Interview tips
Top Tips for Interview Practice
- Almost all companies have their own website. Learn something about
the company before you attend an interview.
- List on paper, all the questions you think an interviewer might ask
you. Use your experience and your friends. Then prepare sample answers
and write these down as well. Writing down the questions and answers
will help you remember them. Practice answering these questions with
a friend
- Think about your weaknesses in case you are asked and list the positive
aspect to that weakness. One weakness may be that you are very thorough.
This may be more time consuming but it also means less time wasted on
viewing mistakes
- Go over your CV and plan how you will address any 'time gaps'. For
instance, if you had a couple of months between leaving one job and
taking up the next make sure you have a legitimate explanation
- Make sure your past academic and work history is achievement-driven.
So, be prepared to talk about specific achievements rather than your
job description. Explain how you feel / felt about a success or failure.
Feelings are important
Questions to ask in a job interview
- Avoid questions that push the interviewer for a commitment - unless
you are interviewing for a sales job. Good points to raise are:
- "Can you tell me a little about the people who work in the team?"
- "How have other people progressed in the organisation?"
- "What is the decision process and time frame for selecting someone
for this position?"
- Use the third person, not 'I', when talking about the job, to avoid
sounding as though you assume the job is yours. Don't ask: "What
would be my salary in a year's time?" Instead: "What would
the position pay in approximately one year?"
- Find something positive from the company website that you think the
interviewer will know about and feed them the opportunity to talk (proudly)
about it e.g. an achievement, award or progression
- If you are not exactly sure where the location of the interview is,
do a test run or allow lots of time to arrive. A late arrival is usually
viewed as your fault and a negative no matter how genuine your reason.
If you can take a mobile phone you can at least warn the interviewer
of your delay, should your train / bus / car be stuck in traffic
Interview Technique
- As you pursue your job search, a set of polished interview skills
will prove to be priceless in brokering your talents, experience and
credentials. Your interview is the most critical event in the process
of landing a job offer; it is also the most subjective
The First Impression
- To begin with, the adage that cleanliness is next to godliness is
appropriate for your interview because the first impression is the lasting
impression.
- Hair should be well groomed; faces should be clean shaven; makeup,
cologne and perfume should be minimal and conservative.
- Invest in professionally dry cleaning your interview clothes.
- Accessories, including folders and handbags, should also be minimal
and conservative.
- Respect business values and conventions.
- It is usually advisable to be conservative in dress. This means avoiding
the latest look and for women means looking tailored rather than feminine
Be ON TIME
- While employers will not hesitate to keep you waiting, they disapprove
of lateness in an applicant
- There may be sound reasons for your tardiness, such as an obscure
office location or traffic jam, but none of these will help your cause
- One suggestion is to arrive 15 minutes before the interview and wait
out the time near, but not at, the interview location
- Enter the office 5 minutes early, note the tempo of the office and
attune yourself accordingly
- If you do anticipate being late, show some courtesy and make a phone
call to either the person you will be meeting or the agency(if applicable)
Maintain your Self-Confidence
- When you introduce yourself, offer a firm handshake, call the interviewer
by name, smile and maintain eye contract without glaring
- Those who do not are often regarded, albeit unjustly, as deceptive,
evasive and lacking in self-confidence
- Be on guard for any nervous mannerisms. For example, if you tap your
feet or twirl your hair, keep your feet flat and your hands crossed.
