GIVING A GOOD JOB INTERVIEW

You must convince the interviewer that you are the best possible person for the job. Before you enter the interview room you are just one name on a long list. Make sure that by the time you come out of the interview, yours is the only name on the list.

Never Panic, Stay Calm, Think Clearly and don’t let tricky questions and being put undet pressure put you off your stride. The following information will help you ensure the interview goes as well as it possibly can.

Preparation

Remember the 6P’s. Proper Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.

Make sure that you know exactly where the interview will take place and the name and position of the person you are meeting.
Work out the route you plan to take well in advance
Allow a generous margin of error in travel times in case of unforeseen circumstances
Have the telephone number of the company handy. You must let them know if you are running late. Turning up late without letting them know may not even get you an interview.

Find out as much about the interview as possible. It is always good to phone the company concerned or the agency dealing with the post to show you are keen and interested.

What type of interview will it be?
How long will it last approximately? You don’t want to have to leave the interview to put more money in a parking meter.
Who will conduct the interview?
Ensure all other appointments in your day are set well outside of the time for the interview

Research

Research is critical in all interviews. Most interviewers will want evidence that you know something about the establishment you are hoping to work for. Knowing about the company / establishment will help boost your confidence in the interview. It will also ensure that you know this is the type of company you want to work for. Use the internet to find out as much as possible about the company. Homepages generally have ‘About Us’ sections, details on the company ethos etc. Remember these, and where possible, use them in your answers and questions. You want to show you are interested in a career, not just a job. Make sure you ask intelligent questions, but not of the ‘How Much Holiday?’ type.

Test Yourself

Most interviews follow a standard theme, and therefore many standard questions are asked, on top of the more technically specific ones. Practise your answers to these common questions: -

“Why are you interested in this position?”
“Tell me about your current boss”
“What are the most satisfying / frustrating things about your current employment?”
“What are your strengths / where do your weaknesses lie?”
“Why do you think we should give you this job?”
“Where do you see yourself in 5/10 years time?”

Learn them, prepare answers, and practice them on friends.

Dress to Impress

People shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but they do, all the time. First Impressions really count, so if you look untidy that’s how you will be remembered. Always wear a suit and tie or neat skirt/dress and polish your shoes. Even if you are attending a second interview and you know the organisation allows less formal work wear dress, maintain a professional / formal approach. You meet someone you didn’t plan too, such as the Managing Director, and first impressions are still important.

Body Language and Actions

It may sound obvious, but always be civilised and remember your manners. Shake hands firmly with people you are introduced to, and when you leave. If you are offered a coffee, say yes please if you want it. This will help you relax, and also convey an image of comfort in your surroundings. Keep it natural. Remember your body language signals. Try to keep any nerves in check, but remember, nerves are not a bad thing. Many people thrive on nerves, and once into the interview, all fear disappears.

Be Unaggressively Assertive

Find the right tone in which to present your positive aspects. You will have to talk about your achievements to show that you are the right person, but do not boast. Under no circumstances should you spend a significant amount of time running down your current employer - this is viewed a very negative.

Turn Weaknesses into Strengths

Make sure you know what your weaknesses are, as everybody has them. Saying you haven’t got any will end your chances there. Use your weaknesses to show your strengths by showing you have recognised them and strive to overcome them:-

“I used to be very poor on the computer, but I took an evening course in Microsoft Office and am fully competent now.”
“I used to have bad time management so now I prioritise my workload first thing every morning.”
“I like to take control and be involved in everything. However I have found that this often means I have too much on my plate. I have started to delegate more now, and the results have been very positive.”

If you lack technical strength in a particular area don’t try and bluff your way through it, but admit; “no, that isn’t my strongest suit, but I’m sure it’s not going to be a problem picking it up.”

Have a Positive Attitude

Above all, don’t wait until after the event to decide that you wished you’d tried harder to get the position. Always go in with the intention of getting an offer, only then do you really have the chance to weigh up how this position compares with others. Many people, with the benefit of hindsight, have regretted they didn’t take a particular interview seriously enough – don’t let yourself be in this ‘if only’ category!!

Some Worthwhile Questions

Finally, if you are given the chance o ask questions you should always take it. It’s best to ask questions that fit naturally into the context of the interview and there is obviously no benefit in asking a previously prepared question if the subject matter has been adequately covered, it simply looks like you weren’t paying attention.

However, if inspiration fails you here are some suggestions, which should give the right impression:-

What is the logical progression within the position; where can I expect to be if my performance is good?
What are the future plans for the company and the department?
What, in your opinion, are the major reasons why someone should join this company?
Ask about the information you researched.
Can you describe my job duties?
Is this a newly created position?
What are the companies short and long term goals?
What do you like most about working for the company?
What is a typical day like for you?
To whom would I report?
Whom will I supervise?
Will there be a training programme if I am appointed?
What is the company’s promotional policy?
With whom will I be working most closely?
When can I expect to hear from you?

Interviewers Most Frequently Asked Questions

What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Tell me about yourself.
What are your team-player qualities? Give examples.
Of the courses you have done, which one did you enjoy the most?
What is your greatest personal achievement? How do you feel about it?
Does it reflect your abilities?
How have your educational and work experiences prepared you for this position?
What work experiences have been most valuable to you and why?
What have the experiences on your CV taught you about managing and working with people?
Of the hobbies and interests listed on your CV, what is you favourite and tell me why?
Where do you see yourself in five years time?
What goals have you set yourself? How are you planning to achieve them?
To what do you owe your present success?
Why should I hire you?
What makes you think you can handle this position?
What is your most significant accomplishment to date?
Why do you want to work here?
What interests you about this job?
What challenges are you looking for in a position?
What can you contribute to this company?
What motivates you?
Describe a leadership role of yours and tell why you committed your time to it.
In a particular leadership role you had, what was your greatest challenge?
Give me an example of an idea that has come to you and what you did with it.
Give me an example of a problem you solved and the process you used.
Give me an example of the most creative project you have worked on.
Tell me about a project you initiated.
Describe the project or situation that best demonstrates your analytical abilities.
Since attending College / University, what is the toughest decision that you have had to make?
Tell me about your most difficult decision and how did you go about making it?
What type of situations put you under pressure, and how do you deal with the pressure?
Give me a situation in which you failed, and how you handled it?
Why are you interested in our organisation?
What type of position are you seeking?
Where do you think your interest in this career comes from?
What industry besides this one are you looking into?
Why have you chosen this particular profession?
Would you consider yourself a team player or an individual?
Describe your type of management?
Describe the type of manager you prefer?
Tell me about a team project of which you are particularly proud and your contribution to it?
Describe a situation where you had to work with someone who was difficult, how did you handle the situation?
What type of work environment appeals to you most?
With which other companies are you interviewing at the moment?
Why do you think this company would be a career rather than a job?
Name two management skills that you think you have?
What characteristics are most important in a good manager? How have you displayed these?
What has been your greatest challenge?