 Preparations |
It is useful to make notes and to think about your responses in advance as it will ensure you appear well prepared, organised and motivated for the position.
You should think about the following areas: |
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The company and its products, size / ranking, performance, history and key personnel |
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The position including its responsibilities and reporting structure |
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Your career goals - immediate objectives, why are you moving, long term goals, how ambitious / realistic are you? |
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Your strengths, professional and personal |
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Your weaknesses professional and personal. These should be countered by a comment indicating your
ability to overcome or to work on this weakness and how you have developed |
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Your current work including, duties, level of responsibility, progression and achievements |
| Interview Techniques |
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First impressions count. Make sure you are well groomed and appropriately dressed |
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Be positive about the impression you will make; be confident and present yourself at your best. Develop a rapport with the interviewer, (you could end up working with them); be yourself and smile |
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Remember to look at the interviewer while talking and listening. Do not stare. Do not look around the room |
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Speak clearly and concisely. Do not talk too quickly. Speak up! |
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Phrase your responses in positive terms instead of negatives, as it makes for easier understanding and presents you as more of an optimist than a pessimist |
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Pause before you answer to assist you in preparing your response. Your response should answer the question initially then go on to provide structured evidence. For a more lengthy answer you may need to summarise quickly at the end of your response |
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At all times, keep the job in question closely in mind - phrase your replies to suit the particular requirements of the role |
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Don't let your answers go on for too long. Watch for signs of boredom from the interviewer and keep to the point. If more detail is required it will be asked for with a further question |
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Never lie at an interview. You are usually found out |
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Don't give confidential details away about your present employer. If you let your interviewer think confidential information is unsafe with you, it will seriously affect your chances of success |
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Avoid asking questions about salary and benefits at the first interview. However, if asked, be as general as possible and quote market ranges. Justify your own market worth relative to market conditions and your own qualities. The purpose of this is to ensure that the interviewer will commit themselves first with a figure that will be a guideline to you |
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Remember to include all interviewers in your answers, even if only one does most or all of the talking. Make sure that you maintain eye contact with everyone in the room |
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Never give answers you think the interviewer(s) wants to hear, that are untrue, or not thought out. The insincerity usually shows |
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Prepare some incisive questions in advance |
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Express your positive interest in the position even if you have your doubts at the time. You may change your mind once you have had a chance to reflect on the interview |
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If offered the position at the interview, always ask for time to consider it. The employer has thought about it and you are only asking for an equal opportunity to think it over and perhaps discuss it with your family, colleagues and friends |
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Finally, thank the interviewer(s) for their time and give firm handshakes all round. Last impressions are as important as first impressions and the way you leave may well be the way that you are remembered |
