J obseekers   I nformation P oint – Interview Tips

Reaching the interview stage is a mark of success in itself, it means your CV has already identified you as a serious candidate. Having convinced the interviewer on paper that you are capable of doing the job, you now have the opportunity to demonstrate your suitability in a face to face discussion.

Don't think of the interview as a test. You are not simply there to answer questions -  discuss the role with the interviewer and explore the extent to which your abilities and aspirations match the company's needs. It's as much about compatibility as competence. The interviewer needs to find out if you are right for the company, and you need to find out if the company is right for you.

Your success will depend on the quality of your preparation - about the company, about the role, and about the kinds of issues that are likely to be discussed. You may find some of this information at your local library, where you can consult a range of business directories and indexes, or call the company before the interview to ask for any recruitment brochures, relevant marketing material and annual reports. If the company has an Internet site, be sure to check it for up to date information about the company and its competitors. When your interview has been arranged by Eurobritz we will provide most of the background information you will require.

 
However here are some points to remember:-

1.    Once you have the key information about the company practice a short response to the question, "What do you know about us?" This will allow you to show that you've taken the trouble to find out and are interested. Research as much as you can about the company - products, services, markets, competitors, trends, current activities, priorities most companies are proud of their accomplishments

2.   Prepare your answers for the type of questions you'll be asked, especially, be able to say why you want the job, what your strengths are, how you'd do the job, what your best achievements are.

3.      Prepare good questions to ask at the interview – See Questions to Ask at the Interview

4.   Request a copy of the company's employment terms and conditions or employee handbook before the interview, in order to save time covering routine matters during the interview.

5.    Assemble hard evidence (make sure it's clear and concise) of how what you've achieved in the past - proof will put you ahead of those who merely talk about it.

6.   Have at least one other interviews lined up, or have a recent job offer, or the possibility of receiving one from a recent job interview, and make sure you mention it to the interviewer.

7.   Make sure your Resume/CV is up to date, looking very good and even if already supplied to the interviewer take three with you - one for the interviewer, one for you and a spare in case the interviewer brings a colleague in to the meeting.

8.   Get hold of information about the company and read it, and remember the relevant issues, and ask questions about the areas that relate to the organisation and the role. Obtain and research: the company's sales brochures and literature, a trade magazine covering the company's market sector, and a serious newspaper for the few days before the interview so you're informed about world and national news. Also worth getting hold of: company 'in-house' magazines or newsletters, competitor leaflets, local or national newspaper articles featuring the company.

9.   Review your personal goals and be able to speak openly and honestly about them and how you plan to achieve them.

10.   Ensure you have two or three really good reputable and relevant references, and check they'd each be happy to be contacted.

11.    Adopt an enthusiastic, alert, positive mind-set.

12.   Particularly think about how to deal positively with any negative aspects - especially from the perspective of telling the truth, instead of evading or distorting facts, which rarely succeeds . See Write Your CV

13.   Try to get some experience of personality tests . Discover your personality strengths and weaknesses that would be indicated by a test, and be able to answer questions positively about the results. (Do not be intimidated by personality testing - expose yourself to it and learn about yourself)

14. Think about what to wear See First Impressions Count

Like it or not, your appearance can influence the interviewer's assessment of your suitability for the job. Being smart, clean and well groomed is a good start. But there are numerous other factors to take into account regarding personal dress and presentation.   Make sure you arrive early for the interview and don't rely too heavily on the efficiency of public transport or a traffic-free journey. By arriving at least 15 minutes early, you will have a chance to relax, gather your thoughts and possibly read any company literature that is available. Also remember to be pleasant to receptionists and other staff you meet: they may be asked to give an impression.

Dress is one of the most important ways of getting people to take you seriously. Clothes have a language, and what they say about you will have a direct impact on your success at interviews - and beyond. That means managing the impression you make projecting a professional image, and using the vocabulary of clothes and accessories to give yourself the best chance of achieving your goals. So, you must look the part.

Of course, looking the part will vary enormously depending on the company you're applying to, its business, its product or service, its traditions and so on. The point is to dress in a way that is appropriate to the particular organisation. What you wear for an interview at a bank may differ from what you wear for a job at an advertising agency. But an advertising agency's finance department may have a more formal dress code than its creative department.

For the purposes of an interview, it's best to think formally unless Eurobritz or the company indicate otherwise. You are expected to dress well and your objective is to project an image that communicates professionalism, competence and presence. Here are a few guidelines:

• Choose the best quality clothes you can afford. One good suit in navy or grey worn with a white or light blue shirt is a good start
• Men should wear dark socks and well-polished shoes. Women should usually wear shoes with a closed toe and heel.
• Aim for clean lines with a minimum of decoration, restrict splashes of colour to tie, scarf or blouse.
• If you wear jewellery, make sure that it is understated and discreet.
• Perfume and aftershave should be used in small amounts
• Details matter, hands, hairstyle and make-up should be simple and meticulous, and good personal hygiene - including clean nails and fresh breath - is vital.
• Remove any outer garments in the reception area.

Analyse the job description and prepare a list of questions  to ask. For example:

• What would you see as my first priority if I am appointed to this position?
• What training and promotional opportunities are there?
• Why has the job become available?
• Who will I report to?

Naturally, many of these questions may be answered without you having to ask them, but if you are prepared in advance you will make sure you get all the information you need.

