Interview Advice
Interviews
Few people look forward to job interviews however its an opportunity to talk about yourself for 45 minutes and with some prior preparation you should be ready and able to overcome any nervousness. It's always worth remembering that if the interviewer wants someone to succeed it could be you.
Before the Interview
Research the job, the company, the products or services:-
To find out about the job look at the advertisement and get hold of a job description if there is one.
Plan some questions for the interviewer.
For company information use annual reports or product literature.
Check out the Internet and visit both the companys own website and business information sites such as www.reuters.co.uk.
Finally, find out who the companys competitors are.
Presentation
Presenting yourself well is essential. Here are some points to consider:-
- Arrive around ten minutes early.
- Dress appropriately for the job, erring for smart business attire.
- Avoid wearing too much perfume or aftershave.
- Be professional and courteous, exchange niceties, shake hands and thank the interviewer for their time when the meeting is over.
The first crucial moments
First impressions really do count and the opening few minutes can be crucial to how the interview progresses.
About the handshake - have dry palms, offer your hand out, have a firm, positive grip and establish good eye contact.
Maintain good eye contact (without staring) with the interviewer
When sitting down, look confident and keep the body langua ge in check. Avoid crossing arms and do not hide hands under a desk. Alternatively, do not be too laid back and horizontal. Instead, look self assured and open.
Be sincere and interested. Enthusiasm is a positive, so is humour but do not over-do it as over-playing your keenness can appear desperate.
The interview has started
Now that the interview is underway stay focussed on the following:-
Listen carefully to the questions and ask for clarification if you need to get a better understanding.
Prepare to be asked about your strengths, weaknesses, and successes. With the negative questions such as weaknesses some people turn their answer into a positive by saying I can sometimes be impatient or too demanding.
Make sure you can answer questions designed to test your knowledge of the industry
You will be asked about what you have done in the past, therefore make sure you are able to talk through all the points on your CV.
Steer the talk to the most relevant areas of your experience. What you did ten years ago will probably not warrant taking up half of the interview.
Answer questions in a positive upbeat manner and avoid bemoaning your current or previous employers.
Remember to seem composed. Think about your answers and do not say the first thing that comes into your head a short pause conveys thoughtfulness.
Lastly, when asked for your opinion there often is not a right or wrong answer. Stick to your point and then be prepared to defend it. People who change their answers often appear fickle and trying too hard to please the interviewer.
The interview is coming to an end
Hopefully you have done well so far. At this stage continue to choose your words and manner carefully:-
Be careful about trying to get a decision from the interviewer. Often closing too hard can be seen as pushy, although gaining some idea can be positive, especially if the position is a commercial role.
The interviewer will indicate the meeting is coming to an end by saying something like "Well, I think we've covered all the aspects of this role". This is often your cue to ask a couple of further questions, providing that your pre-planned questions were not answer earlier. If they have been say "No, I was going to ask about XXX but this was answered earlier".
Do enquire about what the next stage is and when you will be likely to hear back.
As you depart. smile, good eye contact, a handshake, and thank them for their time.
What now?
If you are really interested in the role lets hope the interview has gone well for you.
It the role was via a recruitment agency, give them feedback as soon as possible and convey your interest in the job. They can feed this back and it is seen as positive.
If it was a first interview and several points were covered make notes. At a second stage an interviewer will be pleased to note you were taking it all in.
Don't worry if it takes a little while to hear back. If you were advised of feedback by a set date then there is no harm in telephoning to find out when a decision is expected.
Now that you have read the above good luck with your interview. To be truly confident and perform at your best make sure your research the role and rehearse your answers. Remember, failure to prepare is preparing to fail.
