in the current company and the previous company that you worked
for. Most reference checks are carried out verbally, by telephone. Prior to the reference
check, always contact referees and inform them about the company and job that you are
going forward for so that they can be prepared for the phone call. People with no work
experience, e.g. graduates, should ask a lecturer/Course leader if they could give
character references for them.
When you finish working for a company, it is advisable to ask for a written reference,
because sometimes people and management within your previous company change and may not be
there to give you a verbal reference when it is required.
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| Receiving a Job Offer |
| Once the medical and references are passed - you will
receive a job offer. At this stage, there are still a few things to bear in mind. |
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You should clarify any points in the letter of offer and contract
that you may be unsure about. This can be done by your recruitment consultant, who will
contact the company. |
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Consider the salary and benefit package being offered and balance
this against opportunities for personal and career growth. The training offered by some
companies could prove a valuable future asset. |
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Be realistic about your worth and the current market opportunities. |
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If you are interested in the position, accept immediately by signing
the letter of offer and returning it to the company (or to your RFC consultant).
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| Conclusion |
| In order to succeed at interview, it is crucial to be well
prepared and practice your interviewing skills prior to interviewing for any position that
you really want. The more you prepare, the better impression you will make on the
interviewers and the more you will increase your chances of securing the job offer. |
