You produced a good C.V. and now have an interview.
What do you need to know?
The interview is an opportunity to showcase your
knowledge and personality and to make such a positive impression
on a potential employer that they want to hire you. You should
go to every interview with the intention of winning an offer of
employment after all if you don't want the offer of employment,
why are you going? Consequently it is essential to do some preparation
prior to interview to give yourself the maximum chance of success.
Preparation
It sounds
obvious but a great many candidates make some elementary mistakes
like underestimating how long it takes to get to the interview
and then arrive late, which creates a bad impression. Make sure
you know where you are supposed to be going, how to get there,
what time you should be there and who you are going to meet. Have
the company's telephone number, or even better the interviewer's
direct line, to hand in case you are delayed by unforeseen circumstances
so that you can call them and warn them that you will be late.
We will always give you as much information
about the company and the role as we can, please read it! It is
also a very good idea to have browsed the company's website, read
the annual accounts and have an understanding of their position
in the market, their competitors, their strengths and strategy.
Doing this research will give you a sound basis to ask intelligent
questions at interview.
Ensure that you have a number of questions to
ask at interview - you will almost certainly be given the opportunity
to ask them and there is little worse than stumbling through asking
inane questions on an adlib basis! Also make sure that you have
prepared some answers to questions you are likely to be asked.
For example:
"Why do you want to leave your current employer?"
"What aspect of your current job would you like
to avoid in your next?"
"Why do you think you are suitable for this
position?"
"What are your weaknesses in your current role
and how have you responded to criticisms of them"
"How would you describe your management style?"
"In what areas and what criteria would you use in appraising
staff?"
"How do you react under pressure?"
"How would your boss describe you?"
Interview
Make sure you have a smart interview outfit
even if the company you are going to has a casual dress policy.
First impressions are very, very important and you don't get a second
chance. You should be quietly confident in your greeting of the
interviewer with a firm handshake and a smile.
Be aware that throughout the interview your body
language will be giving the interviewer signals that will make
a significant contribution to the outcome of the interview. Some
things you should bear in mind are: maintain good eye contact
with the interviewer(s), keep an attentive posture without fidgeting,
keep your hands quiet - it can be very off-putting if they are
flying around everywhere! Remember to turn your mobile phone off
before the interview.
Don't waffle or be evasive if asked a difficult
question, remember that this is an opportunity to create a positive
impression. Answer questions confidently and honestly without
sounding arrogant, of course.
Don't become unsure of yourself if you feel that
the interview is not going well - this may just be an interview
technique. Alternatively, if you know you've said something wrong
or answered a question badly you can still recover by a good performance
throughout the remainder of the interview.
If asked about your current employer or past
employers never be derogatory, even if they were dreadful. Ask
the questions you prepared before the interview, remember, in
a positive and confident manner. Good questions often lead to
further conversation and you stand a very good chance of learning
more about the company. Do not ask questions about salary and
benefits in a first interview, you will get the opportunity to
discuss this at a second interview. Where salary negotiations
need to be undertaken it would be in your interests for us do
it for you - we do it every day and will achieve the best possible
outcome.
At the end of the interview make sure that the
interviewer knows that you're interested in the role and the company.
It will certainly do your cause no harm to send the interviewer
an email expressing an interest in the role and thanking them
for their time. Please also call us to let us know your thoughts
concerning the role.
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