PREPARING FOR INTERVIEW

How you come across in an interview is one of the most important factors in getting yourself the job. An applicant with relevant qualifications and experience may loose out to a candidate who “interviews better.� Performing well in the interview is about the candidate being well prepared and confident as well as how you answer the questions. Employees will also look at other factors such as any new ideas that you may have and also your ability to think on your feet as well as the skills necessary for the job.

Preparation and Confidence

If you are well prepared you are more likely to be confident at the time of interview.

·Make sure you know the time, date and location of the interview.
·Check you know how to get there and make sure you arrive in good time (anticipate delays).
·Prepare what you will wear in advance.
·Bring any certificates or references with you and have them ready.
·Make sure that the receptionist knows that you are there when you arrive.

REMEMBER – the employer is interested in you as a person so give details of your experiences and opinions. Before your interview it is worth reflecting on what you have achieved – look at your CV and take mental notes.

Also…

·Plan ahead – research the company and the position you are applying for (using the public relations dept., libraries and the Internet). Look at the job description and try and relate your work experience and achievements to it.
·Rehearse the interview through role-play. Use the questions provided in this pack. Limit your answers to the information your employer wishes to know. Try and anticipate questions and make the answers relevant to the position.
·Try and be positive throughout the interview. Avoid negative comments about past employers. Be positive about yourself and previous activities – without sounding arrogant or acting in a superior manner.
·Encourage the interviewer to give information about the company – this will show that you are interested – have some questions prepared that you wish to ask.


Answering Interviewing Questions

Some questions that you will be asked can be anticipated as can the subject matter. If you prepare well you should not have a problem answering the questions. Remember to:

·Speak up when answering the questions.
·Keep your answers brief but avoid yes / no answers.
·If needed, pause before answering - this shows that you are thinking about what you are saying.
·Be honest – don’t embellish or lie.
·Prepare for hypothetical situation questions as well as unexpected ones.
·Keep questions you wish to ask brief and open ended.
·Thank the interviewer and smile when you are leaving.
Presentation and Body Language

Wear what is appropriate for the post and the company – it can vary for example what is suitable for a building company may be very different for an office job. Make sure you are well groomed and clean and looking calm and confident. Do not be over-friendly or too shy – find a suitable balance. Have a pleasant natural smile and a firm hand shake when you meet the interviewer. During the interview:

·Sit comfortably with both feet on the floor and lean slightly towards the interviewer.
·Do not play with your hands or hair and keep them out of your pockets.
·Try not to create defensive barriers such as folding your arms.
·Maintain a natural eye contact – do not try and outstare the interviewer. Eye contact will help demonstrate your interest.
·If there is more than one interviewer, look at who is talking. When it is your turn to talk glance at each interviewer.

Following this behaviour will allow the interviewer to concentrate on you during the interview and not what you are doing. This will help convey that you are a well-balanced and confident individual.


QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKED

Why do you want the job?
Stress positive aspects that have attracted you to applying for the position. Do not mention negative aspects of your current job, or the job applying for. Looking for new job where you can apply existing skills and learn new ones.

What qualities do you think will be required for the job?
Look at the advertisement – this should help, but bear in mind other qualities such as leadership ability, supervisory skills, interpersonal skills, problem solving, analytical skills, etc.

What can you contribute?
This is your chance to speak of achievements or previous positions relevant to what you are applying for.

Why do you want to work for this company?
Chance to impress the interviewer. Give them a run down of their products/services, sales figures, news, customer base and company figures.

You have not done this sort of job before. How will you cope/succeed?
Explain you are the sort of person who aims to succeed at everything that you do, and that you are very determined, and do what it will take to get the job done.

Why should we employ you?
Previous experience and achievements related to company. Add you think there is a good fit between you and the job, and ask interviewers for their opinion.

How long do you think it would be before you were making a significant contribution to the team/company?
If you think you could contribute from day one then say so. Turn the question round and ask how soon they would expect it.

What do you like/dislike about the job we are discussing?
Stress things like a new challenge or the opportunity to bring fresh experience to the company. Imply there is nothing you dislike about the job – hence why you are interested!

