Interview Preparation
Preparation is the first essential step towards conducting a successful interview. Employers are ever amazed at the number of candidates who do not prepare themselves for interview, possessing little or no information about the company for which they are being interviewed.
Before the Interview
Ensure that you know the following.
- The exact time and location of the interview, route, parking etc and how long it will take to get there.
- The interviewer's correct title and pronunciation of his or her full name, for example, Mr. Murphy.
- Specific facts about the company e.g. company's mission, market in which it operates, competitors, plant, office or store locations, products or services, recent business growth, growth potential for the future.
- Perhaps check out the company website, books and/or brochures.
- Facts and figures about your present or former employer. Refresh your memory on this as you will be expected to know a lot about a company for which you have previously worked.
Questions to ask the interviewer
Remember that an interview is a two way thing. The interviewer will try to determine through questioning whether you are the right person for a specific job. Likewise, you must determine through questioning whether this potential employer will provide the opportunity for career development that you seek.
Besides this, the interviewer will be impressed by your interest in the company and by your articulation of intelligent questions.
Some questions you may ask
- Can you give me a detailed description of the position?
- Why has the position become available?
- What is the culture of the company?
- What induction/training programme is there?
- What kinds of people have previously been successful in the company?
- What advance training programmes are available for those who demonstrate ability?
- What plans has the company for future development?
- Which are the company's best selling products or services?
- What is the next step?
Interview Techniques
During the interview, you will be assessed for your strengths and weaknesses/areas for development. In addition to this, specific personal characteristics will be probed, such as attitude, aptitude, stability, motivation and maturity.
Some Interview Dos and Don'ts
- DO arrive on time or a few minutes early.
Late arrival for a job interview is never excusable. - DO fill out any application forms neatly and completely.
If you have a personal resume, be sure that the person to whom you release it, is the person who will actually do the hiring. - DO greet the interviewer by his or her title and surname, for example, Mr. Murphy. If you are not sure of the name pronunciation, ask the interviewer to repeat it.
- DO shake hands firmly and always look the interviewer in the eye.
- DO wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. Sit upright in your chair and look alert and interested at all times.
- DO be as charismatic as possible, it is very important that you demonstrate your interpersonal skills during the interview.
- Do listen as well as being a good talker and remember to smile.
- DO follow the interviewer's leads. Try, however, to obtain a full description of the position and duties it incorporates at an early stage so that you can relay your appropriate background and skills accordingly.
- DO make sure that your good points get across to the interviewer in a concise, factual and sincere manner. Waffle will get you nowhere. Bear in mind that only you can sell yourself and make the interviewer aware of the benefits that you can offer to the organisations.
- DO always conduct yourself as if you are determined to get the job you are discussing. Never close the door on opportunity. It is better to be in a position where you can choose from a number of offers, rather than only one.
- DON'T smoke even if the interviewer smokes and offers you a cigarette.
- DON'T answer questions with a simple 'yes' or 'no' - elaborate.
- DON'T lie - always be honest.
- DON'T make derogatory remarks about your present or former employers.
- DON'T over answer questions.
- DON'T enquire about salary, holidays, bonuses etc. at the initial interview unless you are sure the interviewer wants to hire you. You should, however, know your market value and be prepared to specify your required salary or range.
Be prepared to Answer Questions such as :
- Why did you choose a career in ...?
- What kind of job are you seeking?
- What is your technical experience?
- Why would you like to work for this company?
- Where do you see yourself five years from now?
- When was your last salary review?
- What style of management gets the best from you?
- What interests you about our product?
- What have you learned from some of the jobs you have held?
- Which job did you enjoy the most and why?
- What have you done that shows initiative in your career?
- What are your major weaknesses and what are your strengths?
- What do you think determines a person's progress in a good company?
- Are you willing to relocate?
- What are your hobbies?
- What does "teamwork" mean to you?
Avoid
- Poor personal appearance.
- Overbearing, aggressive, conceited superiority - know it all attitude.
- Lack of career planning.
- Lack of interest and enthusiasm, passive and indifferent.
- Lack of confidence, nervousness.
- Over emphasis on money, interested only in remuneration.
- Condemnation of past employers.
- Failure to look the interviewer in the eye.
- Limp handshake.
- Failure to ask good questions about the job and company.
- Lack of interview preparation, failure to research the company, resulting in an inability to ask intelligent questions.
Closing the Interview
If you are interested in the position, enquire about the next interview stage. If the interviewer offers the position to you and you want it, accept on the spot. If you wish to have some time to think it over, be courteous and tactful in asking for that time. Set a definite date on which you can provide an answer.
DON'T be too discouraged if no definite offer is made nor a specific salary discussed. The interviewer will probably want to consult colleagues or interview other candidates (or both) before making a decision.
If you get the impression that the interview is not going very well and you have already been rejected, don't let your disappointment show. Thank the Interviewer for the time spent with you.
After the Interview
Call your consultant after the interview to explain what happened.
The consultant will want to speak with you, before the interviewer calls.