Preparing for your Interview – Candidates
It is very important to be fully prepared for your interview. Preparation is key to any interview and it can really stand you out against your competitors who are also attending the interview.
There are some of the things you need to prepare before attending any interview.
Research the Job
- Research the organisation. Size of organisation and number of employees
- What do they do, how long have they been operating, what do they specialise in?
- Other general information about the organisation.
- Competitors
- Job description – understand the job role in great detail.
- Have an idea of the department and how it could be structured
- Questions. Very important to get a few well thought out questions in order to further understand the organisation. Give us feedback. Always let us know how the interview went and whether you would consider the position if offered.
- It is important to think about why you are attending the interview
- What can you offer the organisation
- What skills and experience do you have that would be beneficial for the organisation and this role
- Always use examples.
- Be ready to discuss your short and long term goals
- Gaps in the CV – be ready to discuss these. I.e. travelling, contracting or looking for a new position. Explain what you did during this time with enthusiasm.
- Reason for leaving current position. Be as positive as you can as well as being honest.
What are employers looking for?
An interview is used by employers to confirm that applicants have the required knowledge, skills, experience, background and willingness to contribute to the organisation and culturally fit in. They are looking for trusted , valued, productive team members who have career goals in line with the opportunities available at the organisation.
Here is a list of points you should consider to ensure you display your skills and experience in the best possible way to potential employers:
· Are you enthusiastic?
· Easy to work with?
· Can you work under pressure?
· Are you dependable in critical situations and follow work through to completion?
· Are you a self-starter?
· Can you manage your time efficiently?
· How do you structure your working day?
· How do you handle sudden, unplanned work?
· Can you handle constructive criticism?
· Are you objective in evaluating yourself and others?
· Can you work well with a variety of people?
The Interview
- Be prepared to answer traditional interview questions. Rehearse your answers and look out for negative body language.
- Always sit up straight, eye contact, firm handshakes and smile.
- Give honest answers with a positive tone.
- Concentrate on the employers needs.
- Emphasise on how YOU can help the organisation achieve its goals.
- Explain everything in detail without boring the employer- Be specific
- Explain how your skills will benefit the organisation.
- Communicate your strengths
- Explain your past successes, the more you can describe the experience, the more you’ll stand out in the interviewers mind.
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
From the Employer:
- What do you know about the organisation?
- Why do you want this job?
- What interests you about this organisation?
- Why are you looking for a new position?
- How long have you been looking?
- Why do you want this position?
- What qualities do you think this position requires?
- Why do you want to work here?
- What have you got to contribute?
- What would be your ideal job?
- What did you do in your previous / current position in a day-to-day basis?
- What do you not like about your current position?
- How did you make a difference to your previous / current position?
- How successful are you?
- What has been your greatest achievement?
- What has been your greatest failure?
- How could you improve yourself?
- How do you handle criticism?
- Are you a team player?
- Are you accepted in team quickly?
- Give an example of when you took initiative to solve a problem?
- What are you like under pressure?
- What are your career goals?
- What are your strengths?
- What are your weaknesses?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
- How did you get on with your previous Manager and Colleagues?
- How would your colleagues describe you?
From the candidate:
· Research the company and think of questions you may want the answer to
· What would be your responsibilities on a day-to-day basis?
· What are the training opportunities provided, if any?
· Organisational structure?
· How is the team structured?
· How many people are they looking to take on board?
· What they expect you to achieve in 6 months time?
· Progression opportunities?
· Describe the culture of the organisation?
· Describe a typical day?
· Next Steps?
o Find out what happens next with the interview process and express you interest.
o You may consider writing a letter to thank the interviewer for their time and express your interest again.
o Give feedback to your consultant as soon as possible. Tell us what you thought of the organisation, the role, the people you met, and how you think you did in the interview and finally if you would be interested in taking the job if offered to you.
Final Hints
- Connect with each person
- Be sure to have eye contact with the person asking the questions and glance at other members so you are connecting with each individual.
- Be sensitive. If they seem to want to control the interview just go with it but be sure to offer information and ask questions.
- Make sure that the group understand what you have to offer and adapt your approach to the group. Don’t be overly aggressive but interact and show your enthusiasm.
- Each persons opinion can be weighted equally and therefore, in some cases, just one members opposition can disqualify a candidate. It can sometimes be unclear what role or position the person holds therefore, you must be respectful to everyone you meet.
For more information on CV or Interview tips, please call us on 0845 2000 561 or email info@onestepcareers.co.uk and we will be happy to assist you.