Anticipate some likely interview questions

On the basis of your CV and the job description, you can probably anticipate many of the question the interviewer is likely to ask. Once again, put yourself in the shoes of the interviewer. What will she be looking for? Typical questions include:

• What qualifications or experience do you have that would make you a success in this company?
• What jobs have you enjoyed most? The least? Why?
• What have you done that shows initiative?
• Why do you want this position?
• What's important to you in your job?

It's also important to identify any subjects or areas that might create problems for you and make sure you have a response you are happy with. "Have you ever been made redundant?" "What do you think of your current boss?" "Are you ready for a job like this?" Your ability to give brief, focused and reassuring answers to sensitive questions like these will strengthen your prospects of success.

What to take with you

o     A copy of your CV

o     Certificates

o     References/Referrals/CRB Checks

o     ID

o     Any requested information specified by the company or Eurobritz

Carry everything in just one bag or briefcase, to give an organised impression.

 
Bear in mind that the interviewer may be just as nervous as you they want to select the best person for the job and need to get it right so the company prospers. If he gets it wrong the company will suffer. Your objective is to impress the interviewer by projecting a professional image and demonstrating your suitability for the job.

Greet the interviewer with a smile and a firm handshake and wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. Be aware of your body language: sit up straight, maintain eye contact and avoid fidgeting or twiddling your thumbs. According to research, the interviewer will decide within just four to nine minutes whether to consider you seriously for the job. So making a good first impression is vital.

Show a real interest in the job. Speak clearly and confidently and make sure that everything you say is factual and sincere. During the interview, bear the following guidelines in mind:

o     Concentrate and listen very carefully to the questions. If you are not sure exactly what is being asked, don't say "Could you repeat the question?" This could make the interviewer feel that you haven't been paying attention. Rather, rephrase the key words and ask the interviewer to clarify: "Do you mean..."

o     Avoid answering with a simple yes or no. Support your answer with relevant information from your experience and relate everything you say to the job you are applying for.

o     Do not speak negatively of other people or companies it will make you look unprofessional.

o     Stay calm. Maintain a positive attitude throughout the interview, speak with energy and enthusiasm, and feel free to pause when you are thinking of appropriate replies.

o     Keep your answers relevant and to the point.

A good interviewer will do more than just establish your competence: they will explore your compatibility with the company - your attitudes, beliefs, personality, response to pressure and so on.

You may receive deliberate or provocative  difficult questions. "Why haven't you found a new position before now?" "What do you think of your boss?" "Don't you think you're a bit overqualified for this role?" "Why should I employ you when I could fill this vacancy from within the company." "What was your biggest mistake or error of judgement?"

Ideally, you'll have anticipated and prepared for difficult questions relating to your experience and capabilities. If you are asked an unexpected question, pause and think before giving an answer and always offer a positive response that relates back to the position you are applying for. For example, "Am I over-qualified? I don't think so. Strong companies need strong people, and I believe that a growing and energetic company like yours will make the best possible use of my skills and experience. That's why I applied for this job."

Usually the interviewer will ask you if you have any questions. The worst response is "Can you tell me a little more about the job?" Be specific and ask questions that have not already been answered in the job description. For instance

• What would my initial assignments here be?
• What are the greatest challenges of this role?
• I understand that the company is about to enter the health care market. Will that development have any impact on my role?

At the very least, ask the interviewer when he will be making a final decision and whether he needs any further clarification about your experience.

Leaving the interview...

Don't let your guard down yet. You want the interviewer to remember you positively, so thank them for their time and consideration and tell them how much you enjoyed discussing the job with them.

It's important to convey that you really are interested in working for the company, because - all other things being equal - the job is likely to go to the more interested candidate. For example, you could say: "Mr Jones, I find this opportunity very interesting. Your company is clearly doing exciting things and I believe that with my background and experience I could make a significant impression to your team”

Tell the interviewer that you look forward to seeing him again, shake his hand and leave

Tell your consultant at Eurobritz what you thought about the interview as soon as possible. Make a note of any difficult questions and what you learned from them.

Getting a decision...

If you're offered the job - fantastic! Eurobritz will make all the necessary arrangements. If you did not get the job this time, don't give up, put it down to experience and bear in mind that this interview was a valuable exercise in itself.

If you are particularly keen to be offered a job and wish to increase your profile and chances of receiving a job offer after attending interview, you can follow up an interview with a letter or email (and then a phone call) to reinforce your commitment and qualities for the job. The sooner this is done the better.

Often jobs are offered to the most passionate and determined applicants, so this should be the feeling that your follow-up should try to convey, without giving the impression of desperation or crawling.

You should seek to focus your follow-up letter or email on the key performance aspects in the role that the interviewer believes are required for the successful applicant.

This type of follow-up enables you to show that you have considered and developed your thinking after the interview (a desirable attribute), and also enables you to re-emphasise your claim to the opportunity, bringing your name to the front of the interviewer's mind again. A good follow-up letter or email also enables you to demonstrate that you are persistent, professional, interested, possess relevant capabilities, recognise what the requirements and priorities are, and a keen person who can sell yourself in a determined manner that probably the other applicants will not do.

Interviewers also respond well to applicants who really like the company, especially if your reasons coincide with the reasons that the interviewer likes the company too, so it can help if your follow-up 'resonates' with the feelings of the interviewer about what is required for the role.   Click here to view a sample follow up letter