Do's and Don'ts

 

If you have been invited for an interview, that’s great however this excitement can easily turn sour if you fail to prepare properly. Preparation can be the defining factor between success and failure. Below are a few interview tips to assist you.

Understand your CV
Your CV is the first impression an employer has of you so make sure you remember exactly what is written on it as it is common for an interviewer to work through your employment history asking you to describe various aspects of your previous and current positions. Also be prepared to expand on information already stated on your CV and be able to illustrate your competencies in more detail by demonstrating past situations through behavioural examples.

Know your strengths
Listing your main strengths can be very helpful. Aim for ten key strengths that make you an ideal candidate for the position. Then if asked to list your strengths, you can do so with confidence. It is always a good idea to be able to give expanded examples of how you have applied your main strengths in previous positions.

Do your research
Prior to an interview it is vital that you do your research, this is extremely important. If you have applied to multiple jobs with a range of different companies it can be all too easy to give this a miss. Don’t! Go on the internet and find out as much information as possible about who the company is and what they do and remember to write down and practice any relevant questions that you may want to ask. You must demonstrate a strong interest in the position and the company so you create the right impression.

Know the position you’ve applied for
This is as important, if not more important than the last example. Before attending an interview please review any information you have been sent regarding the position and if you have a job description, know this inside out. You should highlight the essential qualities required for the position and match them to your own skills and experience. This will enable you to have the best chance of being the perfect candidate!

Dress to impress
Always select your interview clothing carefully. Even if you are aware that a position does not require you to wear a shirt and tie for example, it is advisable to always dress smartly to create the best possible first impression! It is best to avoid wearing excessive make-up, perfume and overly bright colours. Don’t wear too many piercings and if possible cover up any tattoos. Make sure that you are neat and tidy and you have washed thoroughly that morning. It may seem funny however personal hygiene issues can seriously spoil your chances in an interview, don’t let this happen to you.

Know where you are going
It is advisable to plan how you are going to get to the interview in advance. Check out train times, bus schedules and traffic reports. It is a good idea to use Google maps to obtain directions as you don’t want to be rushing around at the last minute looking for a map or driving in the wrong direction and arriving 15 minutes late!

Don’t be late
When attending an interview it is always better to be very early than very late. In the event of arriving early you can always go for a coffee or read a book, however if you are late there is nothing you can do as the damage will have already been done. If you must be late, always call to explain the situation.

Initial impression
Hopefully, you will have already dressed to impress. However when sitting down at the interview be aware of your body language and posture, always stand or sit up straight and be sure to smile and give a quality handshake (not too weak and not too firm!)

Techniques

 

Confidence
An interview is a time where you are allowed to talk openly about what you are good at. You are essentially trying to sell an outstanding product in a very competitive market. No salesperson has ever been successful under selling their product so it is essential that you outline to the interviewer what you can offer the company and the benefits of employing you. You may get asked challenging questions so be prepared to respond!

Don’t be distracted
When you are nervous it can be easy to be distracted. If you have jewellery or accessories at hand make a conscious effort not to fiddle with them. Always concentrate on the interviewer and the questions he or she is asking.

Be honest
It is always best to be honest when discussing your employment or educational experience. Present whatever you have to say in a positive way even if there are certain areas of concern. If there are any issues with past employers try not to attack them. If it is absolutely essential to mention something please illustrate how you feel constructively and be professional.
You may be asked questions about specific skills required to do a particular task. If you don’t have these skills it is best to admit it as opposed to trying to explain your way round it! Demonstrate that you are eager to learn and the interviewer will be clear on what you can and cannot do and will be able to highlight any areas where training may be required.

Be positive
No matter how tempting it may be never bad-mouth your previous employers. It is always far more credible to focus on positive achievements and experiences. If you are asked about your reasons for leaving your current role, simply stating that you are seeking career advancement or a career change is perfectly acceptable. It is never looked upon as a bad thing if you have the desire to progress your career!

Speak correctly
Don’t talk too much or too fast and try to be aware of your speech when you are being interviewed. Remember that it is ok to sit in silence for a moment and take a breath before answering a question. Don’t under any circumstance cut off the interviewer when he or she is talking, always let them finish what they are saying. Be clear and concise with your answers.

Question time
If you have prepared properly it is inevitable that you will have some questions you will want to ask about the company. This is a good thing as it illustrates your interest in the company and the position you are applying for. Ask sensible questions and make sure that you don’t ask questions related to the salary package as this will give the impression that you are only interested in the financial benefits of the role! Salary should only be discussed after a job offer has been made.

Politeness
Always remember to say thank you and say that it has been a pleasure meeting the interviewer. If you feel that you want the job, there is nothing wrong with letting the interviewer know. This will demonstrate your enthusiasm and desire to join the company!

Types of Interview

There are many differing types of interview you may be faced with. Try to know which one you are going to be facing and do your preparation so you are aware of what to expect. 

Behavioural
You will be asked questions like: Describe a situation when? Can you give me an example of a time when?
The focus of this type of interview is your experience and you can relate this to the position for which you are being considered. Do your preparation and be aware of numerous examples of when you perhaps overcame challenges and achieved positive results within past positions.

Situational
This form of interview is quite similar to a behavioural interview, however the main difference being that with situational interviews, hypothetical questions are asked to try to ascertain how one would react if placed in a specific situation as opposed to looking for specific examples based on past experience. If you have prepared and have read over the key responsibilities within the job description this could be a great advantage as many situational questions are most likely to be centred around these responsibilities.

Unstructured
This form of interview can be used to look for personality traits and to assess your culture fit for the role. An unstructured interview is normally quite conversational and is based more around a discussion of your previous work history. There will be no set order of questioning and you will be expected to hold a conversation throughout. This can very often used as a second or third interview to assess ‘team fit’.

Group Assessment Centres
This type of interview can be chosen by companies if there are a considerable number of applicants suitable for a given position. It is a great way to see how applicants act with one another and can highlight specific areas of strength and/or concern.
Group interviews can become very complicated if everyone talks at once so it is advisable to bring a note pad with you to highlight discussion points. The key is not to come across like you are relying on your notes but having notes gives the impression that you are organised, professional and prepared.
It is always a good idea to make sure you have spoken to all other candidates and made eye contact, thus showing that you can get along with all types of people and have not excluded one particular person out of the conversation.
Wherever possible it is a wise choice to ask questions. By doing this demonstrates that you are interested and engaged in the topic of discussion. However beware not to ask too many and give other candidates a chance! Be aware of group dynamics. Some of the people within your assessment may end up being your co-workers so be sure to assess whether or not you see yourself fitting in with the group.

Panel Interview
This will normally consist of several interviewers from perhaps different areas of the company. Depending on the job itself, each interviewer will have differing questions aimed at finding out what ultimately concerns them. This can be quite tricky! The key is to be confident and make eye contact with the interviewer actually asking the question and remember to scan the other interviewers whilst giving a response. This will give the impression that you are not only interested in talking to one person on the panel.

Does this all sound confusing?

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