Interview preparation

The headlines :

The Good News

• you only get an interview if the interviewer thinks you can do the job
• you are inc control of the information you give about yourself

Objectives of the Interview

Define your goals

• to get a job offer
• to assess your potential career with the company
• to get a second interview
• to create the impression you want to create
• to build a clear idea of what the job involves

“Prepare to Succeed”

6 most common reasons employers give for rejecting a candidate after an interview
(research for BBC ‘Onelife’)

• inappropriate appearance
• being late
• appearing disorganised
• lack of insight into organisation or the job
• criticism of last employer
• a lack of confidence

Preparation

Your campaign should include the following:

• organisation and the job
• update your research
• review job description
• remind yourself re which CV version the interviewer has
• visualise yourself in the job

Logistics and practicalities

• location, date and time
• who you are meeting
• travel arrangements
• what to wear

First impressions

• remember the power of non-verbal communication
• arrive on time
• relax
• smile and greet by name
• make eye contact without staring!

Interview Questions

The headlines:

There are only 3 main categories of interview questions

• Can you do the job?
• Will you do the job?
• Will you fit in?

Can you do the job? - questions about your track record and capability

Examples:

How is your experience relevant to this job?

Tell me about your most significant achievements?

Will you do the job? - your approach to work and your motivation

Examples:

What was it like working for your previous employer – highs and lows?

If you get this job, how long will you stay with us?

Will you fit in? - testing your fit with the company culture and image

Examples:

How do you get to know and understand new colleagues?

How do you cope with a change of environment?

Essential homework - be ready for these questions:

• Tell me about yourself
• Why do you want this job?
• Why did you leave your last job?
• Why should we hire you?

10 Golden Rules

1. Listen carefully to the question
2. Avoid ‘yes/no’ answers when you can
3. Speak clearly and stick to the point
4. Demonstrate that you have prepared
5. Check if you have given enough information
6. Ask for clarification
7. Give examples to back up your points
8. Take time to think before answering
9. Be positive about your skills and achievements
10. Anticipate, prepare and perform!

“Do you have any questions?”

• prepare in advance
• take the opportunity to re-state your interest in the role
• be as company and industry specific as possible

Give the interviewer something to remember you by

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