- DO NOT SMOKE, even if the interviewer does, as this may show nervousness
- Be polite to the recruiter and do not ramble in your conversation
- Be pleasant with everyone you meet; sometimes receptionists may be
asked for their opinion of you
Practice Answers to the Most Likely Questions
- Perhaps the easiest, and therefore, the most neglected, aspect is
the question and answer sequence
- Believe that what you say is important; but how you say it is of equal
importance
- The characteristics you want to convey with your responses are self-confidence and fluency of expression
- Self-confident individuals impress the interviewer as someone who
would be a good spokesperson for their company
- Skilled applicants are prepared to discuss their weaknesses as well
as their strengths
- A clear and concise expression will sell better than a rambling explanation
- The sharpest candidate will have prepared answers to the most frequently
asked questions
- Though rehearsed, their responses are delivered with tact and sincerity
to represent themselves truthfully
Be Enthusiastic & Positive
- It is usual for a portion of your interview to focus on your work
experience
- Your experience will give you something to talk about, it should
help you package yourself more attractively
- Sell your experience e.g., rather than just
stating that you won an award, sell it: "Mr Johnson, last year
I was honoured with the Gold Seal Award for the highest sales achievement
during the summer - I am very proud of this accomplishment"
- Be yourself; but be your most charming, polite, concise
and confident self
Topics to Avoid
- In marketing yourself, try to think from the employer's perspective
- Rather than talking about compensation during your first interview,
dazzle the recruiter with what you can do for his organisation; benefits
are best left for discussion in subsequent interviews
- Talk opportunity, not security, your contribution, not retirement
Control the Close of the Interview
- As the interview winds down, it is time to try to uncover the interviewer's
thoughts about your suitability for the position: "Mr Johnson, based
upon the information you have about me so far, do you believe that I
am a good candidate for this position?"
- If yes, then be pro-active: "Fine, what is the next step in
the interview process - would I meet with you again, or would I meet
with someone else in the company?"
- If you are not a match, ask why: "Mr Johnson, I appreciate that.
Would you mind letting me know which areas I was weaker in?"
- Uncover the recruiter's objections and answer them immediately
- If you are not considered a candidate you will not have another opportunity
to sell yourself.
- Make a last stand to answer objections and to close on getting a
second interview
Don't Let Being Turned Down Get You Down
- Accept the fact that, regardless of your interviewing skills, you
still may not get some job offers for reasons that have very little
to do with your qualifications or interviewing skills.
- Feedback from interviews where you have been turned down will be
invaluable.
- Uncover what they felt you lacked and what they were looking for
Plan for the Follow-Up
- As the interview closes, thank your interviewer for their time and
ask for their business card. This gives you the address for a follow-up
letter
- Whether or not the position appeals to you on the first impression,
trial-close the interviewer to maximise your chances for a second interview:
"Mr Johnson, I very much enjoyed meeting you today. Johnson &
Associates is a great company and I am keen to meet with you again.
I can really picture myself being a part of this organisation."
Whether or not you feel this way is not the issue!
- The point is that you want at least to have the luxury of turning
down his offer
Questions you may be asked:
- Tell me about yourself
- What is it you want to do?
- Why do you want to work in this field (job, company)?
- What do you know about our company?
- Why did you study ... ... ... at University?
- What was your favourite course? Why?
- What is more important to you, the salary or the job itself?
- Which two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction?
Why?
- What contributions could you make to this job (department, company?)
- How have you handled a major crisis or problem?
- What do you like to do in your spare time?
- Are you flexible to move?
- Why did you go to ... ... ... University?
- Tell me about your best teacher?
- Who else are you interviewing with?
- What are your salary expectations?
- How did you like your last jobs and why did you leave?
- If you had the last 10 years of your life to live over again, what
would you do differently?
- What are your career aspirations?
- What are your greatest strengths? Weaknesses? If we make an offer,
how long do you plan to stay with the company?
- Are you interested in promotional opportunities?
- How do you work with others?
- Are you a leader or a follower?
- What is your ideal position and career path?
- Is there anything you would like to say to close the interview?
Questions to ask the Interviewer:
- What are the unique opportunities in this job?
- To whom would I report?
- Who are the key people I would work with?
- How long has the position been open? Why is it open?
- How will I be evaluated? On what criteria?
- How is the company doing?
- What are the organisation's greatest strengths and weaknesses?
Interview Mistakes:
- Poor personal appearance, poor grooming or hygiene, inappropriate
attire
- Egotistical, 'know it all' attitude, arrogant or rude
- Asking no questions about the job
- Deficient social skills: lack of interest, tact or courtesy
- Inability to express self clearly, poor language.
- Poor scholastic record
- Lack of knowledge of the company or industry
- Mention of salary and benefits too soon
- Unprepared for the interview.
- Lateness or failure to show up.
- Poor eye contact, lack of confidence
- Dishonesty
- Shallow, inappropriate questions / answers
- Lack of experience, education or skills
- Unrealistic goals or expectations.
- Lethargic or overly aggressive
- No elaboration on qualifications
- Lack of professionalism
