the hot seat
Before the Interview
Preparation is essential!
- Research the company beforehand. Get an information pack from its
human resources department, look up its web site, search business directories
available in libraries and go through back issues of the industry's
trade magazines to look for relevant articles.
- Know exactly why you want the job and be prepared to present yourself
convincingly. Practice good answers to the standard interview questions:
- Tell me about yourself/how would you describe yourself?
- Why do you think we should give you this job?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- What would you say are your major achievements?
- Where do you see yourself going in the next five years?
- What contribution do you make when working in a team?
- How would your colleagues describe you?
- Why do you want to leave your current job?
- What do you know about our company?
- What did you like best/least about your current/last job?
- Have some perceptive questions ready to ask at the end of an interview.
Ask questions that demonstrate your knowledge of the firm or the industry,
or clarify points about the position that haven't already been covered.
- Have the names, addresses and titles of two or three references ready
(two of which should be work references). Don't forget to ask their
permission before you use them – you don't want them to be taken by surprise
by your prospective employer.
- Don't be late! If you don't know exactly where you're going, have
a trial run the day before. If you're travelling by car or public transport
allow yourself half an hour's extra travelling time in case of delays.
The Interview
As far as interviews go, a positive attitude is very important. Saying
'I can't' isn't going to get you anywhere. A 'can do' attitude
is a positive attribute for anyone to have. If you go into an interview
or into a job and say, 'I will give that the best try that I can',
you're presenting yourself in a positive light. It's all about demonstrating
your enthusiasm and getting on well with people. – Tom Farmer,
Chairman and Chief Executive of Kwik Fit
Your attitude and personality will affect the interviewer's decision
just as much as your qualifications and experience, and the overall impression
you make is vitally important. However, don't try too hard to project
the perfect image – be confident and, more importantly, be yourself.
Top Tips
- Try to determine what kind of method the interviewer is using as early
as possible and answer accordingly. In a structured interview, the interviewer
will be following a pre-determined set of questions and will be expecting
clear, concise answers from you. An unstructured interview can be more
conversational, using open-ended questions and giving your personality
the chance to shine through.
My interviewing techniques are maybe a little bit different from
the norm. I never even saw the CVs of the first ten people that I hired.
They were hired because I thought that they were capable of doing the
job. Their personality and how they presented themselves were deciding
factors, and whether they'd fit in with the team was important too.
My idea of the perfect candidate would be someone with that steely glint
in their eye that makes them want to succeed. – Iain Gardner,
co-founder of Last Orders.com
- First impressions count. As a general rule, you should look smart,
tidy, squeaky-clean and professional.
- Remember the interviewer's name and pronounce it with conviction.
Have a good, solid handshake – a weak handshake will not present you
in the best possible light.
- Don't sit down before the interviewer – wait until they do or until
you have been asked.
- Make eye contact during the interview – it shows you are paying attention
to what the interviewer is saying.
- Listen to what the interviewer is saying – make sure you understand
the questions before you answer, think your answers through, and speak
clearly and confidently. Maintain awareness of your voice, posture,
energy level, and enthusiasm. Avoid using slang.
- Don't stretch the truth – however tempting it may be, you should be
as honest as possible with your answers without being negative.
- And finally, if you feel self-assured and optimistic you will come
across this way – so think positive and that job will be yours!
After the Interview
- Write down the questions and review your responses, and decide whether
there's anything you could have answered differently. By the time your
next interview comes around you'll be even better prepared.
- It wouldn't hurt to send a thank-you letter to the interviewer, confirming
your interest in the position and stating your skills and experience.
- If you don't get the job, it might be worth calling up the interviewer
and asking them for feedback. You will then be able to adapt your interview
technique accordingly and perform even better next time around.
Telephone Interviews
There are three main types of telephone interview:
- A call at a date and time which have already been arranged.
- You have already submitted your CV and you are called without warning.
- You call a company to ask about employment and they conduct the interview
there and then.
Telephone Tips
- Be prepared – have a copy of your CV to hand, along with any
information you've received from the company, a list of your experience
or skills, questions that you want to ask about the company, and a pen
and paper to take notes.
- Have a clock nearby to keep track of the time.
- Switch off call waiting! It's annoying at the best of times, and could
destroy your chances in an interview situation.
- The interviewer can't see your face, but smile as you speak – it will
make you sound more positive and amiable.
- Lastly, make sure you've recorded a professional message on your answering
machine, just in case!
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