Why did you choose a career in…?
Be positive about the reasons – if you have changed careers make a logical argument as to why you did so.

Why are you changing careers?
Say why you think you will be good – this should come prior your experience, achievements, stress transferable skills. Focus on positive aspects of the change if it is a move up. Show you are ready for a more demanding role.

How does your last job resemble the job you are applying for? What are the differences?
Interviewer is trying to see how well you would fit into the position you are applying for. Stress similarities, not differences. When discussing differences it would help if you can show you can pick required skills up quickly.

What do you think of the last company you worked for?
Stress positive aspects – talk about training you received or work related experience you gained. Be positive about reasons for joining and leaving a company and do not say anything negative about your current employer. Stress looking for a new challenge and you feel that the company interviewing you is suitable.

How long have you been looking for a new job?
If been unemployed for a long time, tricky question to answer but be honest. If been on holiday or done some voluntary work, you can mention this.

Do you prefer to work in a small, medium or large company?
Small – close atmosphere with good team spirit.
Large- enjoy stability.

Are you considering any other positions at the moment?
If you are, then say so – but do not give too many details away as it will weaker your negotiating position later.

What did you think of your manager / supervisor?
Say they were the sort of person you could learn from and you communicate well.

How would you describe yourself? How would others describe you?
Pick your best attributes and achievements from your career.

Do you consider yourself successful?
Say that you do. Pick some work related achievements in line with the work you re applying for.

How do you handle criticism?
Say you think it is important to get feedback on one’s performance to improve areas your manager highlights. Do you have regular staff appraisals and a staff development plan.

What sort of manager are you? / What makes a good manager?
Someone who listens to other people and can delegate whilst maintaining overall control of the task at hand. Good planning skills are essential.

Do you work well with others? / Or are you a loner?
You need to say that you are happy in both situations, since some jobs require close team work and others require that you work on your own.

Can you act on your own initiative?
Say that you can.

What motivates you?
Career growth, opportunity to learn new skills, good co-workers, etc.

Are you competitive?
Your answer depends on the sort of job you are doing. If you will be working as part of a team you will need to show that you can work in the best interest of the team and not just for your own benefit.

What management style gets the best results out of you?
Do not say too much, just think about how you have reacted to different managers and which factors have motivated you.

What do you dislike doing?
Say that you are prepared to do whatever it takes to get the job done well and on time and try to do disagreeable things first to get them out of the way.
Are you prepared to relocate?
If you are, say so. If you do not want to move then you do not have to accept the job.

Are you willing to travel?
Again, if you are, say so. You want to sound positive, so find out how much traveling is involved before you turn down the job.

What did you earn in your last job?
Once the interviewer knows your current salary they will try and fix your next remuneration based on this figure. This may be satisfactory if you only want a modest rise in salary and your current salary is in line with their salary range. If your current salary is substantially lower or if you want s salary rise say that you do not really want to prejudice yourself by being too high or too low. Ask if you can discuss this later after the responsibilities for the job have been discussed.

What level of salary are you looking for?
You could ask what the salary range is. Once they have answered you could say “I think my experience would place me at the top end of your range.� You could also say that it is hard to discuss salary without first knowing a little bit more about the job and responsibilities.


QUESTIONS TO ASK THE INTERVIEWER

The interview is a two way process – therefore make sure that you have enough information to decide if you want to take the job or not. Show an interest in the company – leave the issues regarding terms and conditions for another time.

Generally it is unwise to ask about pay or benefits or other similar areas – this will make it look like you are only interested in what the company can do for you. It is also a not a good idea not to have any questions as this could make you look passive and uninterested.

Questions you could ask are:

What are the main objectives and responsibilities?
What obstacles are commonly encountered in reaching these objectives?
Who do I report to?
What do you expect me to do in the first 6 months?
Who are the customers?
What are the chances of promotion / scope for development in this position?
Will relocation be required in this position?
What training do you require?
When will you decide on appointment?
What is the next step?


YEAAAHHHHH It finally worked (just thought I'd celebrate that)banana.gifbanana.gif