Interview Tips

Preparation

Preparation is the key to a successful interview. Do not leave everything until the night before. Make sure that you know you’re CV inside out and you have a good understanding of the job spec and be able to apply your skills to the role. Do your research on the company and know who you are meeting with. Practice interview questions in the car on the way to work or stuck in traffic or if you have a spare half hour in the evening. The more prepared that you are the more confident you will be at the interview.

Interview Format

Know what style the interview will take as this will give you an advantage over other candidates who didn’t think to ask. It may be competency based, HR based questions, focused on the CV, technical etc.

Presentation

First impressions are crucial. When in doubt wear a suit, it is better to be over dressed than underdressed.

Communication

It is essential to build a rapport with the interviewer. Try and relax and let your personality come across but remain focused. Body language is also a significant factor when doing well at interviews. Greet your interviews with a smile and a firm handshake, be friendly and maintain good eye contact and good posture. If there is more than one interviewer present make sure you include them all in eye contact when answering a question.

Sell Your Skills

To do well at interview you need to highlight the relevance of your skills and the benefit of your experience to your potential employer. Don’t rely on your CV, you are at the interview to highlight your strengths and demonstrate your abilities.

Be Honest

Be honest about your previous experiences as it is likely to catch up with you if you don’t.

• Don’t be over familiar with the interviewer- be professional at all times. 
• Ask questions- Always, always ask a question. Asking intelligent questions will differentiate you from other applicants. 

Be Enthusiastic

Many candidates don’t get offered a role as they did not come across at the interview as really wanting the role. Always be enthusiastic and highlight your interest in the role.

Sample Interview Questions

Openers:

• Tell me about yourself. What is your background?
• What do you know about our company?
• Why did you decide to seek a position with this company? What interests you about our company?

The interviewer is asking you to tell them about yourself as a person, not merely about your job skills.

Work Experience/Job Performance:

• Why should we hire you? Why do you think you're the right person for this job?
• What unique qualities or abilities would you bring to this job? Could you give me an example of how you displayed each of these qualities in your current job?
• What aspects of your previous experience do you think will be most helpful to you in this role? Is there any unique experience that would be likely to be of benefit to you in this position? Please outline this.
• What do you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
• Tell me about a time that you failed at something, and what you did afterwards. What major problems have you encountered and how did you deal with them?
• Are you a team player? Describe a time when you worked on a team project.
• How do you work under pressure? Give an example of how you dealt with it? How do you typically behave when a deadline is approaching?
• How do you react to criticism?
• What has been the biggest disappointment in your career to date?
• What is your greatest achievement to date?
• Describe your first week in the job if you are successful.
• Why do you wish to leave your present role?
• If you could change one thing about your present job circumstances what would it be?
• What motivates you?
• How would your fellow workers describe you?

The interviewer is trying to determine if you’re qualified for the job.

Education/Training/Future Goals:

• What would you hope to achieve in the first 12 months?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?
• What do you see as the next step in your career?
• Why did you choose your college and course of study?
• What other types of jobs or companies are you considering?

The interviewer wants to know if you are serious about staying with the company and to determine whether you’ve given some thought to your future.

Company Research: 

• Why have you applied for this particular position? Why do you want to work here?
• What do you know about this job?
• What salary are you expecting?

The interviewer wants to learn what you know about the company and the job for which you are being interviewed.

Personal:

• When are you available for work?
• What do you do in your spare time?
• How would you describe yourself?

Closures:

• Have you any questions for us?

Always ask questions, i.e. ask about Competitors, Training, Structure etc.