Interview Tips
Preparation/Research……
Once the interview has been booked in depending on the amount of time for preparation, this is your opportunity to impress. In order to do this there must be time acquitted to researching the Client. This shows that you have taken time out to know what they are all about and sets up a positive tone at interview, important questions you need to ask yourself are:
Who I am seeing/position?
Location/How do I get there?
Do I need bring anything?
How long have they been in existence?
How did they start?
Number of employees?
Define what the company does?
How do they make there money?
Competitors?
Testimonials?
Structure?
Culture?
Once all these things have been defined you will feel more confident and comfortable with the interview as you will be in full control of the situation as you will have everything covered, it is likely that most of the above will be mentioned at some stage of the interview, either asked by you the candidate or answered by the Client which gives you a good opportunity to back up statistics and knowledge you have gained from the company. Most of this information will be obtained by a company website, alternatively you may find paper advertising or people you know who have worked past or present within the company, a company website will be most common though and will most households having access to the Internet across the UK there is no excuse why the candidate shouldn’t be fully competent with what the company does.
When at Interview………..
Always make sure you are early (not to early but around 10-15 minutes)
Dress code is smart at all times to build an immediately positive reaction, common problems include – tie not straight, dirty shoes giving off a scruffy image.
Firm handshake with the interviewer male or female.
Avoid fidgeting when sitting in the interview
Maintain good eye contact and make sure body language is positive and upright instead of slumped
Give the impression “you want to be there”
Ask relevant questions when possible leading to a 2 way interview, this will lead to a more open meeting and usually prolongs the interview taking away nervousness and builds a stronger rapport with the interviewer.
Try and smile and let yourself be yourself in a professional capacity as it should help you put your best foot forward
Express enthusiasm when the role is being discussed which the interviewer can gague
Towards the end of the interview do not be afraid to ask the interviewer “what they thought” “how do we proceed” “do I have the necessary skills for this role?” common questions asked which is likely to close the interview
Try and have questions at the ready even if 1 for the final part of the interview although avoid questions like “ how much holiday” “ what are the benefits” common questions are about progression, what is the average day like, personality of the company.
When asked about weaknesses try and put something which will still act as a strength i.e “really take the role seriously, too seriously sometimes!!” “to keen to please”
Don’t walk out of the door without a handshake and eye contact.
Afterwards
Once you have left the interview if you feel that you have followed all of these things then you will probably say that you gave this your best shot and you could do no more, it also gives a professional image which will make an impression on the interviewer regardless of whether they progress or want you at some stage in the future or indeed knows other prospected employees seeking good staff within the competitive market place.
